The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-03-14

5O cations of his past life Pros
ksc.5o%1 per was in prison in q secret
psSSNYD cell. The first two days had
not appeared very long. He had re-
quested and been granted some sheets
of paper, numbered, which he was
obliged to account for, and he wrote
with sort Of rage plans Of defense
and memoranda of justification. The
third day he began to be uneasy at
not seeing any one except the con-
demned prisoners who were employed
to serve those confined in secret cells
and the jailer who brought him his
food.
he would ask.
''Your turn is coming" the jailer in
variably answered.
Time passed, and the wretched man,
tortured by the sufferings of solitary
confinement, which quickly break the
spirit, sank into despair.
Sam to stay here foreverw he
moaned.
The cell door opened, and the jailer's
gruff voice called out, "Come to the
court of Instruction.
He instantly obeyed the order. But
his step was no longer unsteady, as a
few days previous complete change
had taken place within him. He walk
ed with head erect, a firm step and the
fire of resolution shining in his eye.
He knew the way now, and he walked
a little ahead of the guard who escort
ed him. AS he was passing through
the room full Of officers he met the
man with the gold spectacles who had
watched him so intently the day he
was searched.
Courage, M. Prosper Bertomy," he
said. "If you are innocent, there are
those who will help you"
Prosper started with surprise and
was about to reply when the man dis
appeared.
"Who is that gentleman" he asked
of the guard.
"Don't you know him" replied the
policeman, with surprise. "Why, it is
NJ. Lecoq of the secret service"
"You say his name is LecoqW
"You might as well say monsieur"
said the offended policeman. "It would
not burn your mouth. M. Lecoq is a
man who knows everything he wants
to know without it's ever being told to
him. If you had had him instead of
that imbecile Fanferlot, your case
would have been settled long ago. No
body is allowed to waste time when
he has command. But he seems to be
friend Of yours"
81 never saw him until the first day
l came here"
"You can't swear to that, because no
one is sure of the real face of NJ. Lee
cog. 1t is one thing today and anoth.
err tomorrow. Sometimes he Is q dark
man, sometimes a fair one, sometimes
quite young and then a centenarian.
Why, often he deceives even me. be-
gin to talk to stranger-presto! 1t is
M. Lecoq! Anybody on the face of
the earth might be he. If l were told
that you were he, l should say, 1T is
possible He can convert himself into
any shape and form he chooses"
The guard would have continued for.
ever his praises of NJ. Lecoq had not
the sight of the judges door put an
end to them. This time Prosper was
not kept waiting on the wooden bench.
The judge, on the contrary, was wait
ing for him. His surprise was great
to see the cashiers bearing-resolute
without obstinacy, firm ana assured
without defiance.
SWELL" he said, shave you reflect
ed"
"Not being guilty, monsieur, I had
nothing to reflect upon"
"Ah, the prison has not been a good
counselor. You forget that sincerity
and repentance are the first things nee
essary to obtain the indulgence of
judge. Will you be good enough to
tell me-" he added, chow much you
have spent during the last year?"
Prosper did not find it necessary to
stop to reflect and calculate.
Eyes, monsieur" he answered unhes-
itatingly. circumstances made it
necessary for me to preserve the great
est order in my extravaganza. I spent
about $4,000 francs"
where did you get itf"
Gin the first place, $4,000 francs was
left to me by my mother. received
from NJ. Fauvel $4,000 francs as my
salary and share of the profits. At the
Stock Exchange I gained 5000 francs.
The rest l borrowed and intend repay
ing out of the $4,000 francs which I
have with NJ. Fauvel."
'Who lent you the money!
IN. Raoul de Layers"
This witness had left Paris the day
Of the robbery and could not be found.