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。