You will find, however, that the despatch contains but a few words.

At first the Admiral thought only to give me a message; but he afterwards wrote what he had said, in order that, should any evil befall me by the way, one of the three men who accompanied me should take my shoe and bring it to your majesty." By this time he had slit open the lining of his shoe with his knife, and handed the little piece of paper to the queen.

It contained only the words: "All goes well.

Am hoping to see you.

You will find me in or near Cognac." There was no signature.
"You have done good service to the cause, Monsieur Fletcher," the queen said.