The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-09

III,
said Dupin. "You have, of course, an
accurate description of the letter ?"
"Oh yes "-And here the project,
| producing memorandum book, pro-
| ceeded to read aloud q minute account
of the internal, and especially of the ex-
ternal appearance of the missing docu-
ment. Soon after finishing the perusal
| of this description he took his depar-
ture, moro entirely depressed in spirits
than had ever known the good gentle
man before.
In about n month afterwards he paid
us another visit, and found us occupied
| very nearly as before He took a pipe
and chair and entered into some ordi-
nary conversation. At length said
well, but O., what of the pur-
Joined letter? I presume you have at
last made up your mind that there is NO
such thing as overreachipg the minis
ter?"
"Confound him, say Yes; I made
| the denomination, however, as Dupin
| suggested-but it was all labor lost, as I
| knew it would be-"
How much was the reward offered,
| did you say?" asked Dupin.
Why, u very great deal-a very lib
eral reward-I don't like to saw how
much. precisely; but one thing will
say. that l wouldn't mind giving my in
| dividual check for fifty thousand francs
to any one who could obtain me that
| letter. The fact is, it is becoming of
more and more Importance every day:
and the reward has been lately doubled
# 1T were trcblcd, however, / could do
no more than 1 have done"
Why, yes" said Dupin. drawlinglv,
between the whitfs of his meerschaum,
Il really-think. c.. YOU have not
eXertcd yoursclf-to the utmost in this
matter You mght-do Il little more,
think, ch ~
= lIow?-in what way?"
Why--puff. puff might-puff
puff-cmploy counsel in the matter, ell?
puff, puff. puff. DO you remember
the story they tell OF Abcrncthy?"
No; hang Abcrncthy?"
10 be sure. hang him and welcome
But once upon Il time. certain rich
miscr conceived the design of spungng
upon this Abernethy for medical opin-
ion. Getting up, for this purpose, an
ordinary conversation in Il private com
pany, he insinuated his case to the
| physician. as that of an imaginary indi-
| vidual.
We will suppose, said the miser,
that his symptoms are such and such
now. doctor, what would You have
directed him to take
Take said Abcrncthy, why, take
advice, to be sure
But" said the project. litlle dis
composed, Il am perfectly willing to
take advice. and to pay for it. would
really give fifty thousand francs to any
one who would aid me in the matter"
| = In that case" replied Dupin, open
| ing drawer, and producing a check
| book. you may rs well fill me up
check for the amount mentioned.
| When You have signed it, will hand
you the letter.
| / was astonishcd. The project APP
peared absolutely thunderstricleen For
some minutes he remained speechlcss
and motionless. looking incredulously
nc my friend with open mouth, anu
eyes that seemed staring from their
sockets; then, apparently recovering
| himself in some measure. he seized
pen. and after several pauscs and vacant
starcs finally filled up and signed Il
|
handed it across the table to Dupin.
The latter examined it carefully and de-
| posted it in his pocllctbook then. nm
| locking an escritoirc. took hence let
ter and gave it to the project. This
functionary grasped it in IL perfect
| agony of joy, opened it with trcmb-
ling hand. cast Il rapid glance at its
contents. and then, scrambling and
struggling to the door, rushed at length
unceremoniously from the room and
from the house. without having uttered
a syllable since Dupin had requested
him to fill up the check.
When he had gone, my friend entered
into some explanations.
The Partisan police he said. "arc
exceedingly able i'll their way. They
are persevcring. ingenious. cunning and
thoroughly verscd in the knowledge
| which their duties seem chiefly to de-
| mand. Thus. when c. detailed to lis
his mode of searching the premises at
the Hotel D, felt entire confidence
i'll his having made Il satisfactory inves
tigation-so far as his labors extended"
Il mean to say" continued Dupin,
while | merely laughed at his last OBJ
servations, that if the Minister had
been no more than ii mathematician. the
Project would have been under no
necessity of giving me this check. |
knew him, however, as both mathcma-
tician and poet, and my measures were
adapted TO his capacity, with reference
to the circumstances by which he was
surrounded. knew him as IL courtier,
too. and as a bold intriguant. Such n
man. | considered. could not fail to be
aware of the ordinary political modes of