The Southern herald., 1913-01-17

explanation is that some one had
placed them there. We now have
pledged ourselves not to divulge what
has occurred here this evening, so as
to give you time to refute this charge
You can rely on our absolute discre
tion; and ] call upon M. Bernard T
to promise US not to breathe a word
about this to any one
81 give you my word, said Ber-
nard.
His word! exclaimed; how much
do you think it is worth? Gentlemen,
| once more declare that this man is
liar, and that, If he did not put the
cards in my pockets, he knows who
did, And
Pardon me-, interrupted the Wis
comte, we cannot allow this. We sin
cerely hope you may prove your inno-
cence-we hope it for your sake. And
this is all we have to say to you for
the present."
After a pause my visitor resumed:
u have no recollection of how got
home that evening; and even the next
morning could not realize that it had
not been a fearful dream. Several
days I spent trying to unravel this mys
terry, when received two letters from
England. The first was from my ia
ther The poor man is heart-broken.
He had had a full account of what
had occurred at Madame's house. He
advised me to go away, somewhere in
the Colonies, and remain there till this
affair is forgotten. The other letter
was"
He again stopped, and hid his face
in his hands.
1T was from my fiancee, the girl
was to have married in three months,
on my return to England. She, too,
knew all about it. and informed me
that must consider our engagement
at an end. l at once wrote to my ia
ther and to my fiancee, telling them
that / had been the victim Of a hor-
rible plot, imploring them to reply by
return post; but neither Of them has
sent me line. I then remembered
my friend, L. dc v, a school-chum.
now on the diplomatic service. He has
known me all my life; and, after 1 had
told him my story, he gave me this
Introduction to you. Monsieur Goron,
l beg Of you to help mel"
II certainly will try to help you"
l replied; "but your story is incom,
plete. I want to hear more about these
people-the vicomte, Bernard T,
Madame j, and even-if you allow
me-Mademoiselle Genevieve. Who are
they?"
Madame j is the widow Of
naval officer. was introduced to her
the first week I arrived in Paris, by a
man In the studio where l was paint
ing. She received every other even
ing. The vicomte is an old friend Of
hers, and, 1 am told, a member of the
Jockey club. Bernard Tt met also
at Madame's house. We have often
dined together and gone to theaters."
Has he profession? How does he
get his living?"
"He is, think, an insurance broker.
but he has money, and does not seem
to work very hard"
And Mademoiselle Genevieve? Last,
but probably not least?"
You are right, Monsieur Goron-
last, but not least; for believe she is
the innocent cause of this business.
l have been thinking night and day.
and I am sure 1 have found the clue to
this mystery"
He colored slightly and said:
Il am afraid what am going to tell
you will sound rather foolish, but you
will see it is important. Bernard T
is in love with Genevieve, a striking
ly handsome girl. She had of late
shown me marked partially, and in
his mad jealousy Bernard has planned
this to ruin me in her eyes,"
And this, according to you, is the
clue to the AFFAIR.""
Undoubtedly. There can be no 9th
Or cause why anybody should try to
compromise me in such horrible way,
With your help We will get to the bot
.om of It,"
1T Is a queer, very queer busi-
hess; darker than you seem to think.
do not say this to alarm you, but to
prepare you for few surprises. Give
ne the addresses of all the people
you have just mentioned, and come
lere tomorrow at four o'clock. Don't
hink of revenge; this may, or may
lot, come later. The first thing to be
lone is to clear you"
Ny visitor thanked me and went
away with lighter step. But when he
'eturned the following day he looked
more distressed than before.
What has gone wrong?" asked.
ANY fresh troubles"
NO" he replied moodily. Except
hat I have had a letter from our law
7er begging me to go away at once
or the honor of the family"
With a suppressed oath he threw the
etter on my table.
Never mind the lawyer. Tell him to
90 to the--Colonies himself. Since
saw Won I have Ioo1yad into tbo