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

Nnen haOul de Layers spoke OF ~.
Fauvel's extraordinary detection be
had not exaggerated.
Since the fatal day when, upon his
denunciation, his cashier had been ar
rested, the banker. this active, ener-
geuc man of business, had been
prey 10 the most gloomy melancholy,
and absolutely refused to take any
interest in his affairs, seldom enter
ing the clearinghouse.
be, who had always been SO domes-
tic, never came near his family ex-
cept at meals, when he would swal-
low few mouthfuls.a and hastily leave
the room.
Shut up in his study, he would do
ny himself 10 visitors. His anxious
countenance, his indifference 10 ev-
erybody and everything. his constant
reveFies and fits of abstraction be-
trsyed the preoccupation of some
fixed idea. or the tyrannical empire
Of some hidden sorrow.
The day OF Prosper's release, about
three o'clock. NJ. Fauvel was. as usual.
seated in his study, with his elbow
resting on the table, and his face
buried in his hands, when his office
boy rushed in. ard with a frightened
look. said:
Monsieur, the former cashier. Mon
sieur Bertomy, is here with one OF his
relatives. He says he must see you
on business"
as If he had been shot.
"Prosper," he cried. in voice
ohoked 10y anger, what does he
dare"
Then remembering that he ought to
control himself before his servant. he
waited a few moments. and then
said, in tone Of forced calmness:
ASK them 20 walk in"
II NJ. Nerduret had counted upon
witnessing strange and affecting
sight, he was not disappointed.
Nothing could be more terrible
than the attitude of these two men as
they stood confronting each other.
The bankers face was almost purple
with suppressed anger. and ne looked
as If about 90 be struck by apoplexv.
Prosper was as pale and motionless as
a corpse.
Silent and immovable, they stood
giaring at each other with mortal
hatred
NJ. Nerdurct curiousiv watched
these two enemies. with the indiffer-
ence and GOODNESS of philosopher.
who, i'm the most violent outburst Of
human passion, merely sees subjects
for meditation and study.
Finally, the silence becoming more
and more threatening. he decided to
break IL 10y speaking 20 the banker:
Il suppose YOU know. monsieur
that my young relative has just been
released from prison.
YES replied u. Fauvel. making an
EFFORT 10 control himself yes, for
want of sufficient proof"
Exactly SO, monsieur, and this
want of proof, as stated in the deci-
sion of Not proven ruins the pros
poets of my relative, and compels him
TO leave here nc once for America"
NJ. Fauvels features relaxed as If
he had been relieved of some fearful
agony.
"Ah, ne is going away" he said, 'he
is going abroad"
There was no installing the resent
ful, almost insulting intonation of the
words, going awayl"
NJ Nerduret took no notice of NJ.
Fauyers manner.
1T appears TO me-" he continued in
an easy tone. that Prosper's determi-
nation is a wise one. I merely wished
him, before leaving Paris. TO come
and pay his respects 20 his former
chief"
The banker smiled bitterly.
Monsieur Bcrtomy might have
spared us both this painful meeting.
! have nothing 10 say 70 him, and of
course he can have nothing to tell
me-
This was a formal dismissal; and NJ.
Nerduret, understanding il thus,
bowed to NJ. Fauvel, accompanied by
Prosper, who had not opened his lips.
They had reached the street before
Prosper recovered the use OF his
tongue.
Il hope you are satisfied, monsieur"
he said, in gloomy tone; you ex-
acted this painful step, and 1 could
only acquiesce. Have / gained any
thing by adding this humiliation to
the others which / have suffered?"
You have not, but / have" replied
NJ. Nerduret Il could find no way of
gaining access to NJ. FauveI, save
through you; and now l found out
what i wanted TO know. I am con-
WINGED that NJ. Fauvel had nothing TO
do with the robbery"
"oh, monsieur!" objected Prosper,
Innocence can be feigned."
Certainly, but not TO this extent.
And this is not all. wished 10 find
out If NJ. Fauvel would be accessible
10 certain suspicious. / am now conf
| dent that he isl
Prosper and his companion stopped
TO talk more at their ease, near the
corner of the Rue LATTE, In the mid
die of large space which had lately
been cleared by pulling down an old