Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-02-07

MOnCmNrtre anu V11keu up 1NOtIe DdMS
street SO rapidly, utterly regardless Of
the grumbling passersby, whom be ell
bowed out of his way. that Fanferlot
found it difficult to keep him in sight.
Reaching Chaptal street, Cavaillon
suddenly stopped and entered the
house numbered 80. He had scarcely
taken three steps in the narrow corri-
dor when he felt touch on his shout
der and, turning abruptly, found him.
self face to face with Fanferlot.
He recognized him at once, and. turn
ing very pale, be shrank back and
looked around for means of escape.
But the detective, anticipating the at
tempt, barred the passageway. Caval-
lon saw that he was caught.
"What do you want with mef' he
asked in a voice tremulous with fear.
"You will be kind enough, my dear
monsieur" said Fanferlot, Ito excuse
the great Liberty I take. 1t is only
about a trif1ing matter, and you will
overwheim me with obligations If you
will do me the honor to accept my ann
and step outside for moment"
What could Cavaillon do? He took
Fanferlot's arm and went out with
him.
"What 1 wished to say is, my dear
monsieur" began the detective, that
M. Prosper Bertomy threw you note
this morning. l am sure you will be
kind enough to give it to me. Believe
me, nothing but the most absolute ne
cessity"-
'Neverv' exclaimed Cavaillon. And,
believing the moment favorable, he
suddenly attempted to jerk his arm
from under Fanferlot's and escape.
But his efforts were vain. The de-
tective's strength was equal to his
suavity.
"Don't hurt yourself, young man."
he said, 'but take my advice and
quietly give up the letter."
II am in your power" said Cavail-
Ion, then suddenly drew from his pock-
etbook the unlucky note and gave it to
the detective. Fanferlot's hand trem-
bled with pleasure as he unfolded the
paper. Yet, faithful to his habits Of
! st.dious politeness, before reading it
| lie bowed to Cavaillon and said, with
| YOUR permission" Then he read:
Dca- Nina-on the receipt Of this note take ev~
lang y'ou have in the house, absolutely every
! thing, and establish yourself somewhere at the
other end OF Paris. Do not appear in public, but
| conceal yourself much as possible. Ny life
may depend on your obedience. am accused OF
an immense robbery and am about to be arrested.
| Va, end fxov,1 srf ho r oH1-o
your address with Cavaillon, who will explain
what cannot say. Be hopeful, whatever hap
| pens Goodby. PROSPER.
Had Cavaillon been less bewildered
he would have seen blank disappoint-
ment depicted on the detectives face
after the perusal of the note. Fanfer-
aot had cherished the hope that he was
about to possess a very important doc
ument, and who knows but that it
| would clearly prove the guilt or limo
'cence of Prosper. Whereas he had
son]y seized a love letter written by a
man who was evidently more anxious
about the welfare Of the woman he
loved than about his own. Wainly did
he puzzle over the letter, hoping to
discover some hidden meaning. II
proved nothing for or against the
writer. The two words "absolutely
everything were UNDERSIGNED, it is
true. but they could be interpreted in
so many ways. Fanferlut folded up
the note and slipped it into his pocket,
"A thousand thanks, monsieur, fol
the information, and in return, IL you
please, will relieve you OF the trouble
Of executing your commission. / will
myself take this note to Nine. Nina
Gypsy. will also give you a piece
Of advice. If l were in your place,
would return quietly to business and
have nothing more to do with this at.
fair"
The poor fellow obeyed. Slowly and
with swelling heart he returned to
Notre Dame street. He asked himself
how he could serve Prosper, warn
Nine. Gypsy and, above all. he reveng.
just made him suffer such cruel humili.
alton. BE had no sooner turned the
corner of the street than Fanferlot
went into the house, gave his name te
the porter as Prosper BertOmy, went
up stairs and knocked at the first door
he came to.
A young servant dressed in the most
fanciful livery opened the door.
els Nine. Gypsy at homer
The little groom hesitated. Seeing
this, Fanferlot showed his note.
m. Prosper charged me to hand thil
note to madame and wait for an an
swer.'
''Come in, and I will aet madame
know you ane here"
The name Of Prosper produced its eff
feet. Fanfer1ot was ushered into lit
tie room furnished in blue and gol(
silk damask. But he had no time t,
pursue his inventory. One of the doc
curtains was pushed aside, and Nine
y Nina Gypsy appeared. Nine. Gipsy is
o., To speak more correctly. was, quit
young, small and graceful, with T.,
hrown. or, rather, gold colonel quad
room, complexion and the hands an