"He believes you to be dead," said Maxwell to Louis. "Let him rest in that belief. All you have to do is to keep quiet. If, as I suspect, he is in London, I will track him down. By Barbara's death a large sum of money has reverted to him. Let me but succeed in finding him, and I will bleed him of every shilling. You need not be seen; I will do the dirty work, and you shall share the plunder." The temptation was irresistible, and a peace was patched up between them. By what means Maxwell discovered John Fordham in hiding in London under an assumed name, and how he worked upon the unhappy man's feelings till the poor fellow was beggared, is fully explained by Fordham himself in his Confession. Thus, step by step, was the whole mystery revealed. I had good reason to be satisfied with my work, though something still remained to be done. When his story was finished Louis looked anxiously at me, but I was silent, having a mind to play with him a bit. "It proves my innocence, doesn't it?" he asked at length. "I believe it does," I answered. "The question is, will others believe it? You see, Maxwell will stick to his story as you will stick to yours. He is not likely to have any feeling of tenderness towards his betrayers." "Do you see what you have done, you fool!" cried Mrs. Fordham. "You have set that beast John free, and you have put a halter round your neck! We have been tricked--tricked!" She looked about her wildly, and Louis trembled in every limb. I smiled amiably at her. "In that nice Liverpool party of yours there were four men--you, Maxwell, Morgan, and another." "Jack!" he cried. "He can prove my innocence. He saw Maxwell stab me!" "Yes," I said, "he is the only man who can back up your story and save you from Maxwell. If he could be found now, and be induced to speak the truth?" "He must be found," screamed Louis; "he must be! For God's sake give me something to drink, or I shall go into a fit!" His mother flew to the sideboard, and poured brandy into a glass, which she held up to his chattering teeth. I enjoyed the sight--I don't deny it--and had it not been that the time was drawing near for the appearance of Maxwell upon the scene, I have no hesitation in admitting that I should have prolonged the agony. My blood fairly boiled within me as I gazed upon the terror-stricken wretches, and thought of the sufferings they had inflicted upon John Fordham. I controlled my feelings, however, and applied myself steadily to the business I had in hand. "Talking is dry work," I said. "Being in a manner of speaking your guests, it would be politeness on your part to pass the bottle round." "I second that," said Bob Garlick, passing his tongue over his lips. The woman took no notice of the hint, but Louis stumbled eagerly forward and held out the bottle to me. If I had not taken instant hold of it a lot of good liquor would have been wasted, his hand was so shaky. We helped ourselves, and felt the better for it, and then I said: