The Iola register., 1902-03-21

presence of mind at time when his
honor, his future happiness, all that he
held dear In life, were at stake. And
he was only thirty years old. Either
from natural Difference or from the
hope of gaining some ray of light by
private conversation the commissary
determined to speak to the banker.
"There is no doubt, monsieur" he
said as soon as they were alone, "this
young man has robbed you. 1t would
be a gross neglect of duty If did not
secure his person."
This declaration seemed to distress
the banker. poor Prospect" he said
1 Prosper was now called in with Fan
ferlot, whom they had much trouble
to awaken, and with the most COM
plete Indifference listened to the an
nouncement of his arrest.
In response he calmly said:
~ swear that l am innocent"
M. Fauvel. much more disturbed and
excited than his cashier, made a last
attempt.
"There is still time, poor boy" he
said. "In the name of heaven, reflectw
Prosper did not appear to hear him.
He drew from his pocket a small key,
which he laid on the mantel, and said:
Here Is the key of your safe, mon
sieur. 1 hope for my sake that you
will some day be convinced of my in
nocence, and l hope for your sake
that it will not come too late" Then,
as every one was silent. he added:
Before leaving, here are the books.
papers and accounts necessary for my
successor. ] must at the same time
inform you that, without speaking Of
the stolen three hundred and fifty
thousand francs, l leave n deficit in
cash. There is deficit of three thou
sand five hundred francs on my cash
account, which has been disposed of
in the following manner: Two thou
sand taken by myself in advance of my
salary and fifteen hundred advanced
to my fellow clerks. This is the last
day of the month. Tomorrow the sal
aries will be paid, consequently
The commissary interrupted him.
Were you authorized" he demand
ed, ito draw money whenever you
wished to to make advances?"
'No. but l knew that NJ. Fauvel
would not have refused me permission
to oblige my friends. What | did is
done everywhere. ! have simply fol
lowed my predecessors example"
The banker made a sign of assent.
"As regards that spent by myself"
continued the cashier, II had a sort of
right to 1t, all of my savings being
deposited in this bank-about fifteen
thousand francs"
''That is true" said M. Fauvel. an.
Bertomy has at least that amount on
deposit"
This last question settled, the COM
missary's errand was ended, and his
report might now be made. He an
nounced his intention of leaving and
ordered the cashier to prepare to follow
him. Usually this moment, when
stern reality stares us in the face,
when our individuality is lost and we
feel that we are being deprived of our
liberty-this moment is terrible. At
this fatal command. Follow me-"
which brings before our eyes the
yawning prison gates, the most harden
ed sinner weeps and begs for mercy.
But Prosper lost none OF that studied
phlegm which the commissary secretly
pronounced consummate impudence.
Slowly. with as much careless ease an
II going to breakfast, he drew on his
overcoat and gloves and said politely:
II am ready to accompany you, mon
sieur."
The commissary folded up his pock-
etbook and bowed to NJ. Fauvel, saying
to Prosper:
Let us CO."
They left the room, and, with dis
tressed face and eyes filed with tears
that he could not restrain, the banker
watched their departure
'-Good heavenv' he exclaimed. "Glad
ly would l give double the sum stolen
to regain my old confidence in pool
Prosper and he able to keep him with
mew
Fanferlot had resolved to obtain pos
session of Prosper's note, which he
knew to be in Cavaillon's pocket. TIC
obtain this written proof, which must
be an important one, appeared the
easiest thing in the world. He had
simply to arrest Cavaillon, frighten
him, demand the letter and, II neces
sary, take it by force.
Fanferlot began talking with an of.
fee boy and, after n few apparently
idle questions, had discovered that the
Fauyel bank had no outlet on Victory
street and that consequently all the
clerks were obliged to pass in and out
through the main entrance on Province
street. From this moment the task he
had undertaken no longer presented
shadow of difficulty. He rapidly
crossed the street and took up his posi-.
tion under Il carriage gate.
After awhile Cavaillon appeared al
the door Of the bank, but before step
ping on the PAVEMENT he looked up
and down the street hesitatingly. He
soon decided, entered the Faubourg
| Montmartre and walked I'M Notre Da mo