Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-18

U
uncle's house for a month"
But that is the truth, monsieur, | am
sure of it."
Naturally" said NJ. Verduret. with a
provoking smile. But" he continued,
with a serious air, we have devoted
| enough time to this Adonis. Now. be
good enough to change your dress, and
we will go and call on NJ. Fauvel 1t is
necessary; so come on. You must have
confidence, put on a brave face"
Prosper had hardly passed into his
bedroom when the bell rang again NJ.
Verduret opened the door. 1t was the
porter, who handed him a thick letter,
and said:
This letter was left this morning for
Nj. Bertomy. | was so furried when he
came that forgot to hand it to him. 1t
Is very odd-looking letter, is it not,
masterW
1t was, indeed, a most peculiar mis-
siye. The address was not written, but
formed Of printed letters, carefully cut
from book, and pasted on the envelope.
Nj. Verduret went into the next room and
closed the door behind him.
Here is letter for you," said NJ.
Verduret
Prosper at once tore open the envelope.
Some bank notes dropped out; he counted
them; there were ten. His face turned
purple. The letter, like the address. was
composed of printed words cut out and
pasted on sheet of paper. 1t was short
but explicit
MY Dear Prosper-A friend, who
knows the horror of your situation, sends
this. There Is one heart, be assured,
that shares your sufferings. Go away;
leave France; you are young; the future
is before you. Go, and may this money
bring you happinessw
Everybody wishes me to 90 away"
cried Prosper; then there must be a CON
spiracy against me-"
Now" said NJ. Verduret, I'VE must
take advantage Of this evidence, gained
by the imprudence of our enemies, with
out delay. We will begin with the por-
ter"
He opened the door and called out.
The porter entered, looking very much
surprised at the authority exercised over
his lodger by this stranger
"Who gave you this letter." said NJ.
Verduret.
"A messenger. who said he was paid
for bringing it. He is the errand runner
who stands at the corner of the Rue Pi-
gale"
Go and bring him here"
After the porter had gone NJ. Verduret
read the letter over several times. scan-
ming the sentences and weighing every
word
Evidently this letter was composed
by woman" he finally said. Never
would one man doing another a service.
and sending him money, use the word
happiness Now let us see if we can
discover whence the printed words were
taken to compose this letter"
He approached the window and began
to study the pasted words with all the
scrurulous attention which an antigua
rian would devote to an old palimsest.
Small type" said he, very slender
and clear; the paper is thin and glossy.
/ have it, he cried; now l have it.
These words are all cut from a prayer
book. We will look. at least. and then
we shall be certain"
He moistened one of the words pasted
on the paper with his tongue, and when
1t was sufficiently softened he detached
it with a pin. On the other side of this
word was printed devout Latin word
Deus.
"Ah, ha," he said, with a little laugh
Of satisfaction. II knew it. But what
has become Of the mutilated prayer book.
Can it have been burned? No, because
10,
1t is thrown in some corner"
M. Verduret was interrupted by the
porter, who returned with the messen-
ger.
"Ah, here you are" he said, encour-
agingly. Then he showed the envelope
Of the letter and said:
"Do you remember bringing this letter
here this morning?"
Perfectly, monsieur. l took particu-
lar notice of the directions; we don't
often see anything like it,
"Who told you to bring it, gentle
man or a lady?"
Neither, monsieur; it was a porter.
have never seen him before"
''Very well; | will give you ten francs
day IL you will walk about the streets
and look for the porter who brought
this letter. Every evening at eight o'clock
come to the Archangel, on the QUAY
Saint Michel, give me report of your
search and receive your pay. Ask for
M. Verduret. If you find the man | will
give you fifty francs. Don't lose min
ute. Start off,
Monsieur" said Prosper, when the
porter had left the room, do you still
think you see woman's hand in this
AFFAIR." .... 49,.