Just as I laid hold of the thread gently, I heard a footstep outside the door.
It was only the head chambermaid.

"Haven't you done yet ?" she whispers.
"Give me two minutes," says I, "and don't let anybody come near the door--whatever you do, don't let anybody startle me again by coming near the door." I took a little pull at the thread, and heard something rustle.

I took a longer pull, and out came a piece of paper, rolled up tight like those candle-lighters that the ladies make.

I unrolled it--and, by George! there was the letter! The original letter! I knew it by the color of the ink.

The letter that was worth five hundred pounds to me! It was all that I could do to keep myself at first from throwing my hat into the air, and hurrahing like mad.