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

this mystery, viii return and go
with you TO report to Monsieur Pa
Urgent all that we know"
Are you going 20 leave the cityP"
In an hour I shall be on the road
TO Reaucaire. 1t was from that neigh
borhood that Clameran came. as well
as Madame Fauvel. who was a Ma
demoiselle de la Verberie before mar
rage"
yes, knew both families
must go there TO study them.
Neither Raoul nor Clameran can es-
cape during my absence. The police
are watching them. But you, Prosper.
must be prudent. Promise me TO re-
main a prisoner here during my trip"
All that II. Nerduret asked. Prosper
willingly promised. But he did not
wish to be left in complete ignorance
of his projects for the future. or OF
his motives in the past
viii you not tell me. monsieur. who
you are, and what reasons you had
for coming TO my rescue?H
The extraordinary man smiled sad
ly, and said:
will tell you. in the presence of
Nina. on the day before your mar
rage with Madeleine"
Once left TO his own reflections
Prosper began 10 appreciate the pow
erful assistance rendered by his
friend.
Recalling the field Of Investigation
gone over by his mysterious protec-
tor, he was amazed at it's extent.
How many facts had been discov-
cred in n week, and with what preci-
sion, although he had pretended 10 be
on the wrong tracki Verduret had
grouped his evidence. and reached a
result which Prosper felt he never
could have hoped TO attain by his own
eXcrtions.
lie was conscious that he possessed
neither Nerdurct's penetration nor
his subtlety. lie did not possess this
art of compelling obedience OF Great
ing friends at every step, and the
science OF making men and circum-
stances unite in the attainment OF a
common result.
He began 20 regret the absence Of
this friend, who had risen up in the
hour OF adversely. He missed thu.
sometimes rough but always kindly
voice, which had encouraged and CON
soled him.
He felt wofully lost and HELPLESS.
not daring 20 act or think for him.
self, more timid than child when
deserted by his nurse
lie had tine GOOD sense TO follovy the
recommel cations OF his mentor. He
remained shut az in the Archangel.
not even appca ming at the windows.
Twice he had news Of VI. Verduret.
The first time he received a letter in
which this friend said he had seen his
father, and had had a long talk with
him. Afterward, Dubois, NJ. de Clam
Grams valet, came 70 tell him that
his patron" reported everything as
progressing finely.
On the ninth day of his voluntary
seclusion Prosper began TO feel rest
less, and at ten o'clock at night set
forth 20 take walk. thinking the
fresh air would relieve the headache
which had kept him awake the pre-
Vious night.
Nine Alexandra, who seemed 20
have some knowledge of NJ. Yer
duret's affairs, begged Prosper TO re-
main at home.
What can l risk by taking a walk
at this time. in quiet part of the
city?' he asked. Il can certainly stroll
as far as the Jardin des Plantes with
out meeting any one"
Unfortunately he did not strictly
follow this programme; for, having
reached the Orleans railway station,
he went into a cafe near by and called
for glass OF ale.
As he sat slipping his glass, he picked
up daily paper, The SUM-" aud un-
der the head of Fashionable Cos
sip" signed Jacques Durand, read the
following:
I've understand that the niece OF
one of our most prominent bankers
Monsieur Andre Fauvel, will be she.
iy married 10 Monsieur lie Marquis
Louis de Clameran."
This news, coming upon him so an
expectedly. proved TO Prosper the
business of NJ. Verduret's calculations.
Alas. why did not this certainty in
spire him with absolute faith, why
did il not give him courage to wait,
the strength of mind 70 refrain from
acting on his own responsibility?
Frenzied by distress of mind, he al
ready saw Madeleine indissolubly
united to this villain, and, thinking
that NJ. Verduret would perhaps ar
rive too late TO be of use. determined
at all risks to throw an obstacle in the
way of the marriage.
He called for pen and paper, and.
forgetting that no situation can ex-
cuse the mean cowardice of an anony-
nous letter, wrote in a disguised hand
the following lines TO NJ. Fauvel:
Dear Sir-You consigned your
cashier to prison; you acted prudent
~. since you were convinced of his
dishonesty and faithlessness.
But, even If he stole three hun
dred and fifty thousand francs from
vO1rr safe does IL fotioxv tko. A. -.