The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-29
sassin of the Widow Ierouge flashed
across the memory Of the old detective.

, seated, or rather half Lying, on the sofa.
He's good-looking fellow, with dignifed
yet easy manners, and carries we'll the
name which by right belongs TO me. He's
about my height, with brown hair and
eyes like myself, and there's strong re-
semblance between us-stronger, perhaps,
if he didn't wear beard and moustache.
He looks much younger than do, by the
way, and that's not to be wondered at.
I've worked suffered, and struggled, d,whilst
he has had nothing to do but eat, drink,
and Sleep" ...
"You must have felt horribly nervous
and queer" put in Daddy Tabaret. -. .':.
"Not the least in the world. I felt less
than do now. Tendays of mental. an
guish and sleepless nights prepare a a fel-
low for the worst. The moment entered
broke the ice at once. Sir said. I'm
q perfect stranger to you; but my per-
sonality is.a mere tritle compare yiththe
Importance Of the mission with which I
am charged.'"-
"He rose at once, and Placing the cigar
cite he was smoking on the mantlepiece,
stood leaning against it's marble shelf!
- HrThe mission I have come upon is sud
and serious, and one that deeply concerns
the honor of the name you bear ..
He seemed hardly to understand me,
and with a tone of naughty impertinence,
asked me If thought should be long1'
AYES I replied shortly"
! Daddy Tabaret had become very atten-
tive. a.. - 'i.t> "..':. - 49,
"pon't omit the slightest DETAIL" he said.
ats mostimportant you shouldput ME in
full possession of the facts" .'
"rhe Viscount appeared awful an
noyed," continued Noel. I'm sorry you're
going TO be long, he objected. THE fact
is, my time is not my own. I'm engaged
to be married to a young lady. Made
moiselle dArlange, u fact which believe
has already been announced, and am e1-
pected to lunch in half an hour from this.
= Can't you postpone our interview"
"IIilloh!' said Old Corkscrew to himself;
"here's another woman cropping up! /
wonder if she's had anything to do with
the n,ystery1" ~
II answered that the explanation / had
to make would admit of no delay; and as
I saw by the expression Of his face that
e be was about to dismiss me, brought out
, my packet of letters, and, drawing one
out Of the pack, pres r,ted it to him. He
recognized the han writing of his father
at once, declared himsef at my service,
asking me politely to allow him to write
few lines of excuse to the lady who ex-
pected him to luncheon. g.. a.y!b ..i
"IIc. wrote few lines in haste, gave
them to his valet, with orders to deliver
them Immediately to the Duchess d'Ar-
lange, and then, rising, as ked me to follow
him into the library" -
"One word," interrupted Old Corkscrew.
"Did he seem much upset on seeing the
letters7" .'.'
mot the least in the world! He was az
cool as cucumber. After carefully shut
ting the door, he pointed TO Id arIn-chair.
begging me to be seated; whistle threw
himself on sofa with the most perfect
easedn the world. "I ,iit">'J'h "a. ="
o., ".And now, SIR, he began, will you
have the goodness to explain yourselfl'
II had prepared, and, 80 to speak,
primed myself, for the interview, and had
decided not to beat about the bush, but to
strike decisive blow at once.
."'Sir,' said, my mission is most pain-
full one. In fact, of such nature that l
hardly know how or where to begin
".Indeedp he said, half laughing and
raising his eyebrows; it takes great deal
to surprise or alarm n,e; I've capital
nerves, and don't know what ypalpitation
of the heart Ineans.' IIiLSLiA
"'I'm glad to hearit, answered, very
gravely. i wontdetain you long; l sim
ply wish you to read these letters And,
as I spoke, rose and advanced towards
him. ...r..L :<t..':
"'Sir,' went on, i aln q barrister, and
have the intricacies Of the law at my fin.
gers ends -.
al beg you will proceed he said, the
smile diving out of his fuce; I'm all iril-
patience to: hear the news you have to tell
me-, .rr
@Sir,' continued, these letters will
prove to you that you are not The real heir
to the Valcourt estates, and are the ille-
gitimate son of the Count Lionel de Val
court. The rightful heir exists, and it is
he who now asserts his claim! :, =. Z,
"He bounded to his feet like,a tiger,
and, for a moment. thought he was al It
70 espriHsspt omy throat but he recosrred
himself instantly, and in voice that WAS
j., almost o whisper, asked for the Letters :
i@ 'fWithbont moments hesitation hand-
ed them to him. .2G9A
.what" half screamed Old Corkscrew;
.you don't mean tq. sayjyosrh had the folly,
the imprudente,, to hind him the real ones
the origiaalsI msani'", t-w mo
"NedeI fsaf, ;, said the barristsr, in low
voice, md compressing his lips as no
spoke, 4 yves, ,there, and had prepared my.
self for any emergency"
There was such m expression of con-
csntrated ,firmness and ferocity in Notrs
face, thut Daddy Tabhrtt reeoiled instinc-
fivefy. ,~!'f' .. >".''ir' '....''... T.
"He would have atr-lnelcd him." he
thought, chad he attempted any treach-
eryw !li il = -
The barrister went on with his recital.
.AWhat1 did for you old friend, I did for
tho Tiscount Albert dc Valcourt-sparcd
him thetedinm of reading through Il HIM
dred and ffty-si1 letters. l told him TO
perlsc only those thut were marked with
cross in red ink"
"And you did quite right, my boy. You
had placed him: on sthe rack, butt kindly
shortened thc torture"
ale was now seated" continued Noel,
"bcfore Il small pdpier mache table, 10 ex-
tremely delicate in its make, that if he had
leaned upon it, they would have gone over
together, and spoiled the dignity of our
interview. AS for mic, remained stand
ing. with one arm on the chimneypiece.
followed his slighes movement, and
watched his fnce wit hungry eyes. Never
in my life, or in myvaried experience.
have i seen IL fncc 40 alter. l shall never
forget it,, were l to live hundred years!
"IFc took his handkerchief from his poe
ket. and from time to time passed it across
his fa9e aud mouth.
ale turned go pal. that. at one moment,
I thought he would have tainted; and his
eyes were covered with sort of film that
almost made him look blind.
apart from this, not IN exclamation,
,nota word, not sigh.
"Once he made my heart heave with
pity. 1 long to advance. and snatch the
fatal letters from his hands to throw them
into the fire, and clasping him in my arms,
to cry out, Brother, brother! let us forget
the past-let us know and love each
other!"
CHAPTER XIV.