"But why do you not go first?"
"Because, cherished idol of my soul, I do not trust you. You above and I below, you might easily finish me off, and have the game entirely in your own hands. You are quite safe with me, dear friend. It is to my advantage to keep you alive; I intend to get money out of you in the future. It would be to your advantage if I were in the same plight as our friends below, for then you would save the money you will have to pay me. Even as a lad I was distinguished for frankness. Descend."
He was master of the situation, and Leonard was compelled to submit. Steadying himself by the rope he descended, and reached the plateau. Dr. Peterssen climbed down after him with the agility of a cat.
"I see them," he said, "though not very distinctly. They seem to be lying side by side. Luckily it will not be at all difficult to get to them. Between being hurled down these rocks unaware and descending them voluntarily there is a great difference. We will go together. Careful, Leonard, careful; I must not have my milch cow injured."
They reached the spot where the bodies lay. The violence with which they had been dashed over the precipice had told its tale. Of the two Dr. Peterssen's patient was the more injured. In his descent his features had been so dreadfully cut and lacerated that they were scarcely distinguishable.
"My poor ward is done for," said Dr. Peterssen, adding, with eyes sanctimoniously raised to heaven, "he is now in a better world."
"And Gerald?" whispered Leonard.
It was some time before Dr. Peterssen replied, and when he spoke there was a strange note in his voice.
"Gerald lives."
"Then what has been done," cried Leonard, in a tone of mingled despair and fury, "has been done in vain!"