Arafrantz nodded. "Go now and speak to them. Do not reveal my name; simply intimate that I am a Dunédain travelling there and back again for pleasure."
"Yes, monsieur," replied the captain, and headed for the fire. After he transmitted the message, there appeared five dark figures, in whose white faces burned eyes that had plainly been savouring an exquisite Chianti; under their mantles were long grey sacks of contraband; upon their grey hairs were berets of silver; in their haggard hands were accordions of steel. The Chevaliers de Monte Fato were evidently very exclusive indeed. The captain returned anon with the sentinel, who was taller than the others and had gleaming long pomaded hair, and wore a crown over his beret. The sentinel was content to utter the words, "Ach nazgue durbatulouc." The Langue-Noire "Ach nazgue durbatulouc" is untranslatable; it means at once "come," "welcome," "make yourself at home," and "One Ring to rule them all."
"He will require us to be blindfolded," said the captain.
"As you wish," said Arafrantz. "The bordels of Annuminas do likewise at need. My friend the Viscount took it ill, even when making an assignation with a kind mistress of willing slaves; but I endured, and even rather enjoyed it."
