Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-02
CHAPTER XXVI.

CHAPTER XXVI.
Four DAYS had passed since the ey ents
lust narrated, when, one morning, NJ.
Lecoq-the official Lecoq, who resem-
bled the dignifed head of a bureau
was walking up and down his private
office, at each turn nervously looking at
the clock, which slowly licked on the
mantel, as if it had no intention of strik-
ing any sooner than usual, to crafty
the man so anxiously watching its placid
face.
At last, however, the clock did strike,
and just then the faithful Janquille
opened the door, and ushered il Nine.
Nina and Prosper Bertomy.
"Ah," said N. Lecoq, "you are pune
tual."
M. Verduret gave us express orders
to meet here in your office this morning,
and we have obeyed," said Madame
GYPSY.
Every good said the celebrated de-
tectiye. Then be kind enough to wait
a few minutes; will tell him you are
here
During the quarter of an hour that
Nina and Prosper remained alone togeth-
er they did not exchange q word. Finally
door opened and NJ. Verduret appear
ed.
Nina and Prosper eagerly started to-
ward him, but he checked them by one
of those peculiar looks which no one
ever dared resist.
"You have come" he said. severely,
'to hear the secret of my conduct I
have promised, and will keep my word,
however painful it may be to my feel
inGS Listen then. My best friend is a
loyal. honest man. named Caldas. Eigh
teen months ago this friend was the hap
piest of men. infatuated by woman,
he lived for her alone, and, fool that
he was, imagined that she felt the same
love for him."
"She did, cried Gypsy; "yes, she al
ways loved him."
"She showed her love in a peculiar
way. She loved him so much that one
fine day she discarded him. In his first
moments of despair Caldas wished to
kill himself. Then he reflected that it
would be wiser to live and ayenge him
self"
''And then!' faltered Prosper
Then Caldas avenged himself in his
own way. He made the woman who de-
serted him recognize his immense supe-
riority. Weak, timid and helpless, her
cousin was disgraced, and was failing
over the verge of a precipice, when the
powerful hand of Caldas reached forth
and saved him. You understand all now,
do you not? The woman is Nina, the
cousin is yourself, and Caldas is
With a quick, dextrous movement he
threw off his wig and whiskers, and
stood before them the real, intelligent,
proud Lecoq.
"Caldas" cried Nina.
mo, not Caldas, nor Verduret any
longer; but Lecoq, the detective"
NJ. Lecoq broke the stupefed silence OF
his listeners by saying to Prosper:
1T is not to me alone that you owe
your salvation. A noble girl confded to
me the difficult task of clearing Your
reputation. l promised her that NJ Eau
vel should never know the secrets con-
corning his domestic happiness. Your
letter thwarted all my plans, and rlads
it impossible for me to keep my prom
Use. l have nothing more to say"
He turned to leave the roogi, but Nina
barred his exit
"Caldas," she murmured. 81 implore
you to have pity on me. I am so mis-
cradle! All, If you only knew! Be for
giving to one who has always loved you.
Caldas! Listenr'
One month later was celebrated at
the church Of Notre Dame the marriage
Of III. Prosper Bertomy aad Mile Made
leine Fauvel
The banking house is still in the Rue
de Province, but as NJ Fauvel has de-
cided to retire from business and live
In the country, the name of the firm
has been changed, and Is now:
PROSPER BERTOMY & co.
~ cl.ha eng,