Before the Count had recovered himself sufficiently to go after Miss Endicott despite her look of contempt and her yet more significant amusement, Jack Neligage came toward him down the piazza, and called him by name.
"Oh, Count Shimbowski," Jack said. "I beg your pardon, but may I speak with you a moment?"
The Count looked after Miss Endicott, but he turned toward Neligage.
"I am always at your service," he said in French.
"I wanted to speak to you about that letter that my mother gave you yesterday. She made a mistake."
"A mistake?" the Count echoed, noncommittally.
"Yes. It is not for you."
"Well?"
"Will you give it to me, please?" Jack said.
"But why should I give it to you? Are you Christopher Calumus?"