"I cannot do it cheaply, monsieur. The matter, in case I can recollect it, is one of the utmost importance for monsieur, and as madame has been lately so extraordinarily kind to me, and has given me, through Madame Feldner, so many sterling proofs of her kindness, and monsieur will of course not trust me in future, but this will undoubtedly be the last service which I shall render monsieur----" "How much!" shrieked Giraldi. "Ten thousand francs, monsieur." Giraldi pulled out a pocket-book from which he took a handful of bank-notes, and threw them on the table. "Count them!" "There are three thousand thalers, monsieur." "Take them and speak!" François smoothed the notes carefully, put them no less carefully into one side of his pocket-book, and said, as he took a paper from the other side: "Monsieur's generosity is adorable, as usual. I should be most deeply ashamed if I were not convinced that monsieur would take this as a fully sufficient equivalent." And, with a low bow, he handed Giraldi the paper--a copy of Elsa's telegram to her father. François had hoped that the terror which must now be painted on monsieur's expressive face would produce an interesting variety in the scene; but he flattered himself in vain. Monsieur, who had been trembling all over with rage and fury, and who had gesticulated and raved like a madman, now stood, after glancing in his own rapid fashion over the paper, looking as calm and composed as François had ever yet seen him; and asked, in his usual low inquiring voice: "When and where was this sent out?" "This morning, at five o'clock, from Prora, by a man on horseback, whom I sent myself, after I had taken a copy of the open note." "Then your news is not worth a farthing. The telegraphic communication between Berlin and Sundin has been interrupted since four o'clock this morning." "Just so, monsieur. That was what the clerk said who received the telegram, after he had inquired at Sundin and received the answer that he might telegraph through Grünwald; there might be some chance there. Inquiry made at Grünwald. Reply, 'Yes, and on through Stettin.' The messenger, an old trustworthy servant, one of the late Herr von Warnow's, monsieur, took note of everything, and reported it all to mademoiselle in my presence, adding that according to the clerk's report the telegram would reach Berlin rather late, but certainly in the course of the morning." "In your presence, do you say? How came that?" François shrugged his shoulders. "Mademoiselle knows how to appreciate my knowledge in such matters--an old courier, monsieur! To speak the truth, I had myself given the messenger the necessary instructions." "Why were you not sent?" François smiled. "The night was very stormy, monsieur; I am not fond of roughing it. I said I could not ride, and did not know the way." "But you can ride, and you know the way to Wissow?" François bowed. "How far is it, to ride?"