"This is the envelope," she said. "It's addressed to M. Gournay-
Martin, Collector, at the Chateau de Charmerace, Ile-et-Vilaine."

The Duke opened the envelope and took out a letter.

"It's an odd handwriting," he said.

"Read it--carefully," said Germaine.

It was an uncommon handwriting. The letters of it were small, but
perfectly formed. It looked the handwriting of a man who knew
exactly what he wanted to say, and liked to say it with extreme
precision. The letter ran:

"DEAR SIR,"

"Please forgive my writing to you without our having
been introduced to one another; but I flatter myself
that you know me, at any rate, by name."

"There is in the drawing-room next your hall a
Gainsborough of admirable quality which affords me
infinite pleasure. Your Goyas in the same drawing-room
are also to my liking, as well as your Van Dyck. In the
further drawing-room I note the Renaissance cabinets--
a marvellous pair--the Flemish tapestry, the Fragonard,
the clock signed Boulle, and various other objects of
less importance. But above all I have set my heart on
that coronet which you bought at the sale of the