Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-08-26
Secret Of the PluDdered Safe

By EMILE GABORIAU

say. l can rely upon you for good act
ing"
mo one can surpass me when | am in
terested in my part"
But this disinterestedness need not
prevent you from resuming your dissipa-
tons. You must gamble, bet, and lose
more money than you ever did before.
You must increase your demands, and
say that you must have. money at all
cost You need not account to me for
any money you can extort from her"
81 can promise you, no time shall be
wasted"
''Now listen to what you are to do,
RaouI. Before the end of three months
you must have exhausted the resources
of these two women. You must force
from them every franc they can raise, so
that they will be wholly unable to pro-
cure money to supply your increasing de-
mands. In three months l must find
them penniess, absolutely ruined, with
out even jewel left"
Raoul was startled at the passionate
vindictfye tone of Louis voice as he
uttered these last words.
"The day on which you lead Mime.
Fauvcl and her niece to the extreme Of
the precipice, pointed out it's dark depths,
and convinced them that they are ire
trievably lost, | shall appear, and res
cue them. Why, it will be the browning
scene of our drama. l will play my
part with such grandeur, such lofty mag
nanimity, that Madeleine will be touch
ed, will forget her past enmity, and re-
gard me with favorable eyes. When she
finds that it is her sweet SELF and not
her money, that | want, she will soften.
No true woman can be Indifferent to a
grand passion. l don't pretend to say
that she will love me at first; but, If
she will only consent to be mine, l ask
for nothing more"
Raoul was shocked at this cold-blood-
ed perversity of his uncle, but Clameran
showed his immense superiority in wick
edness, and the apprentice admired the
master.
"You would certainly succeed, uncle, "
he said, ''were it not for the cashier.
Between YOU and Madeleine, Prosper
will always stand if not in person, GER
tairly in memory"
81 don't mind Prosper or attach any
Importance to him"
But she loves him."
$50 much the worse for him. Six
months hence she will dispise him. He
is already morally ruined, and at the
proper time l will make an end of lin
socially. With your aid | will so cover
him with disgrace and infamy that Mad
eleine will drive every thought of him
from her mind, and her love will turn
to hate"
Louis tone Of rage and vengeance
startled Raoul and made him regard the
affair in worse light than ever.
you have given me a dastardly role
to play" he said, after a Tong pause.
, "Still, l have never been rich enough to
be honest, but | must say it goes hard
with me to torture two defense!ess,
frightened women and ruin the character
of poor fellow who regards me as his
best friend: It is low business"
"You are the most absurd, ridiculous
fool 1 ever met" cried Louis. "An op-
portunity occurs for us to make an i'm
mense fortune. All we have to do is to
stretch out our hands and take it, when
you must needs prove refractory, like a
whimpering baby. l suppose you prefer
theft on a small scale, stealing by drib-
lets. And where will your system lead
station. You prefer living from hand to
mouth, supported by Nine Fauyel, hav-
ing small sums doed out to you to pay
your little gambling debts.'
Il am neither ambitious nor cruel"
and suppose Nine. Fauvel dies to-
morrow. What will become of you? Will
you go cringing up to the widower and
implore him to continue your allow
ance?"
Enough said cried Raoul, angrily
interrupting his uncle. II never had an
idea of retreating. This arrangement
suits me very well"
Finally, after long debate and much
discrimination the matter was arranged,
and they shook hands before separat-
ing.
This was the cruel scheme. How it
was executed to the final point of fore
ing Nine Fauvel to assist Raoul in rob-
bling her own husbands safe we have
seen.