It is with a grand regret that I find myself unable to pay my respects in person to your Grace, but a broken ankle keeps me a prisoner in the cabin. If there is anything your Grace wishes to communicate, have the extreme goodness to send me a note by the bearer. He can be trusted.
I leave the stores following last instructions. Enclosed is the list. The bearer will bring to me your new list from behind the door, if by chance you are not at home.
Your Grace’s devoted servitor,
Jacques Lafenestre.
She laid the letter on the table. “What a shame! It really tells us nothing.”
“Not a thing. Lafenestre might at least have mentioned the date of the next visit.”
“They all seem dreadfully afraid we may learn something.” She took up the other paper and unfolded it. “This is the list.”
Then she read:
“Four sacks corn-meal,
Two sacks Graham flour,
Four boxes crackers,
Two barrels potatoes.”
“Those must be downstairs,” said Pats. “I see the cellar door is open.”
Elinor continued: