Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-14

we can wait and see
They did wait. and TO the great
surprise OF Nine. Fauvel. Raoul once
more became an affectionate and du-
tiful son, as he had been during Cla-
meran's absence. Prom reckless ex-
travagance he changed TO great econ
omy. Under preteNt of saving money
he remained at Nesinit. although IL
was very uncomfortable and disagree
able there in the winter. He said he
wished to expiate his sins in solitude
The truth was that by remaining i'm
the country he insured his liberty. and
escaped his mothers visits.
THIS sudden lull. after so many
storms. appeared Ominous TO Made
leine- She was more certain than ever
that the plot was now ripe. and
would suddenly burst upon them
without warming. She did not imrart
her presentiment 10 her aunt. but pre-
pared herself for the worst.
What can they be doing?" Mime.
Fauvel would say; can they have
ceased to prosecute us?"
Yes; what can they be doing7'
Madeleine would murmur.
Louis and Raoul gave no signs Of
life, because. like expert hunters. they
were silently hiding and watching for
favorable opportunity of bouncing
upon their victims.
Never losing sight Of Prosper for n
day, Raoul had exhausted every eff
fort of his fertile mind TO COMPROMISE
his honor. 70 insnare him into some
inextricable ENHANCEMENT. But. as he
had foreseen, the cashiers indiffer-
ence offered little hope OF success.
Clameran began 70 grow impatient
at this delay. and had fully deter
mined TO bring matters to a crisis
himself, when one night. about three
o'clock. he was aroused by Raoul
He knew that some event of great
Importance must have happened to
make his nephew come 10 his house
at this hour of the night.
What is the matter2" be anxiously
inquired
Perhaps nothing; perhaps every
thing. have just left Prosper"
"wen?"
Il had him, Madame Gypsy. and
three other friends 20 dine with me.
After dinner I made up a game Of
baccarat, but Prosper took no inter
est in it, although he was quite tip
sy."
"fou must be drunk yourself 70
come here waking me up in the mid
die Of the night. TO hear this idle CAB
ble,' said Louis, angrily. What the
devil do you mean by it?"
Now. don't be in a hurry; wait
until you have heard the rest
Pooh! speak them"
After the game was over we went
TO supper; Prosper became intoxi-
Gated, and betrayed the secret name
with which he closes the money safe"
At these words Clameran uttered a
cry OF triumph.
What was the wordP"
"The name OF his friend"
Gypsy. Yes. that would be five
letters"
Louis was so excited that he jumped
out of bed, slipped on his dressing
gown, and began 10 stride up and
Gown the chansI Der
Now. we have got hint" ne said.
with vinjictivc satisfaction. 'There's
no chance OF escape for him now.
All. the virtuous cashier won't toucb
the money confided 10 him: 80 We
must touch il for him. The disgrace
will be just as great. no matter who
opens the safe. We have the word:
you know whore the key is kept"
Yes; when NJ. Fauvel goes out he
always leaves the key In the drawer
OF his secretary. in his chamber"
Very well. Go and get this KEY
from Mime. Fauvel II She does not
give il mp willingly use force. so that
YOU get IL; that is the point; then
open the safe. and take out every
franc IL contains. An, Master Berto-
my, you shall pay dear for being loved
by the woman whom I lovei"
The plan seemed feasible. The
seoundrels made all their arrange
ments, and fixed the day for commit
ting the crime.
They selected the evening OF the
9th of February. because Raoul knew
that NJ. Fauvel would be at n bank
directors dinner. and Madeleine wa
invited 10 party on that evening.
Unless something unforeseen should
occur. Raoul knew that he would And
Nine. Fauyel alone at half-past eight
o'clock.
After breakfasting together. they
separated.
Clameran was so elated by the pros
pect of success that he lost sight of
the great crime Intervening. Raoul
was calm, but resolute. The shame
ful deed he was about TO commit
would give him riches. and release
him from a hateful servitude. His one
thought was liberty, as Louis was
Madeleine.
Everything seemed TO progress fine
~. The banker did not ask for the
notice of time, but promised TO nav
the money at the specific hour. Pros
per said that he would have il ready
early in the morning.
= The certainty of success made
Louis almost wild with joy. He count
ed the hours. and the minutes. which
passed but too slowly.
When this affair is ended" he ssid