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。