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

1 ana MN.
Monsieur what reason?"
who knows? Perhaps for the same
reason that he had not set foot in his
uncle's house for q month"
but that is the ruth. monsieur. I
am sure OF it
Naturally" said NJ. Nerduret, with
a provoking smile. But" he contin-
ued, with a serious air, I'VE have de
voted enough time 10 this Adonis.
Now, be good enough TO change your
dress. and we will 90 and call on
Monsieur Fauvel"
| This proposal seemed TO stir up all
of Prosper's anger.
'Neverl" he exclaimed, with excite
ment. mo, never viii 1. voluntarily,
set eyes on that wretch"
This resistance did not surprise NJ
Verduret.
Il can understand your feelings to-
ward him. said he. "but. at the same
time, hope you will change your
mind. For the same reason that 7
wished 10 see Monsieur de Layers
do l wish to see Monsieur Fauvel: il Is
necessary, YOU understand Are you
so very weak that YOU can not put a
constraint upon yourself for Eve min
utes? I shall Introduce myself as one
Of your relatives. and YOU need not
open your lips"
If il is positively necessary" said
Prosper, IF"
1t rs necessary; so come on. You
must have confidence. put on brave
face. Hurry and dN yourself up lit
tie; IL is getting late. and am hun
CRY. We Will breakfast on our way
there"
Prosper had hardly passed into his
bedroom when The bell rang again. NJ.
Nerduret opened the door. 1t was
the porter, who handed him thick
letter. and said.
This letter was left this morning
for Monsieur Bertomy; I was so fius-
tered when he came that I forgot to
hand it 10 him. Ii is a very odd
looking letter, is 10 not. monsieur?"
IL was indeed most peculiar mis-
sive. The address was not written.
but formed OF printed letters. care
fully cut from a book, and pasted on
the envelope.
"Oh, hol what is this?" cried NJ.
Nerduret; then turning toward the
porte~ be said, wait"
He went into the next room. and
closed the door behind him; there he
/ found Prosper, anxious 20 know what
was going on.
Here is a letter for YOU" said NJ.
Verduret
He az once tore open the envelope.
Some bank-notcs dropped out; he
counted them; there were ten.
! Prosper's face turned purple.
What does this mcan?' ne asked.
I'VE viii read the letter and find
out" replied Nerduret.
The letter. like the address. was
composed of printed words cut out
and pasted on "a sheet OF paper.
IL was short but explicit:
My Dear Prosper-A friend. who
knows the horror OF your situation.
#. sends this succor. There is one heart.
/ De- assured. that shares your suffer
/ .ngs. Go away; leave France; YOU
1 are young. The future Is before you.
! Go, and may this money bring YOU
/ happiness"
]
I peT's rage increased. he was angry
and perpleNed, for he could not ex-
plain the rapidly succeeding events
! which were $50 calculated 90 mystify
his already confused brain.
Every body wishes me 20 go away"
he cried; "taen there must be a con-
/ spiracy e.u-t me-"
! NJ. Nerouet smiled with satisfac-
ton.
AT last you begin 20 open your
eyes, you begin 90 understand. Yes.
there are people who hate YOU be-
cause of the wrong they have done
YOU; there are people 20 whom your
presence DOB Paris is "a constant dam
ger, and who win not feel safe iu
they are rid .f YOU"
But who ar. hcse people. monsieur?
Tell me, who lares send this money!"
IF ! knew. my dear Prosper. my
task would De at an end. for then 1
would Auow Who committed the rob
berry. But ve viii continue our
searches. ] have finally procured evi-
deuce which Nili sooner or later be-
come convincing proof. 1 have here
tofore only made deductions more or
less probable. I now possess knowl-
edge which proves that / was mis-
taken. / wal td i'm darkness; now 1
have light COB guide me-"
As Prosper istened to NJ. Verduret's
reassuring words, he felt hope arising
in his breast.
"Nov." said I Verduret, 1--WE must
take advantage of this evidence,
) gained boy the mprudence of our enc
mics, without delay. We will begin
with the porter"
He opened The door, and called out:
Il say, my good man, step here a
moment"
The porter entered. looking very
much surprised az the authority exer-
cised over his LOGGER by this stranger.
who gave YOU this letter." said
NJ. Nerduret
4 y meASeH- tr- who said ht. WAS maid