The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-29 00:00:00

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1884

[ALL RIGHTS RBf3ERVEDej
A CRIME IN AN OMNIBUS'.

A STORY VF PARISIAN LIFE.
BY FORTUNE DU BOISGOBEY
Translated from the French.

CHAPTER XIV

k Ire you aware, M. Blanchelaine, that yen are
uggesting a very singular business ?" asked M.
l'aulet, in continuing the conversation.
"In this world one must do what 'one can. If I
'were a wealthy proprietor like you, I should not
amuse myself by bartering successions. But it is as
good a trade as any other, and my clients never
have reason to find fault with me. You, sir, will
have cause to congratulate yourself, if, as I hope,
we presently arrive at an understanding. You will
'be indebted -to me for a fine fortune, and it will cost
.you a comparatively small sum. I must also remind
you that it was you who solicited my services."
"I beg your pardon—l heard you mentioned by a
friend as a person of talent and experience in
making important inquiries. I sent for you here,
and directed you to obtain particulars concerning a
person named Bartolomea Astrodi. I said nothing
about an inheritance."
"Oh, certainly. But I must have been short-
sighted indeed not to guess-that it referred to some-
thing of the kind. I therefore began to ascertain
what successions you were interested in, and had
little trouble in learning your position with regard
to your brother."
"If I had known you would have proceeded in
ilds way, I would not have employed you."
"You are pleased to (say so now; permit me to
think otherwise, and to recall to your memory a
conversation I had the honour of holding with you
—not the first, but the second—for you have re-
ceived me twice. In the course of our last inter-
view, when I inquired what further I was to do if I
ascertained that Bartolomea Astrodi had a child, you
exclaimed that if that child was in existence you
would have reason to wish for its death."
"Do you pretend to assert that I directed you to
destroy her ? "
" Pooh!" said the agent, shrugginehig shouldors ;
" is it likely a man in your position would give such
a commission to an employe? He expresses his
wish—precisely what you did. You said—l re-
member the exact words—you said, ' Whoever would
tell me this girl was dead would bring good news.'
I remember also having replied, 'Good news is worth
a large reward,' to which you answered, 'I should
not mind the price.'"
"Sir, you have a wonderful memory,' growled
M. Paulet, evidently startled. "It seems one must
be careful with you as to what one says in conversa-
tion.”

"And also as to what one writes. I will not
conceal the fa( t that I have preserved a letter with
Your signature attached, containing detailed instruc-
tions. Ac-ording to this letter, I was directed, in
case Bartolornea Astrodi had left a daughter, to
inform myself what had become of her, and do what
I could to prevent her coming to France. You even
added, that if by chance she had already come, it
Was necessary, no matter by what means, to prevent
her remaining. You understand, sir P—no matter by
what means

"I in-e;tit, of course, by proper means," replied
M. Paulet, sharply. "If I did not insert the word,
it was because the sense was plainly understood.
Ronourable men resort to none but proper means,
and I am a man of honour."
"I do not doubt it. But it is none the less true
that you gave me unlimited directions to rid you of
a per&-,n whose presence might injure you."
"To rid me is not the right word. You select
extraordinary words to express your meaning."
." I select those which best express my thoughts."
"But I demand to know your thoughts. To
hear you one would imagine you had killed this
girl, and were trying to make out I was the
instigator."

" You are going too far," sneered Blanchelaine.
"I have killed no one, I beg you to believe that. I
wish you, however, to perceive that I have not
acted without orders, and that I have worked on
your 'behalf. That must be plain to every one. I
had no personal interest in the disappearance of the
daughter of Bartolomea Astrodi."
"Disappearance! disappearance! it suits you to
use equivocal language."
" Bow equivocal 1 This *girl is dead. When one
dies one disappears.
"But how did she die ?''
"If I told you you would be able to do without
me) which ,I do not desire. I have taken enough
troulge te entitle me to ample payment. Consider
all I have done during the last month. I have con-
ducted two or three inquiries at a time, and success-
fully, too. An inquiry as to Bartolomea, the
respectable mother of Bianca; an inquiry about
the said Bianca. an inquiry about M. Francis
Dozer, your half-brother."
"I don't mind overlooking your having made the
last," said M. Paulet, between his teeth.
"I am not asking for gratitude," replied Blanche-
laine, with quiet irony.
"I limit myself to a proposal that you should
buy the copy of the register of Bianca Astrodi's
death.' "
"1 underscand ; and, on mature reflection, I
refuse."
"Very good, my dear sir. Would it be indiscreet
to inquire the motive of this refusal?"
"No; I refuse because the copy of the register
would be valueless to me."
`• Do you intend to obtain it without my assist-
ance ?"
"Not at all. I admit, on the contrary, that I
could not, without you, succeed in procuring it. I
do not propose to try."
"Then you renounce the succession to your
brother's estate ? This is real disinterestedness 'if
I understand thezvord."
"Pardon me. The legatee is dead, is she not ? "
"Dead and buried."
"Well, then, she cannot come back to claim her
inheritance."
" No ; but if you assert your claim they will not
receive it. The will has been sent to the President
of the Tribunal, and I can answer for it that the
natural heirs will not obtain possession until the
death of Bianca Astrodi be proved by authentic
documents. A curator will be named by the court
to take charge of the property until the appearance
of the legatee, or the proof of her decease. The
fortune will go on increasing indefinitely, for no one
Will touch it. That is a consolation I know, but a
Poor one. Well, you may say that in thirty years or
So the property will come to you. No, not to you—
to your granachildren, for it is hardly likely you
will then be living, and it may possibly happen that
mademoiselle, your daughter---"
"Enough ! cried M. Paulet, driven to extremi-
ties by this unanswerable reasoning; "how much do
you ask for giving up the paper ? "
"That is right,' ejaculated Blanchelaine ; "you
are growing wise, and at last we shall come to an
Understanding; I will only impose just conditions,
and my terms shall be moderate."
"Come, explain!" said M. Paulet,ljaaughtily."
"With pleasure. Your brother leaves close upon
twelve hundred titousand francs," began the agent.
"Much less Man that, surely."
"I am certain lam right to fifty thousand. My
Information comes from a good source.'
• "In any case, I have only the right to half,' said
111. Paulet.

"I am aware of that. The other half goes to the
heirs on the father's side, since M. Bozer was your
half-brother through your mother, and I may men-
tion that you will have to arrange with those heirs,
as they have equal interest with yourself in est ila-
lishing the death of the sole legatee named in the
Will. I have not troubled myself about them nor
Shall Ido so. tit when you treat with them you i
Ought to recover a portion of your expenses. It s
only just that they should make good half the com-
raission you will have to pay- me. . .
"Perhaps so," murmured M. Paulet, "but let us
proceed—tell me your terms.'
" I could demand one-half, but I shall be satisfied
With a fifth—say one hundred thousand francs.
You see, I calculate upon the minimum, for your
brother leaves nearer six hundred thousand than
Ave hundred thousand francs.
A hundred thousand francs! You have the
assurance to demand one hundred thousand francs!
I would rather abandon the whole thing than
comply with such extortion."
'Pray, don't be excited," replied Blanchelaine,
coldly. "I tray waste time and trouble, but you
Will lose a fortune."
M. Paulet made a gesture and began walking
rapidly up and down the room.
" I have no intention of striving to convince you
you are wrong," recommenced the agent. "I
reconThaerd, however, that you reflect well before
'Coming to a.final decision, for, if I leave your office
Without our
8'
foot in it -a.ggraiene.ing', I warn you I will never set
I like matters to be settled
loromptly, and I have no time to spare. This even-
ing the affairs tt have been engaged in for you will
be struck from ray list, and if you send to me to-
izorrow I shall Lot be at your disposition."
"But surely, sir," said Marguerite's father,
!stopping abruptly in his walk, 'sou do notinsist on
receiving thus hundred thousand francs to-day!"
"No; for I have mot with tne the co.pyof the register
of death. Be it so. You can hand
.me the money
when I bring it. Nay, more, to Ahow you how
loyal I am, you shall not pay me until into possession of your inheritance." you enter
"Upon these terms we may come to snae, under-
standing!'
"But I must have a written contract!" '
" What ! do you doubt my word F"
"In no wise, but business is business. One can-
not be sure of who may live or who may die.- If,
for instance, you were missing when everything 1,-8
settled, I could not claim from Mlle. Paulet the
fulfilment of an agreement to which she was ND
party.,,
"I must know the way you intend to draw up
this agreement, since you make such unusual stipula-
tions."
" I shall be content if it be in perfectly legal form.
You will simply acknowledge on stamped paper
e-lat'i in consideration of proceedings I.mdertaken by
- -- '- - .

yftr order, your are indebted to me to the amount
Of one hundred thousand francs, payable to me on
the day when yeti receive the portion of your brother's
succession which is due to you. There is nothing
whatever immoral in this arrangement. The
tribunals fully sanction such contracts with matri-
monial agencies."
"Then, if I sign this agreement, no further deed
will be necessary," asked M. Paulet. "Is that all F"
"Yes, certainly; except one condition which you
will doubtless accept, and for which I shall be con-
tent with a verbal promise."
\" What more do you require?"
"I ask you to give me your word of honour not
to acquaint a single person of our arrangement."
"Oh, you may be assured on that point. I have
no reason to boast of it."

"Without boasting of it, you might by chance
name it to one of your friends—for instance, that
gentleman who asked for my address."
"The person who asked for your address has no
interest in the affair. My concerns are indifferent
to him, and I shall take good care not to communi-
cate them."

" I thought so," replied M. Blanchelaine, "bit I
wished to make sure of it."

"YOU are not going to demand, on stamped paper,
that I engage to keep silent."
"I have already had the honour to inform you
that I shall be content with your word.'
"Well, sir, I give it."
"I accept your promise and depend on it. May
I now ask the name of your friend—he who
inquired my address

"For whit purpose? You don't know him."
"But T shall be glad to make his acquaintance;
be doubtless needs my assistance. I live by my
profession, and therefore am glad. to increase my
connection."
"That is only reasonable, and I will send the
gentleman to you. He wants to find the where-
abouts of a debtor."

"That is my speciality, and I will do my best,
if your friend will employ me. He is a merchant,
no doubt?"

"No, he is a painter."

..
"Oh,' then f know who he is. You were with
him the other evening in a box at the Theatre
Porto Saint Martin. It is Paul Freneuse."

-" What !" cried M. Paulet, "have you business
with him?"

" Business ! No. But he has been pointed out
to me, and I often meet him in the streets or at the
theatres. He has a face one does not soon forget
once—one has seen it—an essentially Parisian face.
He possesses great talent and reputation."
Then it is useless for me to recommend you to
Wm."

Completely useless. I will voluntarily place
my services at his disposal if they can bo of use to
him; but I shall be greatly obliged by your not
sending him to me."
" Why ?"
"Because I fancy he has no serious intention of
having recourse to me. Artist creditors are scarce;
but an artist in pursuit of a debtor is something
quite unknown. Such an intention may have
entered M. Freneuse's mind, but I will bet he has
not gone far in it, or if he has that he will not
carry it out, and as I have no time to lose, I prefer
not giving up a morning to what will come to
nothing. I beg you, therefore, if he insists on
asking for my address, to say you have forgotten
it."

"Be it so. I promise not to give it him. It is
as well that you cautioned me, for I should not have
concealed it, and probably I shall soon see him."
"But let us come back to more important matters.
When will you bring me proof of the death of the
girl Astrodi
"To-morrow, or tin day after at the latest, pro-
vided you sign to-day the agreement guaranteeing
my right to the commission."
Seeing that M. Paulet hesitated in taking up the
pen to bind himself, Blanchelaine added, "What are
you afraid of? There can be no trickery in my
proposal. You pay nothing until the money is in
your possession. There can be no possibility of
misunderstanding between us now, nor any diffi-
culties. We have interests in common, and sha'l
soon settle matters when we have attained our end.
That happy moment can scarcely be far off. Within
two days you will be in a position to prove that the
legatee of M. Bozer had departed this life before
his decease; and, within one month, you will possess
your share of the inheritance."
This pleasant prospective, so aptly introduced,
decided M. Paulet. He seated himself at his desk,
opened a drawer, took therefrom a sheet of stamped
paper, and inscribed in his best handwriting a pro-
mise worded in terms suggested by M. Blancbelaine,
who read it attentively, and placed it in his pocket-
book with an air of great satisfaction.
"Now, sir," said he, "it is as though you were
worth a half a million more, and I one hundred
thousand, which will count in my modest fortune
more than five or six hundred thousand will in
yours. I have now only to take my leave and to
reques`, that you will direct your servants to admit
me whenever I call. I trust to be able to send you
a copy of the register of death the day after to-
morrow, before twelve. You will then have to do
the rest."

_
"Very well. I shall count upon you," answered
M. Paulut.

(To be continued.)