On entering the zaguán, the Count found himself face to face with the Major-domo. Señor Birbomono had such an anxious look that it did not escape Don Sancho; still he continued to advance, pretending not to notice it. But the Major-domo came straight up to him. "I am glad to meet you, Excellency," he said, "if you had not come within ten minutes, I should have knocked at the door of your apartment." "Ah!" Don Sancho observed, "What pressing motive was there to urge you to such a step?" "Is your Excellency aware of what is taking place?" the Major-domo continued, without appearing to notice the young man's ironical tone. "What! Is there really anything happening?" "Does not your Excellency know it?" "Probably not, as I ask you; after all, as the news, I am sure, interests me but very slightly, you are quite at liberty not to tell it to me." "On the contrary, Excellency, it interests you as well as all the inhabitants of the hatto." "Oh! oh! What is it then?" "It appears that the commander of the two Fifties, has placed sentries all round the hatto." "Very good, in that case, we need not fear being attacked by the buccaneers, of whom you are so afraid, and I will thank the commandant for it." "You are at liberty to do so, Excellency, but I fancy you will find it difficult." "Why so?" "Because orders are given to let anyone enter the hatto but nobody leave it." A shudder ran through the young man's veins on hearing this; he turned frightfully pale, but recovering himself almost immediately, remarked carelessly, "Stuff! that order cannot affect me." "Pardon me, Excellency, it is general." "In that case, you think that, if I tried to go out--" "You would be stopped." "Confound it, that is very annoying, not that I have any intention of going out, but as by my character, I am very fond of doing things which are prohibited--" "You would like to take a walk, I suppose, Excellency?" Don Sancho looked at Birbomono, as if trying to read his thoughts. "And suppose such were my intention?" he resumed presently. "I would undertake to get you out." "You?" "Yes, I; am I not the Major-domo of the hatto?" "That is true; thus, the prohibition does not extend to you?" "To me, as to the rest, Excellency; but the soldiers do not know the hatto as I know; I could Slip between their fingers, whenever I liked." "I have strong inclination to try it." "Do so, Excellency; I have three horses at a spot where no one but myself could find them." "Why, three horses?" the young man asked, pricking up his ears. "Because, doubtless, you do not wish to ride with me only, but will take someone with you." Don Sancho, understanding that the Major-domo had penetrated his thoughts, made up his mind at once. "Let us play fairly," he said, "can you be faithful." "I am so, and devoted too, Excellency, as you have a proof." "What assures me that you are not laying a trap for me?" "With what object?" "That of obtaining a reward from the Count."