The Iola register., 1902-04-18

cution against the Aforesaid prisoner at TINS pres
ent time, and order that ne shall be released
from the prison where he is confined and set at
liberty by the isiler. etc.
When it was finished, "Well," ne
said to the CLERK, "here is another of
those crimes which justice cannot
clear up-another file to be slowed
away among the archives of the record
office"
And his own hand wrote on the Gov
er of the bundle of papers relating to
Prosper's case the number of the pack
age, "Case 113."
CHAPTER VII.
N7RosPER BERTOMY had been
languishing in his private
kHpJM cell for nine days when one
3a3tU Thursday morning the jailer
came to inform him that his case had
not been proved. He was conducted
before the officer who had searched
him when he arrived, and the contents
of his pocket-hls watch. penknife and
several little pieces of jewelry-were
restored to him. Then he was told
to sign n large sheet of paper, which
he did. He was then led across a dark
passage and a door opened and shut
behind him with a bang. He found
himself on the quai. He was alone.
He was free.
Free! Justice had confessed her In
which he was accused. Free! He
could walk about he could breathe the
pure air, but every door would be
closed against him. A decision OF
mot proved" had left him covered
with suspicion. At the moment of his
restoration to liberty Prosper so cruel
ly suffered from the horror of his situ-
alton that he could not repress a cry Of
rage and despair.
"I am innocentw he cried out, ~
am innocentp
Two strangers who were passing stop
ped to look at him. They took him for
q lunatic.
The Seine was at his feet. A thought
of suicide crossed his mind.
mo" he said, mot l have not even
the right to kill myself. No. l will not
die until have vindicated my inno-
cencew
! On entering Chaptal street he stood
! before his own door, but hesitated to
/ enter it. He suffered from the timid-
/ ity which an honest man always feels
when he knows he is viewed with sus-
picion. He dreaded to remain in the
street. He entered. At seeing him
the porter uttered an exclamation of
glad surprise.
"Ah, you here, monsieur? l told ev.
cry one you would come out as white
as snow, and when l read in the pa
berry, l said: My third floor lodger q
thief? Neverp"
The congratulations Of this man, NAL
adroit but sincere, impressed Prosper
painfully, and he cut them short by
abruptly asking:
"And where are my servantsY"
"Gone monsieur. Your father paid
and discharged them"
II suppose you have my keysW
"No, monsieur. When your father
left this morning at o'clock, he tolt
me that friend of his would take
charge of your rooms until you should
return. OF course you know who h'
is-a stout gentleman with red whis
kers"
Prosper was astonished. What coul(
be the meaning of one of his father
friends being in his rooms? He die
not however, betray his surprise.
"Nes, | know who he is" he said.
He ran up the stairs and knocked n
his door. 1t was opened by his ia
theirs friend. He had been accuratel.
described by the porter. \ fat maj
with a red face, sensual lips, brillian
eyes and of rather coarse manner
stood bowing. Prosper had never seel
him before.
"Delighted to make your acquaint
ance monsieur" he said.
He seemed to be perfectly at home
On the table Oy a book which he ha,
taken from the bookcase, and he az
peared ready to do the honors of til
house.
Il must confess, monsieur bega
Prosper.
THAT you are surprised to find m
here? So l suppose. Your father II
tended introducing me to you, but h
was compelled to return this mornin
to Beaucaire, and l must add that h
departed thoroughly convinced, as
myself am, that you never took a cen
from NJ. Fauvel."
At this unexpected good news Pros
per could not restrain an exclamatio
of joy.
"Here is a letter from your fathe
, which 1 was charged to give you.
hope it will serve as an introductio
, between u.s."
Prosper took the letter, opened
and as he read his eyes grew brighte
, and the color returned to his pal
cheeks. When he had finished, h
held out his hand to the large man an
said:
"My father, monsieur, tells me 20
are his hest friend He advises me