"Who told you this
impossible tale, and what has brought you here?"
"It is not impossible. The sister has been found."
"Found!" I had him this time. "Found!" he repeated. "Oh, this is not
credible!"
"It is true. And to-morrow at noon the woman you profess to love will
become the wife of the man she abhors. Why? Because you, you refuse
to save her!"
"I? How in God's name can I save her?" the perspiration beginning to
stand out on his brow.
"How? I will tell you how. Prince Ernst marries Gretchen for her
dowry alone. If the woman I believe to be her sister can be proved so,
the Prince will withdraw his claims to Gretchen's hand. Do you
understand? He will not marry for half the revenues of Hohenphalia.
It is all or nothing. Now, will you produce those proofs? Will you
help me?" The minute hand of the clock was moving around with deadly
precision.
"Are you lying to me?" he asked, breathing hard.
"You fool! can't you see that it means everything to Gretchen if you
have those proofs? She will be free, free! Will you get those proofs,
or shall your god-child live to curse you?"
This was the most powerful weapon I had yet used.
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