Gerald came out to meet them as they climbed the stone steps which led on to the terrace.

He glanced behind as he greeted them, and then almost stealthily took a telegram from his pocket.
"This came for you," he remarked, handing it to Hamel.

"I met the boy bringing it out of the office." Hamel tore it open, with a word of thanks.

Gerald stood in front of him as he read.
"If you wouldn't mind putting it away at once," he asked, a little uncomfortably.

"You see, the telegraph office is in the place, and my uncle has a queer rule that every telegram is brought to him before it is delivered." Hamel did not speak for a moment.