Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-03-14
(CoNTINuED.1
CHAPTER TX.

4. M. VeIuuret, WHO was puucIual1Iy
itself, appeared. He was more red
faced and self satisfied. if possible,
than the day before. AS soon as the
servant had left the room to obey his
orders he said to Prosper:
swell, are our commissions execut
edr
Eyes, monsieur"
''Have you seen the costumer?''
II gave him your letter, and every
thing you ordered will be sent to the
Archangel tomorrow"
every good. You have not lost time.
Neither have I. have good news for
you"
The Good Faith is almost deserted at
o'clock. NJ. Ver3uret and Prosper
could talk at their case without fear
of being overheard by gossiping neigh
bors. M. Verduret drew forth his
memorandum book, the precious diary
which, like the enchanted book in fairy
tales, had an answer for every ques-
ton.
"While awaiting our emissaries whom
little time to NJ. de Layers. Do you
know what part of France this devot-
ed friend of yours comes from?''
From st. Remy, which is also Mme
Fauvel's native town.
''Are you sureY'
ooh, perfectly 50. monsieur. He has
not only often told me so, but have
heard him tell NJ. Fauvel, and he
would tell Nine. Fauvel about his
mother, who was her cousin and dear
~ beloved by her."
'Then you think there is no possible
mistake about this?''
mo, monsieur"
"Well, things are beginning to look
queer.
And he began to whistle between his
teeth, which with NJ. Verduret was a
sign of intense satisfaction.
"What do you mean, monsieur?' in
quired Prosper.
''What has just happened, what I
have been tracing. Here is a lovely
town called st. Remy, 5000 inhabit-
ants, charming boulevards on the site
of the old Notifications, fine state
house, numerous fountains, large char
coal market, silk factories, famous hos
pital, and so FORTH"
Prosper was on burning Goals.
''Please be so good, monsieur
1T also contains" continued NJ. Ver-
duret, "a Roman triumphal arch which
is Of unparalleled beauty and a Greek
mausoleum, but no Layers. St. Remy
is the native town of Nostradamus,
but not that of your friend"
Nevertheless I have proofs
NATURALLY. But proofs can be fabri-
Gated; relatives can be improvised.
Your evidence is open to suspicion;
mine are authenticated. While you
were pining in prison 1 was preparing
my batteries and collecting munition
to open fire. wrote to st. Remy and
received an answer"
"What was it,"
"Have patience" said NJ. Verduret as
he turned over the leaves Of his memo
randa. "Ah, here is No. 1. Bow re-
specially to it; it's official"
He then read:
''Lagors. Very old family, originally from
Aaillane, settled at St. Remy about 4 century
ago."
"You see?" cried Prosper.
''Pray, allow me to fnish," said NJ.
Verduret. who proceeded:
1.-The last Of the Layers Jules Rene.Henri),
bearing without warrant the title of count, mar.
red in 1929 Mile. Rosalie Carisse Fontanet Of
Tazascon; died December 1s48, without male heir,
out lett two daughters. The registers Of the
province make no mention Of any person In the
district bearing the name Of Layers.
"Now, what have you to say to
that?" said the fat man.
Prosper looked amazed.
"But why did M. Fauvel treat Raoul
as his nephewy'
you mean as his Wife's nephew.
Let us examine note No. 2. It is not
official, but it throws a valuable light
upon the 10000 livres income of your
friend.
died at St. Remy on the 10th Of December, l948
in a condition bordering poverty. He at onl
time was possessed Of 4 moderate fortune, but in.
vested it in q dlkworm nursery and lost it all.
''He had no son, but left two daughters, one d
whom is 4 teacher at AK, and the other married
Q retail merchant at Orgon His widow is sup
ported entirely by one Of her relatives, the wife
sof Z rich banker in Paris. No person of the name
of Lagoro lives In the district of Arlea
''That is ALL" said NJ. Verduret.
"Don't you think it enough?"
"Really, monsieur, don't know
whether I am awake or dreaming"
''Now I wish to remark one thing
Some people may assert that the Wild
ow Layers had child born after heI
husbands death, not acknowledged
but bearing the fathers name, This
objection is destroyed by the age OF
your friend. Raoul ia twenty-four
and NJ. de Layers has not been dead
twenty years." Y
"But," said Prosper thoughtfully
':!who is Raoul?' -.-. -- --..-.-. -...- . ~.
s5zt 80. - g.. - @te+E