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Updated: May 10, 2025
Pierre Labarre, the solitary horseman, was the confidential servant of the Marquis de Fougereuse, and the darker the road became the more uncomfortable he felt. He continually spurred on his horse, but the tired animal at every stride struck against tree roots which lined the narrow path.
Pierre Labarre was not the real benefactor, who slept in his tomb, but when dying he had said to his old servant: "I have been unfaithful to my duty toward Simon. I have been cowardly toward him. I have a large amount for my grandchildren, where, you alone will know. Seek these children, and make them rich.
"My information is at an end," said the old man now, as he advanced a step nearer to the nobleman. "Fanfaro and Jacques Fougeres are identical with the Vicomte de Talizac's son." "It is a lie," hissed Fougereuse, "this Fanfaro was my brother's son; tell your fables to others." Instead of answering, Pierre Labarre searched in his breast-pocket and handed the marquis a package of papers.
The bolt of the house door was shoved back in a few moments and a lean old man appeared on the threshold. Ten years had passed since Pierre Labarre rode alone through the Black Forest, and saved himself from the bullet of the then Vicomte de Talizac by his portfolio. Pierre's hair had grown gray now, but his eyes looked as fearlessly on the world as if he had been thirty.
In one corner was the picturesque Fosse Labarre, a wide horseshoe moat enclosing a little garden, now a machine-gun emplacement, where grew the cumfrey, teazle and yellow flag. Everywhere the dog violet and blue veronica flourished in enormous clumps, and near the Strand was a great patch of Solomon's seal.
Watch over this girl, proclaim her right to the name and property of our house. When I am dead do not lay me in French soil I am not worthy of France but place me where I am unknown and unheard of. You will obey these wishes?" Labarre answered, solemnly, "I will obey them." "Very good; we will start to-night for the château, and there side by side we will bury the two sons whom I have murdered."
"Certainly, certainly, but then if the old countess should find out about our pecuniary embarrassments all would be lost. But no, I will not despair; Pierre Labarre must talk, and then " "Suppose he won't? Old people are sometimes obstinate." "Have no fear, Simon, my methods have subdued many wills." "Yes, yes, you are right, sir," laughed Simon. "I can rely on you, then?" "Perfectly so, sir.
No, vicomte, Pierre Labarre knows his duty, and if to-morrow the name of the Fougereuse should be trampled in the dust and the present bearer of the name be placed in the pillory as a forger and swindler, then I will stand up and say: "'He is not a Fougereuse, he is only a Talizac.
The Marquise talked with her husband for a long time. The next thing to do was to make Gudel speak frankly. This he had no hesitation in doing, and he again told the story he had told to the Marquis. As to Pierre Labarre, of course he could make no further resistance. So long as the Marquis knew that Fanfar was living he had been obliged to be cautious; now no such reason existed.
Then stopping, he said, suddenly, "Does this fortune left by my father really exist?" Labarre started. Could it be that this man at this time could be thinking of money? "You misunderstand me!" cried the Marquis, "but never mind, answer me!" "The money is safe," said Pierre. "And you can give me a million to-morrow?" "What do you want of a million?" "Can you give it to me, that is the question?"
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