The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-03-07

AOI hdo SASllohGu Tic uOpc tldI uG was
about to possess very important doc
ument, and who knows but that it
would clearly prove the guilt or inno-
cence of Prosper. Whereas he had
only seized love letter written by a
man who was evidently more anxious
about the welfare of the woman he
loved than about his own. Vainly did
he puzzle over the letter, hoping to
discover some hidden meaning. It
proved nothing for or against the
writer. The two words absolutely
everything" were underscored, it is
true, but they could be interpreted in
so many ways. Fanferlot folded up
the note and slipped it into his pocket.
"a thousand thanks, monsieur, for
the information, and in return, if you
please, will relieve you of the trouble
Of executing your commission. I will
myself take this note to Nine. Nina
Gipsy. l will also give you piece
of advice. If I were in your place, I
would return quietly to business and
have nothing more to do with this af-
fair" 4,
The poor fellow obeyed. Slowly and
with swelling heart he returned to
Notre Dame street. He asked himself
how he could serve Prosper, warn
Nine. Gipsy and, above all, be reveng-
ed upon this odious detective who had
just made him suffer such cruel humili-
alton. He had no sooner turned the
corner of the street than Fanferlot
went into the house, gave his name to
the porter as Prosper Bertomy, went
up stairs and knocked at the first door
he came to.
A young servant dressed in the most
fanciful livery opened the door.
SIS Nine. Gipsy at homer"
The little groom hesitated. Seeing
this, Fanferlot showed his note.
''M. Prosper charged me to hand this
note to madame and wait for an an
swer."
"Come in, and 1 will let madame
know you are here"
The name Of Prosper produced its ef-
feet. Fanferlot was ushered into a lit
tie room furnished in blue and gold
silk damask. But he had no time to
pursue his inventory. One of the door
curtains was pushed aside, and Nine.
Nina Gipsy appeared. Nine. Gipsy Is.
Or, to speak more correctly, was, quite
young, small and graceful, with q
brown, or, rather, gold colored quad
room, complexion and the hands and
feet Of child. She eyed her visitor
with the most disdainful surprise.
"What do you want?" she said.
II am charged, my dear madame"
he answered in his humblest and soft
est tone, ''by M. Bertomy to give you
this note"
Fanferlot slowly drew Prosper's note
from his pocket and with bow pre-
sented it to Nine. Gipsy.
"Read," he said.
At a glance she read its contents.
She turned very red, then very pale.
She trembled from head to foot. Her
limbs seemed to give way, and she tot
tered so that Fanferlot, thinking she
was about to fall, extended his arms
to catch her. Useless precaution!
Nine. Gipsy was one of those women
whose inert listlessness conceals in
domitable energy-fragile looking crea-
lures whose powers of endurance and
resistance are unlimited, catlike in
their soft grace and delicacy, especial
ly catlike in their nerves and muscles
of steel.
Explain yourself! What does all
this mean? Do you know anything
about the contents of this letter? Pros
per is to be arrested, accused Of being
a thief?
"Yes, madame; he is accused of TAX
ing 100000 francs from the bank safe"
''It is false, infamous, absurd!" she
cried. prosper steal! 1t is absurd!
Why should he steal? Is he not rich?"
"M. Bertomy is not rich. He has
nothing but his salary"
This answer seemed to confound
Nine. Gipsy.
But" she insisted, 'I have always
seen him have plenty of money. Not
rich-then"-
She dared not finish. But her eye
met Fanferlot's, and they understood
each other.
mo-" she cried, 'T regret to say that
Prosper would never have stolen one
cent for me! One can understand a
man who is trusted robbing a bank
for a woman he loves, but Prosper
does not love me. He never has loved
me. But l love him, and 1t is for me
to save him! 1 will see his chief, the
miserable wretch who dares to accuse
him. l will prove that he is innocent.
Come, monsieur, let us go, and 1 prom
Use you that before sunset he shall be
free, or l shall be in prison with him."
Nine. Gipsy's project was certainly
laudable and prompted by the noblest
sentiments. Unfortunately it was i'm
practicable. Besides, it would be going
counter to the plans of the detective.
'What will you gain by acting thus,
my dear madame?" asked Fanferlot.
Nothing. l can assure you that you
have not the least chance of success.
You will compromise Prosper. Who
knows if you will not be suspected as
his accomplice? NJ. Bertomy expressly
forbade such course in his letter."
Nine. Gipsy remained thoughtful for
a moment, then ray Of light seemed
to cross her mind, and she cried:
"Oh, 1 understand now! Fool that
was for not seeing it before! But
where am to goT
did not NJ. Bertomy say, my dear
lady, to the other end of Paris-to a
boarding house or hotel?"
tRut 7 don't know xUharo IN find