There were not many.
Those at the bottom, yellow with age, contained vows of love from the Marquis d'Avennes, the more recent ones were brief and, signed Don Louis d'Avila.

Van Hout, who understood the Castilian language in which they were written, hastily read them.

As he was approaching the end of the last one, he exclaimed with lively indignation: "We have here the key of a rascally trick in our hands! Do you remember the excitement aroused four years ago by the duel, in which the Marquis d'Avennes fell a victim to a Spanish brawler?
The miserable bravo writes in this letter that he has....

It will be worth the trouble; I'll translate it for you.

The first part of the note is of no importance; but now comes the point: 'And now, after having succeeded in crossing swords with the marquis and killing him, not without personal danger, a fate he has doubtless deserved, since he aroused your displeasure to such a degree, the condition you imposed upon me is fulfilled, and to-morrow I hope through your favor to receive the sweetest reward.