The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-11

I'M is the sign or Inc G0Od
bSTsT$sal Faith. a small establish
SASzS ment, half cafe and half
shop, frequented by the people Of the
neighborhood 1t was in one of the
rooms of this modest cafe that Pros
per the day after his release awaited
M. Verduret, who had promised to
meet him at 4 o'clock. The clock struck
4. NJ. Verduret, who was punctualty
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:
"Well, are our commissions execut-
ed?"
Eyes. monsieur"
"Have you seen the costumer%
81 gave him your letter, and every
thing you ordered will be sent to the
Archangel tomorrow"
Very good. You have not lost time.
Neither have 1. l have good news for
you"
The Good Faith is almost deserted at
o'clock. III. Verduret 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
I appointed to meet here let us devote
little time to NJ de Lagors. Do you
know what part of France this devot-
ed friend of yours comes from?"
''From st. Remy, which is also Nine.
Fauvel's native town."
care you sure"
"0h, perfectly so, monsieur. He has
not only often told me so, but l have
heard him tell NJ. Fauyel, and he
would tell Nine. Fauvel about his
mother, who was her cousin and dear
ly beloved by her"
''Then you think there is no possible
mistake about this"
'No, 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, monsieurY' in
quired Prosper.
''What has just happened, what
have been tracing. Here is a lovely
town called st. Remy, 5000 inhabit-
ants, charming boulevards on the site
of the old fortifications, 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
ut also contains" continued NJ Ver-
duret "a Roman triumphal arch which
is of unparalleled beauty and Greek
mausoleum, but no Lagors. st. Remy
is the native town Of Nostradamus,
but not that of your friend"
Nevertheless 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 l was preparing
my batteries and collecting munition
to open fire. wrote to st. Remy and
received an answer"
"What was it?"
"Have patience" said M. verduret as
he turned over the leaves of his memo
randa. "Ah, here is No. /. Bow re-
spectfully to it; tits official"
He then read:
'Lagors. Very old family, originally from
Maillane, settled at st. Remy about q century
ago.
You see" cried Prosper.
pray, allow me to finish," said M.
Verduret, who proceeded:
'"The last of the Lagors dulles. Rene -Henr),
bearing without warrant the title of count mar
ried in 1929 Mile. Rosalie Clarisse Fontanet of
Tarascon; died December. ls4s. without male heir,
but left two daughters. The registers OF the
province make no mention Of any person in the
district bearing the name of Lagors.
Now. what have you to say to
that?" said the fat man.
Prosper looked amazed.
But why did NJ. Fauvel treat Raoul
as his nephewY
You mean as his wife's nephew.
Let us examine note No. 2. 1t is not
official, but it throws valuable light
upon the 10000 livres income of your
friend.
Jules Rene Henri de Lagors, last Of his name,
died at st. Remy the goth OF December ls4S,
in condition bordering on poverty He at one
time was possessed OF moderate fortune, but in
vested it in a slkworm nursery and lost it ALL
"He had no son, but left two daughters, one Of
whom is a teacher at AK, and the other married
retail merchant at 0rgon. His widow is sup
ported entirely by one of her relatives, the wife
OF rich banker in Paris, No person of the name
of Lagors lives in the district of Aries
tThat is ALL" said NJ. verduret.
"Don't you think it enoughT
fReally, monsieur, | don't know
whether am awake or dreaming"
'Now l wish to remark one thing.
Some people may assert that the Wild
ow Lagors had child born after her
husbands death, not acknowledged,
but bearing the fathers name. This
objection is destroyed by the age of
your friend. Raoul is twenty four,
and NJ. de Lagors has not been dead
twenty years."
But" said Prosper thoughtfully.
"who is Raoul"
:! don't know. I confess it is easier
to find out who he is than to know
who he is not There is one man who
could give US all the information we
seek, but he will take good care to
keep his mouth shut"
IN. de Clameran?"
"Yes."