Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-23

At the other end of the vacantspace.
he saw Cavailloo, who was barehead-
ed and running.
He was so excited that he did not
even stop to shake hands with Pros
per, but darted up to NJ. verduret.
and said:
They have gone. monsieurl"
How long since?"
They went about a quarter of an
hour ago."
The deuce they did, Then we have
not an instant TO lose"
He handed Cayailion the note he
had written some hours before az
Proeper's house.
Here, send him this, and then re-
turn at once 20 your desk; you might
be missed. IL was very imprudent in
you to come out without your hat"
Cavaiiion ran of as quickly as he
had come. Prosper was stupefed.
What" he exclaimed. you know
Cavaillon9' p
80 it seems" answered NJ. Verdu-
ret, with a smile; but we have no
tame TO talk; come on, hurryI"
Where are we going now2'
you viii soon know; walk fastl''
And he set the example by stridinR
rapidly toward the Rue Lafayette. AS
they went along he continued talking
more 10 himself than TO Prosper.
All" said he. 1T is not by putting
both feet in one shoe that one wins q
rece. The track once found we should
/ never rest an instant. When the saw
age discovers the footprint of an
enemy, he follows il persistently,
knowing that falling rain or a gust
of wind may efface the footprint at
any moment. II is the same with US;
the most trifiing incident may destroy
the traces we are following up"
NJ. Verduret suddenly stopped be-
fore door bearing the number 81.
We are going in here" he said 10
Prosper; come"
They went up the steps, and stopped
on the second floor, before door over
which was a large sign, fashionable
Dressmaker."
A handsome bell-rope hung on the
wall, but NJ. Nerduret did not touch
il. He tapped with the ends Of his
fingers in a peculiar way, and the door
instantly opened "a IL some one had
been watching for his signal on the
other side.
The door was opened by a neatly
dressed woman Of about forty. She
quietly ushered NJ. Nerduret and Pros
per into neat dining-room with sew
eral doors opening into IL.
This woman bowed humbly 10 NJ.
Nerduret. as If he was some superior
being.
He scarcely noticed her salutation,
but questioned her with a look. His
look said:
"Weu2'
She bowed afiirmatively.
YES"
an there?" asked NJ. verduret. in
low tone, pointing to one of the
doors.
NO" said the woman, in the same
tone "over there, i'm the little par
lor."
NJ. Nerduret opened the door point
ed out, and pushed Prosper into the
little parlor. whispering as he did so:
Go in. and keep your presence of
mind"
But this injunction was useless. The
instant he east his eyes around the
room into which ne had SO uncere-
moniously been pushed without warm
ing. Prosper exclaimed in startled
voice:
Madeleine"
II was indeed NJ. Fauvel's niece.
looking more beautiful than ever.
Hers was that calm, digniAed beauty,
which imposes admiration aud re-
spect.
Standing ina the middle Of the room.
near "a table covered with silks and
satins, sine was arranging skirt OF
red velvet embroidered in gold; prob
ably the dress she was 10 wear as
maid of honor TO Catherine de Medi-
els.
At sight of Prosper. an the blood
rushed so her face. and her beautiful
eyes half closed. as if she were about
10 faint; She chung 10 the table TO pre-
vent herself rcm falling.
Prosper well knew that Madeleine
was not one OF those coid-hearted
women whom nothing could disturb,
and who feel sensations, but never a
true sentiment.
of tender, dreamy nature, she be-
trayed in the minute details OF her
life the most exquisite delicacy. But
she was also proud, and incapable of
in any way violating her conscience.
When duty spoke, she obeyed.
She recovered from her monetary
weakness, and the soft expression of
her eyes changed TO one of naughty
resentment.
In an offended tone, she said:
What has embroidered YOU mon
sieur, 10 be watching my movements2
Who gave you permission 10 follow
me, 20 enter this house?"
Prosper was certainly innocent. He
would have given worlds TO explain
what had just happened, but he was
powerless, and could only remain ST.
lent.
l you promised me upon your hon