Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-21


large sum was ever kept in the safe
after banking hours.
The only anxiety she felt was, how
Raoul would bear the disappointment,
how she could calm his despair.
She thought that she would gain
time by letting Raoul try the key; and
then. when be could not open the
safe. he would keep hiss promise, and
wait until the next day. There WAS
surely no harm in letting him try the
lock, when he could not touch the
money.
when he sees there is no chance
OF success" she thought he win lis
ten TO my entreaties; and tomorrow
Tomorrow"
What she would do tomorrow she
knew not; she did not even ask her
self. But in extreme situations the
least delay inspires hope. as II a short
respite meant sure salvation.
The condemned man. al the last mo
ment. begs for reprieve OF a day. an
hour. few seconds. Raoul WAS about
TO XIII himself: his mother prayed to
God TO grant her one day, not even
a day, one night; as IL in this space Of
time some unexpected relief would
come 20 end her misery.
They reached Prosper's Office, and
Raoul placed the light on high stool,
so that IL lighted the whole room.
He then summoned up all his cool
ness, or rather that mechanical pre-
cision OF movement. almost indie
pendent OF viii. of which men accus-
toned to peril avail theu--2l.>S<5
time OF need.
Rapidly. with the dexterity OF ez-
Perience, he slipped the buttons on
the five letters composing the name
OF G, /, P.sy.
His features during this short op-
GRAFTON. expressed the most intense
anxiety. He was fearful that his nerv-
Gus energy might give out: OF not
being able &c open the safe; of not
finding the money there when he
opened IL; of Prosper having changed
the word; OF perhaps having neglect
cd 20 leave the money in the safe.
Nine. Fauvel saw these visible APP
prehensions with alarm. She read in
his eyes that wild hope of a man,
who, Passionately desiring an object.
ends by Persuading himself that his
own viii sufices 70 overcome all OBJ
stacles.
Having often been present when
Prosper was preparing 70 leave his
Office, Raoul had fifty times seen him
move the buttons and lock the safe,
just before leaving the bank. Indeed,
having a practical turn OF mind, and
-
tried TO lock the safe himself on sew
eral occasions while waiting for Pros
per.
He inserted the key softly. turned
IL around; pushed IL further in. and
turned IL a second time; then thrust
IL in suddenly. and turned IL again.
His heart beat so loudly that Nine.
FRuvel could hear its throbs.
The word had not been changed;
the safe opened.
Raoul and his mother simultaneous
ly uttered cry; she Of terror: he Of
J triumph.
''Shut IL AGAIN." cried Nine. Fauvel,
frightened at the incomprehensible
result OF Raoul's attempt Come
away. Don't touch anything, for
AAtAfNA = 7aAf+ ANAOAAs
And, half frenzied, she chung 20
Raours arm. and pulled him away 50
abruptly. that the key was dragged
from the lock, and. slipping along the
glossy varnish OF the safe door, made
deep scratch some inches long.
But at a glance Raoul discovered,
on the upper shelf Of the safe, four
bundles OF bank notes. lie snatched
them up with his left hand, and
| slipped them inside his vest.
Exhausted by the effort she had
| just made. Nine. Fauvel dropped Ra-
| ouls arm. and. almost fainting with
emotion, chung TO the back OF a chair
Have mercy. Raouli" she moaned
Il implOre you 70 put back the money
and solemnly swear that will give
you twice as much tomorrow. oh, my
| son, have pity on your unhappy moth
erl"
he paid no attention 70 these words
of entreaty. but carefully examined
| the scratch on the safe. He was al
most alarmed at this trace OF the rob
berry. which il was impossible for him
TO cover up.
~ AtesSlf you VIII not TAKE all
said Nine. Fauvel; Just keep enough
TO save yourself. and put back the
rest"
What good would that do? The dis
covery will be made that the safe has
been opened; so l might as well take
all as "A part"
''Oh, not not at all. can account 10
Andre; / will tell him / had press
ing need for a certain sum, and open
ed the safe TO 9 It,"
In the meant ne Raoul had care
fully closed the safe.
Come, mother, let us go back 10
the sitting-room. A servant might 20
there TO look for you, and be aston
ished at our absence"
Raouls cruel indifference and cold
calculation at such a moment filled
Nine. Fauvel with indignation She
saw that she had no influence over
her son, that her prayers and tears
had no effect upon his hard heart.
let them be astonished," she cried;
''let them come here and find US. l
xrFfI1 -, II