"
"How?"
"Has your husband the document that completes the plans of Louis
Lacombe?"
"Yes."
"Tell that to Salvator, and, if possible, procure the document for
him. Write to him at once. You risk nothing."
The advice was bold, dangerous even at first sight, but Madame
Andermatt had no choice. Besides, as Daspry had said, she ran no
risk. If the unknown writer were an enemy, that step would not
aggravate the situation. If he were a stranger seeking to
accomplish a particular purpose, he would attach to those letters
only a secondary importance. Whatever might happen, it was the
only solution offered to her, and she, in her anxiety, was only too
glad to act on it. She thanked us effusively, and promised to keep
us informed.
In fact, two days later, she sent us the following letter that she
had received from Salvator:
"Have not found the letters, but I will get them. Rest easy. I am
watching everything. S."
I looked at the letter. It was in the same handwriting as the note
I found in my book on the night of 22 June.
Daspry was right. Salvator was, indeed, the originator of that
affair.
* * * * *
We were beginning to see a little light coming out of the darkness
that surrounded us, and an unexpected light was thrown on certain
points; but other points yet remained obscure--for instance, the
finding of the two seven-of-hearts.
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