"But perhaps I'd better keep an eye on it myself; one never knows." He put away the razor leisurely, and went.

On the stairs he found Bonavent, mounting--Bonavent, disguised in the livery and fierce moustache of a porter from the Ritz.
"Why didn't you come to the servants' entrance ?" said Charolais, with the truculent air of the servant of a duke and a stickler for his master's dignity.
"I didn't know that there was one," said Bonavent humbly.

"Well, you ought to have known that there was; and it's plain enough to see.

What is it you want ?" said Charolais.
"I've brought a letter--a letter for the Duke of Charmerace," said Bonavent.
"Give it to me," said Charolais.

"I'll take it to him." "No, no; I'm to give it into the hands of the Duke himself and to nobody else," said Bonavent.
"Well, in that case, you'll have to wait till he's finished dressing," said Charolais.
They went on up to the stairs into the ante-room.