The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-06-17

lucdVhiy pdic, ! stdrteu az " hau Deen
struck. Before could recover myself he
had passed from the room. lie had been
there when we entered, though unnoticed BY
US. aud must have heard every word his mas.
ter uttered.
i did not see my friend Charles alone a.
gam that day. though would have given
much Tor an opportunity Of doing so; for he
had not concluded the business interview
with his tenant before guests arrived at
the chateau. thus depriyng me Of the hope Of
further explanation at present. And all that
day the thought ot that unfinished communi.
cation, and the pale. trouble. stricken coun.
tenance Of Edmond, haunted me.
I II was that morning that Edmond had
requested leave Of NJ. d'Aryille to visit his
mother, who was i'll, at Cermont. He was
i To go on the morrow. and had permission to
remain at Clermont week. His portman.
teau was packed in readiness for his depart
ure on the following day. But there was
destined to be delay.
! 1t was early on the succeeding morning
when, entering the library, beheld Edmond
seated at the table, his head rested upon his
hand, his eyes fixed upon the floor, his coun-
tenance pale, and its expression indicative
Of some inward agitation. He looked up
as entered. A feeling Of pity filled my
breast.
"Ah, Edmond-still here :" said. endea-
voring to speak as cheerfulIy as | could.
"Why, thought you were about setting of
ior Clermont."
"Monsieur," he answered in a voice of
pain. 81 was to go this morning. 1t is no
longer my intention to do So"
Il "a n,f =. \ a
"My mother would not have me leave the
chateau now. monsieur, il she were in more
danger than threatens her at present" replied
Edmond.
Whyi" asked.
because. monsieur" he returned, "in
doing SO ! may place my own honour in
peril"
The door opened. NJ. d'Arville entered.
his face pale, serious, almost stern. lie was
followed by Baptiste.
"Shut the door, Baptiste," said his mas
ter.
The man obeyed his glance fixed upon
his master with apparent perplexity and
curiosity to know the meaning Of his pro.
ceedings.
"You do not know, Of course, Baptiste,"
said NJ. d'Aryile, calmly, "why you have
been summoned to follow me hitherto
room you so seldom cnter."
/ "No, monsieur" answered Baptiste.
alt is, them" said NJ. d'Arvlle, "to in-
vestigate an affair which nearly touches the
honour OF some one at this moment present
in this apartment"
There was utter silence for an Instant
i We all looked at NJ. d d'Aryile. 1 noticed
that Edmond's paleness increased: but he
did not shrink from the glance NJ. d'Arville.
i Baptiste, meanwhile, wore an air Of we'll
blended astOnishment and curiosity. as be.
fore, and his eyebrows slightly raised at the
mention Of the word /" honour" with dawn
ing expression Of concern.
my dear Louis" said Charles. crossing
over to me, &c am very glad you happen to
be here. wish you to mark we'll the coun-
tenance Of Edmond and Baptiste, while
! examine them in relation to the affair which
mentioned to you yesterday. titles between
: them. | knoD, now, which is guilty. Do
not be deceived by appearances. Watch
! WE'LL" He then returned, and seated him
self by the table. "Edmond-B -Baptiste," he
said, regarding them BY tuIns, you both
know that in one corner Of my study standsa q
small iron chest"
I Edmond bowed; Baptiste said quietly, eyes,
' monsieur-in which, think, you keep your
! papers"
Q An almost impcrceptible smile eurled :he
! lips Of NJ. d'Arville. "You are wrong.
! Baptiste," he said. 81 do not keep my
!. papers there. Edmond, what do you think
q keep there :" Gold, monsieur" muir
u INJURED Edmond.
How do you know thst!" demanded
y NJ. d'Aryille.
!; al have seen YOU deposit il there, mon.
sieur." was the reply.
}, Right" said bis master. 81 never kept
= il a secret from you. But you see Baptlste
:, was ignorant. Is il not so, Baptiste :"
i, Z" Monsieur is correct" said the valet
with an honest air.
al was not quite sure" continued NJ
y d'ATille, " whether they we're so or not, ioI
u this reason Last night just before retiring
= placed in that chest a certain sum Oi money
contained in a certain number Of small bags
le The money was TO pay away this morning
> but un going, just before breakfast, TO take Il
le out. found that one olthe bags is missing
!, Here he paused.
1 E,lmond's eyes we're fxei with look o.
intense distress on his masters face, reat
there the arpnised thought in his hreast
y -" Hnw am 10 prove that ain innocent :
-. Iiapti.te, IN his part, started with conster'
nstiun. Missing, munsleur;" !" he ejaeula
ted.
Ie missing. Raptiste" returned VI. DAT
y Vile il" and regret exceedingly 10 say thai
ut as know no me but yau aud Edmund ha'
:. entered my study since Yesterday, one or III,
oi ulher uf you is responsible for The loss"
10 81 am sorry il monsieur suspects me,
said Haptisie. with simple eand"ur and Dis
]. nifty ihat be shnuld suspect his old Sc
as yant, who has served him faithfully aud sl.
Y. Iectionately for 50 many years. thoulh
Monsieur knew the heart Of Bsptiste."