"Not enough. Not half enough." "There is his wife also in the way, remember." "Rubbish! She may die; the shock will probably kill her." "But if it should not?" "If--if--if--!" exclaimed Dr. Peterssen, impatiently. "There is no if in the case when two clever scoundrels like ourselves are in the game. Has he made a will?" "I am sure he has not. "Make a clean breast of everything if you want to succeed. I know only half the story. I must know the rest, and I will stake my future that I show you a dozen ways to conquer her, even if she lives. Don't lag. It is hard work mounting these ranges, but the reward is worth it. Did you observe that they took the tracks to the left. We are taking those to the right; and we are both making for the same point. Now, Leonard, out with every detail of this romantic story, which is as yet only half finished. It is your last chance, old fellow." Thus urged, Leonard related everything he knew concerning Gerald and Emilia. Dr. Peterssen laughed, and instilled into Leonard's ear certain counsel which Leonard was only too ready to follow. It was a risk, but as Dr. Peterssen said, the reward was worth it. In a couple of hours they had reached the spot they had been making for. They had not met a soul on the way, and they saw nothing of Gerald and George Street. "They will come into view in half an hour or so," said Dr. Peterssen, "and if not we will go and hurry them up." They had halted on a wild spot. They were surrounded by enormous glaciers, and all around them lay dangerous precipices. At a dozen points an unsuspicious man might be pushed without effort into abysses where he would be almost certain to meet with death. It was this infernal plan which Dr. Peterssen had conceived, and which Leonard guessed at, but was too timid to ask about. Easy to carry out a bloody deed in such a place, without a living witness to bring evidence against them. "Sit down," said Dr. Peterssen. He pulled out a flask of brandy, and gave it to Leonard. The treacherous friend took a long drink. Dr. Peterssen also drank, but more sparingly. "If I don't mistake," he said, "you have a check book in your pocket." "What if I have?" "Everything. Answer my questions. You are acting as your brother's treasurer." "I am." "With full authority, as I understand." "With full authority." "The bank in which his money is deposited has written instructions to that effect." "It has--but what are you driving at?" "Easy, Mr. Paget, easy. Do you know that I am about to lose a patient?" "Your own doing." "But for your ends. Now, I want a guarantee. I had a little private conversation with your step-brother yesterday, in which I skilfully pumped him. What do you think I learned? That you had been realizing a quantity of valuable securities for him lately, and that there was a very considerable balance at the bank to his credit." "You are an infernal meddler."