Nevertheless, he locked the door so as to be secure against any possible intruder.

Then he went to his safe, unlocked it, and drew from its secret drawer the worn brown-leather pocket-book.
First of all he took out the notes and laid them upon the table.
Then he felt the pocket-book all over and his heart gave a little leap.

It was true what Mademoiselle Idiale had told him.

On one side there was distinctly a rustling as of paper.

He opened the case quite flat and passed his fingers carefully over the lining.
Very soon he found the opening--it was simply a matter of drawing down the stiff silk lining from underneath the overlapping edge.
Thrusting in his fingers, he drew out a long foreign envelope, securely sealed.