“The question is, shall we mount and ride at once, or shall I go and take leave of the governor?”

“Of course, your honour, you can do as you like, but I should say that the sooner we are out of this, the better.  The longer we stay here, the more time he will have to take care we don’t get back alive.

“There was another thing I did not tell you, sir.  As we went to the barracks, we passed some cavalry men talking.  They were arguing that the enemy must be marching this way, for at two o’clock last night ten troopers were suddenly called up and sent off, the gates being opened for them by order of the governor.”

“Just what I expected, Mike.  He has written to warn the various contractors that the frauds have been discovered, and, no doubt, telling them that all messengers from here must be stopped and searched, and all reports and documents taken from them; that if I come myself, I am to be put out of the way; and that if this can be done the matter can be hushed up, as he has taken measures to silence all those who know anything about the affair.

“Well, I think you are right.  We need not mind saying goodbye to this scoundrel, as it would only give him time to perfect his arrangements.  I have no doubt that he would pretend to be ill, or to be engaged in some business that would detain him, and manage to keep me waiting some hours before he saw me.  Order the sergeant to saddle up at once.  Let the men eat a meal as quickly as possible, and let each put a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread into his valise, so that we shall be able to ride without stopping anywhere.  Say that we shall mount in twenty minutes, and they must not wait to polish up their accoutrements.  Tell them to put plenty of forage before the horses, and not to put the bridles in their mouths until the last thing.  Let each pour four or five feeds of corn into his forage bag.

“When you have given the orders, have your own breakfast.  I will go downstairs and get something there.  I packed my valises while you were away.”

Exactly twenty minutes later the little troop started.  The men had, at Desmond’s orders, loaded their pistols and short guns.  Avoiding the principal streets, they rode by narrow lanes until they emerged close to the eastern gate.  Through this he and his followers rode, without question, at a quiet pace until beyond the exterior fortifications, across the bridge over the Guadiana, and then broke into a canter.

The sergeant and men were not a little surprised at the sudden departure, for they had supposed that they would remain for some time at Badajos.  Desmond called the sergeant up to his side.