"Read, if you can; it has words on its inner side." Cicely snatched at it, and as the writing was clear and clerkly, read with ease save for the chokings of her throat.

It ran-- "My Lady Harflete, "These are the papers that Jeffrey Stokes saved when your father fell.
They were given for safekeeping to the writer of these words, far away across the sea, and he hands them on unopened.

Your husband lives and is well again, also Jeffrey Stokes, and though they have been hindered on their journey, doubtless he will find his way back to England, whither, believing you to be dead, as I did, he has not hurried.

There are reasons why I, his friend and yours, cannot see you or write more, since my duty calls me hence.

When it is finished I will seek you out if I still live.