Departing

Angor returned to his room alone. He left Toby behind so that the latter could spend one more night with his old master.

Number One was waiting for him outside the garden.

"Good evening, Mister Padt," the machine butler spoke in its typical robotic voice, "I happen to have a message for you."

Angor gave it a doubtful look.

"Someone visited not long after you left for the auction. When I explained your absence, he left this for you." Number One took out a sealed letter from its sling pouch and handed it to Angor.

[To Mister Padt]

The handwriting seemed terrible. More than terrible. Even so, Angor did not believe the author of the letter was illiterate because the wordings seemed fine.

The red wax seal had a picture that showed a windmill with a foreign but charming design, and it appeared that the picture was stamped on it using a gold-colored material. In addition to the picture, a single down feather was placed on top of it.