"How did you get it?" asked Seth.
"A girl brought it only to-day. She asked for my master, and when I told her he was not in Paris, she asked where she could find Monsieur Barrington. I did not tell her, but I said I could deliver the letter."
Seth nodded as he turned the letter over and over, a puzzled expression in his face.
"She seemed doubtful about leaving it with me, but in the end did so, saying it was a matter of life and death."
"It's good of you to have brought it," said Seth. "She did not say who it was from?"
"No."
"Look at the writing again and tell me if by any chance it comes from the Marquis."
"That's a woman's writing," said the man.
"But not a writing you know?"
"Quite strange to me."