Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-03-07

49, detection, he had not eXag-
62 gerated. Since the fatal day
when, upon his denunciation, his cash.
Ter had been arrested the banker had
been prey to the most gloomy mel
ancholy and absolutely refused to take
any interest in business affairs. He
who had always been so domestic did
not mingle with his family except at
meals, when he would swallow few
mouthfuls and hastily leave the room.
Shut up in his study, he would see no
one.
The day of Prosper's release, about
8 o'clock, M. Fauvel was, as usual,
seated in his study, with his elbows
resting on the table and his face buried
In his hands, when his Office boy rush.
ed in with frightened look.
monsieur, the former cashier, M.
Bertomy, is here with a friend. He
says he must see you on business
The banker started.
"Prosper!' he cried in a voice choked
by anger. *'How does he dare'-
Then remembering that he ought to
control himself before his servant, he
waited few moments and said in a
tone Of forced calmness:
ASK them to walk in''
If M. Verduret had counted upon wit
Messing strange and affecting sight,
he was not disappointed. Nothing
could be more terrible than the atti-
tude of these two men as they stood
confronting each other The bankers
face was almost purple with Suppress
ed anger, as if about to be struck by
apoplexy. Prosper was pale and mo-
tionless. They stood glaring at each
other. M. Verduret curiously watched
them with the Indifference and cool
ness of philosopher who in the most
violent outbursts of human passion
merely sees subjects for study. Final
~. the silence becoming more and more
threatening, he decided to break it by
speaking to the banker.
II suppose, monsieur, you know that
my young friend has just been releas-
ed from prison"
eyes," replied NJ. Fauvel, making an
effort to control himself-"yes, for
want of sufficient proof"
"Precisely, monsieur, and this want
of proof, as stated in the decision of
not proved ruins his prospects and
compels him to leave here at once for
America"
At this information M. Fauvers fea-
lures relaxed as if relieved.
"Ah. he is going away" he said.
There was no mistaking the resent
full, almost insulting information Of the
words '.going away"
1T appears to me-" continued NJ.
Verduret, that Prosper's determina-
ton is wise one. I merely wished
him before leaving Paris to come and
pay his respects to his former Chief"
The banker smiled bitterly.
m. Bertomy," he replied, might
have spared us both this painful meet
ing. have nothing to say to him, and
Of course he can have nothing to say
to me.''
This was formal dismissal, and M.
Verduret, understanding it thus, bow
ed to NJ. .Fauvel, accompanied by Pros
per, who had not spoken a word.
When they reached the street, Pros
per recovered the use of his tongue
II hope you are satisfied, monsieur"
he said in gloomy tone. e'You exact.
ed this painful step, a2d I could only
acquiesce. Rave / gained anything by
adding this humiliation to the others?'
II have" replied NJ. Verduret. II
could find no way of gaining access to
M. Fauvel save through you, and now
I have found out what wanted to
know. I am convinced thar NJ. Fauvel
had nothing to do with the robbery"
"Oh, monsieur" objected Prosper.
Innocence can be feigned."
certainly, but not to this extent.
And this is not all. I wished to find
out if NJ. Fauyel would be accessible
to certain suspicious. Now can say
Yes"
Prosper and his companion had stop
ped to talk more at their ease near the
corner of Laf1tte street, in the middle
Of large space which had lately been
cleared by pulling down an old house.
M. Verduret seemed to be anxious and
was constantly locking around as if he
expected some one. He soon uttered
an exclamation Of satisfaction. At
the other end of the vacant space he
saw Cavaillon, who was running bare
headed and so excited that he did not
even stop to shake hands with Prosper.
but said to Nj. Verduret:
'They have gone, monsieur"
"How long since?'
."Ab0ut a quarter Of an hour ago."
'"The deuce they did! Then we have
not a minute to lose."
He handed Cavaillon the note he had
written some hours before at Prosper's
house.
"Here, send him this and then return
at once to your desk. You might be
missed. It was very 1mprudent In you
to come out without your hat"
Little Cavaillon ran off as quickly as
he had come. Prosper was stupefed.
''What!' said he. "You know Ca
vaillon?" -
$50 it seems" answered NJ. Verdu-
ret, with a smile. "But we have no