Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-04
CHAPTER TX.

l.
Prosper had been languishing in his
lonely cell for nine days, when on Thurs
day morning the jailer came to inform
him of the judges decision. He was
conducted before the officer who had
searched him when he was arrested; and
the contents Of his pockets, his watch,
penknife and several articles of jewelry
were restored to him; then he was told
to sign a receipt.
He was next led across dark pas
sage, and almost pushed through door,
which abruptly shut upon him. He found
himself on the quay; he was alone; he
was free, but only acquittal after due
| trial would restore him to his former Do
| sition among men.
Having arrived in front of Gypsy's
house. he hesitated to cross the thresh-
! old. He experienced the timidity of an
honest man who Is suspected of a crime;
| he feared to meet familiar face. How
| ever, as he could not remain all day on
| the pavement, he went in. The janitor
uttered joyful exclamation on seeing
him.
| II am delighted to see you again" he
said. 81 felt that you would come back
as white as snow. When l read in the
newspapers that you were accused of
robbery l said to every one, He Is limo
cent?"
| Madam has, no doubt, left here?" he
said do you know where she has
gone?"
mo, monsieur. On the day of your
arrest she sent for a cab, put all her
boxes into it, and drove away without
saying where she was going. Since then
we have heard nothing of her. When
your father left this morning at o'clock
he told me that one of his friends re-
NAMED, whom l was to look upon as
the master until your return. You know
him, doubtless, stout man, about your
height, with red whiskers"
Prosper was greatly astonished. A
friend of his father occupying the house!
What did that mean? However, he con-
cealed his surprise.
Yes, 1 know him." he said. Then,
rapidly ascending the staircase, he rang
his own bell.
The cashier did not recollect having
seen him before.
Il am delighted to make your ac-
quaintance," said the man, with bow
That you are surprised to see me here,
you were about to observe. | can easily
understand. Your father intended to in
troduce me to you, but he was obliged
to leave for Beaucaire this morning.
!, am glad to say he went away as convinc-
ed as | am that you have not taken a
sou belonging to M. Fauvel. This let
ter" continued the stout gentleman, will
serve as an introduction, hope"
The cashier took the letter, opened it,
and as he read his face frightened and
the blood returned to his cheeks. Hav-
Ing finished the letter, he held out his
hand to the stout gentleman, who shook
it warmly.
y my father tells me-" said Prosper,
that you are one of his best friends. He
tells me to place implicit confidence in
you and to act entirely on your advice"
Just so. This morning your father
said to me, 'Verduret-that is my name
-Verduret, my son is in a painful posi-
ton. You must get him out of it, l
answered, All right, I will do my best.
Now the ice is broken, let us discuss the
, question, What are you going to do?"
, What am l going to do? / am going
to find out the wretch who has caused
my ruin, and hand him over to Justice
to revenge myself"
Exactly; and have you any clew to
the guilty person?"
"None, and yet l shall succeed, for a
: man who devotes his whole life to the