"Yes, M. le Comte."
"How comes it that so great a crowd is permitted to meet in the streets? And that at my entrance, though I come unannounced, I find half of the city gathered together?"
The Provost stared. "Respect, M. le Comte," he said, "for His Majesty's letters, of which you are the bearer, no doubt induced some to come together----"
"Who said I brought letters?"
"Who----"
"Who said I brought letters?" Count Hannibal repeated in a strenuous voice. And he ground his chair half about and faced the astonished magistrate. "Who said I brought letters?"
"Why, my lord," the Provost stammered, "it was everywhere yesterday----"
"Yesterday?"
"Last night, at latest--that letters were coming from the King."
"By my hand?"