h money to expedite my escape, and by
him clandestinely smuggled at nightfall into Amersham Place; Further,
that until that evening I had never set eyes on my uncle, nor have set
eyes on him since; that he was bedridden when I saw him, and apparently
in the last stage of senile decay. And I have reason to believe that Mr.
Romaine did not fully inform him of the circumstances of my escape, and
particularly of my concern in the death of a fellow-prisoner named
Goguelat, formerly a marechal des logis in the 22nd Regiment of the
Line_...."

Of the contents of this precious document let a sample suffice. From end
to end it was a tissue of distorted statements implicated with
dishonouring suggestions. I read it through, and let it drop on the
table.

"I beg your pardon," said I, "but what do you wish me to do with it?"

"Sign it," said he.

I laughed. "Once more I beg your pardon, but though you have apparently
dressed for it, this is not comic opera."

"Nevertheless you will sign."

"O, you weary me." I seated myself, and flung a leg over the arm of my
chair. "Shall we come to the alternative For I assume you have one."

"The alternative, to be sure," he answered cheerfully. "I have a
companion below, one Clausel, and at the 'Tete d'Or,' a little way up
the street, an escort of police."

Here was a pleasing predicament. But if Alain had started with a chance
of daunting me (which I do not admit), he had spoilt it long since by
working on the raw of my temper. I kept a steady eye on him, and
considered: and the longer I considered the better assured was I that
his game must have a disastrously weak point somewhere, which it was my
business to find.

"You have reminded me of your warning to Mr. Romaine. The subject is an
ugly one for two of our family to touch upon; but do you happen to
recall Mr. Romaine's counter-threat?"

"Bluff! my young sir. It served his purpose for the moment, I grant you.
I was unhinged. The indignity, the very monstrosity of it, the
baselessness, staggered reason."

"It was baseless, then?"

"The best proof is that in spite of his threat, and my open contempt and
disregard of it, Mr. Romaine has not stirred a hand."

"You mean that my uncle destroyed the evidence?"

"I mean nothing of the kind," he retorted hotly, "for I deny that any
such evidence at any time existed."

I kept my eye on him. "Alain," I said quietly, "you are a liar."

A flush darkened his face beneath its cosmeti