The butler nodded and touched his forehead.
"Now go and fetch the brandy. Stop, wait a minute."
Villebois took an old 'petit bleu' from his pocket, gummed it down and handed it to François.
"Hand me this when you bring the cognac, and tell me it has just arrived."
François saluted and vanished, while Villebois returned to the library.
Presently François arrived with a tray of glasses and the liqueur, and handed him the telegram.
"Why did you not bring me this before?" asked Villebois.
"It has only just arrived, sir," replied François, like a school-boy repeating a lesson.
Villebois hastily opened it, and glancing at the contents put it into his pocket.