The Iola register., 1902-05-02

|
the keyhole."
"Is that allp questioned NJ. verdu-
| ret.
"All for yesterday, but this morning
my master rose late, still in a horribly
bad humor. At noon Raoul arrived,
also furious. They at once began to
dispute, and such a rowl At one time
my master seized the other by the
throat and shook him like q reed. /
thought he would strangle him. But
Raoul drew from his pocket q sharp
pointed knife, the sight of which made
my master drop him in hurry"
But what did they sayT
"Ah, there is the rub" said Joseph
piteously. "They spoke English, so l
could not understand them. But am
sure they were disputing about mon
ey."
How do you know"
Because 1 learned at the exposition
that the word argent meant money in
every language in Europe, and this
word they constantly used in their con-
versation."
NJ. Yerduret sat with knit brows,
talking in an undertone to himself, and
Prosper, who was watching him, Won
dered If he was trying to understand
and construct the dispute by mere
force of reflection.
"When they had done fighting" con-
dnued Joseph, 1.-The villains began to
talk In French again, but they only
spoke of trifles-a fancy ball which is
to be given by some banker. When
Raoul was leaving, my master said,
Since this thing is inevitable and 1t
must take place today, you had better
remain at home, at Vesinet, this even
Ing Raoul replied, Certainly"
Night was coming on, and the room
was gradually filling with men, who
called for absinth or bitters, and
youths, who perched themselves upon
high stools and smoked their pipes.
1T is time to CO." said NJ. Verduret
to Joseph. "Your master will want
you. Besides, here is some one who
wishes to speak with me. l will see
you tomorrow"
The newcomer was no other than
Cavaillon, more troubled and frighten-
ed than ever. He looked uneasily
around the room, as if he feared the
whole Paris police force to appear and
carry him off to prison. He did not
sit down at NJ. Verdurets table, but
stealthily gave his hand to Prosper,
and, after assuring himself that no
one was observing them, handed NJ.
Verduret a package, saying:
"She found this in a cupboard"
1t was handsomely bound prayer
book. NJ. Verduret rapidly turned over
the leaves and soon found the pages
from which the words pasted on the
letter received by Prosper had been
cut.
Il had moral proofs" he said, hand
ing the book to Prosper 'but here is
material proof sufficient in itself to
save you"
At sight of the book Prosper turned
pale as a ghost. He recognized this
prayer book instantly. He had given
it to Madeleine in exchange for the
medal. On the fly leaf Madeleine had
written, Souvenir of Notre Dame de
Fourvieres, II January, 1896"
This book belongs to Madeleine"
he cried.
NJ. Verduret did not reply, but walk
ed toward young man dressed like a
wine merchant, who had just entered
the room. He glanced at the note
which this person handed to him and
hastened back to the table.
II think we have got them noww he
said excitedly.
Throwing a five franc piece on the
table and without saying q word to
Cavaillon, he hurried Prosper from the
room.
"What fatality he said as he has
tened along the street. I'VE may miss
them. l fear we shall reach the st.
Lazare station too late for the st. Ger
main train"
"ror heavens sake. where are you
going?' asked Prosper.
"COme on. We can talk on the way"
Reaching Palais Royal place, NJ,
Nerduret stopped before one Of the
hacks belonging to the railway sta
tion and examined the horses at
glance.
How much to vesinet?" he asked of
the driver.
Il don't know the road very we'll
that way"
The name of Vesinet was enough for
Prosper.
81 will point out the road" he inter-
rupted quickly.
"Well," said the driver, "at this time
Of night in such dreadful weather it
will be % francs"
"And how much for driving very rap
idly|
Il leave that to your generosity, but
If you make it 80 francs l think"-
"You shall have a hundred" inter
rupted NJ. Verduret, 'if you overtake a
carriage which has half an hours start
of u.s."
"By thunderv' cried the delighted
driver. Jump in quick! We are los