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 "A cablegram for M. le Comte"

Dessalines started as if the man had struck him; his shoulders seemed to shrivel, his eyes to bulge; their whites became conspicuous. Giles had never before witnessed the phenomenon of a negro turning pale; he stared, amazed at the ashen hue of the Haytian's face.

Dessalines waved his hand feebly to Giles.

"Open it please, my friend. Open it and—read it to me." His voice was husky, the articulation thick.

With a pounding heart Giles took the cablegram from the hand of the valet, ripped it open, and read:

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