It contained a telegram.
From Jansenius, London.
TO J.Smilash, Chamoounix Villa, Lyvern.
Henrietta dangerously ill after journey wants to see you doctors say must come at once.
There was a pause.

Then he folded the paper methodically and put it in his pocket, as if quite done with it.
"And so," he said, "perhaps the tragedy is to follow the farce after all." He looked at the boy, who retreated, not liking his expression.
"Did you slide all the way from Lyvern ?" "Only to come quicker," said the messenger, faltering.

"I came as quick as I could." "You carried news heavy enough to break the thickest ice ever frozen.

I have a mind to throw you over the top of that tree instead of giving you this half-crown." "You let me alone," whimpered the boy, retreating another pace.
"Get back to Lyvern as fast as you can run or slide, and tell Mr.Marsh to send me the fastest trap he has, to drive me to the railway station.
Here is your half-crown.

Off with you; and if I do not find the trap ready when I want it, woe betide you." The boy came for the money mistrustfully, and ran off with it as fast as he could.