Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-20

lot had cherished the hope tbat lie was
about TO possess a very important doc
and who knows but that 1t
would clearly prove the guilt or limo
ccnce Of Prosper. whereas he had
only seized love letter written by
man who was evidently more anxious
about the welfare Of the woman he
loved than about his own. vainly did
he puzzle over the letter, hoping to
discover some hidden meaning. 1t
proved nothing for or against the
writer. The two words absolutely !
everything" were UNDERSIGNED, it is
true. but they could be interpreted in
so many ways. Fanferlot folded up
the note and slipped it into his pocket.
"a thousand thanks, monsieur, for
the information, and In return, If you
please, / will relieve you of the trouble
of executing your commission. will
myself take this note to Nine. Nina
Gypsy. l will also give you piece
of advice. If were in your place,
would return quietly to business ard
have nothing more to do with this af-
fair
The poor fellow obcyed. Slowly and
with swelling heart he returned TO
Notre Dame street. He asked himself
how he could serve Prosper. warn
Nine. Gypsy and, above all. be reveng-
cd upon this odous detective who had
lust made him suffer such cruel humii-
alton. lie had no sooner turned the
corner of the street than Fanferlot
went into the house. gave his name to
the porter as Prosper Bertomy, went
ND stairs and knocked at the first door
he came to.
4 young servant dressed in the most
fancful livery opened the door.
as Nine Gypsy at homer
The little groom hesitated. Seeing
this, Fanferlot showed his note.
M. Prosper charged me to hand this
note to madame and wait for an an
swer'
"Come in, and l will let madame
know you are here
The name of Prosper produced its eff
feet Fauferlot was ushered into lit
tie room furnished in blue and gold
silk damask. But he had no time to
pursue his inventory. One of the door
curtains was pushed aside, and Nine.
Nina Gypsy appeared. Nine. Gypsy Is.
or to speak more correctly, was quite
young, small and graceful, with a
brown, or. rather, gold colored quad
room, complexion and the hands and
feet of child. She eyed her visitor
with the most dlsdainful surprise.
What do you want:" T,c said.
81 am charged. my dear madame"
to answered in his humblest and soft
est tone by NJ. Bertomy to give you
1 this note"
Fanferlot slowly drew Prosper's note
from his pocket and with a bow pre-
scented it to Nine. Gypsy.
Read" he said.
At glance she read its contents.
She trembled from head to foot. Her
limbs seemed to give way, and she tot
tered so that Fanferlot, thinking she
was about TO fall. extended his arms
70 catch her. Useless precaution!
Mime. Gypsy was one of those women
whose inert lstlessncss COnCeals in
domitable cnerCy-frag ile looking crea-
lures whose powers of endurance and
resistance are unlimited, catlike in
their soft grace and dclicacy, especial
" catlikc in their nerves and muscles
Of steel.
explain yourself! What does Ill
this mean? Do you know anything
about the contents of this letter? Pros
per is to be arrested accused Of being
. q thief?"
Yes, madame: he Is accused of TAX
, ing $4,000 francs from the bank safe. y
1T is false, infamous, absurd she
cried. prosper steal. 1t is absurd
r Why should he steal! Is he not rich
M. Bertomy is not rich. He has
nothing but his salary
This answer seemed to confound
: Nine. Gypsy.
But" she insisted, 81 have Away
, seen him have plenty Of money. No
, rich-then'' -
, She dared not finish. But her eye
2 met Fanfcrlot's, and they understood
= each other.
y
. Prosper would never have stolen on
1 cont for me. one can understand {
g man who is trusted roDbing banl
= for woman he loves, but Prospe
= does not love me. He never has love-
: me. But | love him, and it is for m
: 10 save him. | will see his chief, th
miserable wretch who dares to accuS
= him. | will prove that he is innocent
! Come. monsieur let us go, and prom
). Use you that before sunset he shall b
= free, or shall be in prison with him.
/ Nine. Gipsys project was certainl
iaudable and prompted by the mobiles
e sentiments. Unfortunately 1t was ID
practicable. Besides. it would be goin
r counter to the plans of the detective,
G What will you gain by acting thus
y my dear madame?" asked Fanferlo
II Nothing. | can assure you that yo
II have not the least chance of success
n You will compromise Prosper Wh
knows If you will not be suspected
k his accomplice? NJ. Bertomy expressl
h forbade such a course in his letter.
Nine. Gypsy remained thoughtful Il
II moment, then ray OF light seemt
It to cross her mind, and she cried:
e ooh, understand now! Fool that
re was for not seeing it before! 81
e where am l to gOI"
G. did not NJ. Dertomy say, my del
lady. to the other end of Paris-to