The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-03-21

The mystery. Quick! Give it to mel!
Nine. Alexandra opened little cup
board and took out a letter, which she
handed to her husband.
Here, take it," she said, "and be
satisfied"
Considering that she used to be a
chambermaid, Palmyre Chocareille,
since become Nine. Gipsy, wrote a
good letter. 1t was addressed in a
free, flowing hand: IN. M. L. de Cla-
meran, Forge Master, Hotel du Louvre
To be handed to NJ. Raoul de Lagors.
Very importantly"
"Oh, ho!' said Fanferlot, accompa-
nying his explanation with a little
whistle, as was his habit when he
thought he had made grand discov-
cry. ooh, ho"
"Do you intend to open it?" question
ed Nine. Alexandra.
"Yes," said Fanferlot as he dexter
ously opened the envelope.
Nine. Alexandra leaned over the
shoulder of her "little man." and they
both read:
N. Raoul-Prosper is in prison accused of a
: robbery which know he never committed. Three
| days ago wrote to you on this subject
"Whatw interrupted Fanferlot. "This
silly girl wrote and I never saw the
letter?'
But, little man, she must have post
ed it herself the day she went to the
Palais de Justice"
Every likely" said Fanferlot, salts
fiod ua continued rno5ipr.
wrote to you three days ago and have no re-
ply. Who will help Prosper if his best friends
desert him? If you don't answer this letter.
shall consider myself released from a certain
| promise and without scruple will tell Prosper of
the conversation ! overheard between you and
| NJ. de Clameran. But | can count you can
not? l shall expect you at the Archangel hotel
| day after tomorrow between II and 4.
NINA Gypsy.
The letter read, Fanferlot without a
word proceeded to copy it.
"Well," said Nine. Alexandra, "what
do you say?'
Fanferlot was delicately resealing the
copied letter when the door of the hotel
Office was suddenly opened, and the
boy whispered:
Hist! Histr'
Fanferlot disappeared with marvel
Gus celerity into dark closet. He had
barely time to close the door before
Nine. Gipsy entered.
Alas, the poor girl was sadly chang
ed. She was pale, her cheeks were
hollow and her eyes were red with
weeping.
On seeing her Nine. Alexandra could
not repress cry of surprise.
"Why, my child, you are not going
out?"
81 am obliged to do so, madame, and
/ came to ask you to tell any one that
may call during my absence to wait
until l return"
"But where are you going at this
hour, sick as you are?"
Nine. Gipsy hesitated,a moment.
''Oh," she said, "you are so good to
me that / am tempted to confide in
you. Read this note, which q messen-
ger just now brought to me-"
"What" cried Nine. Alexandra, per-
fectly aghast. "a messenger come
here and so up to your room?'
SIS there anything surprising in
that?"
"Oh, no.
And in q tone loud enough to be
heard in the closet she read the note:
A friend of Prosper, who can neither receive
you present himself at your house, needs to
speak to you Be in the stage office opposite the
st. Jacques tower tonight at precisely, and the
writer will approach and tell you what he has to
say to you. l have appointed this public place
the rendezvous SO as to relieve you of all fear
'And you are going to this rendez-
vousT cried Nine. Alexandra.
Certainly"
"But it is imprudent, foolish. 1t is
a snare to trap you."
sit makes no difference" interrupted
Gipsy. 81 am so unfortunate already
that l have nothing more to dread.
Any change would be a relief"
And, without waiting to hear any
more, she set out. She was not in the
street before Fanferlot bounced out of
the closet.
"A thousand thundersw he cried.
"Are people to walk over the Archan-
gel as if it were public street7 Was
ever such impudence heard OFF, he
continued. "a messenger comes into
my house and goes up stairs without
being seen by anybody! And the idea
of you, a sensible woman, being idiotic
enough to dissuade that little viper
from keeping the appointment!
"But, my dear
''Did you not suppose that I would
follow her and discover what she is at
tempting to conceal? Come, make
haste and help me. so that she won't
recognize me-"
In a few minutes Fanferlot was CON-
pletely disguised by a thick beard, a
wig and one of those long linen blouses
worn by men who go about seeking
work and at the same time hoping
they may not find it
Have you your handcuffsT asked
the solicitous Nine. Alexandra when he
was ready.
"Yes, yes. Make haste and post that
letter to NJ. de Clameran and keep
good watch"
And without listening to his wife,
who cried out, "Good luckp' Fanferlot
darted away.
Nine. Gipsy had ten minutes start
of him, but he ran up the street he
knew she must have taken and over
! took her near the Change bridge. On