"Are these their signatures?" said Von Apsberg.
"They are."
"You are mistaken," said d'Harcourt, "at least in relation to that of Ober, for here is his true signature to this letter, written the day previous to his arrest. You can yourself see how poor the imitation is."
The Count grew pale, and the other conspirators watched him as if to read his thoughts.
"Do you think the other lists also forgeries?" said the Count.
"We do."
"Then," said the Count, "all is lost."
"All is lost," said Von Apsberg, "and we wish to ascertain from you who had charge of these papers; how is it that they have been copied, and how came the originals in the hands of the police?"
"If such be the case," said Taddeo, who suffered visibly from this species of examination.
"But," said Monte-Leone, who became more and more excited, "you ask me a question I cannot answer—which God alone can explain. All this is a mystery beyond my powers."