"Castel, Your Highness."
"You arrived without accident?"
"Wholly without accident, Your Highness. We reached the lodge a few minutes before the storm broke."
"The lady, Mademoiselle Lannes, is safe and comfortable?"
"Entirely so. Your Highness. The maid, Suzanne, is preparing her room for her."
"You found Muller there waiting for you according to instructions?"
Some prudential motive prompted John to reply:
"Yes, Your Highness, he had everything ready and was waiting. I presented your letter at once."
"You have done well, Castel. Keep the lady within the house, but the storm will do that anyhow. Do not under any circumstances call me up, but I will call you again when I think fit. Bear in mind that the reward of both you and Muller shall be large, if you serve me well in this most important matter."
"Yes, Your Highness. I thank you now."