"My friend was captured by a dragon?" exclaimed Arafrantz in the greatest horror.
"Your Excellency need not be concerned," said Pippino. "She never eats hostages. Dragontina told the Viscount that she liked being ridden, he mounted her, and the affair might have become a matter for the guardians of public morals, if Dragontina had not taken to the air and transported the Arnorian to Dol Gouldour, where he remains. They had a rather diverting exchange: Dragontina told the prisoner, ‘Now we will find out what you know,' and he replied, ‘I assure you, madame, that I know absolutely nothing.'"
"An amusing story, no?" sallied the Count.
"I'm sure I would find it immeasurably droll, had it happened to someone other than poor Réginard, who never cheated at cards in his life," said Arafrantz.
"Do not be troubled," said the Count. "Not only will we rescue your friend, but we will visit a highly picturesque part of Mirquewoude. Come now; our eagle awaits."
"You have one already prepared?" said Arafrantz, amazed.
"Yes," said the Count. "You see, I am a highly capricious nature. At any time of the day or night, even when I am asleep, if sleep it can be called by Men, I suddenly get the whim to go to any part of the world, and I go."
