But say nothing about it," added Theodose, frightened himself at having let out the secret of his situation.

"I'm in the claws of scoundrels, but I hope to crush them yet." In telling this secret Theodose, though alarmed as he did so, had a two-fold purpose: first, to test Thuillier; and next, to avert the consequences of a fatal blow which might be dealt to him any day in a secret and sinister struggle he had long foreseen.

Two words will explain his horrible position..