San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-04

accountably heated and thirsty today. l
can only attribute it to the shock of the dis
covery. And yet, you will bear me out l
supported the emotion nobly."
The doctor had now talked himself back
into an admirable humor; and as he sat in
the arbor and slowly imbibed large allow
ance of white wine and picked a little bread
and cheese with no very impetuous appetite,
if a third of his meditations ran uponl the
missing treasure, the other two-thirds were
more pleasingly buried in the retrospect of
his detective skill.
About IL Casimir arrived. He had caught
an early train to Fontainebleau and driven
over to save time, and now his cab was sta
bled at Tentaillons, and he remarked, study
ing his watch, that he could spare an hour
and half. He was much the man of bust
ness, decisively spoken, given to frowning in
an intellectual manner Anastasie's born
brother. he did not waste much sentiment on
the lady, gave her an English family kiss,
and demanded meal without delay.
"You can tell me your story while we eat"
he observed. Anything good today, Stasie!'
He was promised something good. The
trio sat down to a table in the arbor, jean
Marie waiting as well as eating, and the doc
tor recounted what had happened in his
richest narrative manner. Casimir heard it
with explosions of laughter.
''What a streak of luck for you my good
BROTHER he observed. when the tale was
over eff you had gone to Paris you would
have played Observation-Disclosures with the whole
consignment in three months. Your own
would have followed, and you would have
come to me in a procession like last time
But give you warning-Stasie may weep
and Henri ratiocinate-it will not serve you
twice. Your next collapse will be fatal. l
thought had told you so, Stasie? Hey! No
sensep
The doctor WINGED and looked furtively at
Jean-Marie; but the boy seemed apathetic
"And then again." broke out Casimir,
"what children you are-vicious children,
my faith! How could you tell the value of
this trash' 1t might have been worth moth
ing, or next door"
Pardon me-" said the doctor. "You have
your usual flow of spirits, l perceive; but
even less than your usual elaboration. am
not entirely ignorant of these matters"
Not entirely ignorant of anything ever /
heard of" interrupted Casimir. bowling, and
raising his glass with a sort of pert polite
ness.
''At least" resumed the doctor, 81 gave my
mind to the subject-that you may be willing
to beleve-and l estimated that our capital
would be doubled" And he described the
nature of the find.
"My word of honor!- said Casimir ~ half
believe you! But much would depend on the
quality Of the gold"
"The quality, my dear Casimir, was"-
And the doctor in default of language, kissed
his finger tips.
81 would not take your word for it, my
good friend" retOrted the man of business.
"You are man of very rosy views. But
this robbery" he continued-''t robbery
is an odd thing. Of course pass over your
nonsense about gangs and landscape paint
ers. For me, that is a dream. Who was in
the house last night?"
''None but ourselves" replied the doctor.
"And this young gentleman!' asked
Casimir, jerking nod in the direction Of
Jean-Marie.
"He too"-the doctor bowed.
''Well and, if it is fair question, who is
he!" pursued the brother-in-law.
"Jean-M Marie" answered the doctor, "com-
Dimes the functions of a son and stable boy
He began as the latter, but he rose rapidly to
the more honorable rank in our affections
He is, may say, the greatest comfort in our
lives
Hal" said Casimir. "And previous to be-
coming one of yOu"
Jean Marie has lived remarkable exist
ence; his experience has been eminently
formative" replied Desprez. "If had to
choose an education for my son, | should
have chosen such another. Beginning life
with mountebanks and thieves, passing on
ward to the society and friendship of philoso-
pliers, he may be said to have SKINNED the
volume of human life"
Thieves" repeated the brother-in-law,
with a meditative air
The doctor could have bitten his tongue
out He fOresaw what was coming and pre-
pared his mind for a vigorous defense
Ibid you ever steal yourself" asked CAST
mir, turning suddenly on Jean Marie, and
for the first time employing single eyeglass
which hung round his neck.
Yes, sir" replied the boy, with a deep
blush.
Casimir turned to the others with pursed
lips, and nodded to them meaningly. "Hey'"
said he; chow is thatr
"JeanMarie is a teller of the truth" re-
turned the doctor, throwing out his bust.
HE has never told lie," added madame.
'He is the best of boys"
"Never told a lie, has he not? reflected
Casimir.
Strange, very strange. Give me your at
tention, my young friend" he continued.
''You knew about this Treasures"
'He helped to bring it home," interposed
the doctor.
"Desprez, ask you nothing but to hold
your tongue" returned Casimir. II mean to
question this stable boy of yours; and if you