"Indeed!" said the Count. "There would be no harm, either, in your trying to find the exempt who brought me here, one François Bouillot." "I know where to find him," the Major replied, with the same meaning smile. "Very good! in that case, my dear Governor, I have nothing more to add, or any recommendations to make to you, beyond wishing you a pleasant journey." "It will be so, my lord, I pledge you my word." "It is true that it is a round sum--fifty thousand livres!" "I shall not forget the amount." After saying this the Major took leave of his prisoner, and retired, with a profusion of bows. "I believe that I am going to be free this time!" the Count exclaimed, so soon as he was alone--"Ah! my lord Duke, we are now about to fight with equal weapons!" CHAPTER IX. MAJOR DE L'OURSIÈRE. Had it been possible for Count de Barmont to notice through the thick oak planks, lined with iron, that formed the door of his prison, the face of the governor on leaving him, he would not have chanted victory so loudly, or believed himself so near his deliverance. In fact, so soon as the Major had no longer cause to dread his prisoner's clear-sighted glance, his features immediately assumed an expression of cynical malice impossible to render; his half-closed eyes flashed with a gloomy fire beneath his grey eyelids and an ironical smile raised the corners of his pale thin lips. It was twilight; night was beginning to fall, and confound all objects, by burying them in a dark pall, which momentarily grew denser. The Major returned to his apartments, put a heavy cloak on his shoulders, pulled his hat over his eyes, and sent for his lieutenant. The latter presented himself at once. He was a man of about forty, with a delicate and intelligent face, whose features were imprinted with gentleness and even kindness. "I am starting this moment, sir," the governor said to him, "for Antibes, whither important business summons me; my absence will probably be prolonged for several days. While I remain absent from the castle, I invest you with the command; watch over its safety, and guard against any attempted escape on the part of the prisoner, though I doubt his making it. Such attempts, though they do not succeed, injure the reputation of a fortress, and the character of its governor." "I will watch with the greatest care, sir!" "I am certain of that, sir. Is there any fishing boat in the roads? I should prefer not using the boat belonging to the fortress, as the garrison is so weak." "The fishing boat you generally use, sir, and which is commanded by one Michael, I think, was alongside the quay hardly an hour ago, but he has probably started to fish outside the reef, as he usually does."