Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-06

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came to inform him that his case had
not been proved. He was conducted
before the officer who had searched
him when he arrived, and the contents
of his pockct-his watch. %pcnknife and
several little pieces of jcwelry-were
restored to him. Then he was told
to sign a large sheet of paper, which
he did. He was then led across a dark
passage and a door opened and shut
behind him with a bang. He found
himself on the quai. lie was alone.
lie was free.
Free! Justice had confessed her in
ability to convict him of the crime Of
which he was accused. Free! He
could walk about. he could breathe the
pure air, but every door would be
closed against him. A decision OF
"Not proved had left him covered
with suspicion. At the moment of his
restoration to liberty Prosper so cruel
" suffered from the horror of his situ-
alton that he could not repress a Cry OF
rage and despair.
II am innocent!' he cried out. 81
am Innocent"
Two strangers who were passing stop
ped to look at him. They took him for
q lunatic.
The Seine was at his feet. A thought
of suicide crossed his mind.
NO" he said, mo! l have not even
the right to kill myself. No, l will not
cencc!"
On entering Chaptal street he stood
before his own door, but hesitated tC
enter it. He suffered from the timid'
ity which an honest man always feels
when he knows he is viewed with sus
picion. He dreaded to remain in The
street. He entered. At seeing hin
the porter uttered an exclamation OF
glad surprise.
"Ah, you here, monsieur? I told ev
cry one you would come out as white
as snow, and when / read in the pa
pers that you were arrested for rob
berry, l said: MY third floor lodger &
thief? Never!'"
The congratulations of this man, NAL
adroit but sincere. impressed Prosper
painfully, and ho cut them short b.,
abruptly asking:
"4And where are my Servants|'
"Gone, monsieur. Your father pait
and discharged them"
II suppose you have my keys?"
"No, monsieur. When your father
left this morning at s o'clock, he TOLD
me that a friend of his would tax,
charge of your rooms until you should
raf,r, nf nn,1pgo van l1NnxU urhn h.
is-a stout gentleman with red whis
kers.'
Prosper was astonished. What coulC
be the meaning Of M of his father
friends being in his rooms? He di,
not, however, betray his surprise.
Eyes, l know who he IS" he said.
He ran up the stairs and knocked a
his door. 1t was opened by his ia
theirs friend. He had been accuratcl
described by the porter. A fat ma.
with a red face, sensual lips, brillian
eyes and Of rather coarse manner
stood bowling. Prosper had never see
him before.
Delighted to make your acquain'
ance, monsieur" he said.
lie seemed to be perfectly ut home
On the table lay a book which he ha
taken from the bookcase, and he al
peared ready to do the honors of til
house.
Il must confess, monsieur bega
Prosper.
"That you are surprised to find n
here? So l suppose. You father IL
tended introducing me to you, but /
was compelled to return this mornin
to Beaucaire, and | must add that
departed thoroughly convinced, as
myself am, that you never took a Gel
from NJ. Fauvel."
At this unexpected good news Pro
per could not restrain IN eXclamatiO
of JOY.
Here is a letter from your fath'
which l was charged to give you.
hope it will serve as an introductio
between us."
Prosper took the letter, opened !
and as he read his eyes grew bright
and the color returned to his pa
cheeks. When he had finished, !
held out his hand to the large man al
said:
my father, monsieur, tells me yc
are his best friend, He advises me
have absolute confidence in you ar
follow your counsel"
Exactly. This morning your faith
said to me: 'Verduret'-that is II
nane-'Verduret, my son is in gre
trouble. He must be helped out
replied, Il am ready and here | NJ
Now tho ice 10 broken, is it not? Thu
let us go to work. What do you j
tend to do?"
This question revived Prosper's sluI
bering rage, His eyes flashed.
What do I intend to do? he sa
angrily. II wish to seek the villa
who has ruined mel"
Naturally. But have you any mea
of attaining that endT'
"None. Yet | shall succeed, becau
when a man devotes his whole life
an object he is certain to achieve it,"
"Well said, NJ. Prosper, and, to
frank, ! fully expected that this wou
be your purpose. l have therefore
ready begun to think and act for yo
] have a plan. In the first place, "
will sell this furniture, Quit this hou
and disappear"
"Disappearv' cried Prosper indi
nantly. Disappear. Why, monsieu
DO you not see that such a step won