The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-02-28

but the idea Of being connected with
robbery is terrible, and he entered the
room trembling like leaf.
"Did you sleep in the next room last
nightY asked the commissary Of po-
lice.
"Yes, monsieur; as usual"
cat what hour did you go to bed?"
"About half past 10. 1 had spent the
evening at cafe near by with mon.
sieur's valet"
did you hear no noise during the
night?'
"No, and still I sleep so lightly that
If monsieur comes down to the cash.
room when am asleep 1 am instantly
awakened by the sound of his foot
steps,"
docs NJ. Fauvel often come to the
cashroom at night?"
mo, monsieur; very seldom"
"Did he come last nightY-
"No, monsieur; l am very certain he
did not, for 1 was kept awake nearly
all night by the strong coffee had
drunk with the valet"
"That will do," said the commissary.
'You may retire."
When Anselme had left the room,
Fanferlot resumed his search.
He opened the door Of the bankers
private staircase.
"Where do these stairs lead TOT" he
asked.
''To my private Office" replied M.
Fauvel.
"Is not that the room," asked the
commissary, 'to which was conduct
ed when first came?"
Precisely"
81 would like to see it." said Fanfer-
lot, "and examine the entrances to it."
Nothing is more easy" said NJ. Fau-
vel eagerly. "Come, gentlemen, and
you come, too, Prosper"
NJ. FauvePs private Office consisted of
two rooms-the waiting room, sumptu-
ously decorated, and the study, where
he transacted business. The furniture
In this room was composed Of a large
office desk, several leather covered
chairs and on either side Of the fire.
place a secretary and a bookshelf.
These two rooms had three doors.
One opened on the private stairway,
another into the bankers bedroom, and
the third into the main vestibule. 1t
was through this last door that the
bankers clients and visitors were ad-
mitted. M. Fanferlot examined the
study. He seemed puzzled like man
who had f1attered himself with the
hope Of discovering something and had
found nothing.
'Let us see the adjoining room," he
said.
He passed into the waiting room, fol-
lowed by the banker and the commits
sary of police.
Prosper remained alone in the study.
Notwithstanding the disordered state
of his mind, he could not but perceive
that his situation was every minute
becoming more serious. Seating him.
self on a sofa near the fireplace, he was
absorbed in the most gloomy forebod-
ings when the bankers chamber door
suddenly opened and a beautiful girl
appeared upon the threshold. She was
tall and slender. A loose morning
gown, confined at the waist by SIM
pie black ribbon, betrayed to advan-
tage the graceful elegance of her fig
ure. Her black eyes were large and
soft, her complexion had the creamy
pallor Of white camellia, and her
beautiful dark hair, carelessly held to-
gether by tortoise shell comb, fell in
a profusion Of soft curls upon her ex-
quisite neck. She was M. Fauvers
niece, Madeleine, of whom he had spo-
ken not long before. Seeing Prosper
Bertomy in the study, where probably
she expected to find her uncle alone,
she could not refrain from an exclama-
tion of surprise.
"Ahw
ceived an electric shock. His eyes, a
moment before so dull and heavy, all
at once sparkled with joy as if he had
caught a glimpse of q messenger of
hope.
Madeleine" he cried; "Madeleinew
The young girl blushed crimson. She
seemed about to hastily retreat and
stepped back; but Prosper having ad-
vanced toward her, she was overcome
by something stronger than her will
and extended her hand, which he seiz-
ed and pressed eagerly. They stood
thus face to face, but with bowed
heads.
Finally Madeleine said in a scarcely
audible voice:
"You, Prosper-you!'
These words broke the spell. Prosper
dropped the white hand which he held
and answered bitterly:
'Yes, this is Prosper, the companion
of your hildhood-suspected, accused
of the most disgraceful theft-Prosper,
whom your uncle has just delivered up
to justice and who, before the day is
over. will be arrested and thrown into
prison."
Madeleine, with terrified gesture,
cried in a tone of profound sympathy:
Good heavens! Prosper. what are
you saying"
what! Do you not know? Have
not your aunt and cousins told you?"
'They have told me nothing. l have
scarcely seen my cousins this MORN
ing, and my aunt is so i'll that l felt
uneasy and came to tell uncle. But for
heavens sake speak. Tell me what
has happened"
(rn pr rONTI NTrEn