Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-06-24
Secret Of the Plupdered Safe
By EMILE GABoRIAU
By EMILE GABORIAU

minutes returned, holding in his hand
letter and bundle of securities.
Here, quick, Couturier! he said to
one OF his clerks, take my carriage,
waiting at the door, and go with this
gentleman to Rothschild's. Hand him
this letter and securities; in exchange you
will receive three hundred thousand
francs, which you will hand to this gen
tleman."
The ironmaster was visibly disappoint-
ed; he seemed DESTROYS of apologizing for
his impertinence.
Il assure you, monsieur that | had no
intention of giving offense. Our rela-
tons for some years have been such that
| hope"
Enough, monsieur" interrupted the
banker Il desire no apologies. Follow
my clerk; he will pay you;" and then
turning to his clerks, who stood curious
ly looking on, he said: Gentlemen, be
good enough to resume your desks"
In an instant the room was cleared Of
everyone except the clerks belonging
there and they sat at their desks VITA
their noses almost touching the paper
before them as if too absorbed in their
work to think Of anything else.
I'VE must have an explanation,' said
the banker to Prosper. LET us go into
your office"
The cashier mechanically obeyed with
out a word, and his chief followed him,
taking no precaution to close the door
after them.
"Now that we are alone, Prosper he
said. Pray, confde in me; it is your
only chance of salvation. l am your en-
ployer, it is true; but l am before all and
above all your friend-your best and
| truest friend. l cannot forget that In
this very room, fifteen years ago, you
were intrusted to me by your father; and
! ever since that day have l had cause to
| congratulate myself on possessing so
faithful and efficient a clerk. Have l
not always been like a father to you?
From the first day my house has been
open to you; you were treated as mem
Der Of my family. Madeline and my
| sons loked upon you as a brother. But
you grew weary of this peaceful life.
| One day, year ago, you suddenly began
to shun us-Ah, do you think l am ignor-
ant Of the life you have been leading
since you left my roof year ago"
The banker paused, as if hoping for
confession, which, however, did not
| come.
Come, Prosper, have courage, be
frank! l will go upstairs, while you will
look again in the safe; l am sure that
in your agitation you did not search
thoroughly. This evening l will return;
and I am confident that, during the day,
you will have found, if not the missing
sum, the greater portion of it; and to-
morrow neither you nor l will remem-
Der anything about this false alarm"
| "Your generosity is useless monsieur"
said Prosper, bitterly; 'haying taken
nothing, l can restore nothing. | have
searched carefully; the bank notes have
been stolen, and by all that is sacred, not
| by me-"
wretch! Do you mean to say that 1
took the money? All, then!" said NJ.
Fauvel, unable to contain himself any
longer, between you and me, Bertomy,
| justice shall decide. l have sent for
the commissary of police; he must be
waiting in my rooms. Shall / call him
downW
| 'Do as you will"
The banker was near the door, which
he opened, and after giving the cashier
last searching look said to an office boy:
"Anselme, ask the commissary of po-
lice to come"