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Updated: June 27, 2025


"I understand it all now," murmured Prosper. "And what have you been doing during my absence, my young friend?" asked M. Verduret; "have you heard any news?" At this question Prosper turned crimson. But he knew that it would never do to keep silent about his imprudent step. "Alas!" he stammered, "I read in a newspaper that Clameran was about to marry Madeleine; and I acted like a fool."

He thought that, now they were warned, the danger of being caught was lessened; when on his guard, few people could entrap so experienced and skilful a rogue. Little did Clameran know that a man who was a hundred-fold more skilful than he was closely pursuing him.

"Do you pretend," said M. de Clameran, "to be ignorant of M. Fauvel's misfortune?" The clown looked very innocent, and asked: "What misfortune?" "The robbery of which M. Fauvel was the victim. It has been in everyone's mouth, and you must have heard of it." "Ah, yes, yes; I remember. His cashier ran off with three hundred and fifty thousand francs. Pardieu! It is a thing that almost daily happens.

I have watched you with careful eyes, which are not to be deceived; I see through you clearly. If you offer me one hundred and fifty thousand francs, it is because you intend to walk off with half a million for yourself." "You are talking like a fool," said Clameran with virtuous indignation. "Not at all; I only judge the future by the past. Of all the large sums extorted from Mme.

Verduret and Prosper resumed their post of observation. "Why all this secrecy?" inquired Prosper. "Clameran is charged with ten times worse crimes than I was ever accused of, and yet my disgrace was made as public as possible." "Don't you understand," replied the fat man, "that I wish to separate the cause of Raoul from that of the marquis? But, sh! look!"

"No, you rascal," answered M. de Clameran: "you know very well I did not. But, now you are here, be useful. Quickly bring some clothes for M. Gaston, some fresh linen, and some warm water: hasten and dress his wounds." These orders were promptly executed, and Gaston found he was not so badly hurt as he had thought.

This man who had left her presence with a threat upon his lips would return to torture her now. How could she escape him? To-day she had succeeded in subduing her heart and conscience; would she again have the strength to master her feelings? She well knew that her calmness and courage were entirely due to the inaptness of Clameran. Why did he not use entreaties instead of threats?

His chair at the fireside would be left empty; his sons would shun her presence, and every family bond would be severed. Then again, would peace be preserved by her silence? Would not Clameran end by betraying her to Andre? She thought of ending her doubts by suicide; but her death would not silence her implacable enemy, who, not being able to disgrace her while alive, would dishonor her memory.

He repeated the feat and the promise the next evening and every successive evening. As Valentine always imagined he was being drowned in the furious current, they agreed upon a signal. At the moment of starting, Gaston would put a light in his window at Clameran, and in fifteen minutes he would be at his idol's feet. What were the projects and hopes of the lovers?

On the other hand, in acting thus hastily, he was insuring the safety of the principal plotter, De Clameran. What proofs had he against him? Not one. He had strong suspicions, but no well-grounded charge to produce against him. On reflection the clown decided that he would act alone, as he had thus far done, and that alone and unaided he would discover the truth of all his suspicions.

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