Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-12-02

no matter now intelligent ne may be.
took the effect for the cause. The day
was convinced that a secret existed be-
tween Raoul and Nine Fauvel thought
| held the end of the thread that must
lead us to the truth. | should have
been more mistrustful; this solution was
too simple, too natural The robbery. my
friend, has now become a secondary
detail. 1t is easily explained, and if
that were all to be accounted for
would say to you, My task is done, let
us go ask for a warrant of arrest"
"Ah, you knows it possible?"
Yes, l know who gave the key, and
l know who told the secret word"
The key must have been NJ. FauvePs.
But the word"
THE word you were foolish enough TO
give. You have forgotten, | suppose.
But unfortunately Gypsy remembered.
You know that, two days before the
robbery, you took Lagors and two other
friends to sup with Madame Gypsy?
Nina was sad, and reproached you for
not being more cheerful"
Yes, | remember that"
But do you remember what You re-
piled to her? Well, l will tell YOU:
Nina, you are unjust in reproaching me,
for at this very moment your name
guards NJ. Fauvers safe"
The truth suddenly burst upon Pros
per like thunderclap. He wrung his
hands despairingly, and cried:
"Yes, oh, yes! l remember now"
Then you can easily understand the
rest. One Of the scoundrels went to
Nine. Fauvel, and compelled her to give
up her husbands key; then, at a ven
ture, placed the movable buttons on
the name Of Gypsy, opened the safe, and
took The three hundred ana titty thou
sand francs. And Nine Fauvel must
have been terribly frightened before she
yielded. The day after the robbery the
poor woman was near dying, and it was
she who, at the greatest risk, sent you
the ten thousand francs"
But which was the thief, Raoul or
Clameran? What enables them to thus
tyrannize over Nine. Fauvel? And how
does Madeleine come to be mixed up in
the AFFAIR.""
"These questions, my dear Prosper,
cannot yet answer, therefore, l post
pone being the judge. / only ask You to
wait ten days, and if l cannot in that
time discover the solution of this mystery
l will return and go with you to report
to M. Patrigent all that we know"
Are you going to leave the city?'
| "In another hour l shall be on the
road to Beaucaire. 1t was from that
neighborhood that Clameran came. as
well AS Nine. Fauvel, who was Mile
de la Verberie before marrying"
"Yes, know both families"
81 must go there to study them. Meth
er Raoul nor Clameran can escape dur
ing my absence. The police are watch
ing them. But you, Prosper, must be
prudent. Promise me to remain pris-
oner here during my trip"
All that NJ. Verduret asked Prosper
willingly promised. But he did not wish
to be left in complete ignorance of his
projects for the future, or of his motives
in the past.
''Will you not tell me, monsieur, who
you are, and what reasons you have for
coming to my rescue?"
The extraordinary man hmiled sadly
and said:
81 will tell you, in the presence OF
Nina, on the day before your marriage
with Madeleine"
Once left to his own reflections Iros
per began to appreciate the powerful
assistance rendered by his friend He
had the good sense to follow the recon-
mendations of his mentor. He remained
shut up in the Archangel, not even ap
pearing at the windows.
On the ninth day Of his voluntary Sc
clusion Prosper began to feel restless
and at 10 o'clock at night set forth t
take walk, thinking the fresh ali
would relieve the headache which hat
kept him awake the previous night.
Having reached the Orleans railwa!
station, he went into cafe near by
, picked up the SOleil, and under the heat
Of Questionable Gossip" read the follow
, ing:
1--WE understand that the niece Of on
, of our most prominent bankers, M. Eau
: vel, will be shortly married to the Mar
e quis Louis de Clameran. The enguge
e ment has been announced"
i He called for pen and paper, and, for
e getting that no situation can excuse tn
mean cowardice of an anonymous LET
ter, wrote in disguised hand the follow
r ing lines to M. Fauvel:
r Dear Sir-You have consigned you
t cashier to prison. you acted prudentlJ
since you were convinced Of his dishor
II esty and faithlessness. But even If h
: stole money from your safe, does it TO
low that he also stole Nine. Fauvel'
n diamonds and pawned them at the Mont
X delete, where they are now.
" Moreover, would, before signing tn
:, marriage contract of Mile. Madeleine
" inquire at the Prefecture of Police an
If obtain some information concerning til
noble Marquis de Clameran.
z "a FRIEND"
If Prosper FASTENED off to post his le
It ter. Fearing that it would not reac
ID NJ. Fauvel in time, he put it in the mai
e. letter box, so as TO be certain OF II
is | speedy delivery At that very hour