He dropped his pen with a low whistle.

He could see at a glance that the letter had come an unusual journey.

It was dirty, and crumpled, and ragged at the ends--and then, on the back of it, he found written in ink, "Lac Bain." His fingers trembled as he tore open the envelope.

Swiftly he read.

His breath came in a gasping cry from between his lips, his face turned as white as the crumpled paper, and then, as suddenly, a flush of excitement leaped into his cheeks, replacing the pallor.