New-York tribune., 1921-04-17
THE
BLACKMAILER
By FREDERICK BOUTET
Translated By William L. Mcpherson

By FREDERlCk BOUTET
Translated By Wiiiam l.. Mcpherson
~ TONSIEUR, there is gentleman
- MI outside who says he is the agent
lV1 of some philanthropics.l society
in Paris"
-<Show him in," said NJ. Bestat, folding !
up his newspaper.
The servant ushered in a tall, thin person.
age, unkempt and seedy looking.
Monsieur, am honored" began the Wis
itor, taking seat to which NJ. Blestat beck
oncd him. at is charming house you have
here--one Of the best in the city
"Wil you kindly let me know the object
Of your call?' NJ. Blestat interrupted.
II shall do so with pleasure. You are Mon
seur Theodor Blestat, merchant, widower,
fifty-ive years of age, father Of young man
Of twenty-eight, NJ. Philippe. Don't be inl-
patient. You will soon understand everything.
We shall dismiss the philanthropic society
That only means of getting in to see
you. came for another purpose. Your son,
my dear monsieur, is engaged to Mile. Claire
Verralive. The engagement dinner has al
ready taken place. A good alliance-a
very good alliance A beautiful girl, with
fortune, influential relatives and high social
standing. NJ. Verralive is man of the old
school, upright conscientious, honorable, thor
oughly conservative. His life is as clear as
crystal"
NJ. Bestat was a little bored.
Il know M. Verralive's good qualities
we'll as anybody"
"Then, my dear monsieur, what would he
think of your brother Auguste?"
NJ. Blestat almost jumped from his seat.
His face grew livid.
"My dear monsieur merely to see you at
this moment would end all doubts" observed
the visitor with infinite satisfaction.
"The proposition which | am making here"
he resumed, els somewhat delicate. But my
aim is to avoid in your interest the circula-
4ion of annoying gossip. You will note, also
tf&at am only an intermediary. The people
who send me don't live here. They live in
Paris. Well, they have known your brother
They know-yes, yes, they know everything.
His escapades at Nantes and in Paris and
then, the grand climax at Bordeaux-his trial
and his conviction. That's long ago-twenty
years, at least. And he died down there, poor
Auguste, before his prison term was up Yes,
one might think that it had all been forgotten!
But there people who remember it, and
they chose this moment to send me here to
say t. vou: Monsieur Blestat, does M. Ver-
rave know that your brother was in jail?
Have you told him SOP
That is the first point Now, if M. Vera
live did know, would ne allow his daughter to
many your son? That is the second point.
Ny dear monsieur, | realize that this is very
embarrassing for you. You are honesty itself.
You have lived blameless life. Your son
is an exceptional young There is no
question about that. But we are business men,
discussing business proposal. You what
coming to, don't you? Now don't take
the trouble to argue about it. The truth is
written in your face Any one looking at you
now could read it. So the third and last ques-
ton is: How much will you offer to sup
press this scandal?' Quote your figure and
l will quote mine.
There long silence.
"Who are you?r asked M. Blestat.
81 was. witness at poor Augustes trial.
We had been friends. He had spoken of you
several times. Rightly or wrongly he thought
that you had left him in the lurch and he held
that against you. 1t is self-understood that
when has an honorable reputation he
doesn't want to compromise it.
''In short having been recently in stratened
circumstances, l thought of you. By accident
learned that you were prominent merchant
here. Some friends gave me their advice.
We formed little association, as it were, to
exploit my idea. They furnished me the money
to come here. So came and made inquiries.
1t was lucky I arrived just before your sons
marriage That made things easier
II see, however, that you don't wish to
name your own price. l will tell you ours
a hundred thousand francs. It's a good figure,
but not big enough to hurt you. No; please don't
Try to discuss it with me. Think it over. I'll
come back to see you tomorrow. You will
tell me yes no. If it's no, I'll go to M. Yer
ralive and tell him poor Auguste's story. He
may pay me something for my trouble. Then
I'll spread the news about the city. If it's
yes-and I believe it will be yes-Ill collect
and take the next train. Everybody will be
satisfied. The marriage will take place and
you will never hear of me again.
my dear monsieur, give you my word
Of honor" he concluded with what he wanted
to be taken as a pledge of absolute good faith
He bowed confidently and went away. The
garden gate slammed behind him. M. Blestat
remained seated in his. chair, still holding his
burnt-out cigarette in his fingers. He was
dumfounded. He knew even better than his