"But if the messenger was drowned—"
"I didn't say that he was drowned."
"Let us not haggle over words; if the messenger is dead—"
"Oh! as to that, he's dead enough."
"Monsieur de Canolles will not have received the letter, of course, and consequently will not keep the appointment."
"Oh! one moment; I make war on powers, not on private individuals. Monsieur de Canolles received a duplicate of the letter making the appointment; but as I considered that the autograph manuscript was of some value, I retained it."
"What will he think when he fails to recognize the writing?"
"That the person who hungers for a sight of him has employed another hand, as a measure of precaution."
The stranger eyed Cauvignac in evident admiration of such unbounded impudence combined with such perfect self-possession. He was determined, if possible, to find some means of frightening the reckless swashbuckler.
"What about the government," he said, "and the investigations that may be set on foot? Do you never think of that?"