Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22

tlOns. Most or them belonged TO my
famous uncle, md were obtained by him
during mis- campaigns. Others came in
other ways Blood has been split for
them; romances are connected with
them. AT the present time, however,
there are but one or two persons, in ad-
dition to ourselves, who arc aware that
this collection exists. The secret could
not be safely divulsed, for men have
risked und lost both their lives and their
souls for lass than a thousaudth part the
money that these stones would bring"
Solange opened his eyes. "Of course,
then, my guess was too sm0ll-much too
small" he remarked. Fifty thousand
francs. thenl" The emperor's face re-
manned inscrutable. Solange took long
breath Come, let us say a hundred
thousand2" he exclaimed, recklessly.
THAT seems to be an immense sum-"
said Napoleon.
"Assuredly, it would seem so to any
man. A man might labor night and day
for hundred years and not get together
60 much as that"
every true Nevertheless, my brave
Solangc, if were to pay you every day
this sum Of one hundred thousand francs
and continue those payments, not for a
week. or month, or year, but for
fourteen years, shonld still have paid
you barely the value in gold represented
by this little boStul of stones. They are
worth, in other words, at least five hun
bred million francs"
The soldiers jaws CAPPED, but came to-
eether again without sound. His bluff
visage became pale He stared stupidity
around him. He moiatened his dry lips
with his tongue, but still was unable to
utter a word.
You perceive, therefore, the emperor
continued, that as said, it is no light
errand that you are to undertake. 1t Is
not too much to say that you will have
not ONLY my fortune, but the future of
the empire in your hands"
"Fiye-hundred- gasped So
lange at last Great God! 1t is night
mare! -hundred-mill'---
Come, come; we are wasting time"
said the emperor briefly. "Tou must
fix your mind, not upon the millions. but
upon the disposition YOU are to make of
them. You Will carry the gems packed
in this box as part of your baggage. but
to protect You against custom house in
vcstigauons they will be prepared in Il
manner that will be afterward explained
to you. You will proceed from here to
New York, WHITTIER 4 letter has already
been sent. informing She consignee there
of the probable date of your arrival and
Of other necessary particulars. The
name Of this c0usiGnee is Harry Trent;
he is a diamond merchant in New York,
and a man personally known to Inc. He
is instructed 10 retain them in his keep
ing until further rotice-uutil the Issue
of the coming war Is decided. If we are
victorious the gems viii be returned here,
if otherwise | shall follow them there
Do YOU understand me:"
II do sire" replied the soldier, who
had by this time recovered his self pos
session, and there was a new air of pride
in his demcanor, showing that he had
begun to appreciate the distinction that
hHi been conferred upon him.
"ILe route You will take" continued
the other, will not be the usual one
across the Atlantic. War might break
out before you arrive and your vessel
might be captured by the enemy's cruis.
era You VIII therefore cross France tC
tie Mediterranean and proceed thence
by way of Egypt to the Red sea, and SC
by way Of Australia to the lsthmus OF
Panama At Aspinwall, on the northern
side of the isthmus, you will take g
steamer 10 New Orleans, whence you
viii travel 10y railway TO New York
You will, Of course, receive a memo
randum Of this itinerary and Of all the
other details Of your journey. Do YOU
wish to say anything:'
"Only one thing, sire, 1t is possible
that death may overtake me on The
route. In that case"--
In that case You will have done you
best, and | shall regret the loss of ;
faithful servant even more than Of tn,
millions No scheme that mortal MAJ
can devise is free from the liability K
error or miscarriage. Disaster may over
take this, as well as others; b.l | shll
have the satisfaction of knowing that
adopted the surest means Of success with
in my reach, However, we will antici
pate your safe arrival. Meanwhile, &,
and prepare yourself for the journey
and come to ne tomorrow morning.
shall probably order you 10 set out b,
the noon train TO MaIseilles."
sire, you shall be satisfied with me,
said Solauge, retiring.
Il fully believe il, returned the EN-
peror graciously, "Raoul," he said +
the secretary, VINO entered as Sol4ng
Disappeared "let two OF or best dl
tectives follow that man, and never los
sight of him. If he IS seen to speak NOR
than minute to any one, let hun an
the one to whom he spoke be Instant
p,r.. ted and brought hither, Go! i
quick"
As Raol vanished Napoleon replace
the box in it's corner, and then, Iesea
ing himself in his chair, lit another cll
arctic.
CHAPTER Y.
SuLANGE DOES MS Dist.
In eighteen hundred and seventy tra'
el to America by the eastern route was