“The Black Brothers took it from me.”

“Then they obtained the precious secret that was to liberate Dreyfus?”

“Nothing of the sort.”

“They did not?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I fancied the secret would become theirs till I saw the chief of the seven open the ball before me, as I stood bound and helpless, with my back against that stone pillar.”

“What did it contain?”

“Nothing.”

Jack fell back in his chair.