"Oh, it's you, Pippino," said the Count. "I dispense you from your vow not to wash for a year if I saved your life. Please feel free to break that vow. Water hot would indeed be of great benefit to your aesthetical quality."
"If your Excellency commands it, I am your slave," replied Pippino.
"That is an excellent way for a young fellow like yourself to talk," said the Count. "Now: answer my questions."
Pippino glanced nervously at Arafrantz, and sniffed.
"You can speak in front of his Excellency, he is my friend; and indeed, if you do your life will be longer and healthier than if you do not," said the Count affably. "With your permission, then: how did the Viscount Réginard de Pérégrin fall into Luigi Vanya's hands?"
"Your Excellency, the Arnorian's eagle crossed paths several times with that of Dragontina, the chief's mistress, and it amused her to make sweet eyes in his direction – all this with her lover's consent. The funny thing is: he thought she was disguised as a dragon... while not realizing that Luigi Vanya was disguised as the eagle."
The Count laughed.
