"Why not?" asked Patoff, in some surprise.
"I was the man with the rope. Cutter has never realized that you did not know it."
Paul was very much astonished at the news, and looked at me as though hardly believing his senses.
"Yes," I continued. "I happened to be leaning out of the window immediately over the balcony, and I saw your mother fall. I do not believe she threw herself over; if she had done that, she would probably not have been caught on the tree. The parapet was very low, and she is very tall. I heard her say to Professor Cutter, 'I am coming;' then she stood up. Suddenly she grew red in the face, tottered, tried to save herself, but missed the parapet, and fell over with a loud scream of terror."
"I am very much surprised," said Paul, "very grateful to you, of course, for saving her life. I do not know how to thank you; but how strange that Cutter should never have told me!"
"He saw that we knew each other," I remarked. "He supposed that I had told you."
"So it was not an attempt at suicide, after all. It is amazing to think how one may be deceived in this world."
For some minutes he sat silent in his chair, evidently in deep thought. I did not disturb him, though I watched the melancholy expression of his face, thinking of the great misfortunes which had overtaken him, and pitying him, perhaps, more than he would have liked.
"Griggs," he said at last, "do you know of any one in Constantinople who would help me,—who could help me if he would?"
"To find your brother? It is a serious affair. Yes, I do know of one man; if he could be induced to take an interest in the matter, he might do a great deal."