Æsop answered, proudly: "On the word of a hunchback. Before two o'clock I
will bring you the news you wish for."
Gonzague gave a cry of triumph. "Then ask and have your own reward." Then
he turned and hurriedly left the gardens, his breast swelled with
exultation. When he was out of sight, the hunchback whistled softly, and
Cocardasse and Passepoil came out of the shadow of the trees. The lights
were now rapidly dying out, and the gardens lay in darkness checkered by
the moonlight.
Lagardere turned to his friends. "She is in Gonzague's palace. We must
rescue her at once."