“I never saw him before,” Adolphe replied. “I think he has a letter for you.”
A few minutes later the boy entered. “I have a letter for Pascal Batistelli,” he said.
Pascal reached out his hand to receive it.
“I was to put it into the hands of Pascal Batistelli. Are you the right man?”
“That is my name,” said Pascal.
The boy handed him the letter and then retreated slowly towards the door. Pascal threw him a small coin, which the boy deftly caught, and then quickly withdrew. Pascal broke the seal and read:
“I cannot give you my real name in this note, for reasons which you will understand. I have found the man you seek. This is all I can tell you until some arrangements are made in relation to the reward offered. I am playing false to a friend in order to serve you—a friend who will fight for Vandemar to the death. I am obliged to act, therefore, with the utmost caution. I will meet you to-morrow night at twelve, precisely, in the maple grove behind the castle.”
“I understand,” said Pascal, as he laid down the letter. “This must come from the man who called himself Paoli, and who said that he belonged to Cromillian’s band. To serve me he must prove false to a friend. That friend, I suppose, is Cromillian, and, reading between the lines, I infer that Cromillian is a friend of Vandemar Della Coscia. So be it. The Batistellis have friends, also, and we shall soon learn which is the stronger party.”
At that moment Julien entered the room.
“Read that, Julien,” said Pascal, as he handed him the letter.