Leaving my servant and the messenger together, I returned to my own room, and opened the packet. As I more than half expected, the letter was signed "D'Angely." It was very short, but it answered one of the questions I had been asking myself.
"Since sending my first messenger," it ran, "Monseigneur's business calls me immediately to Poictiers; so I must meet you there instead. Start at once; you can trust the bearer."
Directly Jacques was at liberty he joined me, and I handed him the letter without comment.
"That clears up one point of the mystery," said he. "It is plain the lawyer knows he has this L'Estang to fight against; but 'tis a pity your friend does not give a hint of what is in progress. He might, for instance, have sent a description of Cordel's tools."
"Very probably he did. You forget that this letter only supplements the first one."
"Yes," said Jacques, adding, "will you go to Poictiers, monsieur?"
"I must. L'Estang may have something of importance to tell me."
"He could have written it," said Jacques. "I don't like this journey. These assassins are on the watch. One messenger killed, and the next shot at—we can be sure they won't let you pass free."
"There are three of us," I replied lightly—"you and I and L'Estang's courier, and he seems well able to take care of himself. Let us get ready while he is resting."