Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-09
FILE NO. 113.
ONE OF THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS, AND HOW
1T WAS SOLVED.
a. xAAILx oAsoRsAuJ


Der OF our family who has possessed
AubuSson carpets; though. 20 be sure,
you are the first thief Of our blood
At this last insult Prosper's face
flushed crimson. hut he remained 81
lent and immovable
"Rut luxury Is necessary now con-
ti0ued NJ. Bertomy. becoming more
excited and angry as ne went on.
luxury must Toe had at any price.
ON must have the insolenf opulence
and display of an upstart. without be-
, ing an upstart. You must support
worthless women who wear satin slip
pers lined with swan's-down. like
those 7 saw in your rooms. and keep
servants in livery and YOU steal, And
bankers mo- longer trust their safe
keys with anybody; and every day
honest families are disgraced by the
discovery of some new piece Of VIII
lainy."
NJ. Bcrtomy suddenly stopped He
SOW TINT his son was not in condi-
ton 90 hear any more reproaches.
"But I viii say no MORE he said.
Il came here not 90 reproach. but, IL
| possible. To save the honor OF our
name, 20 prevent II from being pub
hshed in the papers among the names
/ Of thieves and murderers. Stand up
and listen TO me-"
Al the imperious tone Of his father.
Prosper arose. So many successive
blows had reduced him 70 a state OF
torpor.
FIRST Of an" began VI. Bertomy,
how much have YOU remaining OF
the stolen three hundred and fifty
thousand francs?'
"Once more. father" replied the un-
/ fortunate man. In tone of helpless
/ resignation. "once more ! swear
am innocent
so I supposed you would say. Then
our family Will have 20 repair the in
jury YOU have done Monsieur Fauvel."
What do you mean2"
The day he heard OF your crime,
your brother-in-law brought no your
sisters dowry-70.0O0 francs ] sue
cseded I'm collecting 10000 francs
mOre. This makes 10000 francs,
which I have brought with me
20 give % Monsieur Fauvel."
you not dare disgroae me thusi-
his torpor.
You shall do nothing Of the 1indi"
he cried. with unrestrained indigna-
/ ton.
Il viii do so before the sun goes
down this day. Monsieur Fauvel win
grant me time 20 pay the rest NV
pension Is 1900 france I can live
upon 500. and am strong enough 70
go 20 work again; and your brother
in-law-"
NJ. Bertomy stopped short, fright
ened at the expression on his sons
face. His features werS contracted
with Such furious raac that he was
scarcely recoEnizab BILE. and his eyes
/ glared Ike maniac's
! You dare not disgrace me thus
he cried you have no right 60 do
1 81. You are free 20 disbslievc me
yourself. but you have no right for
/ taking "a step that would be con-
fession OF guilt and ruin me forever.
Who and what convinces you OF my
guilt7 When cold justice hesitates,
b you. my father, hesitate not; but,
/ me unheardi"
| Il only 90 my duty.
(Which means that stand on the
edge Of a precipice. and YOU push me
over. Do you call that your duty
/ What between strangers who accuse
me. and myself who swear that am
innocent, do you not hesitate2 Why?
s Is IL because / am your son2 Our
honor is at stake. IL Is true; but that
is only the more reason why YOU
should sustain me-. and assist me 20
/ defend myself"
Prosper's earnest, truthful manner
was enough 70 unsettle the firmest
convictions and make doubt penetrate
the most stubborn mind
! Yes" said NJ Bertomy. in "a hest
( Eating tone. everything seems 10 ac-
cuse YOU"
"Ah, father, do you not know that
4 7 was suddenly banished from Mede-
B leine's presence; that was compelled
20 avoid her. ! became desperate,
and tried to forget my sorrow in dis
sipation. / sought oblivion. and
found shame and disgust. Oh, Mede-
leine, Madeleine!"
He was overcome with emotion; but
IN a few minutes he started up with
renewed violence in his voice and
manner.
Everything is against met" he ex-
claimed. but no matter. / will iusti-
fy myself or perish in the attempt.
| Human justice is liable 10 err; al
I though innocent, 1 may be convicted /;
so be il. ! will undergo my penalty;
but people are not kept galley-slaves
Z forever"
! What DO You mean?"
Il mean, father. that I am now an
I other man. Ny life, henceforth, has
an object-vengeancel l am the VIC
tim of a vile plot. AS long as / have
drop of blood in my veins, will
seek its author. And l will certainly
find him; AID then bitterly shall he
eXpiate all of my cruel suffering. The
blow came from the house of Fauvel
and I will live 70 prove it,"
Take care: your anger makes you
say things that you will repent here
after"
"Nes, / see, you are going to des-
cant upon the probity Of Monsieur
A