As for the promised sum of money,
it is to be produced in one bank-note, folded in a sheet of paper,
on which a line is to be written, dictated by the Courier.
The two enclosures are then to be sealed up in an envelope,
addressed to his wife, and stamped ready for the post. This done,
the letter is to be placed under his pillow; the Baron or the Countess
being at liberty to satisfy themselves, day by day, at their own time,
that the letter remains in its place, with the seal unbroken,
as long as the doctor has any hope of his patient's recovery.
The last stipulation follows. The Courier has a conscience; and with
a view to keeping it easy, insists that he shall be left in ignorance
of that part of the plot which relates to the sequestration of my Lord.
Not that he cares particularly what becomes of his miserly master--
but he does dislike taking other people's responsibilities on his
own shoulders.
'These conditions being agreed to, the Countess calls in the Baron,
who has been waiting events in the next room.
'He is informed that the Courier has yielded to temptation;
but he is still too cautious to make any compromising remarks.
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