Jules Verne

“ Antekirtt was more affected than he was, and that if he did not reply it was the better to keep hidden what he felt?
“Mr. Bathory,” he said, after a lengthened pause, “I have nothing to forgive in so natural a grief. You are of Hungarian blood, and what child of Hungary would become so denaturalized as not to feel his heart shrink at such remembrances? At that time, fifteen years ago—yes, already fifteen years have passed you were still young. You can scarcely remember your father and the events in which he took part.”
“My mother is his other self,” answered Pierre. ”

“ In the upper circles of Ragusa Silas Toronthal was perhaps the most perplexed of men. On the quay at Gravosa he had met the doctor a few minutes after the “Savarena” arrived. During this meeting he had experienced in the first place a strong feeling of repulsion, and in the second an equally strong feeling of curiosity, which up to the present circumstances had not allowed the banker to gratify. ”

“ To tell the truth, the doctor's presence had had a disturbing influence on Toronthal which he could not explain. By preserving the incognito at Ragusa, and continuing the difficulty of access, the banker's desire to see him again had been greatly increased; and several times he had gone to Gravosa. There he had stood on the quay, looking at the schooner, and burning with envy to get on board. One day even he had been rowed out to her, and received the invariable reply:
“Dr. Antekirtt does not see anybody.” ”

“ But I will not look at the abyss, and maybe she has not seen it! If occasionally I can see her in the street or at the window, it gives me a happiness I have not strength to renounce! At the idea that I must go away, and go away for long, I become insane! ”

“ The uncertainty worried Toronthal exceedingly. His life had become a burden to him since the doctor had appeared at Gravosa, and would continue to be so until the “Savarena” had sailed. He said not a word to his wife or daughter about his futile letter. He kept his anxiety to himself. But he did not give up watching the doctor's movements, and kept himself informed of all his proceedings at Gravosa and Ragusa. ”

“ Bathory, who did not care to mention the hundred thousand florins that she wished to keep secret from all but herself and the doctor.
“And suppose he is some informer, some spy, some Austrian detective?”
“You will see that.”
“Do you advise me to go, then?”
“Yes that is my advice. We should not neglect a man who is desirous of befriending you for the friendship he bore your father.”
“But what has he come to Ragusa for?” asked Pierre. “Has he any business in this country?” ”

“ He read the letter through to the last line and yet nothing showed the thoughts it suggested.
What reply should he give? Should he take advantage of the opportunity to visit Toronthal's house, and become acquainted with his family? But to enter the house even in the character of a physician, would that not embarrass his future action?
The doctor hesitated not a moment. He answered by a very short note which was handed to the banker's servant. All it said was:
“Dr. Antekirtt regrets that he is unable to attend Madame Toronthal. He does not practice in Europe.” ”

“ The result of all this was that Toronthal felt a sort of chronic irritation in face of an obstacle he could not overcome. And so, at his own expense, he set a detective to watch, if the mysterious stranger made any visits in Gravosa or the neighborhood.
We may judge, therefore, of the uneasiness with which the banker heard that Borik had had an interview with the doctor, and that the day following a visit had been made to Mme. Bathory.
“Who is this man?” he asked himself. ”