"The document was, unhappily, very clear and correct, according to the customs of the Haradrins, which demand, among other things, the signatures of seven witnesses in camel-blood.
"'Madame, can one not question the Count of Monte Fato?' asked the president.
"'Monsieur, the Count of Monte Fato has been at Le Havre-Gris for three days,' replied Shélobe.
"'Then who has recommended to you this course of action, which is altogether natural and for which the court is thankful?' asked the president.
"'Monsieur,' said Shélobe, 'this course has been recommended to me by my respect and my sorrow, and the desire to avenge my illustrious father. Now, when I set foot in Arnor and learned that the betrayer dwelt in Annuminas, I kept my eyes and ears open constantly. I live retired in the home of my noble protector, but I live thus because I love the shadows and the silence and utter and impenetrable dark and the black vapour wrought of veritable darkness itself, that remind me of the harem of Torecq-Oungol of my youth and that permit me to live in my thoughts and in my contemplations. Yet nothing of the life of the world is unknown to me; only I receive naught but the distant rumour thereof. Thus I read all the journals; and it was in following, without submerging myself in the life of the world that I learned today of the events at the Chambre des moutants; so I wrote.'
