"Ay! wince you may. I have found out everything, thanks to—but I'll not couple his name with yours. And the release of the mortgage—have you that?"
"No, sir. It is in that bag on the table."
The old gentleman eagerly took up the bundle that lay on the table, and began with trembling fingers to open it.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Denny," said Mr. Franklin. "I should like to ask this man a question or two."
Mr. Denny paused, and there was a profound silence in the room.
"Lawrence Belford, if you are wise, you will speak the truth. That release is a forgery—or at least it has no legal value."
"It is not worth a straw," replied the prisoner with cool impudence; "and on the whole, I'm glad of it. The mortgage will be foreclosed to-morrow."
"Your share will be small, Mr. Belford. I am afraid your partner will find some difficulty in making a settlement with you, unless he joins you in prison."
Mr. Denny sat heavily down in an arm-chair and groaned aloud. In vain Alma, with choking voice, tried to comfort him. The blow was too terrible for words, and for a moment or two there was a painful silence in the room.
Mr. Franklin seemed nervous and excited. He fumbled in his pockets as if in search of something. Presently he advanced toward the old gentleman and said quietly: