"No; this is his usual hour for retiring."
"But how can a man who is not ill go to bed at eight o'clock?"
And again he handed Henry a card.
This visit Count Vavel returned the next morning at three o'clock. At
this hour, as may be supposed, every soul in the manor was still sound
asleep. Only the guards on watch at the gate demanded: "Halt! Who comes
there?"
On learning that the intruder was a "friend," they allowed him to waken
the porter, who thrust his frowzy head from the half-open door to ask,
in surprise, what was wanted.
"Is the Herr Colonel at home?" inquired Count Vavel.
"Yes, your lordship; but he is in bed."
"Is he ill?"
"No, your lordship; but he is in bed, of course, at this hour."
"Why, how can a man who is not ill stay in bed until three o'clock?"
The count turned over a corner of his card, and handed it to the porter.
This, at last, the colonel understood, and left no more cards at the
Nameless Castle.
* * * * *
The officers quartered at the manor were agreeable companions. Vicomte
Leon Barthelmy was a true courtier, a brave soldier, an entertaining
comrade, and a generous master.
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