"Do you think the other lists also forgeries?" said the Count.
"All _is_ lost," said Von Apsberg, "and we wish to ascertain from you who had charge of these papers; how is it that they have been copied, and how came the originals in the hands of the police?"
"If such be the case," said Taddeo, who suffered visibly from this species of examination.
"But," said Monte-Leone, who became more and more excited, "you ask me a question I cannot answer--which God alone can explain. All this is a mystery beyond my powers."
"Well," said Von Apsberg, growing every moment more nervous, for he saw the approach of the necessity of this terrible explanation; "well, in the absence of proof, our brethren indulge in conjectures." As he spoke, the words seemed riveted to his lips, and to break from them with difficulty.
"What are those conjectures?" said Monte-Leone, resuming his _sang-froid;_ for the idea that there was a suspicion in relation to his honor, was not within the compass of his thought. He began to seek a remedy almost before he knew what was the evil which menaced him.
"THEY SAY," said Von Apsberg, with hesitation, "that some traitor has insinuated himself among us and betrayed us to the secret police--that he has sold us to our enemies, and that the arrests of our brothers are the fruits of his treason."
"Who is he?" said Von Apsberg, and his very heart grew cold.
Von Apsberg was about to speak; the bolt was about to fall. His two friends ceased almost to breathe, when the door of the room was rung violently.
"Who can it be at this hour?" said d'Harcourt.
"I cannot tell," said the Doctor, "I expect no one."
"Some patient, perhaps," said Monte-Leone. "Go at once. A doctor should always be prompt to attend such calls."
"But," said d'Harcourt, "what if it be an officer?"
"Then there is an additional reason for answering the bell," said Monte-Leone.
Von Apsberg left the room, closing the door after him and hurrying into the anteroom, saw before him Mlle. Celestine Crepineau. The three friends listened at the door Von Apsberg had closed, to ascertain who called.
"Excuse me, Doctor," said Mlle. Crepineau, "but the matter was so urgent."
"This note, which a very pleasant person, fair as you are, but not so handsome, asked me to deliver at once."