The Iola register., 1902-05-23

these infamies," said Prosper when he
had finished.
The fat man smiled. "When I under
take n task" he said, 81 devote my
whole attention to it. Now, make
note of this: When n man of ordinary
Intelligence concentrates his thoughts
and energies upon the attainment Of
an object, he is certain to attain that
object Besides that. | have my own
method of working up a case. To be
sure. one needs some light to guide one
in dark affair like this, but the fire
in Clameran's eye when pronounced
the name of CASTOR ignited roy lantern.
From that moment | walked straight
to the solution of the mystery as to
beacon light"
Prosper's look showed that he would
like to know the secret of his protect
or's penetration and at the same time
be more thoroughly convinced that
what he heard was all true-that his
innocence would be more clearly prov
ed.
"Now, confess" cried NJ. Verduret
''you would give anything in the world
TO find out how l arrived at the truth"
81 admit it, for it is marvellous"
NJ Verduret enjoyed Prosper's bewll-
derment. To be sure he was neither a
good judge nor a distinguished anna
teur; but admiration is always flatter-
ing, no matter whence 1t comes.
"Well," he replied, II will explain my
system. There is nothing marvellous
about it. We worked together to find
the solution of the problem. You know
my reasons for suspecting Clameran
had hand in the robbery. AS soon as
l had acquired this certainty my task
was easy. What did | do? | placed
trustworthy people to watch the par
ties in whom | was most interested.
Fanferlot as Joseph Dubois took
charge of Clameran, and Nina Gipsy
never lost sight of Nine. Fauvel and
her niece.
II understand it all now," said Pros
per.
"And what have you been doing dur
ing my absence. my young friendr'
asked NJ. Verduret after pause.
At this question Prosper blushed.
"Alas." he stammered, 81 read in n
newspaper that Clameran was about to
marry Madeleine, and l acted like n
foolr
what did you do?" inquired verdu-
ret uneasily.
II wrote an anonymous letter to NJ.
Fauvel informing him that his wife
was in love with Raoup'-
NJ. Verduret brought his clinched fist
down upon the table.
stupid" he exclaimed. "You have
ruined everything"
He arose from his seat and strobe up
and down the room, oblivious of the
dodgers below, whose windows shook
with every angry stamp OF his foot.
Prosper remained silent as long as
he could and then uneasily said:
81 am afraid have embarrassed
you very much, monsieur"
"Yes, you have dreadfully embar.
rassed me. What am l to do? Shall /
hasten matters or wait? And l am
bound by n sacred promise. We had
better go and advise with the judge OF
instruction. He can assist me. Come
with me-"
AS NJ. Verduret had anticipated, Pros
per's letter had terrible effect. When
NJ. Fauvel opened his mail the morning
after it was posted, the fatal missive
fell into his hands.
Something about the writing struck
him as peculiar. 1t was evidently q
disguised hand. and, although, owing
20 the fact of his being q millionaire
he was in the habit of receiving anony
nous communications, this particular
letter filed him with an indefinite pre-
sentiment of evil.
With trembling hand and absolute
certainty that he was about to learn
some new calamity, he broke the sea
and, opening the coarse cafe paper, was
shocked by the following words:
Dear sir-You consigned your cashier to prison
You did well, since you were convinced Of hi
dishonesty and fathlessness. But even il he stol,
100000 francs from your safe, does it follow tina
he also stole Nine. Fauvel's diamonds9
This was stroke of lightning to 4
man whose life hitherto had been an
unbrOken chain of prosperity, who
could recall the past without one bitter
regret, without remembering any sor
row deep enough to bring forth tear
What! His wife deceive him! And
among all men, to choose one vile
enough to rob her Of her jewels and
force her to be his accomplice in the
ruin Of an innocent young man! Fol
did not the anonymous letter assert
this to be the fact and tell him how tC
convince himself OF its truth?
NJ. Fauvel determined to show the
letter to his wife.
"But suppose it be truew he mutter
ed to himself. Suppose I have beer
miserably duped! BY confidlng in my
wife shall put her on her guard and
lose all chance of discovering the
truth"
There was one simple means Of veri
fication. The letter said the diamonds
had been pawned.