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 may be proved well founded. In such case we have no sufficient grounds for accusation.”

“I am informed,” replied Judith, “that the deed of gift, if it ever took effect at all, was destroyed, presumably by the king himself.

“There are statements to that effect; and in such case the claim that this sum of fifty thousand marks ever legally belonged to the queen, or is now legally the property of the queen’s son, must prove unfounded. If only a document should exist unsigned, or mutilated apparently by the king, then the treasury has been defrauded.”

“I should apprehend extremely pernicious consequences from the production or the existence of any such document,” replied Nicolas. “The King, my father, was circumspect, and never mutilated any document to which he attached his sign manual. I cannot accept any such theory. I feel compelled to consider the appropriation of the money in question as direct theft, for which the law imposes the severest penalty. Unless Zawis can produce the official authority for the retention of this money, he must suffer the doom of a traitor.”

“Perhaps careful search—” interposed Judith, becoming alarmed.

“I cannot undertake such duty,” quickly rejoined Nicolas. “I believe Zawis to be guilty from what I know of the man’s character, and from the feelings I entertain that must have been infused into my being by the intervention of some of those unseen powers that surround, touch, and pour into our minds those