I read the first paper again, refolded it, and rose to my feet. “Who brought this, sirrah?” I demanded.

His answer was glib enough: “One of the governor’s servants. He said as how there was no harm in the letter, and the gold was good.”

“When was this?”

“Just now. No, I did n’t know the man.”

I saw no way to discover whether or not he lied. Drawing out another gold piece, I laid it upon the table. He eyed it greedily, edging nearer and nearer.

“For leaving this door unlocked,” I said.

His eyes narrowed and he moistened his lips, shifting from one foot to the other.