Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-04-05
CHAPTER Ky.
NJ. RabOdin.

NJ. RabOdln.
"Now. VI. Barabbas." said Cauvag-
nae, have you, in your valise, some
dress less elegant than that which
you wear, and in which you might
look like an excise officer"
II have that of the tax-gatherer, you
know
VERY well; and you have, doubtless,
also his warrant?"
Eyes; Ferguzon told me to be sure
and take care of it."
He is a careful man. Put on these
clothes, then, and take the warrant"
Barabbas went to obey his orders,
and on his return found Cauvagnac
dressed in a black suit. They both
went to the house of the lawyer, trav
ersed the ante chamber, in which two
clerks were at work. They then
passed into the inner room where NJ.
Rabodin was seated at desk, covered
with papers. He was a TALL dry yell
lOw-loOking man. He wore a black
coat, which fitted as tight as his skin.
At their entrance he lifted his sharp
Monsieur" said Cauvagnac, Il ask
pardon for presenting myself unan-
nounced, but" added he with a smile,
sit is a privilege of my office"
ooh, your office, sir! then what are
you?"
81 am one of his Majesty's exempts."
can exempt! but I do not under
stand.'
"You soon will. You know NJ. Bis
carros?"
"Certainly-he is my client
"What do you think of him?'
Think Of him?'
Eyes"
"That he is a very good fellow"
"Well, sir, you are wrong. Your
good fellow is a rebel"
How! a rebel"
Eyes, sir, rebel who profits by the
isolated situation of his inn to make it
the focus of a conspiracy"
Really
'Who had undertaken to poison the
king and queen, and NJ. Mazarin, If
by any chance they stopped at his
inn; and whom I have arrested, and
taken to the prison at Libourne, on
a charge of high treason"
"Monsieur, you shock me-"
"Yet more, sir, you are also COM
promised"
''I! SIR" said the lawyer, turning
from yellow to green, 81! how?"
"You hold a sum of money destined
to pay a rebel army"
cit is true have received for him
"a sum of four thousand francs. He
confessed that it was in your hands. y
"It is, sir: but only for a few hours. y
''Well, sir, I am forced to take you
into custody
"Mer'
Certainly. The accusation names
you as an accomplish"
The lawyer became greener still.
eff YOU had not received this sum,
it would have been different" contin-
ued Cauyagnac.
''But, sir, l am ready to give it up
at once, and to swear that I have no
connection with this wretch"
Grave suspicious would still rest on
you; but, certainly, the giving up of
the money"
ooh, sir, I am ready; here is the
money Just as I received it."
'Is it correct?"
Count it yourself"
"Not so, sir; I have no power to re-
ceive his Majesty's money, but here
is the collector Of Libourne, who is
sent with me to collect the various
sums belonging to M. Biscarros."
Eyes, I had particular instructions
about these four thousand francs"
"You know, Of course" continued
Cauvagnac, "that the princess has fed
f,om Chantilly, and that this money
was to assist her in raising al army
"Sir, I knew nothing"
'No one warned your
mo one"
"What do you say to that" said
Cauvagnac, showing the letter open
on the table, which ended with land
of which l suspect he is going to make
bad use"
''Sir, am overwhelmed, but I swear
to you that I am innocent"
! "Biscarros SAID the same"
'EWell, sir, I am ready to hand over
the money"
Here then" said Cauvagnac to the
! pretended collector, 'show your war
rant, and give a receipt"
Barabbas extended his warrant
! which. however, the lawyer did not
| look at.
'Now, SIR continued Cauvagnac
! while Barabbas counted the money
Ibid I not tell you that you were sus
pected?''
| 81 swear to you that his Majesty
has not a more faithful servant than
myself"
'Sir. his Majesty wants not words
but proofs"
There is all my past life"
1--WE want a guarantee of the fut
ure."
II am ready to do anything"
well, there is a friend of mine
here who is raising a regiment fO1
the king. Now, if you were tC
join it"
81! a lawyer
"Oh, that is nothing"
ssBut sir, my business
"Leave it to your clerks
Pardon me, sir,' said Barabbas
s'but. if [ might offer a suggestion,
think monsieur would make a bad sol
der
"Tndaad T ShOlIldo