"What are you waiting for?" asked Bintrey.
Obenreizer pointed to the brown door. "Call them back," he answered. "I
have something to say in their presence before I go."
"Say it in my presence," retorted Bintrey. "I decline to call them
back."
Obenreizer turned to Maitre Voigt. "Do you remember telling me that you
once had an English client named Vendale?" he asked.
"Well," answered the notary. "And what of that?"
"Maitre Voigt, your clock-lock has betrayed you."
"What do you mean?"
"I have read the letters and certificates in your client's box. I have
taken copies of them. I have got the copies here. Is there, or is there
not, a reason for calling them back?"
For a moment the notary looked to and fro, between Obenreizer and
Bintrey, in helpless astonishment. Recovering himself, he drew his
brother-lawyer aside, and hurriedly spoke a few words close at his ear.
The face of Bintrey--after first faithfully reflecting the astonishment
on the face of Maitre Voigt--suddenly altered its expression. He sprang,
with the activity of a young man, to the door of the inner room, entered
it, remained inside for a minute, and returned followed by Marguerite and
Vendale. "Now, Mr. Obenreizer," said Bintrey, "the last move in the game
is yours. Play it."
"Before I resign my position as that young lady's guardian," said
Obenreizer, "I have a secret to reveal in which she is interested. In
making my disclosure, I am not claiming her attention for a narrative
which she, or any other person present, is expected to take on trust.
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