The moment was badly chosen to ask for an audience, as the Count felt inclined to sleep; he answered the usher that, however important the stranger's communications might be, he did not believe them of such importance that he should sacrifice his siesta for them; he therefore Sent a message to the effect that the governor would not be at liberty till four in the afternoon, and if the stranger liked to return then he would be received. The Count dismissed the usher, and rose, muttering to himself as he walked towards the boudoir,-- "_Dios me salve_, if I were to believe all these scamps, I should not have a moment's rest." Whereupon he stretched himself in a large hammock, hung right across the room, closed his eyes and fell asleep. The Count's siesta lasted three hours, and this delay was the cause of serious complications. On waking, Don Stenio quite forgot all about the stranger; it so often happened that he was disturbed for nothing by people who declared they had urgent matters to discuss with him, that he did not attach the slightest importance to their requests for an audience, and the usher's words had completely slipped his memory. At the time when he entered the room where he usually granted his audiences, and which at this moment was quite empty, the usher presented himself again. "What do you want?" he asked him. "Excellency," the usher replied with a respectful bow, "the man has returned." "What man?" "The man who came this morning." "Oh yes, well, what does he want?" the Count continued, who did not know what all this was about. "He desires, my lord, that you will do him the honour of receiving him, as he states that he has matters of the utmost gravity to tell you." "Ah, very good, I remember now; it is the same man you announced this morning." "Yes, Excellency, the same." "And what is his name?" "He will only tell it to your Excellency." "Hum! I do not like such precautions, for they never forbode anything good; listen, José! When he arrives, tell him I never receive people who insist on keeping their incognito." "But he is here, my lord." "Ah! well then, it will be all the more easy, tell him so at once." And he turned his back. The usher bowed and left the room, but returned almost immediately. "Well! Have you sent him away?" the Count asked. "No, my lord, he gave me this card requesting me to hand it your Excellency. He declares that, in default of his name, it will be sufficient to secure his admission to your presence." "Oh! Oh!" said the Count, "That is curious, let me see this famous talisman." He took the card from the usher's hand and looked at it absently; but all at once he started, frowned and said to the usher,