The Iola register., 1902-04-25
The hnnl,or smiled hitterIv.

of course he can have nothing to say
to me-"
This was formal dismissal, and NJ.
verduret. understanding 1t thus, bow
ed to NJ. Fauvel, accompanied by Pros
per. who had not spoken word.
When they reached the street, Pros
per recovered the use of his tongue.
81 hope you are satisfied, monsieur"
he said in a gloomy tone. "You exact
ed this painful step, and could only
acquiesce. Have gained anything by
adding this humiliation to the othersT
II have" replied NJ. verduret. II
could find no way of gaining access to
M. Fauvel save through you, and now
/ have found out what I wanted to
know. am convinced that 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. Fauvel would be accessible
to certain suspicious Now 1 can say
Yes"
Prosper and his companion had stop
ped to talk more at their ease near the
corner of LATTE street, in the middle
of large space which had lately been
cleared by pulling down an old house.
NJ. Verduret seemed to be anxious and
was constantly looking 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 sinceW
about a quarter of an hour ngo"
"The deuce they did! Then we have
not 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 imprudent in you
to come out without your hat"
Little Cavaillon ran Off as quickly as
he had come. Prosper was stupefed.
"Whatw said he. "You know Ca
WALTON"
$50 1t seems" answered NJ. verdu-
ret, with q smile. But we have no
time to talk. Make haste"
NJ. Verduret suddenly stopped before
door bearing the number 81. He
led the way up the steps and stopped
on the second floor before a door over
which was large sign-"Dressmak-
er." A handsome bellrope hung on the
wall. but NJ. Verduret did not touch it..
He tapped with the ends of his fingers
in peculiar way and the door in
stantly opened as If some one had been
watching for his signal on the other
side-a woman of about forty. She
quietly ushered NJ. Verduret and Pros
per into q neat dining room with sever
al doors opening into It.
'Well?" he said by look.
She bowed afiirmatively.
"Yes."
'In there" asked NJ. Verduret In n
low tone, pointing to one of the doors.
NO" said the woman in the same
tone: "over there in the little parlor."
M. Verduret opened the door pointed
out and pushed Prosper into the little
parlor, whispering az he did SO:
go in and keep steady"
But this injunction was useless. The
instant he cast his eyes around the
room into which he had been pushed
without any warning Prosper exclaim.
. ed
"Madeleinew
1t was indeed NJ. Fauvel's niece, look
ing more beautiful that ever. Stand
ing in the middle of the room near q
table covered with silks and satins
, she was arranging skirt of red velvet
embroidered in god-the dress she was
) to wear as maid of honor to Cath
crime de- Medici At sight OF Prosper
, the blood rushed to her face, and hei
beautiful eyes half closed. as If she
were about to faint. She supported
herself by the table to keep from fall
ing. Her weakness lasted but mo
, ment, and the soft expression of heI
eyes changed to one of naughty re
sentiment. In an offended tone she
, said:
"What has induced you to be watch
, ing my movements? Who gave you
, permission to follow me, to enter this
, houseY
Prosper would have given worlds t.
explain what had just happened, but
he was powerless and could only re
main silent.
Z You promised me upon your honor,
continued Madeleine, that you would
| never again seek my presence. Is this
3 the way you keep your wordr
: II did promise, but
? He stopped.
: "Oh, speakw
! $50 many things have happened
I since that terrible day that think
: am excusable in forgetting for on'
t hour an oath torn from me in a mo
a ment of blind weakness. 1t is t
: chance-at least to another will thar
G my own-that am indebted for tn,