The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-17

you
The Good Faith is almost deserted at
4 o'clock. NJ. Verduret and Prosper
could talk at their case without fear
Of being overheard by gossiping neigh
bors. Nj. Verduret drew forth his
memorandum book, the precious diary
which, like the enchanted book in fairy
tales, had an answer for every Ques-
ton.
while awaiting our emissaries whom
l appointed to meet here let us devote
a little time to NJ. de Layers. Do you
know what part of France this devot-
ed friend of yours comes from?''
"FroEl st. Remy, which is also Nine.
Fauve's naive town."
care you sure?'
"Oh, perfectly so, monsieur. He has
not only often told me so, but 1 have
heard him tell NJ Fauvel, and he
would tell Nine. Fauvel about his
mother, who was her cousin and dear
~ beloved by her.
"Then you think there is no possible
mistake about this?'
NO, uOuSlcur.
"Well, things are beginning to look
queer.
And he began to whistle between his
teeth, which with Nj. Verduret was
sign of intense satisfaction.
what do you mean, monsieur?' in
quired Prosper.
what hes just happened, what
have been tracing. Here is a lovely
town called st. Remy, 5000 inhabit-
ants, charming boulevards on the site
of the old Notifications, fine state
house, numerous fountains, large char
coal market, silk factories, famous hos
pital, and so FORTH"
Prosper was on burning Goals.
please be so good, monsieur
1T also contains" continued Nj. Yer
duret, "a Roman riumphal arch which
is of unparalleled beauty and Greek
mausoleum, but no Layers. st. Remy
is the native town of Nostradamus,
but not that of your friend"
Nevertheless I have proofs
NATURALLY. But proofs can be fabri-
Gated; relatives can be improvised.
Your evidence, is open to suspicion;
mine are authenticated. While you
were pining in prison I was preparing
my batteries and collecting munition
to open fire. I wrote to st. Remy and
received an answer"
what was it?"
Have PATIENCE" said NJ. Verduret as
he turned over the leaves Of his memo
randa. "Ah, here is No. 1. Bow re-
specially to it; it's oficial.'
He then read:
'Iagors. Very old family, originally from
Maillane, settled At st. Remy about century
ago."
"You see?" cried Prosper.
pray, alloy me to fnish," said NJ.
Verduret, who proceeded:
'The last Of the Layers Jules Rene HENRY.
bearing without warrant the title of count, mar
ned in 1929 Mile. Rosalie Clarisse Fontanet Of
Iarascon; died December, 1s4s, without male heir,
but left two daughters The registers of the
province make no mention of any person in the
district bearing the name of kagors
"Now, what have you to say to
that?' said the fat man. --
Prosper looked amazed.
"But why did NJ. Fauvel treat Raoul
as his nephew?''
"You mean as his wife's nephew.
Let us examine note No. 2. 1t is not
official, but it throws a valuable light
upon the 10000 l1vres income of your
friend.
'Jules-Rene-H Henri de Layers, last of his name
died at St. Remy on the goth of December, ls4s,
In condition border ing on poverty. He at one
time was possessed of moderate fortune, but in.
vested it in silkworm nursery and lost it ALL.
He had no son, but left two daughters, one Of
whom is teacher at AK, and the other married
retail merchant at Orgon. His widow is sup
ported entirely by of her relatives, the wife
OF rich banker in Paris. No person of the name
of Layers lives in the district of Aries
"That is all,' said NJ. Verduret.
Don't you think it enough?'
Really, monsieur, I don't. know
whether am awake or dreaming."
"Now I wish to remark one thing.
Some people may assert that the Wild
ow Layers had a child born after her
husbands death, not acknowledged,
but bearing the fathers name. This
objection is destroyed by the age of
your friend. Raoul is twenty-four,
and NJ. de Layers has not been dead
twenty years."
But" said Prosper thoughtfully,
"who is Raoul?''
81 don't know. confess it is easier
to find out who he is than to know
who he is not. There is one man who
could give us all the information we
seek, but he will take good care to
keep his mouth Shut
IN. de Clameran?"
Eyes,
II have always felt the most mex
plicable aversion toward him. All, if
we could only get his record in addi-
ton to what you already havev'
II have been furnished with a few
notes concerning the Clameran family
by your father, who knew them we'll.
They are brief, but expect more"
"What did my father tell your
Nothing favorable, you may be
sure. will read you the synopsis of
his information: