Ranulph placed a seat for him. He viewed the conger eel and limpets withan avid eye, but waited for the chevalier and de Mauprat to sit. He hadno sooner taken a mouthful, however, and thrown a piece of cheese toBiribi the dog, than, starting again to his feet, he exclaimed:

"Your pardon, monsieur le chevalier, that brute in the Place has knockedall sense from my head! I've a letter for you, brought from Rouen by oneof the refugees who came yesterday." He drew from his breast a packetand armed it over. "I went out to their ship last night."