I thank you for these lessons from my soul; my eyes are opened, and I behold myself at last for what I am.' At this moment, the sharp note of the door-bell rang through the house; and the visitant, as though this were some concerted signal for which he had been waiting, changed at once in his demeanour.
'The maid!' he cried.

'She has returned, as I forewarned you, and there is now before you one more difficult passage.

Her master, you must say, is ill; you must let her in, with an assured but rather serious countenance--no smiles, no overacting, and I promise you success! Once the girl within, and the door closed, the same dexterity that has already rid you of the dealer will relieve you of this last danger in your path.
Thenceforward you have the whole evening--the whole night, if needful--to ransack the treasures of the house and to make good your safety.

This is help that comes to you with the mask of danger.

Up!' he cried; 'up, friend; your life hangs trembling in the scales: up, and act!' Markheim steadily regarded his counsellor.