Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve, "I beg you to go to your room. These
varying emotions are more than you can bear; if I learn anything of
interest, I will, my child, communicate it to you at once."

The young girl rose without reply, but she glanced reproachfully at Simon
Turchi.

"Do not blame me, Mary," he said; "I am deeply grieved to cause you pain;
only rest assured that what I do is caused by affection for Geronimo and
yourself."

Without noticing this excuse the young girl obeyed her father, and slowly
left the room.

"Now," said Mr. Van de Werve, "what is the secret you wish to impart to
us?"

"I am greatly embarrassed," replied Simon Turchi, shaking his head
doubtfully; "my intention was to speak only to Signor Deodati of the
affair; perhaps it would be indiscreet in me to reveal to you also, Mr.
Van de Werve, a secret which, under different circumstances--"

"For the love of God, abandon these useless evasions!" said Signor
Deodati, roused to a high pitch of excitement by his impatience. "Why
should not Mr. Van de Werve know that which, in your opinion, would give
us a clue to my nephew?"

"Since I am forced to speak," said Turchi, with a sigh, "approach and
listen."

As soon as Deodati and Mr. Van de Werve had drawn their chairs nearer to
him, Simon said in an undertone, as if he feared his words might be
overheard:

"Have you not remarked, Mr. Van de Werve, that for some time past Geronimo
has been disturbed and anxious; that even in the midst of cheerful
conversation he appeared absent-minded; in a word, that some great trouble
seemed weighing upon him?"

"I have noticed it," said Mr. Van de Werve.

"And you, Signor Deodati?"

"I have also remarked it. But what do you infer from this?"

"About a month ago I interrogated Geronimo as to the cause of his
melancholy, and he informed me in confused, vague terms, that he had lost
a considerable sum at play_."

"At play!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, overpowered by astonishment.

"Was Geronimo a gambler?" exclaimed Deodati, with ill-suppressed
indignation.

"It is the custom at Antwerp to play for money, and often for considerable
sums of money," continued Simon Turchi. "I never remarked that my friend
Geronimo had a passion for play. However that may be, I could never
discover to whom he had lost the amount, nor would he tell me how much it
was. His melancholy and agitation were caused by the circumstance I have
just mentioned. He was tortured b