Le Noir then took up the second packet, which was much smaller, but
much more firmly secured, than the first, being in an envelope of
parchment, sealed with three great seals.
Le Noir held it in his hand for a moment, gazing from the surgeon to
the chaplain, and thence down upon the mysterious packet, while
spasms of pain convulsed his countenance. At length he spoke:
"This second packet, Greyson, contains a--well, I may as well call
it a narrative. I confide it to your care upon these conditions--
that it shall not be opened until after my death and funeral, and
that, when it has served its purpose of restitution, it may be, as
far as possible, forgotten. Will you promise me this?"
"On my honor, yes," responded the young man, as he received the
second parcel.
"This is all I have to say, except this--that you seemed to me, upon
every account, the most proper person to whom I could confide this
trust. I thank you for accepting it, and I believe that I may safely
promise that you will find the contents of the smaller packet of
great importance and advantage to yourself and those dear to you."
Herbert bowed in silence.
"That is all, good-by. I wish now to be alone with our chaplain,"
said Colonel Le Noir, extending his hand.
Herbert pressed that wasted hand; silently sent up a prayer for the
dying wrong-doer, bowed gravely and withdrew.
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