She had opened the box, and was eagerly searching something among the papers inside.  She then continued, in feverish haste,—­

“M.  Malgat was the cashier and confidential clerk of the Mutual Discount Society, a large and powerful company.  M. Elgin had some business with him, a few weeks after our arrival here, for the purpose of drawing funds which he had in Philadelphia.  He found him an exceedingly obliging man, and, to show his appreciation, invited him to dine here.  Thus he became acquainted with Mrs. Brian and myself.  He was a man of about forty, of medium height, ordinary looking, very polite, but not refined in his manners.  The first time I looked at his light yellow eyes, I felt disgusted and frightened.  I read in his face an expression of base vice.  The impression was so strong, that I could not help telling M. Elgin how sure I was this man would turn out a bad man, and that he ought not to trust him in money-matters.”

Daniel listened with breathless attention.  This description of Malgat impressed his portrait so deeply on his mind, that he thought he saw him before his eyes, and would certainly recognize him if he should ever meet him.

“M.  Elgin,” continued Miss Brandon, “only laughed at my presentiments; and even Mrs. Brian, I remember distinctly, scolded me, saying it was very wrong to judge a man by his appearance, and that there were very honest men in the world who had yellow eyes.  I must acknowledge, moreover, that M. Malgat behaved perfectly well whenever he was here.  As M. Elgin did not know Paris, and had money to invest, he advised him what to do.  When we had drafts upon the Mutual Discount Society, he always saved M. Elgin the trouble, and brought the money himself.  After a while, when M. Elgin took it into his head to try some small speculations on ’change, M. Malgat offered him his assistance, although they never had any luck, in fact.”

By this time Miss Brandon had found the papers she was looking for.  She handed them to Daniel, saying,—­

“And, if you do not believe what I say, look at this.”

There were a dozen square bits of paper, on which Malgat had reported the result of his operations on ’change, which he carried on on account of, and with the money of, M. Elgin.  All ended with these words:—­

“We have lost considerably; but we may be more fortunate next time.  There is a capital chance on such and such funds; send me all the money you can spare.”

The words were always the same; the name of the funds alone varied in each.

“That is strange,” said Daniel.

Miss Sarah shook her head.

“Strange?  Yes, indeed!” she replied.  “But it does not help me in any way.  This letter, however, will tell you more.  Read it, sir, and read it aloud.”

Daniel took the letter, and read,—­

“’Paris, Dec. 5, 1865.

“’M.  Thomas Elgin. Dear Sir,—­It is to you alone, the most honorable among men, that I can make the terrible confession that I have committed a crime.