"Bring it here instantly!" cried the justice. The ferryman left the room, and returned with a black stick with a brass fokosh at the end. Everybody was startled. Mr. Skinner took the stick and showed it to the sheriff, who clasped his hands in utter amazement.
Lady Rety whispered to the clerk, and the cook cried instinctively, "I know that stick! It belongs to the notary."
"You are both to be sworn," said Mr. Skinner to the ferryman and the coachman, "that this is the stick which you found last night." And, turning to the sheriff, he added, "I told you so! The matter is as plain as can be."
"It is clear beyond the possibility of a doubt," said Lady Rety, seizing the fokosh in her turn. "I have always seen that stick with Tengelyi; and here are his initials, 'J. T.' It is shocking!"
"I really don't know," said Rety, with great emotion; "there are many things against Tengelyi, but the impression on my mind is——"
"But consider, sir!" cried Mr. Skinner; "only please to consider! Tengelyi quarrels with Catspaw, and says he'll have his revenge. Catspaw is murdered that very night, and when dying he says that Tengelyi is his murderer. The Jew, who I now believe came merely for the purpose of thieving, hears that Catspaw is asked to give up Tengelyi's papers. The coachman pursues the murderer after the deed. The track is lost for a moment. They find it again, and follow it to the notary's house, whom they see at midnight in his usual dress, covered with dirt and violently agitated. Letters are found in Mr. Catspaw's room addressed to Tengelyi; and, besides, here is the notary's stick! What do you say to that?"
"Nothing!" replied the sheriff, shaking his head; "but all this cannot convince me. I have known Tengelyi these——"
"Indeed!" said Lady Rety, with a sneer. "It strikes me that you and the notary are mighty good friends."
"I am not his friend; but I will never believe him guilty of such a deed."
"I will furnish you with other proofs!" said Mr. Skinner. "I will go at once to his house, and examine him and his family."