It was a sacrifice to leave his business; it was a greater sacrifice to
leave Marguerite. But a matter of five hundred pounds was involved in
the pending inquiry; and a literal interpretation of M. Rolland's advice
was insisted on in terms which there was no trifling with. The more
Vendale thought of it, the more plainly the necessity faced him, and
said, "Go!"
As he locked up the letter with the receipt, the association of ideas
reminded him of Obenreizer. A guess at the identity of the suspected man
looked more possible now. Obenreizer might know.
The thought had barely passed through his mind, when the door opened, and
Obenreizer entered the room.
"They told me at Soho Square you were expected back last night," said
Vendale, greeting him. "Have you done well in the country? Are you
better?"
A thousand thanks. Obenreizer had done admirably well; Obenreizer was
infinitely better. And now, what news? Any letter from Neuchatel?
"A very strange letter," answered Vendale. "The matter has taken a new
turn, and the letter insists--without excepting anybody--on my keeping
our next proceedings a profound secret."
"Without excepting anybody?" repeated Obenreizer. As he said the words,
he walked away again, thoughtfully, to the window at the other end of the
room, looked out for a moment, and suddenly came back to Vendale. "Surely
they must have forgotten?" he resumed, "or they would have excepted me?"
"It is Monsieur Rolland who writes," said Vendale.
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