Was he, Paul, to be a mere tool in such hands?
Toward what a precipice was he being impelled! Mascarin and Van Klopen were not friends, as he had at first supposed, but confederates in villainy.

Too late did he begin to see collusion between Mascarin and Tantaine, which had resulted in his being accused of theft during his absence.

But the web had been woven too securely, and should he struggle to break through it, he might find himself exposed to even more terrible dangers.

He felt horrified at his position, but with this there was mingled no horror of the criminality of his associates, for the skilful hand of Mascarin had unwound and mastered all the bad materials of his nature.

He was dazzled at the glorious future held out before him, and said to himself that a man like Mascarin, unfettered by law, either human or Divine, would be most likely to achieve his ends.