"You must not be offended with me on account of my failure to do so. I never write to any one. It is against my principles."
"But you must break this rule sometimes," said Adhémar, gazing searchingly at the countess.
"Not often," was the calm response. "My autograph letters ought to fetch a good price, for there are certainly very few of them."
"It would, doubtless, surprise you very much if I told you that I have one in my possession."
"Indeed! I should really like to see it."
"Well, I regret that I haven't got it with me. I should add, however, that it is a very unimportant document; the telegraphic note you sent to Pierre at the Lion d'Or."
"Yes! I recollect that. But I cannot imagine how you came by it."
"Poor Dargental was dead when it was delivered. We were ignorant of the fact, and were breakfasting without him, at the time, and Charles Balmer, who was one of the guests, took the liberty to open the message and show it to us."
"That doesn't surprise me. Monsieur Balmer is always doing something stupid. But I am surprised you kept it."
"I meant to hand it to Dargental as soon as the lunch was over. But, alas! I arrived at his place too late."