"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.