The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-04

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''But the bank had, fortunately. When
we undertake an affair, we must an
ticipate everything and forget nothing.
1t is no excuse for n man to say, I
did not think of it. when he commits
some oversight. l thought of the
bank"
| If in the beginning Prosper had felt
some repugnance about confiding in
his fathers friend. the feeling had now
disappeared.
He understood that alone, scarcely
master of himself, governed only by
the inspirations of his inexperience,
never would he have the patient pen
etration of this singular nan.
Verduret continued talking to him
| self, as if he had forgotten Prosper's
presence:
'Then. as this package did not come
from the thief. it is plain that it can
only come from the other person who
was near the safe at the time of the
robbery, but could not prevent it, and
now feels remorse. The probability Of
two persons assisting at the robbery, q
probability suggested by the scratch,
is now changed into undeniable GER
tajnty. Therefore was right"
Prosper, listening attentively, tried
hard to comprehend this monologue,
which he dared not interrupt
'sLet US seek" went on the big man,
"this second person whose conscience
pricks him and yet who dares not re-
| veal anything"
He read the letter over several times,
scanning the sentences and weighing
the words.
Evidently this letter was composed
by woman. Never would one man
doing another man service and send
ing him money use the word 'succor.'
A man would have said loan. money
or some other equivalent. but succor-
never. No one but a woman ignorant
of masculine susceptibilities would
have naturally made use of this word
to express the idea it represents. AS
to the sentence There is one heart
and so on, it could only have been
written by a woman. Now let us see
If we can discover whence the printed
words were taken to compose these
sentences
He approached the window and be-
gan to study the pasted words with all
the scrupulous attention which an an
tiquarian would devote to an old, half
effaced manuscript.
Small type" he said. every slender
and clear, well printed. The paper is
thin and glossy. These words have
not been cut from newspaper or a
periodical. | have seen type like this.
recognize it at once. Didot often
uses it. So does Nine. de Tours"
He stopped with his mouth open and
eyes fixed, making a strong appeal to
his memory.
Suddenly he struck his forehead.
"Now l have itp' he cried. snow I
have It'll Why did not see it at once?
These words have all been cut from
prayer book. We will look at least,
and then we shall be certain"
He mOistened one of the words past
ed on the paper with his tongue, and
when it was sufficiently softened he
detached it with pin. On the other
side was printed Latin word-Deus.
"Ah, ha" he said, with little laugh
of satisfaction. 81 knew it. Father
Taberet, if he were here. would be
pleased to see this. But what has be-
come of the mutilated prayer book? :?
Can 1t have been burned? No, because
heavy bound book is not easily burn
ed. 1t is thrown in some corner"
NJ. Verduret was interrupted by the
porter. who returned with the messen-
ger from Pigalle street.
"Ah, here you are,"' said the big man
encouragingly. Then he showed the
envelope of the letter.
"Do you remember bringing this let
ter here this morning?"
Perfectly. monsieur. took partic-
ular notice of the address. We don't
often see anything like it."
"Who told you to bring it, a man or
\ woman?"
"Neither, monsieur; it was a porter"
This reply made the porter laugh
very much, but NJ. Verduret did not
even smile.
colleague of yours?"
II never even saw him before"
"How does he look?"
"Neither tall nor short He wore a
green vest and had on his medal"
Your description is so vague that it
would suit every porter in the city.
But did your colleague tell you who
sent the letter"
mo, monsieur. Putting 10 sous in
my hand, he said: Here, carry this to
80 Chaptal street. A coachman on the
boulevard handed it to me- Ten sous!
/ am sure he made more than l."
This answer seemed to disconcert NJ.
Verduret. So many precautions taken
in sending the letter disturbed him and
disarranged his plans.
'Do you think you would recognize
the porter again?"
"Yes, monsieur, If saw him"
"How much do you gain a day as a
porter?"
IL don't exactly know, but I have a
good stand l suppose make from
to 10 francs a day."
'Very well, will give you 10 francs
a day if you will go about and look for
the porter who brought this letter.
Every evening at 8 o'clock come to
the Archangel, on the Quai St. Michel,
give me report of your search and
receive your pay. Ask for NJ. Ver-
| duret. If you find our man, will give
/ You so francs. Will you do itT'