The Iola register., 1902-05-09
CASE llS
-. By.
Emile GAboriAu

N<~' ~'~UA~<"'WEAspWA
madeleine continued talking, and it
was by closely watching the face of
Lagors, clearly revealed by the lamp
on the mantel that NJ. Verduret hoped
TO discover the meaning of the scene
AT times Lagors would start and trem-
Die In spite of his apparent indlffer-
ence; then he would strike at the fire
with the tongs, doubtless giving vent
10 MS rage at some reproach uttered
Dy Madeleine. Finally Madeleine clasp
ing her hands, knelt before him He
turned away his head and refused to
answer save in monosyllables Sever
nj times she turned to leave, but each
time returned, as If asking favor and
unable to go till she had obtained it.
AT last she seemed to have uttered
something decisive, for Raoul suddenly
rose and opened desk near the fire
place, from which he took bundle of
papers and handed them to her.
HIN" thought M. Verduret. "What
does 1t mean? Is 1t a compromising
correspondence which she wants to re-
claim?"
Madeleine took the papers, but did
not appear satisfied. She again en-
treated him to give her something else
Raoul refused, and then she threw the
papers on the table. The papers SEEM
ed to puzzle NJ. Verduret.
Il certainly am not mistaken. Those
papers-red, green and yellow-are
pawnbrokers' tickets"
Madeleine turned them over, as If
looking for some particular ones. She
took three, which she put in her pock-
ct, pushing the others aside. She was
evidently preparing to take her de-
parture, for she said n few words to
Raoul, who took up the lamp as if to
light the way. There was nothing
more for NJ. Verduret to see. He care
fully descended the ladder, muttering to
himself: "Pawnbrokers' tickets! What
Infamous mystery lies at the bottom
of all this?" The first thing he did was
to remove the ladder. Raoul escort
ing Madeleine, might take it into his
head to look around the garden, and if
he did so the ladder might attract his
attention. NJ. Verduret and Prosper
hastily laid it on the ground, then
concealed themselves among the trees,
whence they could watch at once the
front door and the outer gate.
AT the same time Madeleine and
Raoul appeared in the doorway. Raoul
set the lamp on the bottom step and
offered his hand to the girl. but she
refused it with naughty contempt.
This did not seem to move or surprise
Raoul. He simply answered by an
ironical gesture which implied, GAS
you please" He followed her TO the
gate, which he opened and closed after
her: then he hurried back to the house,
while Madeleines carriage drove rap
idly away.
snow, monsieur" said Prosper, you
must tell me what you saw. Remem-
ber. you promised me the truth no
matter what it might be. Speak; can
bear It,"
"You will only have joy to bear, my
friend. Within a month you will bit
terly regret your suspicious of tonight.
You will blush to think that you ever
imagined Mile. Madeleine to be init
mate with a man like Lagors."
The drive back was silent and seem.
ed interm.Aably long. Prosper tried
to draw his strange companion into
conversation, but as he received moth
ing but mOnosyllables in reply he held
his peace for the rest of the journey
He was again beginning to feel irri
tated at the absolute empire exercised
over him by this man.
IN thaip orkivol a tho pitU NJ Var
duret said:
"You will see me at your room about
this time tomorrow night. Perhaps
shall discover what l am seeking al
the Jandidiers' ball"
Prosper was dumb with astonish
ment. What! Would NJ. Verdure'
think of appearing at ball given by
the wealthiest and most fashionable
bankers at the capital? This account
ed for his sending to the costumer.
"Then you are invlted?" he asked.
The expressive eyes of NJ. Verdure
danced with amusement.
"Not yet" he said but ! shall be-"
Oh. the inconsistency of the human
mind! Prosper was tormented by thu
most serious preoccupations. He look
ed sadly around his chamber and al
he thought of NJ. Verdurets projected
pleasure at the ball exclaimed:
"Ah, how fortunate he is! Tomorrow
he will have the privilege of seeinj
Madeleine in her costume of maid o
honor"
CHAPTER Nj.