The messenger was at once introduced, and handed his missive to Canolles.
Evidently there was nothing official about the document; it was a small letter, longer than it was wide, written in a fine, slightly tremulous hand, upon perfumed bluish paper of fine quality.
Canolles felt his heart beat faster at the mere sight of the letter.
"Who gave it to you?" he asked.
"A man of fifty-five to sixty years of age."
"Grizzly moustache and royale?"
"Yes."
"Slightly bent?"
"Yes."
"Military bearing?"