y an open confession."

Eberhard Amelungen shook his head.

"I know nothing of what you charge me with," he said feebly. "You have
the power, and can do as you please with me. But I have nothing to
confess."

"Not if I tell you that my information comes from the mouth of your own
son?"

The merchant stared at the speaker with wide-open eyes full of anxiety.

"From the mouth of my own son? But--I have no son."

"Then M. Camille Penurot also was lying when he said you were his
father?"

"For God's sake be merciful! Don't torture me! What is the matter with
Camille? Where is he?"

"He has been caught spying. What will happen to him depends on your own
behaviour."

Eberhard Amelungen sank back in his stool in a state of collapse.

"My God! you don't mean to put him in prison? or to shoot him?"

"As you may imagine, his fate is not in my hands alone. But in this
instance my influence may perhaps be considerable, and it would
certainly have weight if I threw it into the scale in your favour and
his. Therefore I again ask you to consider whether, as things are, it
would not be best for you to be perfectly frank with me. Those who are
behind you can no longer protect you, and your only hope lies in the
leniency of the German authorities. Do not reject the possibility of
securing this leniency."

The merchant was evidently carrying on a severe struggle with himself.
After a few moments he raised his head, and in an altered, defiant tone
replied--

"Do what you like with me, I have nothing to confess."

Heideck then assumed a sterner, official demeanour.

"Then you must not complain if I begin to search your house."

"Do as you think fit. The victor can take what liberties he pleases."

Heideck opened the door and summoned two of the Berlin criminal police,
who at his request had been ordered to Antwerp on this affair with a
large number of policemen. Certainly he felt sure in advance that they
would find nothing, for Eberhard Amelungen would have been very foolish
not to have reckoned long ago on the possibility of such a visit, and
to have taken precautions accordingly. The Major, in bringing the
police with him, had thought more of the moral impression of the whole
procedure. His knowledge of men told him that it had its effect.

"One thing more, Herr Amelungen," said he. "About the same time as the
search begins here, another will take place in your private house. I
expect the report of those entrusted