"Show the man into the yellow room, let him wait for me there, I will be with him in a moment. The deuce," he muttered to himself when he was alone, "it is a long time since this scoundrel let me hear anything of him, I fancied him hung or drowned; he is a clever scamp, can he really have any important information to give me? We shall see." Then, leaving the room in which he was, he hastened to the yellow saloon where the man with the card already was. On seeing the governor, the latter hastily rose, and made him a respectful bow. The Count turned to the valet who had followed him to open the doors. "I am not at home to anybody," he said; "you can go." The valet left the room, and shut the door after him. "Now for us two," the Count said, as he sank into his chair, and pointed to another. "I am awaiting your lordship's orders," the stranger said respectfully. Don Stenio remained for a moment silent, and scratching his forehead. "You have been away for a very long time," he said at last, "well, what has become of you during the last two months?" "I have been executing your Excellency's orders," the man answered. "My orders? I do not remember having given you any." "Pardon me, my lord, if I venture to remind you of certain facts, which appear to have escaped your memory." "Do so, my good fellow, I shall be delighted at it; still, I would remark that my time is valuable, and that others besides yourself are awaiting an audience." "I will be brief, Excellency." "That is what I wish. Go on," "A few days after the affair of the ladrones, does not your Excellency remember saying to me in a moment of anger or impatience, that you would give ten thousand piastres to obtain positive information about the adventurers, their strength, plans, &c.?" "Yes, I remember saying that; what then?" "Well, Excellency, I was present when you made that promise. Your Excellency had deigned to employ me several times before; as you looked at me while speaking, I supposed that you were addressing me, and I have acted accordingly." "That is to say?" "In my devotion to your Excellency, in spite of the numberless dangers I should have to incur, I resolved to go and seek the information you appeared to desire so ardently, and--" "And you went to seek it," the Count exclaimed with an eager start, though hitherto he had paid but very slight attention to the stranger's remarks. "Well, yes, Excellency." "Ah, ah," he said, stroking his chin; "and have you learnt anything?" "An infinity of things, my lord." "Well, let me hear some of them. But mind," he added, checking himself, "no hearsays or suppositions, for I have my ears stuffed with them." "The information I shall have the honour of giving your Excellency, is derived from a good source, since I went to seek it in the very den of the ladrones." The Count gazed with admiration at this man who had not feared to expose himself to so great a danger. "If such is the case, pray continue, señor."