Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-09

truth: how great would be his re-
morse. il he had added 30 his already
great weight Of sorrow and trouble,
And who could prove that he was not
sincere?
The voice Of this son. of whom he
had always been so proud. had
aroused all his paternal affection. SO
violently repressed. All, were he
guilty. and g-silty Of worse crime,
still he was his son. his only son,
His counteuance lost its severity.
and his ewes filed with tears.
He had resolved TO leave. as he had
entered. stern and angry: he had not
the cruel courage. His heart was
breaking He opened his arms, and
pressed Prosper TO his heart.
"Oh. my soni" he murmured. God
grant YOU have spoken the TRUTH"
Prosper was triumphant: he had
almost convinced his father of his in
nocence. But ne had not time 70 re-
joice over this victory.
The cell door again opened. and the
jailer's gruf voice once more called
out:
1T is time for you to appear be
fore the court"
He instantly obeyed the order.
But his step was no longer un-
steady. as a few days previous: com
plete change had taken place within
him. He walked with "a firm step.
head erect. and the fire Of resolution
IN his eve
He knew the way now. and he
walked a little ahead of the consta-
BILE who escorted him
AS he was passing through the
room full of policemen. he met the
man with the gold spectacles. who
had watched him so intently the day
he was searched.
Courage. Monsieur Prosper Ber-
tony" he said: III YOU are innocent.
there are those who viii help YOU"
Prosper started with surprise. and
was about 10 reply, when the man
disappeared.
who is that gentleman" he asked
the policeman.
as IL possible that you don't know
him. replied the policeman. with
surprise. why il is Monsieur Lecoq.
OF the police service"
you say his name is Lecoq?"
You might as well say monsieur -
said the offended policeman: cit
would not burn your mouth. Mon
sieur Lecoq is man who knows
verything he wants 20 know. with
out its ever being told 20 him. II
you had him instead OF that smooth
tougued. imbecile Fonferlot. your
case would have been settled long
ago. Nobody is allowed 20 waste
time when he has command. But he
seems 90 be a friend OF yours"
Il never saw him until the first
day ! came here"
you can't swear 20 that, because
no one can boast Of knowing the real
face OF Monsieur Lecoq. IL is one
thing to-day, and another tomorrow;
sometimes he IS "a dark man, some
times a fair one. sometimes quite
young. and then an octorenarian:
why. not seldom he even deceives me.
I begin 90 talk 90 a stranger-pafl
the first thing I know il is Monsieur
Lecoq, Anybody on the face of the
| earth might be- he. II I were told
that YOU were he, 1 should say, 1T is
very likely. An. he can convert him
self into any shape and form he
! chooses. Tie is wonderful mani"
The constable would have contin-
ued forever his praises OF NJ. Lecoq
, had not The sight OF the judges door
put an end 20 them.
This time. Prosper was not kept
3 waiting on the wooden bench; the
/ judge. on the contrary, was waiting
/ FOR him.
J NJ. Patrigent, who was a profound
; observer of human nature. had con
( trived the interview between NJ. Ber-
tony and his son.
He was sure that between the IA
F ther, "a man of observation-disclosures
and the son. accused of theft, an az
I fecting scene would take place, and
this scene would completely unman
3 Prosper, and make him confess.
He determined 70 send for him as
! soon as the interview was over. while
all his nerves were vibrating with
terrible emotions; ne would tell the
truth, 20 relieve his troubled. despair
ing mind.
His surprise was great TO see the
/ cashiers bearing; resolute without
: obstinacy, firm and assured without
f. defiance.
/ Well" he said, have YOU re.
fiected?"
Not being guilty, monsieur. have
nothing 10 reflect upon"
"Ah. l see the prison has not beer
good counselor: YOU forget that
sincerity and repentance are the first
things necessary 20 obtain the indul
gence OF the law"
Il crave no Indulgence, monsieur
NJ Patrigent looked vexed, and
said:
What would YOU say if told YOU
what had become of the O.OOC
francs?"
If IL were known, monsieur,
would not be here, but at liberty"
This device had often been used b,
the judge, and generally succeeded;
but with man SO thoroughly mas.
ter Of himself, there was small chance
OF success. IL had been used at a
venture, and failed.
Then you persist in accusing Mon
sieur Fauvel?"
\ Him, or someone else"