"What time does the midnight train from New York get into Five Lakes?"
"A little before nine——"
"You can make it in the flivver, can't you?"
"Yes, if I start now."
"All right. Two ladies. You're to bring them to the house, not here. Mrs. Ray knows about them. And — get back here as soon as you can."
He closed his door again, sat down on the bed and opened the other letter. His hand shook as he unfolded it. He was so scared and excited that he could scarcely decipher the angular, girlish penmanship:
* * * * *
"To dear Captain Darragh, our champion and friend—
"It is difficult for me, Monsieur, to express my happiness and my deep
gratitude in the so cold formality of the written page.
"Alas, sir, it will be still more difficult to find words for it when
again I have the happiness of greeting you in proper person.