"
"And he did not denounce them?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because there was something else in the satchel--something besides
the papers of Louis Lacombe."
"What was it?"
She hesitated; was on the point of speaking, but, finally, remained
silent. Daspry continued:
"I presume that is why your husband has kept a close watch over
their movements instead of informing the police. He hoped to
recover the papers and, at the same time, that compromising article
which has enabled the two brothers to hold over him threats of
exposure and blackmail."
"Over him, and over me."
"Ah! over you, also?"
"Over me, in particular."
She uttered the last words in a hollow voice. Daspry observed it;
he paced to and fro for a moment, then, turning to her, asked:
"Had you written to Louis Lacombe?"
"Of course. My husband had business with him--"
"Apart from those business letters, had you written to Louis
Lacombe....other letters? Excuse my insistence, but it is
absolutely necessary that I should know the truth. Did you write
other letters?"
"Yes," she replied, blushing.
"And those letters came into the possession of the Varin brothers?"
"Yes.
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