Wearily, in high disgust, I recognized that the great scheme had, for tonight at least, gone awry, and that I must tramp back to Avranches, carrying my old man of the sea, the Cardinal's Necklace.

For Jean could not read, and it was useless to leave the parcel with written directions.
I went into the outer room, and set the lantern in its place; I took a pull at my flask, and smoked a pipe.

Then, with a last sigh of vexation, I grasped my stick in my hand, rose to my feet, and moved toward the door.
Ah! Hark! There was a footstep outside.
"Thank Heaven, here comes the old fool!" I murmured.
The step came on, and, as it came, I listened to it; and as I listened to it, the sudden satisfaction that had filled me as suddenly died away; for, if that were the step of old Jean, may I see no difference between the footfalls of an elephant and of a ballet-dancer! And then, before I had time to form any plan, or to do anything save stand staring in the middle of the floor, the latch was lifted again, the door opened, and in walked--the Duke of Saint-Maclou!.