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Updated: May 19, 2025
"I! I do such a thing?" answered Verminet. "Why, I did not know that the signature was not genuine." This insolent denial aroused the unhappy Gaston from his state of stupor. "This is too much, a deuced deal too much," cried he. "Did you not yourself tell me that, for your own security, you must insist upon another name in addition to mine?
If the Marquis was charmed at meeting Gandelu, he concealed his delight in a most wonderful manner. He seemed surprised, but not agreeably so; he bent his head, and he extended his gloved hand with a negligent, "Ah, pleased to see you." Then without taking any more notice of Gaston, he turned on his heel and continued his conversation with Verminet.
"Tantaine was here this morning," observed Verminet, "and told me that his master wanted to see me at four this afternoon. Van Klopen will be there also. Shall I say a word to him about your fine friend?" "'Pon my soul," remarked the Marquis, shrugging his shoulders, "I had nearly forgotten her. There will be a tremendous fuss made, for she will be wanting all sorts of things.
"And if you do not succeed in remembering the name or names, the consequences may be more serious than you seem to anticipate." Verminet saw that the young painter was in dangerous earnest, and rose from his chair, but Andre was too quick for him. "No," said he, placing his back against the door; "you will not leave this room until you have done what I require."
Who was it that had informed the father of the son's conduct? Why, Catenac. Who had advised that proceedings should be taken against Rose, alias Zora? Why, Catenac again; and this same man, in addition to acting for Gandelu, it seems, was also the confidential solicitor of the Marquis de Croisenois and Verminet. Perhaps he had only obeyed their instructions.
"I think," answered Andre, "that your father would forgive this imprudence, but that it will be even harder for him to do so than it was to send a doctor to number the hours he had to live. He will forgive you because he is your father, and because he loves you; but Verminet, when he finds that the threat to go to your father does not appall you, will menace you with criminal proceedings."
Verminet invited Andre and Gaston into his sanctum, and, taking a seat, motioned to them to do the same. Verminet was a decided contrast to his office, which was shabby and dirty, for his dress did his tailor credit, and he appeared to be clean. He was neither old nor young, and carried his years well.
Seeing that he had better give in, the managing director took up a bulky ledger, and began to turn over the leaves with trembling fingers. Andre saw that he was holding it upside-down. "There it is," cried Verminet at last. "Bills for five thousand francs. Gandelu and Rigal, booked for discount to Van Klopen, ladies' tailor." Andre was silent.
Catenac will fight to the bitter end, but the proofs are against him, and he will be convicted of infanticide. In Rigal's papers I have found evidence against Perpignan, Verminet and Van Klopen, who will all certainly hear something about penal servitude. Nothing has been settled yet about Toto Chupin, for it must be remembered that he came and gave himself up." "And what about Croisenois?"
He wanted to find out the one common interest that bound all these plotters together Verminet, Van Klopen, Mascarin, Hortebise, and Martin Rigal. As he submitted all this strange combination of persons to the test, the thought of Gaston de Gandelu came across his mind.
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