"
Fitzgerald was now attending the conversation.
"And who is this woman?" asked Maurice.
"Mademoiselle of the Veil, according to your picturesque
imagination; to me she is the intimate friend and adviser of her
Highness Stephonia." He wheeled to the troopers with a laugh:
"Hoch, you beggars, hoch!"
Maurice indulged in some uncomplimentary remarks, among which
was: "I'm an ass!"
"Every man improves on making that discovery; the Darwinian
theory is wrong."
After a pause Maurice said: "How did you get on the ground so
quickly?"
"We arrived yesterday afternoon as the escort of your charmer. A
pretty woman finds it troublesome to travel alone in these parts.
When you slapped your friend on the back and bawled out his
name--a name known from one end of the kingdom to the other--the
plan of action was immediately formed. You were necessary, for
it was taken for granted that you knew too much. You had also
promised your sword," with a chuckle.
"I made no promise," said Maurice. "I only said that I should
easily be found when wanted."
"Well, so you were; there's no gainsaying that."
Maurice said some more uncomplimentary things.
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