"But you see, monseigneur, it is not natural!" cried the intendant. "That you, having to buy a house in Annuminas, should buy precisely at Barroue-Don, and then precisely at rue Vieilhomme-Willeau, 28! Ah, why did I not tell you everything back there, monseigneur! You certainly would not have required that I come. I had hoped it was another house, even were it the habitation of scorpions or Bombadil. As if there were another house in Barroue-Don than that of the murder!"
"Stubborn Balrogue!" said Monte Fato. "Always superstitions and mysteries, unsubstantial as the shadows wherein you cloak yourselves! Here, take this lantern, which contains the light of the Two Cheeses, and let us visit the garden; with me you will not be afraid, I hope!"
Roguccio took the lantern and opened the door. The Count went forward, oblivious of a large X carved in the ground, to which the intendant gave a wide berth.
Finally, Roguccio could endure no more. "Stop, monsieur!" he cried. "You are almost at the place where he fell!"
"Mon cher monsieur Roguccio," said Monte Fato with a laugh. "I adjure you, return to yourself. We are not here in Gondolino, surrounded by Elves, nor yet in Morie, in the presence of a wizard. We are simply in a jardin hobbitique, admittedly a little ill-maintained, but which must not be calumniated on that regard."
