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。