The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-10-01

nounccd his intention of leaving and
ordered the cashier to prepare to follow
him. Usually this moment, when
stern reality starcs us in the face,
when our individuality is lost and we
feel that we are being deprived of our
liberty-thls moment is terrible. AT
this fatal command, "Follow me-"
which brings before eyes the
yawning prison gates, the most harden
ed sinner weeps and begs for mercy.
But Prosper lost one Of that studied
phlegm which the commissary secretly
pronounced consummate impudence.
Slowly, with as much careless ease as
If going to breakfast, he drew on his
overcoat and gloves and said politely:
81 am ready to accompany you, mon
sieur."
The commissary folded up his peck
etbook and bowed to NJ. Fauyel, saying
to Prosper:
Let us go"
They left the room, and, with a dis
tressed face and eyes filed with tears
that he could not restrain, the banker
watched their departure.
GOOD heaven!" he exclaimed. "Glad-
ly would 1 give double the sum stolen
to regain my old confidence in poor
Prosper and be able to keep him with
me-"
Fanforlot had resolved to obtain pos
session of Prosper's note, which he
knew to be in Cavaillon's pocket. To
obtain this written proof, which must
be an important one, appeared tho
easiest thing in the world. He had
simply to arrest Cavaillop, brighten
him, demand the letter and, II neces-
sary, take it by force.
Fanrerlot began talking with an Of
flee boy and, after a few apparently
idle questions, had discovered that the
Fauvcl bank had no outlet on Victory
street and that consequently all the
clerks were obliged to pass in and out
through the main entrance on Pr vince
street. From this moment the - he
had undertaken no longer presented
q shadow of difficulty. lie rapidly
crossed the street and took up his posi-
ton under a carriage gate.
After awhile Cavaillon appeared at
the door Of the bank, but before step
ping on the pavement he looked up
and down the street hesitatingly. He
soon decided, entered the Faubourg
Montmartro and walked up Notre Dame
street so rapidly, utterly regardless of
the grumbling passersby, whom he ell
bowed out of his way, that Fnnferlot
found it difficult to keep him In sight.
Reaching Chaptal street, Cavaillon
suddenly stopped and entered tho
house numbered so. He had scarcely
taken three steps in the narrow corri-
dor when ho felt a touch Oh his shout
der and, turning abruptly, found him
self face to face with Fanferlot.
He recognized him at once, and, turn
Ing very pale, he shrank back and
looked around for means Of escape.
But the detective, anticipating the at
tempt, barred the passageway. Cavail-
Ion saw that he was caught.
"What do you want with me?' he
asked in O voice trcmulous with fear,
"You will be kind enough, my dear
MONSIEUR" said Fanfcrlot, Ito excuse
the great liberty L take. 1t Is only
about a trifing matter, and you will
overwhelm me With obligations If you
will do me the honor to accept my arm
and step outside for a moment
What could Cavaillon do? He took
Fonferlot's arm and went out with
him.
"What I wished TO say is, my dear
monsieur" began the detective, chat
NJ. Prosper Bertomy threw you n note
this morning. 1 am sure you will be
kind enough to give it to me. Believe
me, nothing but the most absolute ne
ccssity'-
"Ncver!" exclaimed Cavaillon. And,
believing the moment favorable, he
suddenly attempted to jerk his arm
from under Fnnferlot's and escape.
But his efforts were vain. The de-
tective's strength was equal to his
suavity.
Don't hurt yourself, young man."
lie said, "but take my advice and
quietly give up the letter."
81 am in your power" said Cavail-
Ion, then suddenly drew from his pock-
etDook the unlucky note and gave 1t to
the detective. Fanfcrlot's hand trem-
bled with pleasure as lie unfolded the
paper. Yet, faithful to his habits of
fastldious politcncss, before reading it
he bowed to Cavaillon and said, with
your permission" Then he read:
Dear Nina-on the receipt OF this note take ev.
~erything you have in the house, absolutely every
thing, and establish yourself somewhere at the
other end Of Paris. Do not appear In public, but
conceal yourself as much AZ possible. My life
may depend on your obedience. / am accused OF
en- immense robbery and am about to DO arrested.
You will find 500 francs in the secretary. Leave
your address with Cavaillon, who will explain
what l cannot say. BE hopeful, whatever hap.
pens. Goodby. PROSPER.
Had Cayaillon been less bewildered
he would have seen blank disappoint-
ment depleted on the detectives face
after the perusal of the note. Fanfer-
lot had cherished the hope that he was
about to possess a very important doc
ument, and who knows but that 1t
would clearly prove tho guilt or limo
cence Of Prosper. Whereas he had
only seized a love letter written by @
IA who was evidently more anxious
about the welfare of the woman he
loved than about hia OWL. Voinly did