It was a small, common-looking letter, sealed with a B, that might signify Blondel or Basterga, or, for the matter of that, Baudichon.

He did not know the handwriting, and he opened it idly, in the scorn of small things that pain induced.
He had not read a line of the contents, before his countenance changed.
The letter was from Basterga, and cunningly contrived.

It gave him the directions he needed, yet it was so worded that even after the event it might pass for a trifling communication from a physician.

The place and the hour were specified--the latter so near that for a moment his cheek grew pale.

On that ensued the part which interested him most; but as the whole was brief, the whole may be given.
"Sir" (here followed a cabalistic sign such as physicians were in the habit of using to impose on the vulgar).