"Oh! mon Dieu! I have forgotten something!"
"What is it? Have you two duels on hand?"
"No, but if anything should happen to me—I haven't written a word of farewell to my father. I will step into this café, while you go and find a messenger for me—Sans-Cravate, if you can."
"Very well, my friend."
Albert alighted from the cab and went into the café to write his letter; meanwhile, Tobie turned back to the corner of Rue du Helder to find the messenger. Sans-Cravate and Jean Ficelle were not in their places, but he saw Paul and hurried to where he stood.
"You must come with me, my boy."
"Yes, monsieur."
"You will be given a letter to deliver."
"I will deliver it, monsieur."
"You are to carry it to—but my friend probably won't want it to be delivered at once. It's a very serious matter—a duel."