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Fauvel. "He was about to kill himself; I was so frightened! Then you know Prosper was to share the money: he gave Raoul the secret word " "Good Heavens! Aunt, how could you believe such a falsehood as that?" Clameran interrupted them. "Unfortunately, what your aunt says of M. Bertomy is the truth," he said in a sad tone. "Your proofs, monsieur; where are your proofs?" "Raoul's confession."
Madeleine stifled a sob, and said in a firm voice: "To-morrow I will break off my engagement with M. Bertomy." "I will never permit such a wrong," cried Mme. Fauvel. "I will not add to my sins by suffering an innocent girl to bear their penalty."
At last, however, the clock did strike; and just then the faithful Janouille opened the door, and ushered in Mme. Nina and Prosper Bertomy. "Ah," said M. Lecoq, "you are punctual; lovers are generally so." "We are not lovers, monsieur," replied Mme. Gypsy. "M. Verduret gave us express orders to meet here in your office this morning, and we have obeyed."
Prosper's earnest, truthful manner was enough to unsettle the firmest convictions, and make doubt penetrate the most stubborn mind. "Yet," said M. Bertomy in a hesitating tone, "everything seems to accuse you." "Ah, father, you do not know that I was suddenly banished from Madeleine's presence; that I was compelled to avoid her. I became desperate, and tried to forget my sorrow in dissipation.
She still hesitated; and he took from the table Prosper's note, which she had laid there, then continued: "What! M. Bertomy at the most trying moment, when he is about to be arrested, stops to point out your line of conduct; and you would render vain this wise precaution! What does he say to you? Let us read over this note, which is like the testament of his liberty.
"Excuse me, madame," interrupted the detective: "M. Bertomy has by no means the appearance of a man who has given up in despair. On the contrary, I think he has already laid his plan of defence. By showing yourself, when he advised you to remain in concealment, you will be very likely to make vain his most careful precautions." Mme. Gypsy was silently weighing the value of Fanferlot's objections.
Nina impatiently tapped her little foot, and waited for an answer; finally she said: "Why don't you speak? What do you want here?" "I am charged, my dear madame," he answered in his softest tone, "by M. Bertomy, to give you this note." "From Prosper! You know him, then?" "I have that honor, madame; indeed, I may be so bold as to claim him as a friend." "Monsieur!
It was one of those streets where you could talk at your ease, without having to step from the sidewalk every moment. So Fanferlot and Cavaillon were in no danger of being disturbed by passers-by. "What I wished to say is, my dear monsieur," began the detective, "that M. Prosper Bertomy threw you a note this morning."
Alas! you will not believe in my devotion; what shall I do to convince you of its sincerity? Shall I try to save M. Bertomy?" "Thanks for the offer, monsieur," replied Madeleine disdainfully; "if Prosper is guilty, let him be punished by the law; if he is innocent, God will protect him." Here Madeleine stood up, to signify that the interview was over. Clameran bowed, and left the room.
"Not very polite, that customer," said little Cavaillon, "but he will soon be settled, for here comes Prosper." Prosper Bertomy, head cashier of Fauvel's banking-house, was a tall, handsome man, of about thirty, with fair hair and large dark-blue eyes, fastidiously neat, and dressed in the height of fashion.
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