“Certainly.”

“And do you understand them?”

“They are always the same.”

“And they mean——”

“‘Nothing new; You have an hour;’ or ‘Tomorrow.’”

“This is simple enough,” said the count; “but look, is not your correspondent putting itself in motion?”

“Ah, yes; thank you, sir.”

“And what is it saying—anything you understand?”

“Yes; it asks if I am ready.”

“And you reply?”