"Kneel only to God," said Eberstein solemnly. "It is His great mercy that permits me to come to your aid. The moment is at hand which will decide your future—the future of you both. Before you, Montrose, will be placed good and evil: as you choose so shall it be."
"I shall choose the good," cried the young man impetuously.
"Be not over-confident, lest you fall," warned the Master gravely. "One whom you wronged in the past has you at his mercy."
"My father?" questioned Alice, with a gasp.
Eberstein bowed his head. "In Chaldea you killed him, Montrose, and therefore you owe him a life for a life. Humanly speaking you are in his power for the moment, and he can hand you over to the officers of law."
"But I am innocent of the crime!"
"Yes! And he knows that you are innocent. But the teaching of the son of perdition, whom you know as Narvaez, has warped his nature, and to gain the money he claims he will place you, if he can, in the shadow of the gallows."
"He does not know where I am! He is——"
"Peace!" The Master raised his arm slowly. "What will be, will be as love or hate, fear or trust triumphs in your breast. Ascend the cliff, alone!"
"Alone!" Alice uttered a shriek. "No! No! Let me go also."