The Iola register., 1902-05-02


rooms Of this modest cafe that Pros
per the day after his release awaited
M. Verduret, who had promised to
meet him at o'clock. The clock struck
Z. M. Verduret who was punctuality
itself, appeared. He was more red
faced and self satisfied. If possible,
than the day before. AS soon as the
servant had left the room to obey his
orders he said to Prosper:
well, are our commissions execut-
edy
Eyes, monsieur"
Have you seen the costumerp
II gave him your letter, and every
4hing you ordered will be sent to the
Archangel tomorrow"
Very good. You have not lost time
Neither have I. 1 have good news for
you
The Good Faith is almost deserted at
4 o'clock. NJ. Verduret and Prosper
could talk at their ease 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
appointed to meet here let us devote
a little time to NJ. de Lagors. Do you
Rnow what part of France this devot.
ed friend of yours comes fromT
"From st. Remy, which is also Nine.
FauvePs native town."
"Are you suref"
"Oh, perfectly So monsieur. He has
not only often told me so, but have
heard him tell NJ. Fauvel, and he
would tell Nine. Fauvel about his
n mother, who was her cousin and dear
Ay beloved by her"
"Then you think there is no possible
mistake about thisY'
"No, monsieur"
"Well, things are beginning to look
queer.
And he began to whistle between his
teeth, which with NJ. Verduret was a
sign of intense satisfaction.
"What do you mean, monsieurP in
quired Prosper.
"What has just happened, what
have been tracing. Here is lovely
town called st. Remy, 6,0O0 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
at also contains" continued NJ. Yer
duret, "a Roman triumphal arch which
is of unparalleled beauty and a Greek
mausoleum, but no Lagors. st. Remy
ls the native town of Nostradamus
but not that of your friend"
Nevertheless 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 l was preparing
my batteries and collecting munition
to open fire. l wrote to st. Remy and
eceived an answer"
"What was it?'
'Have patience" said NJ. Verduret as
e turned over the leaves of his memo
'ranTia. "Ah, here is No. l. Bow re-
sspectfully to it; 'tis official"
He then read:
'Tagors Very old family originally from
( Maillane, settled at St. Remy about century
Nsgo."
; you see?" cried Prosper.
pray, allow me to finish," said NJ
Verduret. who proceeded:
''The last of the Lagors dulles. .Rene.H Henri,
wi Of mi
: ried in 1920 Mile. Rosalie Clarisse Fontanet Of
Tarascon; died December, ls4s, without male heir,
but left two daughters The registers OF the
4 province make no mention OF any person in the
| district bearing the name Of Lagors
'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 valuable light
upon the 10000 hvres income of your
friend.
"Jues- Rene Henri de Lagors, last OF his name,
died at St. Remy on the goth OF December, lSis,
IN a condition bordering poverty. He at one
time was possessed Of moderate fortune, but in-
vested 1t in sIkworm nursery and lost It all.
'He had no son. but left two daughters one OF
whom is q teacher at AK, and the other married
a retail merchant at orgon. His widow 10 sup
ported entirely by Of her relatives, the wife
OF a rich banker In Paris No person of the name
OF Lagors lives in the district OF Aries
"That is ALL" said NJ. Verduret.
Don't you think 1t enough"
"Really, monsieur, l don't know
whether / am awake or dreaming"
"Now / wish to remark one thing.
Some people may assert that the Wild
-ow Lagors had 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 Lagors has not been dead
twenty years"
But" said Prosper thoughtfully,
t.who is Raoul"