In this letter lay my own freedom and the salvation of Madonna Paula, and this letter it behoved me at once to become possessed.

It was a safer far alternative than that dagger of his.
A moment I stood pondering the matter for the last time, then stepping sideways and forward, so that I was again beside him, I put out my hand and swiftly whipped the letter from the table.

Then standing very still, to prevent the slightest rustle, I remained a second or two observing him.

He snored on, undisturbed by my light-fingered action.
I drew away a pace or two, as lightly as I might, and folding the letter I thrust it into my girdle.

Then from my open doublet I drew the sheet that Mariani had supplied me, and, advancing again, I placed it on the table in a position almost identical with that which the original had occupied, saving that it was removed a half-finger's breadth from his hand, for I feared to allow it actually to touch him lest it should arouse him.
Holding my breath, for now was I come to the most desperate part of my undertaking, I caught up one of the tapers and set fire to a corner of the sheet.