Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-03-18
THE
ParjjcijonD Detective
A DESPERATE DEED.
ERSKINE BOYD,
AUTHOR OF "THB STOLEN CHILD" "DRivKs
FRox HoMR," &c, &c.
A DESPERATE DEED.
CHAPTER xxx.
A FEARFCL THOUGHT.

sThahk goodnessw muttered the old
man, pausiny in his hurried walk home
wards, "that for to-day shall have the
privilege Of being alone, and confer upon
myself the inestimable benefit of good
think. Poor Noel! he, at least, won't eat
his chop with the same appetite when he
hears the news. What does it matter, af-
ter allf I'll adopt him, if he likes, and
give him my name. 1t hasn't got a han
die to it. like the de Valcourts'; but it's
an honest name, and none of our set have
disgraced it as yet; After all, Gevroi's
story doesn't change the situation Of the
young Viscount, nor alter my opinion as to
EA guilt. He is the real heir 10 the es-
tates. and much good may they DO him!
It is very evident that neither he nor his
father are acquainted with the extraordin-
ary circumstances of the case He be
lieves, as implicitly as his father, that
substitution really did take place. OF
these facts Madame Gerdy must have also
been ignorant. and they must have told
her aome cock-and-the-bull story about
the wound made upon the infants arm by
the sailor. Yes; but Madame Gerdy
must have been convinced that Noel was
really and truly her own child; and when
he was restored to her, she must have
verified the marks, and have been salts
fed in her own mind as to their accuracy
or inaccuracy. When Noel found the
Counts letters in her desk, she must have
hastened to explain to him."
Daddy Tabaret started back with a
cry of fear, as though some fearful rep
tile had suddenly barred his way, and
reared itself before him,
He was :.:isntencd at his own thought
hat nd 70 fba
murderer of the Widow Lerouge
ale assassinsted her" argued Old
Corkscrew. "to prevent her confessin.,
that ~. changing of the children never
took place; an;: then he burned all the
lstters and papers that could have proved
it,"
III" ,,ea was too horrible. He was dis
Gustcd with himself for having harbored
it, even for an instant.
"What sn old idiot am" he exclaimed,
again rushing forward at his usual head
long pace. n think I'm becoming an in
tidel, an unbnlirver in all that's pure and
good in this world. 1t serves mo right,
though. It's only the consequence of the
frightful profession in which take SO
much pride. TO think of my doubling
Noel, my adopted son, my heir--a young
fellow to be prond of, who is honor and
virtue perSoni;, cl-Noel, who for the ten
years have had the happiness of know
ing him, has taught me 10 esteem and
love him, rs the incarnation of Il truc
friend and devoted SON"
He argued with himself thus, forcing
himscl. TO rcpel the doubts that heset him.
Yet aA innrr voice kept whispering with
an i;r Stag pcr.stency, bat suppose it
is N. .4r
The old nan shuddcred with nervous
Tread
Suppose it was Nocli
Why, then there would be an arrest, of
course, and shame would follow. The
old man went over the possible scene
like one in II nightmare. Suppose it was
Noel3 He saw the Indifferent officers in
the background, the stern official in front,
and the youn., mans old friends clinging,
bowed with grief. 10 the erect form of tho
man whom he had loved and trusted.
The Daddy had reached the Rue st.
Lazare.
Before the door of his residence, a neat
little brousham was drawn up, harnessed
to one of III" most splendid bay mares it
ha ever been the fortune of the old man
10 look upon.
"WhAt u beautiful creature" said the
Daddy, unable to resist stroking the
arched and glossy neck. at appears I
have got some respectable people amongst
my tenants"
He had some of exactly the opposite
description also; for he had hardly made
the flat,ering reflection recorded above,
than he saw issuing forth Monsieur Du-
croe-honest Monsieur Ducroe, who has
already been introduced to our readers as
the friend of Miss Nelly Nicholson, and
whose presence in any house announced
ruin. rs l'liily as mutes at the door an
nounce death.