nd
you have committed forgery and theft. We have the evidence ready against
you in both cases. If you are convicted as a felon, you know as well as
I do what becomes of your authority over your niece. Personally, I
should have preferred taking that way out of it. But considerations are
pressed on me which I am not able to resist, and this interview must end,
as I have told you already, in a compromise. Sign those lines, resigning
all authority over Miss Obenreizer, and pledging yourself never to be
seen in England or in Switzerland again; and I will sign an indemnity
which secures you against further proceedings on our part."

Obenreizer took the pen in silence, and signed his niece's release. On
receiving the indemnity in return, he rose, but made no movement to leave
the room. He stood looking at Maitre Voigt with a strange smile
gathering at his lips, and a strange light flashing in his filmy eyes.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Bintrey.

Obenreizer pointed to the brown door. "Call them back," he answered. "I
have something to say in their presence before I go."

"Say it in my presence," retorted Bintrey. "I decline to call them
back."

Obenreizer turned to Maitre Voigt. "Do you remember telling me that you
once had an English client named Vendale?" he asked.

"Well," answered the notary. "And what of that?"

"Maitre Voigt, your clock-lock has betrayed you."

"What do you mean?"

"I have read the letters and certificates in your client's box. I have
taken copies of them. I have got the copies here. Is there, or is there
not, a reason for calling them back?"

For a moment the notary looked to and fro, between Obenreizer and
Bintrey, in helpless astonishment. Recovering himself, he drew his
brother-lawyer aside, and hurriedly spoke a few words close at his ear.
The face of Bintrey--after first faithfully reflecting the astonishment
on the face of Maitre Voigt--suddenly altered its expression. He sprang,
with the activity of a young man, to the door of the inner room, entered
it, remained inside for a minute, and returned followed by Marguerite and
Vendale. "Now, Mr. Obenreizer," said Bintrey, "the last move in the game
is yours. Play it."

"Before I resign my position as that young lady's guardian," said
Obenreizer, "I have a secret to reveal in which she is interested. In
making my disclosure, I am not claiming her attention for a narrative
which she, or any other person present, i