TALK of Switzerland, meanwhile, prompted Walter’s partner George Vendale to renew the acquaintance of a delightful Swiss girl he knew named Marguerite. But her uncle, Mr Obenreizer, forbade any marriage unless Vendale doubled his income.

However, they must put this difference aside, for Wilding’s Swiss suppliers of champagne had complained of accounting discrepancies. As Obenreizer was their London agent, he and Vendale were obliged to travel together to Neuchâtel to set things straight.

Obenreizer himself was the embezzler, of course, and to avoid exposure he planned to drug Vendale and leave him to die in the freezing Simplon Pass.

But Marguerite, guessing her uncle’s mind, had followed them. She rescued George from the ice, and declared herself ready to testify against her uncle. In reply, Obenreizer threatened to publish a letter proving that Vendale was no gentleman, but some common brat named Walter Wilding, adopted from the Foundling Hospital over twenty-five years ago!

For some reason, this shameful revelation made George and Marguerite very happy.