"It must be intended for monsieur," said the man presenting it upon his salver, "for the messenger says it comes from Madame Le Prun."
"Hey!—ha!—let us see! Ten thousand devils, what is this?"
He read—
"Relying upon your professions of devotion, I implore of you to deliver me from a prison as terrifying as that of which my husband was the jailer. The messenger, a little boy whom fortune has sent to me, will conduct you to this spot. I know not the name of the street, nor of the hotel. In the name of heaven lose not a moment!
"Lucille."
Monsieur Le Prun descended the stairs, and was in the street in a second.
"Well, garçon, here I am—I've got the note—conduct me to the place."
"Ha, ha! then you are—the marquis?"
"To be sure I am. Here, boy, take this, and lead on."
He gave him a piece of money, and, following his little guide, Le Prun, in less than half an hour, reached the spot from which he had started.