“It had escaped my memory——­”

The words faded from his lips, for even his great self-command failed him under Mascarin’s disdainful glance.

“Let me tell you what I think of you,” said the latter.  “I knew that you were a coward and a traitor.  Even convicts keep faith with each other, and I had not thought you so utterly infamous.”

“Then why have you forced me to act contrary to my wishes?”

This reply exasperated Mascarin so much that he grasped Catenac by the throat, and shook him violently.

“I made use of you, you viper,” said he, “because I had placed you in such a position that you could not harm us.  And now you will serve me because I will show you that I can take everything from you—­name, money, liberty, and life.  All depends upon our success.  If we fail, you fall into an abyss of the depth and horrors of which you can have no conception.  I knew with whom I had to deal, and took my measures accordingly.  The most crushing proofs of your crime are in the hands of a person who has precise orders how to act.  When I give the signal, he moves; and when he moves, you are utterly lost.”

There was something so threatening in the silence that followed this speech that Paul grew faint with apprehension.

“And,” went on Mascarin, “it would be an evil day for you if anything were to happen to Hortebise, Paul, or myself; for if one of us were to die suddenly, your fate would be sealed.  You cannot say that you have not been warned.”

Catenac stood with his head bent upon his breast, rooted to the ground with terror.  He felt that he was bound, and gagged, and fettered hand and foot.  Mascarin swallowed some of the cooling draught that stood before him, and tranquilly commenced,—­

“Suppose, Catenac, that I were to tell you that I know far more of the Champdoce matter than you do; for, after all, your knowledge is only derived from what the Duke has told you.  You think that you have hit upon the truth; you were never more mistaken in your life.  I, perhaps you are unaware, have been many years engaged in this matter.  Perhaps you would like to know how I first thought of the affair.  Do you remember that solicitor who had an office near the Law Courts, and did a great deal of blackmail business?  If you do, you must remember that he got two years’ hard labor.”

“Yes, I remember the man,” returned Catenac in a humble voice.

“He used,” continued Mascarin, “to buy up waste paper, and search through the piles he had collected for any matters that might be concealed in the heterogeneous mass.  And many things he must have found.  In what sensational case have not letters played a prominent part?  What man is there who has not at one time or other regretted that he has had pen and ink ready to his hand?  If men were wise, they would use those patent inks, which fade from the paper in a few days.  I followed his example, and, among other strange discoveries, I made this one.”