On the second day following that on which Madame de Cambes presented
herself in the guise of a flag of truce at Île Saint-Georges, as
Canolles was making his round upon the ramparts about two in the
afternoon, he was informed that a messenger with a letter for him
desired to speak with him.
The messenger was at once introduced, and handed his missive to
Canolles.
Evidently there was nothing official about the document; it was a small
letter, longer than it was wide, written in a fine, slightly tremulous
hand, upon perfumed bluish paper of fine quality.
Canolles felt his heart beat faster at the mere sight of the letter.
"Who gave it to you?" he asked.
"A man of fifty-five to sixty years of age."
"Grizzly moustache and royale?"
"Yes."
"Slightly bent?"
"Yes."
"Military bearing?"
"Yes."
"That's all."
Canolles gave the man a louis, and motioned to him to withdraw at once.
Then, with wildly beating heart, he concealed himself in the corner of
a bastion, where he could read the letter at his ease.