"
Turning again to Varin, Daspry said:
"It's between us two, comrade, and play fair, if you please.
Hearts are trumps, and I play the seven."
Then Daspry held up, before Varin's bewildered eyes, the little
iron plate, marked with the seven red spots. It was a terrible
shock to Varin. With livid features, staring eyes, and an air of
intense agony, the man seemed to be hypnotized at the sight of it.
"Who are you?" he gasped.
"One who meddles in other people's business, down to the very
bottom."
"What do you want?"
"What you brought here tonight."
"I brought nothing."
"Yes, you did, or you wouldn't have come. This morning, you
received an invitation to come here at nine o'clock, and bring with
you all the papers held by you. You are here. Where are the
papers?"
There was in Daspry's voice and manner a tone of authority that I
did not understand; his manner was usually quite mild and
conciliatory. Absolutely conquered, Varin placed his hand on one
of his pockets, and said:
"The papers are here."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"All that you took from Louis Lacombe and afterwards sold to Major
von Lieben?"
"Yes."
"Are these the copies or the originals?"
"I have the originals.
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