Whereupon, turning to me, "Be therefore of good courage, monsieur,"
said Lavedan, "for your hurt is none so grievous after all."
I was muttering my thanks and my assurances that I was in excellent
spirits, when we were suddenly disturbed by a rumbling noise as of
distant thunder.
"Mort Dieu!" swore the Vicomte, a look of alarm coming into his
face. With a bent head, he stood in a listening attitude.
"What is it?" I inquired.
"Horsemen - on the drawbridge," he answered shortly. "A troop, by
the sound."
And then, in confirmation of these words, followed a stamping and
rattle of hoofs on the flags of the courtyard below. The old servant
stood wringing his hands in helpless terror, and wailing, "Monsieur,
monsieur!"
But the Vicomte crossed rapidly to the window and looked out. Then
he laughed with intense relief; and in a wondering voice "They are
not troopers," he announced. "They have more the air of a company
of servants in private livery; and there is a carriage - pardieu,
two carriages!"
At once the memory of Rodenard and my followers occurred to me, and
I thanked Heaven that I was abed where he might not see me, and that
thus he would probably be sent forth empty-handed with the news that
his master was neither arrived nor expected.
But in that surmise I went too fast. Ganymede was of a tenacious
mettle, and of this he now afforded proof. Upon learning that
naught was known of the Marquis de Bardelys at Lavedan, my faithful
henchman announced his intention to remain there and await me, since
that was, he assured the Vicomte, my destination.
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