"
Maurice whistled. "That is good news; not Haine's illness, but
that I have an excuse to meddle here. I'll telegraph at once.
And I'll take the ride besides." He went to his room and buckled
on his spurs, and thoughtfully slipped his revolver into a
pocket. "I am not going to take any chances, even in the dark."
Once again in the office, he stepped up to the desk and ordered
his horse to be brought around to the cafe entrance.
"Certainly," said the clerk. Then in low tones "There has been a
curious exchange in saddles, Monsieur."
"Saddles?"
"Yes. The saddle in your stall is, curiously enough, stamped
with the arms of the house of Auersperg. How that military
saddle came into the stables is more than the grooms can solve."
"O," said Maurice, with an assumption of carelessness; "that is
all right. It's the saddle I arrived on. The horse and saddle
belong to Madame the duchess. I have been visiting at the Red
Chateau. I shall return in the morning."
"Ah," said the clerk, with a furtive smile which Maurice lost;
"that accounts for the mystery."
"Here are two letters that must get in to-night's mails,"
Maurice said; "and also this telegram should be sent at once.
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