Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-05-02
ICoNTINUED.1

NJ. Verdu1et turned to Raoul and.
bowling with ironical respect, said:
"Monsieur desires proofs, does he?
Monsieur shall certainly have convinc-
Ing ones. ] have just left friend Of
mine, NJ. Palot, who brought me valu-
able information from London. Now,
my young gentleman, will tell you the
little story he told me.
"1n 1S47 Lord Murray, a wealthy
and generous nobleman, had 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 a
handsome, intelligent boy and gave sat-
isfaction to his protector until he was
sixteen years of age. Then he became
intimate with 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.
flames 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 a little role which he had arranged"
"You are a detectivew Interrupted
Raoul.
The fat man smiled grimly.
AT present" he replied, II am mere.
~ 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 $4,000 francs which
you have stolen?"'
The young rascal hesitated mo-
ment.
''The money is in this room," he said.
every good. This frankness is cred
liable and will benefit you. l know
that the money is in this room and also
exactly where it is to be found. Look
in the back of that cupboard"
RaOul saw that his game was lost.
He tremblingly went to the cupboard
and pulled out several bundles of bank
notes and an enormous package of
pawnbrokers' tickets.
every we'll DONE" said NJ. Verduret
as he carefully examined the money
and papers, "In this you have acted
wisely"
Raoul had counted on this moment,
when everybody's attention would be
absorbed by the money, to make his
escape. Softly he stole toward the
door, opened it, slipped out aud locked
it on the outside. The key was still in
the lock-
"He has escaped" cried NJ. Fauvel.
Naturally" replied Nj. Verduret
without turning his head. 81 thought
he would have sense enough to do
that"
"But''-
"Would you have this affair become
public? Do you wish a case to be
brought into the police court in whic,:
your wife is the victim?''
"Oh, monsieur!''
'Then let the rascal go free. Here
are the 100000 francs Here are re-
ce1pts for all the articl.s which he has
pawned. We should consider ourselves
fortunate. He has kept $4,000 francs
So much the better for you. This sum
will enable him to go abroad, and we
shall never see him again."
Like every one else, M. Fauvel SUBJ
nn1tted to the ascendency Of NJ. Verdu-
ret. Gradually he had awakened to the
true state Of affairs. Prospective hap
p1ness was possible, and he felt that he
was indebted to M. Verduret for more
than life. He was not slow in express
ing his gratitude. He seized M. Verdu-
rets hand, as If to carry it to his lips,
and said, with emotion:
"How can I ever find words to ex-
press my appreciation? How can re-
pay the great service you have rem
dered me?'
N. Verduret reflected a moment and
then said:
"since you feel under obligations to
me have a favor to ask of you"
"A favor Of me? Speak, monsieur.
You have but to name it. My fortune
and life are at your disposal"
swell, then, monsieur, confess I am
Prospers friend and deeply interested
in his future. Can you not exonerate
him, restore him to his position? You
can do more than this, monsieur. He
loves Mile. Madeleine"
madeleine shall be his wife, mon
sleur," interrupted the banker: II give
you my word, and will so publicly ex-
enerate him that no one shall reproach
him with what has been my mistake"
The fat man quietly took up his hat
and cane, which stood in corner, as
If he had been navinp an ordinary