tried to check the blood, but could
not, it poured forth in such a stream. I knew not what to do; I was
distracted, and in a frenzy, I left the place and hurried to our
lodgings. That is the truth, monsieur; believe me."

"I do believe you," I said; and she turned again to the window to hide
her tears.

"It was then," went on her mother, "that that man yonder had another
inspiration. Before it had been only--what you call--blackmail--a few
thousands, perhaps a pension; now it was something more--he was
playing for a greater stake. I do not know all that he planned. He
found Celeste suspected of having killed her father; he must get her
released at any cost; so he wrote a note----"

"Yes," I cried. "Yes, of course; I see. Miss Holladay under arrest was
beyond his reach."

"Yes," she nodded, "so he wrote a note--oh, you should have seen him
in those days! He was like some furious wild beast. But after she was
set free, Celeste did not come to us as she had promise'. We saw that
she suspected us, that she wish' to have nothing more to do with us;
so Victor commanded that I write another letter, imploring her,
offering to explain." She stopped a moment to control herself. "Ah,
when I think of it! She came, monsieur. We took from her her gown and
put it on Cecile. She never left the place again until the carriage
stopped to take her to the boat. As for us--we were his slaves--he
guided each step--he seemed to think of everything--to be prepared for
everything--he planned and planned."

There was no need that she should tell me more--the whole plot lay
bare before me--simple enough, now that I understood it, and carried
out with what consummate finish!

"One thing more," I said. "The gold."

She drew a key from her pocket and gave it to me.

"It is in a box upstairs," she said. "This is the key. We have not
touched it."

I took the key and followed her to the floor above. The box, of heavy
oak bound with iron, with steamship and express labels fresh upon it,
stood in one corner. I unlocked it and threw back the lid. Package
upon package lay in it, just as they had come from the sub-treasury. I
locked the box again, and put the key in my pocket.

"Of course," I said, as I turned to go, "I can only repeat your story
to my companion. He and Miss Holladay will decide what steps to take.
But I am sure they will be merciful."

They bowed without replying, and I went out along the path between the
trees, leaving them