Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-20
'I swear that I am innOcpnt.r

NJ. Fauvel, much more disturbed and
excited than his cashier, made last
attempt.
There is still time, poor boy" he
said. "In the name of heaven, rehect!'
Prosper did not appear to hear him.
He drew from his pocket a small key,
which he laid on the mantel, and said:
Here is the key of your safe. mon
sieur. I hope for my sake that you
will some day be convinced of my in
nocence, and l hope for your sake
that it will not come too late" Then,
as every one was silent, he added;
Before leaving, here are the books,
papers and accounts necessary for my
successor. l must at the same time
inform you that, without speaking of
the stolen three hundred and fifty
thousand francs, leave a deficit in
cash. There is a deficit of three thou
sand FIVE hundred francs on my casl,
account, which has been disposed of
in the following manner: Two thou
sand taken by myself in advance OF my
salary and fifteen hundred advanced
to my fellow clerks. This is the last
day Of the month. Tomorrow the sal.
aries will be paid, consequently
The commissary interrupted him.
"Were you authorized" he demand.
ed. ''to draw money whenever you
wished to to make advances"
"No, but knew that NJ. Fauvel
would not have refused me permission
to oblige my friends. What did Is
done everywhere. l have simply fol-
lowed my predecessors example"
The banker made sign of assent.
"As regards that spent by myself"
continued the cashier, II had sort Of
right to it. all Of my savings being
deposited in this bank-about fifteen
thousand francs"
THAT is true" said NJ. Fauvel. "M.
Bertomy has ut least that amount on
deposit"
This last question settled, the com
missarys errand was ended, and his
report might now be made. He an
nounced his intention of leaving and
ordered the cashier to prepare to follow
him. Usually this moment, when
stern reality stares us in the face,
when our individuality is lost and we
feel that we are being deprived Of our
liberty-this moment is terrible. At
this fatal command. "Follow me,
which brings before our eyes the
yawnug prison gates, the most harden
ed sinner weeps and DegS for mercy.
But Prosper lost none of that studied
phlegm which the commissary secretly
pronounced conSummate impudcnce
Slowly, with as much careless ease rs
If going to breakfast, he drew on his
Overcoat and gloves and said politely
IL am ready to accompany you, mon
sleur."
The commissary folded up his peck
etbook and bowed to Nj. Fauvel, saying
to Prosper:
LET us CO."
They left the room. and. with dis
tressed face and eyes filled with tears
that he could not restrain, the banker
watched their departure.
Good heaven" he exclaimed. "Glad
. IS would l give double the sum stolc'
to regain my old confidence in poo
IbSIcl anu Dt opit W hSNP w
} me-
Fanferlot had resolved to obtain pos
session of Prosper's note, which b
knew to be in Cavaillon's pGcket. 7
obtain this written proof, which mus
be an important one, appeared III
easiest thing in the world. He ha
: simply to arrest Cavaillon, frighte
him, demand the letter and, IL neces
sary, take it by force.
Fanierlot began talking with an OF
fee boy and, after n few apparent
idle questions had discovered that I'll
Fauvcl bank had no outlet on Victor
street ana that consequently all IL
clerks were obliged to pass in and OF
through the main entrance on PROVING
l street. From this moment the task Il
had undertaken no longer presentc
. shadow of difficulty He rapid
l. crossed the street and took up his pos
ton under n carriage gate.
= After awhile Cavaillon appeared ;
: the door of the bank. but before stel
l. ping on the pavement he looked u
> and down the street hesitatingly. II
, soon decided. entered the Fauboul
MOntmartre and walked up Notre Dam
street so rapidly. utterly regardless {
the grumbling passcrsby. whom he q
bowed out of his way, that Fanferl'
r found it difficult to keep him in sigh
y Reaching Ch0ptal street, Cavailc
d suddenly stopped and entered Il
t house numbered 30. lie had scarce
{ taken three steps in the narrow corr
II dor when he felt touch on his shol
l. der and. turning abruptly, found hil
t self face To face with Fapferlot.
a He recognized him at once, and tur
s ing very pale, he shrank back AZ
Y looked around for means of escap
e But the detective, anticipating the q
il tempt, barred the passaGeway. Cava
+, lon saw that he was caught
W "What do you want with me"
asked in voice tremulous with fcal
e You will be kind enough, my de
It monsieur" said Fanfer!ot, ito eXcu
is the great liberty ! take. 1t is on
Is about n triting matter, and you w
w overwhelm me with obligations If "
;" will do me the honor to accept my AZ
1r and step outside for a moment
s. What could Cayaillon do? He to
IL Fanferlot's arm and went out wi
is him.
III what l wished to say IS, my de
monsieur" began the detective, 18th