It was empty, although
the gas was burning. He saw the little ivory casket, and with one stroke
of his strong, young hand, opened it.
There lay the letters, underneath a watch and ring. He obeyed her; he
did not lose one instant. He emptied the casket, carried the letters to
the lighted gas, and burned them! Just as he had raised the watch and
ring in his hand to replace them, the door opened and the count, with
his servant, entered the room.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Trap Closed.
The count did not utter one word. He saw at one glance what had been
done. He recognized the young gentleman whom he had sneered at as Lady
Amelie's victim. He understood at once what had been done.
"She had asked him to destroy the letters, and he has done it," he said
to himself. In one moment he had formed his scheme of revenge. He would
give the young man in charge for stealing his watch and ring. If he
cleared himself at all, he must tell the truth. He must tell that he had
not come there to steal a watch, but to destroy Lady Lisle's letters.
"If he confesses that," said the quick-witted count to himself, "she
will be doubly disgraced; if he declines to confess, I am at least
revenged upon him." So, until the entrance of the policeman, the two men
stood and glared at each other.
"You can save yourself," said the count, "if you will confess what you
came for, and if you will write that confession down.
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