He was never again to drop what he had seized until he had sucked it dry. From that moment he had the sodden and bewildered brain at his mercy. By what specious arts he had prevailed could never afterwards be known; but somehow, working upon his victim’s superstitious fears, he ended by establishing a complete control over him. He was to go brazenly about it, too, never before witnesses so much as hinting at the question of religion, but letting it be assumed that the tie between him and Bagott was purely one of mutual liking and good-will. In all this he was guided by a very definite purpose, which only ultimately came to light. Whatever at the outset might have been the singleness of his motives, temptation changed it into one of gripping and savage cupidity. He had suddenly seen his way to the acquisition of unexpected wealth, and the prospect was too much for his caution. He dared to stake on the chance, and he came within an ace of succeeding. As to the tricked and jockeyed household, the knowledge of their humiliation came soon enough to them. It synchronised with the arrival before his master’s door of Nol porter, prepared to perform at the usual hour his usual bedtime duties. He heard voices speaking within, and stood stupefied to listen; then heaved away on creaking boot-tips to call Phineas. The master-cook came. ‘Anan?’ said he. ‘Hist!’ whispered Nol: ‘Put thy ear hither, and tell me. Who is it?’ Phineas listened, and came about, his long face aghast. ‘John Melton,’ said he. Nol stared a moment; then, his jaw set grim, opened the door and walked into the room. His master sat facing him; the stranger stood by the table, a thin, wintry, but wholly unperturbed smile upon his lips. ‘_Soyez le bienvenu!_’ he murmured, with an indrawn snigger. Nol made an ugly gesture:-- ‘Out of this you go!’ said he. The stranger just glanced at his host. Bagott half rose in his chair, his eyes red with fury:-- ‘Away, thou dog, thou villain!’ he roared. ‘What; you’d so dare to my guest, and before my face! I’ll requite thee, dog!’ He rocked and panted, mouthing like a mad thing. ‘’Twas Master Brion’s order,’ said Nol sulkily. The Judge banged his fist on the table. ‘Who is master here, thou beast? Disobey me at thy peril. I have not yet so abrogated my authority’--he made a sudden effort to command himself; and went on in a quieter voice, which yet shook with agitation: ‘Master Brion judged within the limits of his knowledge, which was not all, nor near all. I have learned the whole truth from this gentleman, who indeed was on his way to visit me when that misfortune befell him. My nephew did well and prudently, acting for the best; and you did well to follow his instructions. But that is done. Henceforth this becomes _my_ guest, whom I commit to your duty to serve and honour. Attend to it well.’