The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-01-20

perate cry from the bewildered young
man, who rushed desperately from out
of the banking house, and fastened
with frantic speed towards the Rue St.
Antoine-for the moment unpursued.
Half an hour afterwards. Dutour and
bank clerk arrived at MademoiseIle
de la Tours. They found Bertrand and
Marie together, and both in state OF
high nervous excitement
Monsieur Derville, said the clerk"
is now at the bank, and Monsieur
Blalse requests your presence there, 50
that whatever misapprehension exists
may be cleared up without the inter-
veution of the agents of the public
force"
"And pray, Monsieur" said Marie,
IN much tirmer tone than, from her
pale aspect, one would have expected,
"what does Monsieur Derville say him
self of this strange affair % ..
" That the note i'll question, Made
moiselle, must have been stolen from
his desk last evening He was absent
from home from half-past seven till ten,
and unfortunately left the key in the
lock-"
Il was sure he would say so," gasped
Bertrand. He is a demon, and | am
lostn
A bright,lalmost disdainfuI expression
shone in Marie's fine eyes. "Go with
these gentlemen. Hector" she said :!
will follow almost Immediately and re-
member-o
What word she said was delivered in
a quick, low whisper, and the only
words she permitted TO be heard were
- Pas un mot, 81 tu Maine" Not a
word, if thou lowest me.l
Bertrand found Messieurs Derville.
Blaise and Mangier in a private room.
and he remarked. with nervous shud-
der, that two gendarmeS were stationed
in the passage, DerviIIe, though very
pale. sustained Bertrand's glance of
rage and astonishmeut without finch
ing. It was plain that he had steeled
himself 10 carry through the diabolical
device his revenge had planned, and
the auttering hope with which Marie
had inspired Bertrand died within him.
Derville repeated slowly and firmly
what the clerk had previously stated.
adding that no one save Bertrand.
Jeanne Favart, and The clerk whom he
first suspected, had been in the room
after he left it, The note now produced
was the one that had been stolen. and
was safe in his desk at halfpast seven
the previous evening NJ. Mangier
said: "The assertion of Bertrand. that
| advanced him this note, or any other,
is entirely false.n
g What have you TO say in reply to
these grave sus4icions 2" said NJ 3laise.
Your father was an honest man: and
you, | hear, have heretofore borne an
iFreproachable character" he added, on
finding that the accused did not speak.
!" Explain 10 Us, then, how you came in
to possession of this note. If YOU do
not, and satisfactorily-though, after
what we have heard, that seems scarce
ly possible-we have no alternative
but to give you into custody"
Il have nothing to say at present.
nothing" muttered Bertrand, whose i'm
patient furtive looks were every instant
turned towards the door.
. Nothing TO sayp' exclaimed the
banker. why. this is a tacit admis-
sion OF gnilt. We had better call in
the gendarmeS at once.o
. think" said Dufour. "the Young
mans refusal 10 speak is owing to the
of Mademoiselle de la Topr,
whom we overheard implore him. for
her sake, or as he loved her, not to say
a word.n
" What do you say" exclaimed Der
vile: with quick Interrogation, : for the
sake of Mademoiselle de la Tour
Bah you could not have heard arinhtn
Pardon, Monsieur said the clerk
who had accompanied Dufonr; 81 also
heard her so express-but
here is the lady herself.
The entrance of Marie, accompanied
by Jeanne Favart, greatly surprised
aud startled M. Derville. He glanced
sharply il her face, but unable to en-
counter the indignant expression he
met there. quickly averted his look.
whilst a hot flush glowed perceptibIy
Jut VI iAlS pdlO ledluI6S. Al noF re-
quest, seconded by NJ. BIaise, DervilIe
his previous story but his
voice had lost its firmness, his manner
is cold impassibility.
II wish Monsieur Derville would
ook me in the face" said Marie. all
nm here as suppliant for his mercy.''
"A suppIiant for mercy n murmured
Derville, partially confronting her.
Yes; if only for the sake of the
orphan daughter of the Monsieur de la
Tour, who first helped you on in life, |
ind for whom you not long since pro-
essed regard" 'a
Derville seemed to recover his firm |
less at these words. "No," he said, |
not even for your sake, Marie. will / |
consent TO the escape of such a daring
criminal from Justice"
"If that be your final resolve. Mon
ieur," continued Marie with kindIing.
earnestness, I" it becomes |
necessary that, at whatever sacrifice
he true criminal, whom assuredly |
Hector Bertrand is not, should be de-
Iounced.n t Ga ~
Various eycIamatious nf snrnr;s, ,,,l