The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-04
CASE lis
80. By...
Emile GAboriAu
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

~@AS
he said. "Why did he not offer the
whole? Offers cost nothing. But 1
have no doubt that this pretty boy
would cheerfully give 10000 francs to
put the ocean between you and him."
HE, monsieur? Why so?" d.
"Who knows? Perhaps for the same
reason that he had not set foot for u
month in his uncles house."
''But that is the truth. monsieur.
am sure of it."
Naturally" said NJ. Verduret, with
a provoking smile. "But." he tcontin-
ued seriously, 1--WE have devoted
enough time to this fair youth. Now
be good enough to change your dress,
and we will go and call on M. Fauvel."
This proposal seemed revolving to
Prosper.
"Neverw he exclaimed, with excite
ment. "No, never will voluntarily
set eyes on that wretchv'
This resistance did not surprise M.
Verduret.
81 can understand your feelings to-
ward him." said he, "but at the same
time hope you will change your mind.
For the same reason that l wished to
see M. de Lagors do l wish to see NJ.
Fauvel. 1t is necessary, you under
stand. Are you so very weak that you
cannot restrain yourself for five min
utes? I shall introduce myself as one
Of your relatives, and you need not
speak word"
''If it is absolutely necessary" said
Prosper, ''if you wish"-
"It is necessary. Come on. Hurry
and fix yourself up little. 1t is get
ting late, and I am hungry. We will
breakfast on our way there"
Prosper had hardly passed into his
bedroom when the bell rang again. NJ.
Verduret opened the door. 1t was the
porter, who handed him thick letter.
"This letter." said he. "was left this
morning for NJ. Bertomy. l was SO
to hand it to him. 1t is a very odd
looking letter, is it not, monsieur"
1t was indeed a singular epistle
The address was not written, but
formed of printed letters. carefully cut
from a book and pasted ON the envel-
Ope.
"Oh, hop cried NJ. Verduret. "What
is this?" Then, turning toward the
porter, he said, "Wait till I return"
He went into the next room and clos
ed the door. There he found Prosper,
who had heard the bell ring and was
anxious to know what was going on
Here is letter for you," said NJ.
Verduret.
Prosper at once tore open the en-
velope.
Some bank notes dropped out. He
counted them. There were ten.
Prosper's face turned purple
"What does this mean?" he asked.
"We will read the letter and find
out" replied M. verduret.
The letter, like the address, was com.
posed of printed words cut out and
pasted on the paper.
1t was short, but explicit:
My Dear Prosper-A friend who knows the hor.
ror Of your situation sends this succor. There is
one heart, be assured, that shares your sufferngs
Go away. Leave France. You are young. The fu.
ture is before you. Go, and may this money help
you.
AS M. Verduret read the note Pros
pers rage increased. He was angry
and perplexed, for he could not ex-
plain the rapidly succeeding events
which were so calculated to mystify
his already confused brain.
Everybody wishes me to go away"
hn nrin6 sGThnn ho
spiracy against me-"
NJ. Verduret smiled with satisfaction.
AT last you begin to open your eyes.
You begin to understand. Yes, there
are people who hate you because Of
the evil they have done you. There are
people to whom your presence in Paris
is perpetual menace and who will
not feel safe till they are rid of you"
but who are these people, mon
sieur? Tell me who presumes to send
this money!
'If knew, my dear Prosper" said
Verduret sadly, my task would be at
an end, for then / would know who
committed this robbery of which you
are accused. But have finally pro-
1hiSu CNldChGC NAlCu VIII SOOHer UT
later become convincing proof. 1 have
heretofore only made deductions more
or less probable. now possess knowl-
edge which proves that l was mistak.
en-. walked in darkness; now l have
| light to guide me. Now we must
take advantage of this evidence, gain
ed by the imprudence of our enemies.
We will begin with the porter"
| He openet the door and called out;
u say, my good man, please come
here!"
The porter entered, looking very
much surprised at the authority exer-
cised over his lodger by this stranger.
"WhO gave you this letter?" said M.
Verduret.
"a messenger, who said he was paid
for bringing it."
"Do you know himp'
81 know him WELL"
go and bring him here"
| After the porter had gone NJ. Verdu-
ret drew from his pocket his diary and
compared a page of it with the notes
which he had spread over the table.
'sThese notes were not sent by the
/ thief" he said.
"po you think so, mansieura"
u am sure of it-that is, unless the
thief is endowed with extraordinary
penetration and forethought. One
thing is eertain-these notes are not
part of the $4,000 francs which was
stolen from the safe"
| yet" said Prosper. who cnnld not