"Une lettre pour Monsieur le Consul," said the messenger.
Chivey held out his hand, and the man, taking it for granted that Chivey belonged to the consular establishment, gave it to him.
"Il y a une réponse—there is an answer," said the messenger.
"It will be forwarded," returned Chivey, with cool presence of mind.
"I ought to take it with me," said the messenger.
"I can't disturb his excellency now," replied the tiger; "those are my master's express orders, which I can't presume to disobey. He will send the answer on immediately it is ready."
The man paused.
"The consul was expecting this letter," said Chivey, moving towards the door, "and he told me particularly that he would send the answer on."
"Puisqu'il est ainsi," said the man, dubiously. "Since it must be so, I suppose I had better leave the letter."
"Of course you had," returned Chivey, closing the door. "I daresay you will get the answer within an hour."