Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-27

"Did you inquire about the other
members of the famlyT
Certainly. The younger son is an
officer in the army. The elder son.
Lucicn. lives with his parents and il
as proper as n young lady"
"And this niece of whom you have
spokcn?"
"Evariste could tell me nothing
about her"
Nine. Alexandra shrugged her shoul-
Gcrs.
''If you have discovered nothing, it
IS because there is nothing TO be dis.
covered. Still do you know what 1
would do if | were in your placer
"What!"
81 would consult NJ. Lecoo."
At the mention of this name Fanfcr-
lot Jumped up as if he had been shot.
"Thats pretty advice! DO you want
me TO lose my place? NJ. Lecoq does
not suspect that | have anything TO do
with the case except to obey his or
ders."
"Who told you to let him know you
were investigating it on your own ac-
count? You can consult him with an
air of Indifference, as lf you were not
at all Interested, and after you have
got his opinion you can take advantage
of it,"
The detective weighed his wire's
words.
perhaps you are right" he said.
"Yet NJ. Lecoq is so devilishly shrewd
that he might see through it ALL"
"Shrewdw echoed Nine. Alexandra.
'Shrewd, All of you at the police Of
fec say that so often that you have
made his reputation"
"Well. | will think the matter over.
But in the meantime what does the lit
tie one say"
The little one" was Nine. Nina Clip.
sy.
In taking up her abode at the Arch.
angel the poor girl thought she was
following good advice, and. as Fanfer-
lot had not shown himself. she was
still under the impression that she had
obcyed friend Of Prosper. When
she received her summons from NJ.
Patrigent, she admired the wonderful
skill of the police in discovering her
hiding place, for she had established
herself at the hotel under a false or,
rather, her true name, Palmyre Choca-
reillc. Artfully questioned by her in
quisitive landlady. she had without
any mistrust contided her history 70
her. Thus Fanferlot was able to pose
before the judge as sklllful detective
when he pretended to have discovered
all this information from a variety OF
sources.
THE little one is still up stairs.' an
swered Nine. Alexandra. "She sus
poets nothing. But to keep her in her
present ignorance becomes daily more
difficult. | don't know what the judge
told her. but she came home very an
cry. She wanted to go and make 4
fuss at NJ Fauvcrs. Then she wrote
a letter which she told Jean to post
for her. But I kept it to show you"
"Wlatr interrupted FanferlOt. "Yol
have n letter and did not tell me be
fore? Perhaps it contains the clew tc
the mystery. Quick. Give it to me-"
Mime. Alexandra opened little cup
board and took ont letter, which She
handed To her husband.
Hero, take it, she said land b.
satisfied"
Considering that she used TO be &
chambermaid. Palmyre Chocarcille
since become Mime. Gypsy. wrote 4
good letter. 1t was addressed in /
free flowing band: IN. NJ. l.. de Cha
mcran. Forge Master, Hotel du Louvre
TO be handed to NJ. Raoul de Layers
Very importantly"
ooh, no" said Fanferlot. accompa
nying his explanation with lttl,
whistle, as was his habit when he
thought he had made grand discov
cry. "Oh. ho."
"Do Won intend to open it?' question
ed Mmc. Alexandra.
Yes said FanferlOt as he dexter
ously opened the envelope.
Nine. Alexandra leaned over thc
shoulder Of her little man." and they
both read:
NJ. Raoul- Prosper is in prison accused Of
: robbery which | know he never committed. Thre
days ago | wrote to you on this subject.
what" interrupted Fanferlot. "Thi
silly girl wrote and l never saw III,
letter.
''I:ut, little man. she must have post
ed it herself the day she went to th,
palas de Justice"
VERY likely" said Fanferlot, salts
fed. He continued reading:
l wrote to YOU three days ago and have no re
ply. Who will help Prosper If his best friend
dc.ert him? II You don't answer this letter,
shall consider myself released from certai
promise and without scruple will tell Prosper
the conversation | overheard between You an
NJ. dc tlamcran. But can count on you, can
not? shall expect you at the Archangel hott
day after tomorrow between IL and 4.
NINA Gypsy.
The letter read, Fanferlot without .
word proceeded 10 copy it.
"Well,' said Nine. Alexandra, "wha
do you say?'
Fanferlot was delicately resealng tn
copied letter when the door of the hote
office was suddenly opened. and tn
boy whispered:
Hist! Hist"
Fanferlot disappeared with marvel
Gus CELEBRITY into dark closet. He ha,
barely time to close the door befor
Nine, Gypsy entered.
Alas, the poor girl was sadly chang
cd. She was pale, her cheeks wcr
hollow and her eyes were red wit
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