第5章

Obenreizer，walkingtoandfrointhegallerywithoutceasing，signedtoVendaletohelphimunbucklehisknapsack。Theycouldseeeachother，butcouldnothaveheardeachotherspeak。Vendalecomplying，Obenreizerproducedhisbottleofwine，andpouredsomeout，motioningVendaletotakethatforwarmth’ssake，andnotbrandy。Vendaleagaincomplying，Obenreizerseemedtodrinkafterhim，andthetwowalkedbackwardsandforwardssidebyside;bothwellknowingthattorestorsleepwouldbetodie。

Thesnowcamedrivingheavilyintothegallerybytheupperendatwhichtheywouldpassoutofit，iftheyeverpassedout;forgreaterdangerslayontheroadbehindthemthanbefore。Thesnowsoonbegantochokethearch。Anhourmore，anditlaysohighastoblockouthalfthereturningdaylight。Butitfrozehardnow，asitfell，andcouldbeclamberedthroughorover。Theviolenceofthemountainstormwasgraduallyyieldingtosteadysnowfall。Thewindstillragedatintervals，butnotincessantly;andwhenitpaused，thesnowfellinheavyflakes。

Theymighthavebeentwohoursintheirfrightfulprison，whenObenreizer，nowcrunchingintothemound，nowcreepingoveritwithhisheadboweddownandhisbodytouchingthetopofthearch，madehiswayout。Vendalefollowedcloseuponhim，butfollowedwithoutclearmotiveorcalculation。ForthelethargyofBaslewascreepingoverhimagain，andmasteringhissenses。

Howfarhehadfollowedoutofthegallery，orwithwhatobstacleshehadsincecontended，heknewnot。HebecamerousedtotheknowledgethatObenreizerhadsetuponhim，andthattheywerestrugglingdesperatelyinthesnow。Hebecamerousedtotheremembranceofwhathisassailantcarriedinagirdle。Hefeltforit，drewit，struckathim，struggledagain，struckathimagain，casthimoff，andstoodfacetofacewithhim。

"Ipromisedtoguideyoutoyourjourney’send，"saidObenreizer，"andIhavekeptmypromise。Thejourneyofyourlifeendshere。

Nothingcanprolongit。Youaresleepingasyoustand。"

"Youareavillain。Whathaveyoudonetome？"

"Youareafool。Ihavedruggedyou。Youaredoublyafool，forI

druggedyouoncebeforeuponthejourney，totryyou。Youaretreblyafool，forIamthethiefandforger，andinafewmomentsI

shalltakethoseproofsagainstthethiefandforgerfromyourinsensiblebody。"

Theentrappedmantriedtothrowoffthelethargy，butitsfatalholduponhimwassosurethat，evenwhileheheardthosewords，hestupidlywonderedwhichofthemhadbeenwounded，andwhoseblooditwasthathesawsprinkledonthesnow。

"WhathaveIdonetoyou，"heasked，heavilyandthickly，"thatyoushouldbe——sobase——amurderer？"

"Donetome？Youwouldhavedestroyedme，butthatyouhavecometoyourjourney’send。Yourcursedactivityinterposedbetweenme，andthetimeIhadcountedoninwhichImighthavereplacedthemoney。

Donetome？Youhavecomeinmyway——notonce，nottwice，butagainandagainandagain。DidItrytoshakeyouoffinthebeginning，orno？Youwerenottobeshakenoff。Thereforeyoudiehere。"

Vendaletriedtothinkcoherently，triedtospeakcoherently，triedtopickuptheiron—shodstaffhehadletfall;failingtotouchit，triedtostaggeronwithoutitsaid。Allinvain，allinvain！Hestumbled，andfellheavilyforwardonthebrinkofthedeepchasm。

Stupefied，dozing，unabletostanduponhisfeet，aveilbeforehiseyes，hissenseofhearingdeadened，hemadesuchavigorousrallythat，supportinghimselfonhishands，hesawhisenemystandingcalmlyoverhim，andheardhimspeak。"Youcallmemurderer，"saidObenreizer，withagrimlaugh。"Thenamemattersverylittle。ButatleastIhavesetmylifeagainstyours，forIamsurroundedbydangers，andmaynevermakemywayoutofthisplace。TheTourmenteisrisingagain。Thesnowisonthewhirl。Imusthavethepapersnow。Everymomenthasmylifeinit。"

"Stop！"criedVendale，inaterriblevoice，staggeringupwithalastflashoffirebreakingoutofhim，andclutchingthethievishhandsathisbreast，inbothofhis。"Stop！Standawayfromme！

GodblessmyMarguerite！HappilyshewillneverknowhowIdied。

Standofffromme，andletmelookatyourmurderousface。Letitremindme——ofsomething——lefttosay。"

Thesightofhimfightingsohardforhissenses，andthedoubtwhetherhemightnotfortheinstantbepossessedbythestrengthofadozenmen，kepthisopponentstill。Wildlyglaringathim，Vendalefalteredoutthebrokenwords：

"Itshallnotbe——thetrust——ofthedead——betrayedbyme——reputedparents——misinheritedfortune——seetoit！"

Ashisheaddroppedonhisbreast，andhestumbledonthebrinkofthechasmasbefore，thethievishhandswentoncemore，quickandbusy，tohisbreast。Hemadeaconvulsiveattempttocry"No！"

desperatelyrolledhimselfoverintothegulf;andsankawayfromhisenemy’stouch，likeaphantominadreadfuldream。

Themountainstormragedagain，andpassedagain。Theawfulmountain—voicesdiedaway，themoonrose，andthesoftandsilentsnowfell。

TwomenandtwolargedogscameoutatthedooroftheHospice。Themenlookedcarefullyaroundthem，andupatthesky。Thedogsrolledinthesnow，andtookitintotheirmouths，andcastitupwiththeirpaws。

Oneofthemensaidtotheother："Wemayventurenow。WemayfindtheminoneofthefiveRefuges。"Eachfastenedonhisbackabasket;eachtookinhishandastrongspikedpole;eachgirdedunderhisarmsaloopedendofastoutrope，sothattheyweretiedtogether。

Suddenlythedogsdesistedfromtheirgambolsinthesnow，stoodlookingdowntheascent，puttheirnosesup，puttheirnosesdown，becamegreatlyexcited，andbrokeintoadeeploudbaytogether。

Thetwomenlookedinthefacesofthetwodogs。Thetwodogslooked，withatleastequalintelligence，inthefacesofthetwomen。

"Ausecours，then！Help！Totherescue！"criedthetwomen。Thetwodogs，withaglad，deep，generousbark，boundedaway。

"Twomoremadones！"saidthemen，strickenmotionless，andlookingawayinthemoonlight。"Isitpossibleinsuchweather！Andoneofthemawoman！"

Eachofthedogshadthecornerofawoman’sdressinitsmouth，anddrewheralong。Shefondledtheirheadsasshecameup，andshecameupthroughthesnowwithanaccustomedtread。Notsothelargemanwithher，whowasspentandwinded。

"Dearguides，dearfriendsoftravellers！Iamofyourcountry。WeseektwogentlemencrossingthePass，whoshouldhavereachedtheHospicethisevening。"

"Theyhavereachedit，ma’amselle。"

"ThankHeaven！OthankHeaven！"

"But，unhappily，theyhavegoneonagain。Wearesettingforthtoseekthemevennow。WehadtowaituntiltheTourmentepassed。Ithasbeenfearfuluphere。"

"Dearguides，dearfriendsoftravellers！Letmegowithyou。LetmegowithyoufortheloveofGOD！Oneofthosegentlemenistobemyhusband。Ilovehim，O，sodearly。Osodearly！YouseeIamnotfaint，youseeIamnottired。Iambornapeasantgirl。I

willshowyouthatIknowwellhowtofastenmyselftoyourropes。

Iwilldoitwithmyownhands。Iwillsweartobebraveandgood。

Butletmegowithyou，letmegowithyou！Ifanymischanceshouldhavebefallenhim，mylovewouldfindhim，whennothingelsecould。

Onmyknees，dearfriendsoftravellers！Bytheloveyourdearmothershadforyourfathers！"

Thegoodroughfellowsweremoved。"Afterall，"theymurmuredtooneanother，"shespeaksbutthetruth。Sheknowsthewaysofthemountains。Seehowmarvellouslyshehascomehere。ButastoMonsieurthere，ma’amselle？"

"DearMr。Joey，"saidMarguerite，addressinghiminhisowntongue，"youwillremainatthehouse，andwaitforme;willyounot？"

"IfIknow’dwhicho’youtworecommendedit，"growledJoeyLadle，eyeingthetwomenwithgreatindignation，"I’dfightyouforsixpence，andgiveyouhalf—a—crowntowardsyourexpenses。No，Miss。I’llstickbyyouaslongasthere’sanystickingleftinme，andI’lldieforyouwhenIcan’tdobetter。"

Thestateofthemoonrenderingithighlyimportantthatnotimeshouldbelost，andthedogsshowingsignsofgreatuneasiness，thetwomenquicklytooktheirresolution。Theropethatyokedthemtogetherwasexchangedforalongerone;thepartyweresecured，Margueritesecond，andtheCellarmanlast;andtheysetoutfortheRefuges。Theactualdistanceofthoseplaceswasnothing：thewholefive，andthenextHospicetoboot，beingwithintwomiles;

buttheghastlywaywaswhitenedoutandsheetedover。

TheymadenomissinreachingtheGallerywherethetwohadtakenshelter。Thesecondstormofwindandsnowhadsowildlysweptoveritsince，thattheirtracksweregone。Butthedogswenttoandfrowiththeirnosesdown，andwereconfident。Thepartystopping，however，atthefurtherarch，wherethesecondstormhadbeenespeciallyfurious，andwherethedriftwasdeep，thedogsbecametroubled，andwentaboutandabout，inquestofalostpurpose。

Thegreatabyssbeingknowntolieontheright，theywanderedtoomuchtotheleft，andhadtoregainthewaywithinfinitelabourthroughadeepfieldofsnow。Theleaderofthelinehadstoppedit，andwastakingnoteofthelandmarks，whenoneofthedogsfelltotearingupthesnowalittlebeforethem。Advancingandstoopingtolookatit，thinkingthatsomeonemightbeoverwhelmedthere，theysawthatitwasstained，andthatthestainwasred。

Theotherdogwasnowseentolookoverthebrinkofthegulf，withhisforelegsstraightenedout，lestheshouldfallintoit，andtotrembleineverylimb。Thenthedogwhohadfoundthestainedsnowjoinedhim，andthentheyrantoandfro，distressedandwhining。

Finally，theybothstoppedonthebrinktogether，andsettinguptheirheads，howleddolefully。

"Thereissomeonelyingbelow，"saidMarguerite。

"Ithinkso，"saidtheforemostman。"Standwellinward，thetwolast，andletuslookover。"

Thelastmankindledtwotorchesfromhisbasket，andhandedthemforward。Theleadertakingone，andMargueritetheother，theylookeddown;nowshadingthetorches，nowmovingthemtotherightorleft，nowraisingthem，nowdepressingthem，asmoonlightfarbelowcontendedwithblackshadows。ApiercingcryfromMargueritebrokealongsilence。

"MyGod！Onaprojectingpoint，whereawalloficestretchesforwardoverthetorrent，Iseeahumanform！"

"Where，ma’amselle，where？"

"See，there！Ontheshelfoficebelowthedogs！"

Theleader，withasickenedaspect，drewinward，andtheywereallsilent。Buttheywerenotallinactive，forMarguerite，withswiftandskilfulfingers，haddetachedbothherselfandhimfromtheropeinafewseconds。

"Showmethebaskets。Thesetwoaretheonlyropes？"

"Theonlyropeshere，ma’amselle;butattheHospice——"

"Ifheisalive——Iknowitismylover——hewillbedeadbeforeyoucanreturn。DearGuides！Blessedfriendsoftravellers！Lookatme。Watchmyhands。Iftheyfalterorgowrong，makemeyourprisonerbyforce。Iftheyaresteadyandgoright，helpmetosavehim！"

Shegirdedherselfwithacordunderthebreastandarms，sheformeditintoakindofjacket，shedrewitintoknots，shelaiditsendsidebysidewiththeendoftheothercord，shetwistedandtwinedthetwotogether，sheknottedthemtogether，shesetherfootupontheknots，shestrainedthem，sheheldthemforthetwomentostrainat。

"Sheisinspired，"theysaidtooneanother。

"BytheAlmighty’smercy！"sheexclaimed。"YoubothknowthatIambyfarthelightesthere。Givemethebrandyandthewine，andlowermedowntohim。Thengoforassistanceandastrongerrope。

Youseethatwhenitisloweredtome——lookatthisaboutmenow——I

canmakeitfastandsafetohisbody。Aliveordead，Iwillbringhimup，ordiewithhim。Ilovehimpassionately。CanIsaymore？"

Theyturnedtohercompanion，buthewaslyingsenselessonthesnow。

"Lowermedowntohim，"shesaid，takingtwolittlekegstheyhadbrought，andhangingthemabouther，"orIwilldashmyselftopieces！Iamapeasant，andIknownogiddinessorfear;andthisisnothingtome，andIpassionatelylovehim。Lowermedown！"

"Ma’amselle，ma’amselle，hemustbedyingordead。"

"Dyingordead，myhusband’sheadshalllieuponmybreast，orI

willdashmyselftopieces。"

Theyyielded，overborne。Withsuchprecautionsastheirskillandthecircumstancesadmitted，theyletherslipfromthesummit，guidingherselfdowntheprecipitousicywallwithherhand，andtheylowereddown，andlowereddown，andlowereddown，untilthecrycameup："Enough！"

"Isitreallyhe，andishedead？"theycalleddown，lookingover。

Thecrycameup："Heisinsensible;buthisheartbeats。Itbeatsagainstmine。"

"Howdoeshelie？"

Thecrycameup："Uponaledgeofice。Ithasthawedbeneathhim，anditwillthawbeneathme。Hasten。Ifwedie，Iamcontent。"

Oneofthetwomenhurriedoffwiththedogsatsuchtopmostspeedashecouldmake;theothersetupthelightedtorchesinthesnow，andappliedhimselftorecoveringtheEnglishman。Muchsnow—chafingandsomebrandygothimonhislegs，butdeliriousandquiteunconsciouswherehewas。

Thewatchremaineduponthebrink，andhiscrywentdowncontinually："Courage！Theywillsoonbehere。Howgoesit？"Andthecrycameup："Hisheartstillbeatsagainstmine。Iwarmhiminmyarms。Ihavecastofftherope，fortheicemeltsunderus，andtheropewouldseparatemefromhim;butIamnotafraid。"

Themoonwentdownbehindthemountaintops，andalltheabysslayindarkness。Thecrywentdown："Howgoesit？"Thecrycameup：

"Wearesinkinglower，buthisheartstillbeatsagainstmine。"

Atlengththeeagerbarkingofthedogs，andaflareoflightuponthesnow，proclaimedthathelpwascomingon。Twentyorthirtymen，lamps，torches，litters，ropes，blankets，woodtokindleagreatfire，restorativesandstimulants，cameinfast。Thedogsranfromonemantoanother，andfromthisthingtothat，andrantotheedgeoftheabyss，dumblyentreatingSpeed，speed，speed！

Thecrywentdown："ThankstoGod，allisready。Howgoesit？"

Thecrycameup："Wearesinkingstill，andwearedeadlycold。

Hisheartnolongerbeatsagainstmine。Letnoonecomedown，toaddtoourweight。Lowertheropeonly。"

Thefirewaskindledhigh，agreatglareoftorcheslightedthesidesoftheprecipice，lampswerelowered，astrongropewaslowered。Shecouldbeseenpassingitroundhim，andmakingitsecure。

Thecrycameupintoadeathlysilence："Raise！Softly！"Theycouldseeherdiminishedfigureshrink，ashewasswungintotheair。

Theygavenoshoutwhensomeofthemlaidhimonalitter，andothersloweredanotherstrongrope。Thecryagaincameupintoadeathlysilence："Raise！Softly！"Butwhentheycaughtheratthebrink，thentheyshouted，thentheywept，thentheygavethankstoHeaven，thentheykissedherfeet，thentheykissedherdress，thenthedogscaressedher，lickedhericyhands，andwiththeirhonestfaceswarmedherfrozenbosom！

Shebrokefromthemall，andsankoverhimonhislitter，withbothherlovinghandsupontheheartthatstoodstill。

ACTIV——THECLOCK—LOCK

ThepleasantscenewasNeuchatel;thepleasantmonthwasApril;thepleasantplacewasanotary’soffice;thepleasantpersoninitwasthenotary：arosy，hearty，handsomeoldman，chiefnotaryofNeuchatel，knownfarandwideinthecantonasMaitreVoigt。

Professionallyandpersonally，thenotarywasapopularcitizen。

HisinnumerablekindnessesandhisinnumerableodditieshadforyearsmadehimoneoftherecognisedpubliccharactersofthepleasantSwisstown。Hislongbrownfrock—coatandhisblackskull—

cap，wereamongtheinstitutionsoftheplace：andhecarriedasnuff—boxwhich，inpointofsize，waspopularlybelievedtobewithoutaparallelinEurope。

Therewasanotherpersoninthenotary’soffice，notsopleasantasthenotary。ThiswasObenreizer。

Anoddlypastoralkindofofficeitwas，andonethatwouldneverhaveansweredinEngland。Itstoodinaneatbackyard，fencedofffromaprettyflower—garden。Goatsbrowsedinthedoorway，andacowwaswithinhalf—a—dozenfeetofkeepingcompanywiththeclerk。

MaitreVoigt’sroomwasabrightandvarnishedlittleroom，withpanelledwalls，likeatoy—chamber。Accordingtotheseasonsoftheyear，roses，sunflowers，hollyhocks，peepedinatthewindows。

MaitreVoigt’sbeeshummedthroughtheofficeallthesummer，inatthiswindowandoutatthat，takingitfrequentlyintheirday’swork，asifhoneyweretobemadefromMaitreVoigt’ssweetdisposition。Alargemusicalboxonthechimney—pieceoftentrilledawayattheOverturetoFraDiavolo，oraSelectionfromWilliamTell，withachirrupinglivelinessthathadtobestoppedbyforceontheentranceofaclient，andirrepressiblybrokeoutagainthemomenthisbackwasturned。

"Courage，courage，mygoodfellow！"saidMaitreVoigt，pattingObenreizerontheknee，inafatherlyandcomfortingway。"Youwillbeginanewlifeto—morrowmorninginmyofficehere。"

Obenreizer——dressedinmourning，andsubduedinmanner——liftedhishand，withawhitehandkerchiefinit，totheregionofhisheart。

"Thegratitudeishere，"hesaid。"Butthewordstoexpressitarenothere。"

"Ta—ta—ta！Don’ttalktomeaboutgratitude！"saidMaitreVoigt。

"Ihatetoseeamanoppressed。Iseeyouoppressed，andIholdoutmyhandtoyoubyinstinct。Besides，Iamnottoooldyet，toremembermyyoungdays。Yourfathersentmemyfirstclient。（Itwasonaquestionofhalfanacreofvineyardthatseldomboreanygrapes。）DoIowenothingtoyourfather’sson？Iowehimadebtoffriendlyobligation，andIpayittoyou。That’sratherneatlyexpressed，Ithink，"addedMaitreVoigt，inhighgoodhumourwithhimself。"Permitmetorewardmyownmeritwithapinchofsnuff！"

Obenreizerdroppedhiseyestotheground，asthoughhewerenotevenworthytoseethenotarytakesnuff。

"Domeonelastfavour，sir，"hesaid，whenheraisedhiseyes。"Donotactonimpulse。Thusfar，youhaveonlyageneralknowledgeofmyposition。Hearthecaseforandagainstme，initsdetails，beforeyoutakemeintoyouroffice。Letmyclaimonyourbenevolenceberecognisedbyyoursoundreasonaswellasbyyourexcellentheart。InTHATcase，Imayholdupmyheadagainstthebitterestofmyenemies，andbuildmyselfanewreputationontheruinsofthecharacterIhavelost。"

"Asyouwill，"saidMaitreVoigt。"Youspeakwell，myson。Youwillbeafinelawyeroneofthesedays。"

"Thedetailsarenotmany，"pursuedObenreizer。"Mytroublesbeginwiththeaccidentaldeathofmylatetravellingcompanion，mylostdearfriendMr。Vendale。"

"Mr。Vendale，"repeatedthenotary。"Justso。Ihaveheardandreadofthename，severaltimeswithinthesetwomonths。ThenameoftheunfortunateEnglishgentlemanwhowaskilledontheSimplon。

Whenyougotthatscaruponyourcheekandneck。"

"——Frommyownknife，"saidObenreizer，touchingwhatmusthavebeenanuglygashatthetimeofitsinfliction。

"Fromyourownknife，"assentedthenotary，"andintryingtosavehim。Good，good，good。Thatwasverygood。Vendale。Yes。Ihaveseveraltimes，lately，thoughtitdrollthatIshouldoncehavehadaclientofthatname。"

"Buttheworld，sir，"returnedObenreizer，"isSOsmall！"

Neverthelesshemadeamentalnotethatthenotaryhadoncehadaclientofthatname。

"AsIwassaying，sir，thedeathofthatdeartravellingcomradebeginsmytroubles。Whatfollows？Isavemyself。IgodowntoMilan。IamreceivedwithcoldnessbyDefresnierandCompany。

Shortlyafterwards，IamdischargedbyDefresnierandCompany。Why？

Theygivenoreasonwhy。Iask，dotheyassailmyhonour？Noanswer。Iask，whatistheimputationagainstme？Noanswer。I

ask，wherearetheirproofsagainstme？Noanswer。Iask，whatamItothink？Thereplyis，’M。Obenreizerisfreetothinkwhathewill。WhatM。Obenreizerthinks，isofnoimportancetoDefresnierandCompany。’Andthatisall。"

"Perfectly。Thatisall，"assertedthenotary，takingalargepinchofsnuff。

"Butisthatenough，sir？"

"Thatisnotenough，"saidMaitreVoigt。"TheHouseofDefresnieraremyfellowtownsmen——muchrespected，muchesteemed——buttheHouseofDefresniermustnotsilentlydestroyaman’scharacter。Youcanrebutassertion。Buthowcanyourebutsilence？"

"Yoursenseofjustice，mydearpatron，"answeredObenreizer，"statesinawordthecrueltyofthecase。Doesitstopthere？No。

For，whatfollowsuponthat？"

"True，mypoorboy，"saidthenotary，withacomfortingnodortwo;

"yourwardrebelsuponthat。"

"Rebelsistoosoftaword，"retortedObenreizer。"Mywardrevoltsfrommewithhorror。Mywarddefiesme。Mywardwithdrawsherselffrommyauthority，andtakesshelter（MadameDorwithher）inthehouseofthatEnglishlawyer，Mr。Bintrey，whorepliestoyoursummonstohertosubmitherselftomyauthority，thatshewillnotdoso。"

"——Andwhoafterwardswrites，"saidthenotary，movinghislargesnuffboxtolookamongthepapersunderneathitfortheletter，"thatheiscomingtoconferwithme。"

"Indeed？"repliedObenreizer，ratherchecked。"Well，sir。HaveI

nolegalrights？"

"Assuredly，mypoorboy，"returnedthenotary。"Allbutfelonshavetheirlegalrights。"

"Andwhocallsmefelon？"saidObenreizer，fiercely。

"Noone。Becalmunderyourwrongs。IftheHouseofDefresnierwouldcallyoufelon，indeed，weshouldknowhowtodealwiththem。"

Whilesayingthesewords，hehadhandedBintrey’sveryshortlettertoObenreizer，whonowreaditandgaveitback。

"Insaying，"observedObenreizer，withrecoveredcomposure，"thatheiscomingtoconferwithyou，thisEnglishlawyermeansthatheiscomingtodenymyauthorityovermyward。"

"Youthinkso？"

"Iamsureofit。Iknowhim。Heisobstinateandcontentious。

Youwilltellme，mydearsir，whethermyauthorityisunassailable，untilmywardisofage？"

"Absolutelyunassailable。"

"Iwillenforceit。Iwillmakehersubmitherselftoit。For，"

saidObenreizer，changinghisangrytonetooneofgratefulsubmission，"Ioweittoyou，sir;toyou，whohavesoconfidinglytakenaninjuredmanunderyourprotection，andintoyouremployment。"

"Makeyourmindeasy，"saidMaitreVoigt。"Nomoreofthisnow，andnothanks！Behereto—morrowmorning，beforetheotherclerkcomes—

—betweensevenandeight。Youwillfindmeinthisroom;andIwillmyselfinitiateyouinyourwork。Goaway！goaway！Ihaveletterstowrite。Iwon’thearawordmore。"

Dismissedwiththisgenerousabruptness，andsatisfiedwiththefavourableimpressionhehadleftontheoldman’smind，ObenreizerwasatleisuretoreverttothementalnotehehadmadethatMaitreVoigtoncehadaclientwhosenamewasVendale。

"IoughttoknowEnglandwellenoughbythistime;"sohismeditationsran，ashesatonabenchintheyard;"anditisnotanameIeverencounteredthere，except——"helookedinvoluntarilyoverhisshoulder——"asHISname。IstheworldsosmallthatI

cannotgetawayfromhim，evennowwhenheisdead？Heconfessedatthelastthathehadbetrayedthetrustofthedead，andmisinheritedafortune。AndIwastoseetoit。AndIwastostandoff，thatmyfacemightremindhimofit。WhyMYface，unlessitconcernedME？Iamsureofhiswords，fortheyhavebeeninmyearseversince。Cantherebeanythingbearingonthem，inthekeepingofthisoldidiot？Anythingtorepairmyfortunes，andblackenhismemory？Hedweltuponmyearliestremembrances，thatnightatBasle。Why，unlesshehadapurposeinit？"

MaitreVoigt’stwolargesthe—goatswerebuttingathimtobutthimoutoftheplace，asifforthatdisrespectfulmentionoftheirmaster。Sohegotupandlefttheplace。Buthewalkedaloneforalongtimeontheborderofthelake，withhisheaddroopedindeepthought。

Betweensevenandeightnextmorning，hepresentedhimselfagainattheoffice。Hefoundthenotaryreadyforhim，atworkonsomepaperswhichhadcomeinonthepreviousevening。Inafewclearwords，MaitreVoigtexplainedtheroutineoftheoffice，andthedutiesObenreizerwouldbeexpectedtoperform。Itstillwantedfiveminutestoeight，whenthepreliminaryinstructionsweredeclaredtobecomplete。

"Iwillshowyouoverthehouseandtheoffices，"saidMaitreVoigt，"butImustputawaythesepapersfirst。Theycomefromthemunicipalauthorities，andtheymustbetakenspecialcareof。"

Obenreizersawhischance，here，offindingouttherepositoryinwhichhisemployer’sprivatepaperswerekept。

"Can’tIsaveyouthetrouble，sir？"heasked。"Can’tIputthosedocumentsawayunderyourdirections？"

MaitreVoigtlaughedsoftlytohimself;closedtheportfolioinwhichthepapershadbeensenttohim;handedittoObenreizer。

"Supposeyoutry，"hesaid。"Allmypapersofimportancearekeptyonder。"

Hepointedtoaheavyoakendoor，thicklystuddedwithnails，atthelowerendoftheroom。Approachingthedoor，withtheportfolio，Obenreizerdiscovered，tohisastonishment，thattherewerenomeanswhateverofopeningitfromtheoutside。Therewasnohandle，nobolt，nokey，and（climaxofpassiveobstruction！）nokeyhole。

"Thereisaseconddoortothisroom？"saidObenreizer，appealingtothenotary。

"No，"saidMaitreVoigt。"Guessagain。"

"Thereisawindow？"

"Nothingofthesort。Thewindowhasbeenbrickedup。Theonlywayin，isthewaybythatdoor。Doyougiveitup？"criedMaitreVoigt，inhightriumph。"Listen，mygoodfellow，andtellmeifyouhearnothinginside？"

Obenreizerlistenedforamoment，andstartedbackfromthedoor。

"Iknow！"heexclaimed。"IheardofthiswhenIwasapprenticedhereatthewatchmaker’s。PerrinBrothershavefinishedtheirfamousclock—lockatlast——andyouhavegotit？"

"Bravo！"saidMaitreVoigt。"Theclock—lockitis！There，myson！

Thereyouhaveonemoreofwhatthegoodpeopleofthistowncall，’DaddyVoigt’sfollies。’Withallmyheart！Letthoselaughwhowin。NothiefcanstealMYkeys。NoburglarcanpickMYlock。Nopoweronearth，shortofabattering—ramorabarrelofgunpowder，canmovethatdoor，tillmylittlesentinelinside——myworthyfriendwhogoes’Tick，Tick，’asItellhim——says，’Open！’ThebigdoorobeysthelittleTick，Tick，andthelittleTick，Tick，obeysME。

That！"criedDaddyVoigt，snappinghisfingers，"forallthethievesinChristendom！"

"MayIseeitinaction？"askedObenreizer。"Pardonmycuriosity，dearsir！YouknowthatIwasonceatolerableworkerintheclocktrade。"

"Certainlyyoushallseeitinaction，"saidMaitreVoigt。"Whatisthetimenow？Oneminutetoeight。Watch，andinoneminuteyouwillseethedooropenofitself。"

Inoneminute，smoothlyandslowlyandsilently，asifinvisiblehandshadsetitfree，theheavydooropenedinward，anddisclosedadarkchamberbeyond。Onthreesides，shelvesfilledthewalls，fromfloortoceiling。Arrangedontheshelves，wererowsuponrowsofboxesmadeintheprettyinlaidwoodworkofSwitzerland，andbearinginscribedontheirfronts（forthemostpartinfancifulcolouredletters）thenamesofthenotary’sclients。

MaitreVoigtlightedataper，andledthewayintotheroom。

"Youshallseetheclock，"hesaidproudly。"IpossessthegreatestcuriosityinEurope。Itisonlyaprivilegedfewwhoseeyescanlookatit。Igivetheprivilegetoyourgoodfather’sson——youshallbeoneofthefavouredfewwhoentertheroomwithme。See！

hereitis，ontheright—handwallatthesideofthedoor。"

"Anordinaryclock，"exclaimedObenreizer。"No！Notanordinaryclock。Ithasonlyonehand。"

"Aha！"saidMaitreVoigt。"Notanordinaryclock，myfriend。No，no。Thatonehandgoesroundthedial。AsIputit，soitregulatesthehouratwhichthedoorshallopen。See！Thehandpointstoeight。Ateightthedooropened，asyousawforyourself。"

"Doesitopenmorethanonceinthefour—and—twentyhours？"askedObenreizer。

"Morethanonce？"repeatedthenotary，withgreatscorn。"Youdon’tknowmygoodfriend，Tick—Tick！HewillopenthedoorasoftenasI

askhim。Allhewantsishisdirections，andhegetsthemhere。

Lookbelowthedial。Hereisahalf—circleofsteelletintothewall，andhereisahand（calledtheregulator）thattravelsroundit，justasMYhandchooses。Notice，ifyouplease，thattherearefigurestoguidemeonthehalf—circleofsteel。FigureI。means：

Openonceinthefour—and—twentyhours。FigureII。means：Opentwice;andsoontotheend。Isettheregulatoreverymorning，afterIhavereadmyletters，andwhenIknowwhatmyday’sworkistobe。Wouldyouliketoseemesetitnow？Whatisto—day？

Wednesday。Good！Thisisthedayofourrifle—club;thereislittlebusinesstodo;Igrantahalf—holiday。Noworkhereto—day，afterthreeo’clock。Letusfirstputawaythisportfolioofmunicipalpapers。There！NoneedtotroubleTick—Ticktoopenthedooruntileighttomorrow。Good！Ileavethedial—handateight;I

putbacktheregulatortoI。;Iclosethedoor;andclosedthedoorremains，pastallopeningbyanybody，tillto—morrowmorningateight。"

Obenreizer’squicknessinstantlysawthemeansbywhichhemightmaketheclock—lockbetrayitsmaster’sconfidence，andplaceitsmaster’spapersathisdisposal。

"Stop，sir！"hecried，atthemomentwhenthenotarywasclosingthedoor。"Don’tIseesomethingmovingamongtheboxes——onthefloorthere？"

（MaitreVoigtturnedhisbackforamomenttolook。Inthatmoment，Obenreizer’sreadyhandputtheregulatoron，fromthefigure"I。"

tothefigure"II。"Unlessthenotarylookedagainatthehalf—

circleofsteel，thedoorwouldopenateightthatevening，aswellasateightnextmorning，andnobodybutObenreizerwouldknowit。）

"Thereisnothing！"saidMaitreVoigt。Yourtroubleshaveshakenyournerves，myson。Someshadowthrownbymytaper;orsomepoorlittlebeetle，wholivesamongtheoldlawyer’ssecrets，runningawayfromthelight。Hark！Ihearyourfellow—clerkintheoffice。

Towork！towork！andbuildto—daythefirststepthatleadstoyournewfortunes！"

Hegood—humouredlypushedObenreizeroutbeforehim;extinguishedthetaper，withalastfondglanceathisclockwhichpassedharmlesslyovertheregulatorbeneath;andclosedtheoakendoor。

Atthree，theofficewasshutup。Thenotaryandeverybodyinthenotary’semployment，withoneexception，wenttoseetherifle—

shooting。Obenreizerhadpleadedthathewasnotinspiritsforapublicfestival。Nobodyknewwhathadbecomeofhim。Itwasbelievedthathehadslippedawayforasolitarywalk。

Thehouseandofficeshadbeenclosedbutafewminutes，whenthedoorofashiningwardrobeinthenotary’sshiningroomopened，andObenreizerstoppedout。Hewalkedtoawindow，unclosedtheshutters，satisfiedhimselfthathecouldescapeunseenbywayofthegarden，turnedbackintotheroom，andtookhisplaceinthenotary’seasy—chair。Hewaslockedupinthehouse，andtherewerefivehourstowaitbeforeeighto’clockcame。

Heworehiswaythroughthefivehours：sometimesreadingthebooksandnewspapersthatlayonthetable：sometimesthinking：

sometimeswalkingtoandfro。Sunsetcameon。Heclosedthewindow—shuttersbeforehekindledalight。Thecandlelighted，andthetimedrawingnearerandnearer，hesat，watchinhand，withhiseyesontheoakendoor。

Ateight，smoothlyandsoftlyandsilentlythedooropened。

Oneafteranother，hereadthenamesontheouterrowsofboxes。NosuchnameasVendale！Heremovedtheouterrow，andlookedattherowbehind。Thesewereolderboxes，andshabbierboxes。Thefourfirstthatheexamined，wereinscribedwithFrenchandGermannames。

Thefifthboreanamewhichwasalmostillegible。Hebroughtitoutintotheroom，andexamineditclosely。There，coveredthicklywithtime—stainsanddust，wasthename："Vendale。"

Thekeyhungtotheboxbyastring。Heunlockedthebox，tookoutfourloosepapersthatwereinit，spreadthemopenonthetable，andbegantoreadthem。Hehadnotsooccupiedaminute，whenhisfacefellfromitsexpressionofeagernessandavidity，tooneofhaggardastonishmentanddisappointment。But，afteralittleconsideration，hecopiedthepapers。Hethenreplacedthepapers，replacedthebox，closedthedoor，extinguishedthecandle，andstoleaway。

Ashismurderousandthievishfootfallpassedoutofthegarden，thestepsofthenotaryandsomeoneaccompanyinghimstoppedatthefrontdoorofthehouse。Thelampswerelightedinthelittlestreet，andthenotaryhadhisdoor—keyinhishand。

"Praydonotpassmyhouse，Mr。Bintrey，"hesaid。"Domethehonourtocomein。Itisoneofourtownhalf—holidays——ourTir——

butmypeoplewillbebackdirectly。ItisdrollthatyoushouldaskyourwaytotheHotelofme。Letuseatanddrinkbeforeyougothere。"

"Thankyou;notto—night，"saidBintrey。"ShallIcometoyouattento—morrow？"

"Ishallbeenchanted，sir，totakesoearlyanopportunityofredressingthewrongsofmyinjuredclient，"returnedthegoodnotary。

"Yes，"retortedBintrey;"yourinjuredclientisallverywell——but—

—awordinyourear。"

Hewhisperedtothenotaryandwalkedoff。Whenthenotary’shousekeepercamehome，shefoundhimstandingathisdoormotionless，withthekeystillinhishand，andthedoorunopened。

OBENREIZER’SVICTORY

Thesceneshiftsagain——tothefootoftheSimplon，ontheSwissside。

InoneofthedrearyroomsofthedrearylittleinnatBrieg，Mr。

BintreyandMaitreVoigtsattogetherataprofessionalcounciloftwo。Mr。Bintreywassearchinginhisdespatch—box。MaitreVoigtwaslookingtowardsacloseddoor，paintedbrowntoimitatemahogany，andcommunicatingwithaninnerroom。

"Isn’tittimehewashere？"askedthenotary，shiftinghisposition，andglancingataseconddoorattheotherendoftheroom，paintedyellowtoimitatedeal。

"HeIShere，"answeredBintrey，afterlisteningforamoment。

Theyellowdoorwasopenedbyawaiter，andObenreizerwalkedin。

AftergreetingMaitreVoigtwithacordialitywhichappearedtocausethenotarynolittleembarrassment，ObenreizerbowedwithgraveanddistantpolitenesstoBintrey。"ForwhatreasonhaveI

beenbroughtfromNeuchateltothefootofthemountain？"heinquired，takingtheseatwhichtheEnglishlawyerhadindicatedtohim。

"Youshallbequitesatisfiedonthatheadbeforeourinterviewisover，"returnedBintrey。"Forthepresent，permitmetosuggestproceedingatoncetobusiness。Therehasbeenacorrespondence，Mr。Obenreizer，betweenyouandyourniece。Iamheretorepresentyourniece。"

"Inotherwords，you，alawyer，areheretorepresentaninfractionofthelaw。"

"Admirablyput！"saidBintrey。"IfallthepeopleIhavetodealwithwereonlylikeyou，whataneasyprofessionminewouldbe！I

amheretorepresentaninfractionofthelaw——thatisyourpointofview。Iamheretomakeacompromisebetweenyouandyourniece——

thatismypointofview。"

"Theremustbetwopartiestoacompromise，"rejoinedObenreizer。

"Idecline，inthiscase，tobeoneofthem。Thelawgivesmeauthoritytocontrolmyniece’sactions，untilshecomesofage。

Sheisnotyetofage;andIclaimmyauthority。"

AtthispointMaitreattemptedtospeak。Bintreysilencedhimwithacompassionateindulgenceoftoneandmanner，asifhewassilencingafavouritechild。

"No，myworthyfriend，notaword。Don’texciteyourselfunnecessarily;leaveittome。"Heturned，andaddressedhimselfagaintoObenreizer。"Icanthinkofnothingcomparabletoyou，Mr。

Obenreizer，butgranite——andeventhatwearsoutincourseoftime。

Intheinterestsofpeaceandquietness——forthesakeofyourowndignity——relaxalittle。IfyouwillonlydelegateyourauthoritytoanotherpersonwhomIknowof，thatpersonmaybetrustednevertolosesightofyourniece，nightorday！"

"Youarewastingyourtimeandmine，"returnedObenreizer。"Ifmynieceisnotrendereduptomyauthoritywithinoneweekfromthisday，Iinvokethelaw。Ifyouresistthelaw，Itakeherbyforce。"

Herosetohisfeetashesaidthelastword。MaitreVoigtlookedroundagaintowardsthebrowndoorwhichledintotheinnerroom。

"Havesomepityonthepoorgirl，"pleadedBintrey。"Rememberhowlatelyshelostherloverbyadreadfuldeath！Willnothingmoveyou？"

"Nothing。"

Bintrey，inhisturn，rosetohisfeet，andlookedatMaitreVoigt。

MaitreVoigt’shand，restingonthetable，begantotremble。MaitreVoigt’seyesremainedfixed，asifbyirresistiblefascination，onthebrowndoor。Obenreizer，suspiciouslyobservinghim，lookedthatwaytoo。

"Thereissomebodylisteninginthere！"heexclaimed，withasharpbackwardglanceatBintrey。

"Therearetwopeoplelistening，"answeredBintrey。

"Whoarethey？"

"Youshallsee。"

Withthisanswer，heraisedhisvoiceandspokethenextwords——thetwocommonwordswhichareoneverybody’slips，ateveryhouroftheday："Comein！"

Thebrowndooropened。SupportedonMarguerite’sarm——hissun—burntcolourgone，hisrightarmbandagedandclungoverhisbreast——

Vendalestoodbeforethemurderer，amanrisenfromthedead。

Inthemomentofsilencethatfollowed，thesingingofacagedbirdinthecourtyardoutsidewastheonesoundstirringintheroom。

MaitreVoigttouchedBintrey，andpointedtoObenreizer。"Lookathim！"saidthenotary，inawhisper。

Theshockhadparalysedeverymovementinthevillain’sbody，butthemovementoftheblood。Hisfacewaslikethefaceofacorpse。

Theonevestigeofcolourleftinitwasalividpurplestreakwhichmarkedthecourseofthescarwherehisvictimhadwoundedhimonthecheekandneck。Speechless，breathless，motionlessalikeineyeandlimb，itseemedasif，atthesightofVendale，thedeathtowhichhehaddoomedVendalehadstruckhimwherehestood。

"Somebodyoughttospeaktohim，"saidMaitreVoigt。"ShallI？"

EvenatthatmomentBintreypersistedinsilencingthenotary，andinkeepingtheleadintheproceedingstohimself。CheckingMaitreVoigtbyagesture，hedismissedMargueriteandVendaleinthesewords：—"Theobjectofyourappearancehereisanswered，"hesaid。

"Ifyouwillwithdrawforthepresent，itmayhelpMr。Obenreizertorecoverhimself。"

Itdidhelphim。Asthetwopassedthroughthedoorandcloseditbehindthem，hedrewadeepbreathofrelief。Helookedroundhimforthechairfromwhichhehadrisen，anddroppedintoit。

"Givehimtime！"pleadedMaitreVoigt。

"No，"saidBintrey。"Idon’tknowwhatusehemaymakeofitifI

do。"HeturnedoncemoretoObenreizer，andwenton。"Ioweittomyself，"hesaid——"Idon’tadmit，mind，thatIoweittoyou——toaccountformyappearanceintheseproceedings，andtostatewhathasbeendoneundermyadvice，andonmysoleresponsibility。Canyoulistentome？"

"Icanlistentoyou。"

"RecallthetimewhenyoustartedforSwitzerlandwithMr。Vendale，"

Bintreybegin。"YouhadnotleftEnglandfour—and—twentyhoursbeforeyourniececommittedanactofimprudencewhichnotevenyourpenetrationcouldforesee。Shefollowedherpromisedhusbandonhisjourney，withoutaskinganybody’sadviceorpermission，andwithoutanybettercompaniontoprotectherthanaCellarmaninMr。

Vendale’semployment。"

"Whydidshefollowmeonthejourney？andhowcametheCellarmantobethepersonwhoaccompaniedher？"

"Shefollowedyouonthejourney，"answeredBintrey，"becauseshesuspectedtherehadbeensomeseriouscollisionbetweenyouandMr。

Vendale，whichhadbeenkeptsecretfromher;andbecausesherightlybelievedyoutobecapableofservingyourinterests，orofsatisfyingyourenmity，atthepriceofacrime。AsfortheCellarman，hewasone，amongtheotherpeopleinMr。Vendale’sestablishment，towhomshehadapplied（themomentyourbackwasturned）toknowifanythinghadhappenedbetweentheirmasterandyou。TheCellarmanalonehadsomethingtotellher。Asenselesssuperstition，andacommonaccidentwhichhadhappenedtohismaster，inhismaster’scellar，hadconnectedMr。Vendaleinthisman’smindwiththeideaofdangerbymurder。Yourniecesurprisedhimintoaconfession，whichaggravatedtenfoldtheterrorsthatpossessedher。Arousedtoasenseofthemischiefhehaddone，theman，ofhisownaccord，madetheoneatonementinhispower。’Ifmymasterisindanger，miss，’hesaid，’it’smydutytofollowhim，too;andit’smorethanmydutytotakecareofYOU。’Thetwosetforthtogether——and，foronce，asuperstitionhashaditsuse。Itdecidedyournieceontakingthejourney;anditledthewaytosavingaman’slife。Doyouunderstandme，sofar？"

"Iunderstandyou，sofar。"

"Myfirstknowledgeofthecrimethatyouhadcommitted，"pursuedBintrey，"cametomeintheformofaletterfromyourniece。Allyouneedknowisthatherloveandhercouragerecoveredthebodyofyourvictim，andaidedtheafter—effortswhichbroughthimbacktolife。WhilehelayhelplessatBrieg，underhercare，shewrotetometocomeouttohim。Beforestarting，IinformedMadameDorthatIknewMissObenreizertobesafe，andknewwhereshewas。MadameDorinformedme，inreturn，thataletterhadcomeforyourniece，whichsheknewtobeinyourhandwriting。Itookpossessionofit，andarrangedfortheforwardingofanyotherletterswhichmightfollow。ArrivedatBrieg，IfoundMr。Vendaleoutofdanger，andatoncedevotedmyselftohasteningthedayofreckoningwithyou。

DefresnierandCompanyturnedyouoffonsuspicion;actingoninformationprivatelysuppliedbyme。Havingstrippedyouofyourfalsecharacter，thenextthingtodowastostripyouofyourauthorityoveryourniece。Toreachthisend，Inotonlyhadnoscrupleindiggingthepitfallunderyourfeetinthedark——Ifeltacertainprofessionalpleasureinfightingyouwithyourownweapons。

Bymyadvicethetruthhasbeencarefullyconcealedfromyouuptothisday。Bymyadvicethetrapintowhichyouhavewalkedwassetforyou（youknowwhy，now，aswellasIdo）inthisplace。Therewasbutonecertainwayofshakingthedevilishself—controlwhichhashithertomadeyouaformidableman。Thatwayhasbeentried，and（lookatmeasyoumay）thatwayhassucceeded。Thelastthingthatremainstobedone，"concludedBintrey，producingtwolittleslipsofmanuscriptfromhisdespatch—box，"istosetyourniecefree。Youhaveattemptedmurder，andyouhavecommittedforgeryandtheft。Wehavetheevidencereadyagainstyouinbothcases。Ifyouareconvictedasafelon，youknowaswellasIdowhatbecomesofyourauthorityoveryourniece。Personally，Ishouldhavepreferredtakingthatwayoutofit。ButconsiderationsarepressedonmewhichIamnotabletoresist，andthisinterviewmustend，asIhavetoldyoualready，inacompromise。Signthoselines，resigningallauthorityoverMissObenreizer，andpledgingyourselfnevertobeseeninEnglandorinSwitzerlandagain;andIwillsignanindemnitywhichsecuresyouagainstfurtherproceedingsonourpart。"

Obenreizertookthepeninsilence，andsignedhisniece’srelease。

Onreceivingtheindemnityinreturn，herose，butmadenomovementtoleavetheroom。HestoodlookingatMaitreVoigtwithastrangesmilegatheringathislips，andastrangelightflashinginhisfilmyeyes。

"Whatareyouwaitingfor？"askedBintrey。

Obenreizerpointedtothebrowndoor。"Callthemback，"heanswered。"IhavesomethingtosayintheirpresencebeforeIgo。"

"Sayitinmypresence，"retortedBintrey。"Ideclinetocallthemback。"

ObenreizerturnedtoMaitreVoigt。"DoyouremembertellingmethatyouoncehadanEnglishclientnamedVendale？"heasked。

"Well，"answeredthenotary。"Andwhatofthat？"

"MaitreVoigt，yourclock—lockhasbetrayedyou。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Ihavereadthelettersandcertificatesinyourclient’sbox。I

havetakencopiesofthem。Ihavegotthecopieshere。Isthere，oristherenot，areasonforcallingthemback？"

Foramomentthenotarylookedtoandfro，betweenObenreizerandBintrey，inhelplessastonishment。Recoveringhimself，hedrewhisbrother—lawyeraside，andhurriedlyspokeafewwordscloseathisear。ThefaceofBintrey——afterfirstfaithfullyreflectingtheastonishmentonthefaceofMaitreVoigt——suddenlyaltereditsexpression。Hesprang，withtheactivityofayoungman，tothedooroftheinnerroom，enteredit，remainedinsideforaminute，andreturnedfollowedbyMargueriteandVendale。"Now，Mr。

Obenreizer，"saidBintrey，"thelastmoveinthegameisyours。

Playit。"

"BeforeIresignmypositionasthatyounglady’sguardian，"saidObenreizer，"Ihaveasecrettorevealinwhichsheisinterested。

Inmakingmydisclosure，Iamnotclaimingherattentionforanarrativewhichshe，oranyotherpersonpresent，isexpectedtotakeontrust。Iampossessedofwrittenproofs，copiesoforiginals，theauthenticityofwhichMaitreVoigthimselfcanattest。Bearthatinmind，andpermitmetoreferyou，atstarting，toadatelongpast——themonthofFebruary，intheyearonethousandeighthundredandthirty—six。"

"Markthedate，Mr。Vendale，"saidBintrey。

"Myfirstproof，"saidObenreizer，takingapaperfromhispocket—

book。"Copyofaletter，writtenbyanEnglishlady（married）tohersister，awidow。ThenameofthepersonwritingtheletterI

shallkeepsuppresseduntilIhavedone。ThenameofthepersontowhomtheletteriswrittenIamwillingtoreveal。Itisaddressedto’Mrs。JaneAnneMiller，ofGroombridgeWells，England。’"

Vendalestarted，andopenedhislipstospeak。Bintreyinstantlystoppedhim，ashehadstoppedMaitreVoigt。"No，"saidthepertinaciouslawyer。"Leaveittome。"

Obenreizerwenton：

"Itisneedlesstotroubleyouwiththefirsthalfoftheletter，"

hesaid。"Icangivethesubstanceofitintwowords。Thewriter’spositionatthetimeisthis。ShehasbeenlonglivinginSwitzerlandwithherhusband——obligedtolivethereforthesakeofherhusband’shealth。TheyareabouttomovetoanewresidenceontheLakeofNeuchatelinaweek，andtheywillbereadytoreceiveMrs。Millerasvisitorinafortnightfromthattime。Thissaid，thewriternextentersintoanimportantdomesticdetail。Shehasbeenchildlessforyears——sheandherhusbandhavenownohopeofchildren;theyarelonely;theywantaninterestinlife;theyhavedecidedonadoptingachild。Heretheimportantpartoftheletterbegins;andhere，therefore，Ireadittoyouwordforword。"

Hefoldedbackthefirstpageoftheletterandreadasfollows。

"***Willyouhelpus，mydearsister，torealiseournewproject？

AsEnglishpeople，wewishtoadoptanEnglishchild。Thismaybedone，Ibelieve，attheFoundling：myhusband’slawyersinLondonwilltellyouhow。Ileavethechoicetoyou，withonlytheseconditionsattachedtoit——thatthechildistobeaninfantunderayearold，andistobeaboy。WillyoupardonthetroubleIamgivingyou，formysake;andwillyoubringouradoptedchildtous，withyourownchildren，whenyoucometoNeuchatel？

"Imustaddawordastomyhusband’swishesinthismatter。Heisresolvedtosparethechildwhomwemakeourownanyfuturemortificationandlossofself—respectwhichmightbecausedbyadiscoveryofhistrueorigin。Hewillbearmyhusband’sname，andhewillbebroughtupinthebeliefthatheisreallyourson。Hisinheritanceofwhatwehavetoleavewillbesecuredtohim——notonlyaccordingtothelawsofEnglandinsuchcases，butaccordingtothelawsofSwitzerlandalso;forwehavelivedsolonginthiscountry，thatthereisadoubtwhetherwemaynotbeconsideredasI

domiciled，inSwitzerland。Theoneprecautionlefttotakeistopreventanyafter—discoveryattheFoundling。Now，ournameisaveryuncommonone;andifweappearontheRegisteroftheInstitutionasthepersonsadoptingthechild，thereisjustachancethatsomethingmightresultfromit。Yourname，mydear，isthenameofthousandsofotherpeople;andifyouwillconsenttoappearontheRegister，thereneedbenofearofanydiscoveriesinthatquarter。Wearemoving，bythedoctor’sorders，toapartofSwitzerlandinwhichourcircumstancesarequiteunknown;andyou，asIunderstand，areabouttoengageanewnurseforthejourneywhenyoucometoseeus。Underthesecircumstances，thechildmayappearasmychild，broughtbacktomeundermysister’scare。Theonlyservantwetakewithusfromouroldhomeismyownmaid，whocanbesafelytrusted。AsforthelawyersinEnglandandinSwitzerland，itistheirprofessiontokeepsecrets——andwemayfeelquiteeasyinthatdirection。Sothereyouhaveourharmlesslittleconspiracy！Writebyreturnofpost，mylove，andtellmeyouwilljoinit。"***

"Doyoustillconcealthenameofthewriterofthatletter？"askedVendale。

"Ikeepthenameofthewritertillthelast，"answeredObenreizer，"andIproceedtomysecondproof——amereslipofpaperthistime，asyousee。MemorandumgiventotheSwisslawyer，whodrewthedocumentsreferredtointheletterIhavejustread，expressedasfollows：—"AdoptedfromtheFoundlingHospitalofEngland，3dMarch，1836，amaleinfant，called，intheInstitution，WalterWilding。

Personappearingontheregister，asadoptingthechild，Mrs。JaneAnneMiller，widow，actinginthismatterforhermarriedsister，domiciledinSwitzerland。’Patience！"resumedObenreizer，asVendale，breakingloosefromBintrey，startedtohisfeet。"Ishallnotkeepthenameconcealedmuchlonger。Twomorelittleslipsofpaper，andIhavedone。Thirdproof！CertificateofDoctorGanz，stilllivinginpracticeatNeuchatel，datedJuly，1838。Thedoctorcertifies（youshallreaditforyourselvesdirectly），first，thatheattendedtheadoptedchildinitsinfantmaladies;second，that，threemonthsbeforethedateofthecertificate，thegentlemanadoptingthechildashissondied;third，thatonthedateofthecertificate，hiswidowandhermaid，takingtheadoptedchildwiththem，leftNeuchatelontheirreturntoEngland。Onemorelinknowaddedtothis，andmychainofevidenceiscomplete。Themaidremainedwithhermistresstillhermistress’sdeath，onlyafewyearssince。Themaidcansweartotheidentityoftheadoptedinfant，fromhischildhoodtohisyouth——fromhisyouthtohismanhood，asheisnow。ThereisheraddressinEngland——andthere，Mr。Vendale，isthefourth，andfinalproof！"

"WhydoyouaddressyourselftoME？"saidVendale，asObenreizerthrewthewrittenaddressonthetable。

Obenreizerturnedonhim，inasuddenfrenzyoftriumph。

"BECAUSEYOUARETHEMAN！Ifmyniecemarriesyou，shemarriesabastard，broughtupbypubliccharity。Ifmyniecemarriesyou，shemarriesanimpostor，withoutnameorlineage，disguisedinthecharacterofagentlemanofrankandfamily。"

"Bravo！"criedBintrey。"Admirablyput，Mr。Obenreizer！Itonlywantsonewordmoretocompleteit。Shemarries——thanksentirelytoyourexertions——amanwhoinheritsahandsomefortune，andamanwhoseoriginwillmakehimprouderthaneverofhispeasant—wife。

GeorgeVendale，asbrother—executors，letuscongratulateeachother！Ourdeardeadfriend’slastwishonearthisaccomplished。

WehavefoundthelostWalterWilding。AsMr。Obenreizersaidjustnow——youaretheman！"

ThewordspassedbyVendaleunheeded。Forthemomenthewasconsciousofbutonesensation;heheardbutonevoice。

Marguerite’shandwasclaspinghis。Marguerite’svoicewaswhisperingtohim：

"Ineverlovedyou，George，asIloveyounow！"

THECURTAINFALLS

May—day。Thereismerry—makinginCrippleCorner，thechimneyssmoke，thepatriarchaldining—hallishungwithgarlands，andMrs。

Goldstraw，therespectedhousekeeper，isverybusy。For，onthisbrightmorningtheyoungmasterofCrippleCornerismarriedtoitsyoungmistress，faraway：towit，inthelittletownofBrieg，inSwitzerland，lyingatthefootoftheSimplonPasswhereshesavedhislife。

ThebellsringgailyinthelittletownofBrieg，andflagsarestretchedacrossthestreet，andrifleshotsareheard，andsoundingmusicfrombrassinstruments。Streamer—decoratedcasksofwinehavebeenrolledoutunderagayawninginthepublicwaybeforetheInn，andtherewillbefreefeastingandrevelry。Whatwithbellsandbanners，draperieshangingfromwindows，explosionofgunpowder，andreverberationofbrassmusic，thelittletownofBriegisallinaflutter，liketheheartsofitssimplepeople。

Itwasastormynightlastnight，andthemountainsarecoveredwithsnow。Butthesunisbrightto—day，thesweetairisfresh，thetinspiresofthelittletownofBriegareburnishedsilver，andtheAlpsarerangesoffar—offwhitecloudinadeepbluesky。

TheprimitivepeopleofthelittletownofBrieghavebuiltagreenwoodarchacrossthestreet，underwhichthenewlymarriedpairshallpassintriumphfromthechurch。Itisinscribed，onthatside，"HONOURANDLOVETOMARGUERITEVENDALE！"forthepeopleareproudofhertoenthusiasm。Thisgreetingofthebrideunderhernewnameisaffectionatelymeantasasurprise，andthereforethearrangementhasbeenmadethatshe，unconsciouswhy，shallbetakentothechurchbyatortuousbackway。AschemenotdifficulttocarryintoexecutioninthecrookedlittletownofBrieg。

So，allthingsareinreadiness，andtheyaretogoandcomeonfoot。AssembledintheInn’sbestchamber，festivelyadorned，arethebrideandbridegroom，theNeuchatelnotary，theLondonlawyer，MadameDor，andacertainlargemysteriousEnglishman，popularlyknownasMonsieurZhoe—Ladelle。AndbeholdMadameDor，arrayedinaspotlesspairofglovesofherown，withnohandintheair，butbothhandsclaspedroundtheneckofthebride;toembracewhomMadameDorhasturnedherbroadbackonthecompany，consistenttothelast。

"Forgiveme，mybeautiful，"pleadsMadameDor，"forthatIeverwashisshe—cat！"

"She—cat，MadameDor？

"Engagedtositwatchingmysocharmingmouse，"aretheexplanatorywordsofMadameDor，deliveredwithapenitentialsob。

"Why，youwereourbestfriend！George，dearest，tellMadameDor。

Wasshenotourbestfriend？"

"Undoubtedly，darling。Whatshouldwehavedonewithouther？"

"Youarebothsogenerous，"criesMadameDor，acceptingconsolation，andimmediatelyrelapsing。"ButIcommencedasashe—cat。"

"Ah！Butlikethecatinthefairy—story，goodMadameDor，"saysVendale，salutinghercheek，"youwereatruewoman。And，beingatruewoman，thesympathyofyourheartwaswithtruelove。"

"Idon’twishtodepriveMadameDorofhershareintheembracesthataregoingon，"Mr。Bintreyputsin，watchinhand，"andIdon’tpresumetoofferanyobjectiontoyourhavinggotyourselvesmixedtogether，inthecornerthere，likethethreeGraces。ImerelyremarkthatIthinkit’stimeweweremoving。WhatareYOUR

sentimentsonthatsubject，Mr。Ladle？"

"Clear，sir，"repliesJoey，withagraciousgrin。"I’mcleareraltogether，sir，forhavinglivedsomanyweeksuponthesurface。I

neverwashalfsolonguponthesurfaceafore，andit’sdonemeapowerofgood。AtCrippleCorner，Iwastoomuchbelowit。AtopoftheSimpleton，Iwasadealtoohighaboveit。I’vefoundthemediumhere，sir。AndifeverItakeitinconvivial，inalltherestofmydays，Imeantodoitthisday，tothetoastof’Bless’emboth。’"

"I，too！"saysBintrey。"Andnow，MonsieurVoigt，letyouandmebetwomenofMarseilles，andallons，marchons，arm—in—arm！"

Theygodowntothedoor，whereothersarewaitingforthem，andtheygoquietlytothechurch，andthehappymarriagetakesplace。

Whiletheceremonyisyetinprogress，thenotaryiscalledout。

Whenitisfinished，hehasreturned，isstandingbehindVendale，andtoucheshimontheshoulder。

"Gotothesidedoor，onemoment，MonsieurVendale。Alone。LeaveMadametome。"

Atthesidedoorofthechurch，arethesametwomenfromtheHospice。Theyaresnow—stainedandtravel—worn。Theywishhimjoy，andtheneachlayshisbroadhanduponVendale’sbreast，andonesaysinalowvoice，whiletheothersteadfastlyregardshim：

"Itishere，Monsieur。Yourlitter。Theverysame。"

"Mylitterishere？Why？"

"Hush！ForthesakeofMadame。Yourcompanionofthatday——"

"Whatofhim？"

Themanlooksathiscomrade，andhiscomradetakeshimup。EachkeepshishandlaidearnestlyonVendale’sbreast。

"HehadbeenlivingatthefirstRefuge，monsieur，forsomedays。

Theweatherwasnowgood，nowbad。"

"Yes？"

"HearrivedatourHospicethedaybeforeyesterday，and，havingrefreshedhimselfwithsleeponthefloorbeforethefire，wrappedinhiscloak，wasresolutetogoon，beforedark，tothenextHospice。Hehadagreatfearofthatpartoftheway，andthoughtitwouldbeworseto—morrow。"

"Yes？"

"Hewentonalone。Hehadpassedthegallerywhenanavalanche——

likethatwhichfellbehindyouneartheBridgeoftheGanther——"

"Killedhim？"

"Wedughimout，suffocatedandbrokenalltopieces！But，monsieur，astoMadame。Wehavebroughthimhereonthelitter，tobeburied。Wemustascendthestreetoutside。Madamemustnotsee。

Itwouldbeanaccursedthingtobringthelitterthroughthearchacrossthestreet，untilMadamehaspassedthrough。Asyoudescend，wewhoaccompanythelitterwillsetitdownonthestonesofthestreetthesecondtotheright，andwillstandbeforeit。ButdonotletMadameturnherheadtowardsthestreetthesecondtotheright。Thereisnotimetolose。Madamewillbealarmedbyyourabsence。Adieu！"

Vendalereturnstohisbride，anddrawsherhandthroughhisunmainiedarm。Aprettyprocessionawaitsthematthemaindoorofthechurch。Theytaketheirstationinit，anddescendthestreetamidsttheringingofthebells，thefiringoftheguns，thewavingoftheflags，theplayingofthemusic，theshouts，thesmiles，andtears，oftheexcitedtown。Headsareuncoveredasshepasses，handsarekissedtoher，allthepeopleblessher。"Heaven’sbenedictiononthedeargirl！Seewhereshegoesinheryouthandbeauty;shewhosonoblysavedhislife！"

Nearthecornerofthestreetthesecondtotheright，hespeakstoher，andcallsherattentiontothewindowsontheoppositeside。

Thecornerwellpassed，hesays："Donotlookround，mydarling，forareasonthatIhave，"andturnshishead。Then，lookingbackalongthestreet，heseesthelitteranditsbearerspassingupaloneunderthearch，asheandsheandtheirmarriagetraingodowntowardstheshiningvalley。