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

am sure of it,
Naturally" said M. verduret, with
a provoking smile. "But," he contin-
ued seriously, I'VE 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.
"Never!' he exclaimed, with excite
ment. 'No, never will I voluntarily
set eyes on that wretchv'
This resistance did not surprise M.
Verduret.
II can understand your feelings to-
ward him." said he, ''but at the same
time I hope you will change your mind.
For the same reason that wished to
see M. de Layers do wish to see M.
Fauvel. It 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 a word"
IF it is absolutely necessary" said
Prosper, 'tif you wish''-
1T is necessary. Come on. Hurry
and fix yourself up little. It is get
ting late, and am hungry. We will
breakfast on our way there"
Prosper had hardly passed into his
bedroom when the bell rang again. M.
Verduret opened the door. 1t was the
porter, who handed him thick letter.
'This letter." said he, twas left this
morning for M. Bertomy. I was so
f1ustered when he came that I forgot
to hand it to him. It is very odd
looking. letter, is it not, monsieur?''
It was indeed singular epistle.
The address was rot written, but
formed Of printed letters, carefully cut
from book and pasted on the envel-
ope.
"Oh, ho! cried M. verduret. "What
is this?" Then, turning toward the
porter, he said, "Wait till 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 M.
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.
1--WE will read the letter and find
out" replied M. Verduret.
The letter, like the address, was CON-
posed Of printed words cut out and
pasted on the paper.
It 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 suferings
Go away. Leave France. You young The fu-
ture is before you. Go, and may this money help
you.
AS M. Verduret read the note Pros
per's 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"
he cried. "Then there must be con-
spiracy against me-"
M. 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 I knew, my dear Prosper" said
Verduret sadly, my task would be at
an end, for then I would know who
committed this robbery Of which you
are accused. But have finally pro-
cured evidence which will sooner or
later become convincing proof. I have
heretofore only made deductions more
or less probable. now possess knowl-
edge which proves that was mistak.
en-. walked in darkness; now I 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 opened the door and called out:
Il say, my good man, please come
herev'
The porter entered, looking very
much surprised at the authority exer-
cised over bis 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 himY' .x
II know him well.'
go and bring him here"
After the porter had gone M. verdu-
ret drew from his pocket his diary and
compared a page Of it with the notes
which he had spread over the table.
'These notes were not sent by the
thief," he said.
"Do you think so, MONSIEUR"
II am sure of 1t-that is, unless the
thief is endowed with extraordinary
penetration and forethought. One
thing is certain-these notes are not
part Of the $4,000 francs which was
stolen from the SAFE"
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