The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-20
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s4AakSszsSszs ss SszsSssszsSseszssszsszsSsSzsSe zsss zsses ssS SzsSezN@l tered Brousseau, trembling. "A few strands of rock flax, commercially worthless"
 But that ain't roguery. That's just business trick" said Cornell. How did he get you into his power. MT. Ros- ny, asking your pardon? I'll tell you. He's cheated you as he's cheated us, except that It was worse, because you trusted him, which we never did. That's what I come to tell you. MT. Rosny. He's swindled you out of nearly forty thousand dollars on one deal, in North Empire Development company stock, and maybe in other"
 Brousseau feaped at Lafe like a tiger. Lafe. who had anticipated the move, stepped dexterously aside, at the same time twirling the chair on which his hand was resting. Rrous- seau, in his plunge forward, tripped over it, stumbled and fell prone to the floor.
 And I got the papers to prove that here p said Lafe triumphantly.
 Brousseau rose, rubbing his shins and muttering curses, and glared sav- agely about him. Madeleine was breathing quickly, her eyes fixed in- tently on Lafe's face.
 Its a d-d lie ]" cried Brousseau. They've forged those papers. Where are they? Eh? Show mel"
 "He said he was speaking for you, MT. Rosny," said Lafe, "so here they are. I guess you know your sigma ture?"
 He drew the envelope from his pock- ct and placed the three documents on the Sefgneur's knee, standing between him and Brousseau, who looked ready to leap again. But he did not leap 1; he muttered to Madeleine, who still watched Lafe breathlessly. "I guess these letters don't tell you much, MT. Rosny," continued Lafe. ''If you'll put them together you'll see that those fifty thOusand-dollar shares were l sold for you in Quebec at hundred dollars apiece"
 "Yes. Monsieur Brousseau had i'll fortune with that company. He ex- plained it to me- said the Seigneur, l trembling. "What of it?''
 "Why, here's the market price of it's shares five days before at $875, that's all," said Lafe. "It didn't tumble that fast. All the country would have been ringing with it if it had done that. I guess Brousseau has that money of yours tucked away safely somewhere" | "You gave me your power of attor- ney-" Brousseau began. But his guilt, was written on his face. The swiftness of the blow had utterly disconcerted him and made him incapable of defense. Lafe saw the Seigneur's expression change as if I mask has been torn from his fea- lures. He staggered to his feet, his left side helpless, and, grasping the chair with his right hand. confronted Brousseau.
 | "What have you to say? Is it true or false, monsieur?" he cried. "Where are my other stocks? You had a hun- dred thousand of my money. Where Is it?"
 "Find it !' yelled Brousseau. "Go to the devil with your money! I tried to help you out of friendship. I haven't time to work out your stock exchange accounts for you. If anybody's cheat ed you it's the stockbroker. Go to him for it ]" He started toward Madeleine. 'You don't believe these lies against me?" he cried.
 You have insulted my father, but you have not answered him."
 "I'H pay him."
 "It is true, then? It is true?' l "Yep, it's true," interposed Lafe. "It can't be anything else. Everybody knows what a rotten, swindling thief the fellow is. An, keep your hand down, Mir. Rosny. Pm telling you what I think of him. That's what I came here for. And if you'll excuse me for referring to your mortgage, which | everybody knows if he doesn't turn | that in to you by tomorrow MT. Askew will sue him criminaiiy as we'll as civ l lilly for what he's done to us, because we've got the confession of the man that sawed the boom for him."
 Brousseau swung on his heel sud- denly and strode toward the door. He pay you for this, you and that other blackmailer he swore. 9TH smash your rotten concern. Tll-" He broke off with a derisive snort and made toward the entrance. But | LaTe SrrO0e past nlm ana OIOckeO ms way.
 "Just a moment" he said. "Mr. Rosny's got something to say to you" | Brousseau tried to fling himself past, but Lafe, standing like an iron sentinel, completely filled the open 1 ing.
 Monsieur Brousseau," said the Seigneur, "there are just a few words to say before you go. When Monsieur Cornell came here he did not meet with encouragement. He proved his case, and you have proved it by your actions. When you were a boy I ad- vanced you, interested myself in you. You climbed high, and you tried to re- 1 pay me by busting me from my lands and stepping into my shoes. You sought to dishonor us through my | daughter, who was wiser than in her recognition of what you were. | thought that you were only iil-bred, but you have proved yourself a scoun- drel as well. You will repay me everything you have stolen or go to jail. Good-day, monsieur.''
 "That's all, guess" said I.afe, and opened the door.
 Brousseau dashed through and along the corridor. Lafe followed him at an