"That is different—give it here."
He took the letter, opened, and ran through it.
"Read it aloud," said the Count.
"That is a pretty job you give me, Commandant. Still, as you wish it, I must obey you."
"I implore you, Michael."
"Enough, Captain."
And he began reading the strange missive aloud.
It was short and laconic, but on that very account it necessarily produced a more terrible effect, because every word was carefully chosen to go straight home.
The following was its tenor:—
MY LORD,