ame, too! There's
a perfect fortune down there in that factory at Saltfleet! Mr. Narkom,"
he turned round and surveyed the Superintendent with mirthful eyes, "what
about these bank robberies now, eh? I told you something would crop up.
You see it has. We've discovered the hiding-place of the gold--and the
prime leader in the whole distressing affair. The rest ought to be easy."
He whipped round suddenly toward the line of witnesses, letting his eyes
travel over each face in turn; past Tony West's reddened countenance,
past Dr. Bartholomew's pale intensity, past Borkins, standing very
straight and white and frightened-looking. Then, of a sudden he leapt
forward, his hand clamped down upon someone's shoulder, and his voice
exclaimed triumphantly:

"And here the beauty is!"

Then, before the astonished eyes of the crowd of spectators stood Mr.
Gustave Brellier, writhing and twisting in the clutch of the firm fingers
and spitting forth fury in a Flemish patois that would have struck Cleek
dead on the spot--if words could kill.

A sudden din arose. People pressed forward, the better to see and hear,
exclaiming loudly, condemning, criticising. The judge's frail old hand
brought silence at last, and Antoinette Brellier came forward from her
place and clutched Cleek by the arm.

"It cannot be, Mr.--Cleek!" she said piteously. "I tell you my uncle is
the best of men, truly! He could never have done this thing that you
accuse him of--and--"

"And the worst of devils! That I can thoroughly endorse, my dear young
lady," returned Cleek with a grim laugh. "I am sorry for you--very. But
at least you will have consolation in your future husband's release. That
should compensate you. Here, officer, take hold of this man. We'll get
down to brass tacks now. Take hold of him, and hold him fast, for a more
slippery snake never was created. All right, Sir Nigel; it is all right,
lad. Sit down. This is going to be a long story, but it's got to be told.
Fetch chairs for the witnesses, constable. And don't let any of 'em
go--yet. I want 'em to hear this thing through."

In his quick, easy manner he seemed suddenly to have taken command of the
court. And, knowing that he was Hamilton Cleek, and that Cleek would use
his own methods, or none, Mr. Justice Grainger took the wisest course,
and--let him alone.

When all was in readiness, Cleek settled down to the story. He was the
only man left standing, a straight slim figure, full of that co