Act IV - Page 2

himself. "Permit me to reward my own merit with
a pinch of snuff!"

Obenreizer dropped his eyes to the ground, as though he were not even
worthy to see the notary take snuff.

"Do me one last favour, sir," he said, when he raised his eyes. "Do not
act on impulse. Thus far, you have only a general knowledge of my
position. Hear the case for and against me, in its details, before you
take me into your office. Let my claim on your benevolence be recognised
by your sound reason as well as by your excellent heart. In _that_ case,
I may hold up my head against the bitterest of my enemies, and build
myself a new reputation on the ruins of the character I have lost."

"As you will," said Maitre Voigt. "You speak well, my son. You will be
a fine lawyer one of these days."

"The details are not many," pursued Obenreizer. "My troubles begin with
the accidental death of my late travelling companion, my lost dear friend
Mr. Vendale."

"Mr. Vendale," repeated the notary. "Just so. I have heard and read of
the name, several times within these two months. The name of the
unfortunate English gentleman who was killed on the Simplon. When you
got that scar upon your cheek and neck."

"--From my own knife," said Obenreizer, touching what must have been an
ugly gash at the time of its infliction.

"From your own knife," assented the notary, "and in trying to save him.
Good, good, good. That was very good. Vendale. Yes. I have several
times, lately, thought it droll that I should once have had a client of
that name."

"But the world, sir," returned Obenreizer, "is _so_ small!" Nevertheless
he made a mental note that the notary had once had a client of that name.

"As I was saying, sir, the death of that dear travelling comrade begins
my troubles. What follows? I save myself. I go down to Milan. I am
received with coldness by Defresnier and Company. Shortly afterwards, I
am discharged by Defresnier and Company. Why? They give no reason why.
I ask, do they assail my honour? No answer. I ask, what is the
imputation against me? No answer. I ask, where are their proofs against
me? No answer. I ask, what am I to think? The reply is, 'M. Obenreizer
is free to think what he will. What M. Obenreizer thinks, is of no
importance to Defresnier and Company.' And that is all."

"Perfectly. That is all," asserted the notary, taking a large pinch of
snuff.

"But is that enough, sir?"

"That is not enough," said Maitre Voigt. "The House of Defresnier are my
fellow townsmen--much respected, much esteemed--but the House