The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-31

demanded vengeance. If RaOul, the
baleful witness, the living proof Of a
faroff sin, We're not in existence, Nj.
Fauvel would not have hesitated-Gas-
ton de Clameran was dead-he would
have held out his arms to his wife and
said:
"Come to my heart! Your sacrifices
tor my honor shall be your absolution
Let the sad past be forgotten
But the sight Of Raoul prevented.
so this is your son." he said to his
wife ''this man who has plundered
you and robbed me!''
Nine. Fauvel was unable to utter a
word in reply. Happily M. Verduret
was there.
'Oh," he said, madame will tell you
that this young man is the son of Gas
ton de Clameran. She has never
doubted it. But the truth is
"What?'
I'm order to rob her he has perpetrat-
ed gross imposture.''
During the last few minutes Raoul
had managed to approach the door,
hoping to escape while no one was
thinking of him. But NJ. Verduret,
watching him out of the corner of one
eye, stopped him just as he was about
to leave.
Not so fast, my pretty youth" he
said, dragging him into the middle Of
the room. "Let US have little CONVEX
sation before parting. A little explana-
ton will be edifying.'
The jeering words and hooking man.
ner of NJ. Verduret made Raoul turn
deadly pale He started back as if
confronted by a phantom.
''The clownv' he gasped.
1.-THE same, FRIEND" said the fat man;
"Ah, now that you recognize me, con.
TESS that the clown and myself are one
and the same Yes, I am the jolly
clown of the Jandidier ball. Here is
the proof"
And, turning up his sleeve, he show.
ed deep cut on his arm. IF you are
not sure, examine this scar" he con-
tinued. II imagine you know the vii
lain that gave me this little decoration
that night I was walking along Bour-
daloue street. That being the case,
you know l have a slight claim upon
you and shall expect you to relate to
US your little story"
But Raoul was too terrified to utter
word.
M. Fauvel listened without under
standing.
Unto what dark depths of shame
have we fallenv he groaned.
Treasure yourself, MONSIEUR re-
piled NJ. Verduret. "After what have
been constrained to tell you little re-
mains. I will finish the story
He then told how Louis Clameran
had concocted his plot to palm off
Raoul as Nine. Fauvers son with a
view to extort money from her.
Can this be possible?" cried Nine.
Fauvel
'Impossiblev' cried the banker. can
Infamous plot like this could not be ex-
ecuted in our midst
Call this is falsev' said Raoul boldly.
at is a liev'
NJ. Verduret turned to Raoul and
bowling with ironical respect, said:
''Monsieur desires proofs, does he?
Monsieur shall certainly have convinc
ing ones l have just left friend Of
mine, NJ. Palot, who brought me valu-
able information from London. Now,
my young gentleman, I will tell you the
little story he told me.
"1n 1S47 Lord Murray, a wealthy
and generous nObleman. had a jockey
named Spencer, of whom he was very
fond. At the Epson races this jockey
was thrown from his horse and killed.
Lord Murray grieved over the loss Of
his favorite and, having no children OF
his own, declared his intention Of
adopting Spencer's son, who was then
but four years old.
THUS James Spencer was brought
up in aftluence as heir to the immense
wealth of the noble lord. He was
handsome, intelligent boy and gave sat-
isfaction to his protector until he was
sixteen years of age. Then he became
intimate with a worthless set Of people
and turned out badly.
Lord Murray, who was very indul-
gent pardoned many grave faults, but
one fine morning he discovered that his
adopted son had been initiating his sig
nature upon some checks. He indig-
nantly dismissed him.
James Spencer had been living In
London about four years, managing to
support himself by gambling and swim
ding, when he met Clameran, who Of
fered him $4,000 francs to play a part
in little role which he had arranged"
"7ou are detective!' interrupted
Raoul
The fat man smiled grimly.
"At present." he replied, IT am mere
ly friend of Prosper Bertomy. 1t de-
ponds entirely upon your behavior
which character appear in while SET
Ting up this little affair."
"What do you expect me to do?"
"Where are the 100000 francs which
you have stolen?'
The young rascal hesitated a mo-
ment.
''The money is in this room," he said.
stJrorv ooo6 This :. a..s