And she went in search of the paper, where she had carefully placed it away. But no paper was to be found! What could have become of it? She returned.
"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting manner.
"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to answer my purpose."
"Perhaps."
"Durant, you know I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying it?"
"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he continued: "We might as well understand each other at once."
He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you speak of. I see it is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should again fall into your hands, I will destroy it."
And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The outwitted girl sat dumb with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and, for several seconds, was speechless. When utterance came, she inquired:
"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your possession?"
"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went and took it."