Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-20

mot 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 phantom.
"The clown! he gasped.
"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, 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-
dalouc street. That being the case,
you know I have a slight claim upon
you and shall expect you to relate 10
US your little story"
But Raoul was too terrified to utter
a word.
NJ. Tauvel listened without under
standing
Into what dark depths of shame
have we falenw he grouned.
"Reassure yourself, monsieur" re.
piled NJ. Verduret. "After what have
been constrained to tell ysu little re-
mains. ] will finish the story"
He then told how Louis Clameran
had cOncocted his plot 10 palm Off
Raoul as Nine. Fauvels son with a
view to extort money from her
"Car this be possible?" cried Nine
Fauvel.
"Impossible.' cried the banker. AN
infamous plot like this could not be ex
ecuted in our midst"
"All this is false" said Raoul boldly.
1T is ie!"
NJ. Vcrduret 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 a friend Of
mine. ". Palot, who brought me valu-
able information from London. Now,
my young gentleman, will tell you the
little story he told me.
"In 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 or
his own. declared his intention OF
adopting Spencer's son, who was then
but four years old.
Thus James Spencer was brought
up in afiiuence 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 be 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 be met Clameran, who Of
fered him $4,000 francs to play a part
in little role which he had arranged"
you are a detective! interrupted
Raoul.
The fat man smiled grimly.
"At present" he replied. Il 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 $4,000 francs which
you have stolen?"
The young rascal hesitated a mo.
ment.
"The money is in this room" he said
Every good. This frankness is cred
fable and will benefit you I 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 well DONE" said NJ. Verduret
as he carefully examined the money
and papers. "In this you have acted
wisely"
Raou had counted on this moment,
when everybodys attention would be
absorbed by the money, to make his
escape. Softly he stole toward the
door. opened it, slipped out and 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 which
your wife is the victimW
"Oh, monsieur
"Then let the rascal go free. Here
are the 100000 francs. Here are re-
ceipts for all the articles which he has
paWned. We should consider ourselves
fortunate. He has kept 10000 francs.
So much the better for you. This sum
| will enable him 10 90 abroad. and we