"I don't know!" he said helplessly; "I don't know what it means! I have
told you the truth! A man came to see me late last night, saying he was
sent by you on urgent business. He said you wished me to explain the
position we held, and the amount of the interests we had at stake, as
there were grave discoveries pending, and complexities likely to ensue.
He gave his name--there is his card!"
And with a semi-groan, he threw down the bit of pasteboard in question.
The Marquis snatched it up.
"'Pasquin Leroy'! I never heard the name in my life," he said fiercely.
"Jost, you have been done! You mean to tell me you were such a fool as
to trust an entire stranger with the whole financial plan of campaign,
and that you were credulous enough to believe that he came from me--me
--De Lutera,--without any credentials?"
"Credentials!" exclaimed Jost; "Do you suppose I would have received
him at all had credentials been lacking? Not I! He brought me the most
sure and confidential sign of your trust that could be produced--your
own signet-ring!"
The Marquis staggered back, as though Jost's words had been so many
direct blows on the chest,--his countenance turned a livid white.
"My signet-ring!" he repeated,--and almost unconsciously he looked at
the hand from which the great jewel was missing; "My signet!"--Then he
forced a smile--"Jost, I repeat, you have been done!--doubly fooled!--
no one could possibly have obtained my signet,--for at this very
moment it is on the hand of the King!"
Jost rose slowly out of his chair, his eyes protruding out of his head,
his jaw almost dropping in the extremity of his amazement.
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