University of South Carolina Libraries
ISSUED) SEIffX^^EKX.Y. l. m. GRIST & SONS, Publishers.} gl j-'nmilti jtleii'spnper: Jfor the {promotion of the {Jotitirnl, ?orial, gjrirulfural, and O'ommtrrial Interests of the people. {TKIW^^c^.^JK" ESTABLISHED 181515. YORKV 1 IYF-iK, S. (SATUKDAY, FKHRUAKY -20,li)Q,>. NO. 10. fcAsi m\ ? f ^ _ I;: 113 = &< & < CHAPTER II. nE commissary sent for by M. Fan vol soon made his uppea ranee. A short man diessjaCgSigJ cd in a full suit of black, which was slightly relieved by a crumpled collar, followed liitu. The banker, scarcely bowing to him. said: "Doubtless, monsieur, you have been apprised of the painful circumstance which compels me to have recourse to your assistance?" "It is about a robbery. I believe." "Yes; an Infamous and mysterious robbery committed in this office, from the safe you see open there, of which my cashier"?he pointed to Prosper? "alone possesses the key and the word." This declaration seemed to arouse *the unfortunate cashier from his stupor. "Pardon me. monsieur." he said to the commissary in a low tone. "My chief also lias the word and the key." "I should have said so." The commissary at once understood that these two men accused each other. "Well." lie said, "a robbery has been perpetrated, but by whom? Did the robber enter from without?" The banker hesitated a moment. "I think not." he said at last. "And I am certain he did not." said Prosper. The commissary was prepared for those answers, but it did not suit his purpose to follow them up immediate iy"However." said he. "we must make ourselves sure of it." Turning toward his companion. "M. Fanferlot." he said, "go and see if you cannot discover some traces that may have escaped the attention of those gentlemen."* M. Fanferlot. nicknamed "The Squirrel." was indebted to his prodigious ngilitv for this title, of which he was not a little proud. Slim and Insignificant In appearance, he might, in spite of his iron muscles, be taken for a bailiff's under clerk as he walked along buttoucd up to the chin in his thin black overcoat. He had one of those faces that impress its disagreeably?at) odiously turned up nose, thin lips and little restless black eyes. Fanferlot. who had been on the police force for five years, burned to distinguish himself. to make for himself a uame. lie was ambitious. Alas, lie was unsuccessful. lacking opportunity or genius. Already, before the commissary spoke to him. he had ferreted everywherestudied the doors, sounded the parti tions. examined the wicket and stirred up the ashes in the fireplace. "It would be very difficult." said he. "for a stranger to enter here." lie walked a round the otliee. "Is this door closed at night?" he Inquired. "It is always locked." "And who keeps the key?" "The office boy. to whom I always ?rlve It In rlmi-ce before leavincr the I bank," said Prosper. "This boy," said M. Fan vol. "sleeps In the outer room on a sofa bedstead, which he unfolds at uight and folds up In the morning." "Is he here?" Inquired the commissary. "Yes, monsieur," answered the banker. lie opened the door and called: "Anselme!" This boy had been a confidential servant of M. Fan vol for ten years. lie Icnew that be would uo* be suspected, but the idea of being ooimocled with a robbery is terrible, and lie entered the room trembling like a leaf. "IUd you sleep in the next room last night?" asked the commissary of police. "Yes. monsieur; as usual." "At what hour did y??u go to bed?" "About half past lit. I had spent the evening at a cafe near by with monsieur's valet." "Did you bear no noise during the night?" "No. and still 1 sleep so lightly that if monsieur comes down to the cashroom when I am asleep I am instantiy awakened by the sound of his footsteps." "Does M. Fa it vol often come to the cashroom at night?" "No, monsieur; very seldom." "Did he come last night?" "No, monsieur; I am very certain ho diil not, for I was kept awake nearly all night by the strong coffee 1 had drunk with the valet." "That will do," said the eouunissary. "You may retire." When Anselme had left the room. Fanferlot resumed his sea reh. lie opened the door of the banker's private staircase. "Where do these stairs lead toV" he asked. "To HIV private otllee." replied M. Fau vol. "Is not that the room." asked the commissary, "to wliieh I was conducted when I first came':" "Precisely." "I would like to see it." said Fanferlot, "and examine the entrances to it." "Nothing is more easy." said M. Fanvel eagerly, "t'oine. gentlemen, and you come, too. Prosper." M. Fnu vol's private otliee consisted of two rooms the waiting room, sumptuously decorated, and the study, where he transacted business. The furniture In this room was composed of a large I? |7^ i ^ By... |* Emile |l = Gaboriau || I ofTioo desk. several leatlier covered chairs and on either side oi tne lireplace a secretary and a bookshelf. Those two rooms had three doors. One opened on the private stairway, another into the banker's bedroom, and the third into the main vestibule, it was through this last door that the banker's clients and visitors were admitted. M. Fanferlot examined the study, lie seemed pu/.xlcd like a man who had flattered himself with the hope of discovering something and had found nothing. "I.et its see the adjoining room," he said. lie passed into the waiting room, followed by the banker and the commissary of police. Prosper remained alone in the study. Notwithstanding the disordered state of his mind, lie could not but perceive that his situation was every minute becoming more serious. Seating himself on a sofa near the fireplace, lie was absorbed in the most gloomy forebodings when the banker's chamber door suddenly opened and a beautiful girl appeared upon the threshold. She was tall and slender. A loose morning gown. confined at the waist by a slutpie black ribbon, betrayed to advantage the jrracefnl olegamv of Iter liguro. Iler black eyes were lar.ire and soft, her complexion had the creamy pallor of a white camellia. and her beautiful dark hair, carelessly held together by a tortoise shell comb, fell in a profusion of soft curls upon her exquisite neck. She was M. Fan vol's niece. Madeleine, of whom he had spoken not long before. Seeing Prosper Ileitoiny in the study, where probably she expected to find her uncle alone, she could not refrain from an exclamation of surprise. "Ah:" Prosper started up as if ho had received an electric shock. 11 is eyes, a moment before so dull and heavy, all at once sparkled with joy as if he had caught a glimpse of a messenger of hope. "Madeleine." ho cried; "Madeleine!" The young girl blushed crimson. She seemed about to hastily retreat and stepped back: but. Prosper having advanced toward her. she was overcome by something stronger than her will and extended her hand, which he seized and pressed eagerly. They stood thus face to face, but with bowed heads. Finally Madeleine said in a scarcely audible voice: "You. Prosper?yon!" These words lirokc the spell. Prosper dropped ilie wniie iiauu which lie nciu and answered bitterly: "Yes. this is I'msper. the companion of your childhood? suspected, accused of the most disgraceful theft?Prosper, whom your uncle iias just delivered up to justice and who, before the day is over, will be arrested and thrown into prison." Madeleine, with a terrified posture, cried in a tone of profound sympathy: "Good heavens! Prosper, what are you sayiup?" "What! Do you not know"? Have not your aunt and cousins told you?" "They have told nie nothing. I have scarcely seen n:y cousins this morning. and my aunt is so ill that I felt uneasy and came to tell uncle. I'.nt for heaven's sake speak. Tell nie what lias happened." Prosper hesitated. Perhaps it occurred to him to open his heart to Madeleine. of revealing to her his most secret thoughts. A remembrance of the past coming up chilled Ids confidence, lie sadly shook Ids head and replied. "Thanks, mademoiselle, for this proof of interest, the last, doubtless, that 1 shall ever receive from you. Hut allow me. by being silent, to spare you distress and myself tie mortification of blushing before you." Madeleine interrupted him with an imperious gesture: "I insist upon knowing." she said. "Alas. mademoiselle!" answered Prosper. "You will only too soon learn my misfortune ami my disgrace. Then, yes. then you will applaud yourself for "what you have done." i'.ut she iieetimo more urtrnnt. Tn stead <>f ?'??uiii;Miiiii she entreated, but Prosper was i*>\iI "Vniir uiii'lt* is in tin' adjoinim: mum. mademoiselle. willi tin' I'H.imissary of jmliri' and a deleetive. They will sunn return. I entreat y?m in iir?? that tlmy may im: Ii:i< 1 ymi lien'." As la* spoke h>' jr-iiIly pushed her thiuimh ti:e i|i>nr. sin- resisting, and rinsed it ii|mhi her. It was time, fur the ii.'M liiiiineiit Hiliiissriry and M. Kauvel eiilei'i'd. Tlr-y had visited the main eiiiiaine and waiting mom and had heard imliiiiiir of wlial had passed in the slndv. I?nl Fatiferlnt had heard I'm* them. 'I Ids exeelieni hliMidhiiiind had lint lest si'zlil of l!ie cashier. lie said In hiniself: "If lie lie| je\ es himself t<? he SI I-??! '. Ids faee will Itiiray him. I shall deteei a smile <>r a wink that will mean seine thina." I.eaviair M. I'anvel ami the eeinmis sary tn pursue their investigations. lie pus ted himself i.i waieh. lie saw tie* d-M r epen and .Madeleine appear upon the threshold, lie heI net a sinale Word of gesture of the rapid Seetie whieh had passed hi t we n Prosper and tlie youna: irirl. it matt.red little that every word of lids ..viie was an enu ma. M i'anl'erlei was skillful < n?.uyh to complcto Hie sentences lie did not understood. As yet lie only had a suspicion, hut a suspicion is a point to start from. lie was prompt in Imildincr a plan upon the slightest incident, thinking lie saw in the past of these people whom lie did not know glimpses of a domestic drama. If the commissary of police is a skepiic. the detective has faith. lie believes in evil. "This is the situation." said lie to himself. "This man loves ihe young lady, who is really very pretty, and as he is quite handsome 1 suppose his love is returned. This love affair vexes the hanker. who. not knowing how to got rid <?f t 1m* liii|iorltiiiitt<' lover hy fair uit.'ins. has to resort to foul and plans this pretended robbery, which is very Ingenious." Thus to M. Fanferlot's mind the banker had simply robbed himself, and the innocent cashier was the victim of an odious machination. Meanwhile, the search up stairs com pleted, the searchers returned to Prosper's ollice. The commissary, who had seemed so calm when he first came, now looked serious. The moment for taking a decisive part having come, he hesitated. "Yon see. gentlemen." he began, "our search has only confirmed our first opinion." M. Fanvel and Prosper assented. "And what do you think. M. Fanfor uu: (-inn iiiiu'ii 11ii- <111111111^.^.11 ,t. The detective did not answer. OccuI?Ic??l in studying th?> safe hick, ho manifested signs of surprise. Hvidctitly he had just made an important discovery. Noticing this. M. Fa u vol. Prosper and the commissary rose and surrounded him. "Have you discovered any trace?" asked the banker eagerly. Fanferlot turned around w'th a dissaiislied air. lie reproached himself for not having concealed liis impressions. "Oil." said he carelessly. "I have discovered nothing of importance!" "Hut we should like to know." said Prosper. "I have merely convinced myself that this safe lias been recently opened or shut. I know not which, with {treat violence and haste." "Why s <?" asked the commissary, becoming attentive. "I?<> you see this scratch near the lock?" The commissary took a magnifying glass that the detective had used, stooped down and carefully examined the safe. He saw a light scratch on the outer coat of varnish. "I see it," said he. "But what does that prove?" j "Oh. nothing at all." said Fanferlot, ! "as I said before." | Fanferlot said this, but he did not | think it This scratch recently made had for him a signification that escap I eu trie omers. ne nau uiscuvcrcu u continuation of his suspicions. If the cashier hud stolen millions, there was no occasion for his being in a hurry. The banker, creeping1 down in the dead of the night softly for fear of awakening the boy in the anteroom in order to riile tiis own money safe, had every reason to tremble, to hurry, to hastily withdraw the key, which, slipping along tho lock, scratched the varnish. Resolved to unravel by himself the tangled thread of this affair, the detcclive determined to keep his conjectures to himself. For the same reason he was silent as to the Interview which he had overheard between Madeleine and Prosper. He hastened to withdraw attention from the scratch. "To conclude." he said, addressing the commissary. "1 am convinced that 110 one outside of the bank could have obtained access here. The safe is intact. No suspicious pressure has been used on the movable buttons. I can ntlirm that the lock has not heen tampered with by burglar's tools or false keys. Those who opened the safe knew the word and had the key." This formal allirmation of a man i whom he knew to he skillful ended the hesitation of the commissary. "That being the ease," he replied. "I must request a few moments' conversation wiili M. 1'auvel." "I am at your service," said the banker. Prosper foresaw the result. He quietly placed his hat on the table to show that he had no intention of attempting to escape and passed into the adjoining olliee. Fanferlot also went out. but not before the commissary 1 had made him a sign and received a response. The sign signified. "You are responsible for this man." Tito detective needed no admonition to make ? ' 1 4-1- 1T!_ ! j I 111J ueep an .ninnni' wairu. ins j | suspicions were too vague, his desire j | for success was too ardent, for hitu to , ( lose sight of I'rospcr :iii instant. There-! 'for*' following the cashier into the of-1 lice lie sealed liiiiisell' in a dark corner j of the room, and. pretending to he i sleepy, he lixed himself in a eoinforta- | Me position for taking a nap. gaped j until his jawbone seemed about to he ( dislocated and finally closed his eyes. Prosper seated himself at the desk of an absent clerk. The others were burning to know the result of the in quirv. Their eyes shone with eut'iosi- , I tv. hut they dared not ask a question. Pliable to restrain himself any longer, little t'availloii. Prosper's defender, ventured: "Well, who is the robberV** Prosper shrugged his shoulders. "Nobody knows." be replied. Was this eoliseiollS illiioecliec or l hardened recklessness? The.clerks observed with surprise that Prosper had resumed his usual manner, that sort of icy haughtiness that kept people at a distance and made him enemies in the bank. Never would a stranger euti-riie' ihe I'ooUl llMVe Slllilio^iil lliaf tliis ynii!ijr iii*iii. idly luiiiiaiii:; in ;i ?-111 i r :i lit i | >!;iy i n-_c with a pencil, was resting limit r an accusation nf rnlilicry ; ami was al:<nit in? In' arrested. lie so:tn st<>|>| *<I playing with liis pencil ami drew l?twaril liim a slice! nf paper, iipttii wiii>*li lie hastily wrote a few I lilies. "Ah. Jia!" thought Faufcrlot the Squirrel, whose hearing anil sight were wonderfully good in spite of his profound sleep. "Eh. eh! lie makes his little confidences on paper. I see. Now we will discover something positive." Having written his note. Prosper folded it carefully in the smallest possible size and, after furtively glancing toward the detective, motionless in his corner, threw it to little Cavaillon with a simple word: "Gipsy!" Fanferlot was confounded and began to feel a little uneasy. "The young man has more pluck and nerve than many of my oldest customers. This, however, shows the result of education." Yes. innocent or guilty, Prosper must have been endowed with great self control and power of dissimulation to affect this imperturbable calmness and presence of mind at a time when his honor, his future happiness, all that he held dear In life, were at stake. And he was only thirty years old. Either from natural deference or from the hope of gaining some ray of light by a private conversation the commissary determined to speak to the banker. "There is no doubt, monsieur," he said as soon as they were alone, "this young man has rohbod you. It would be a gross neglect of duty if I did not secure his person." This declaration seemed to distress the banker. "Poor Prosper!" he said. Prosper was now called in with Fanferlot. whom they had much trouble to awaken, and with the most complete Indifference listened to the announcement of his arrest. In response he calmly said: "I swear that I am innocent." M. Fauvel. much more disturbed and excited than his cashier, made a lafct attempt. "There 13 still time, poor boy," he said. "In the name of heaven, reflect!" Prosper did not appear to hear him. He drew from his pocket a small key, which he laid on the mantel, and said: "Here is the key of your safe, monsieur. I hope for my sake that you will some day be convinced of my innocence, and I hope for your sake that it will not come too late." Then, as every one was silent, lie added: "Before leaving, here are the books, papers and accounts necessary for my successor. I must at the same time Inform you that, without speaking of the stolen three hundred and fifty thousand francs, I leave a deficit in cash. There Is a deficit of three thousand five hundred francs on my cash account, which has been disposed of in the following manner: Two thousand taken by myself in advance of my salary and fifteen hundred advanced to my fellow clrtks. This Is the last day of the month. Tomorrow the salaries will be paid, consequently"? The commissary interrupted him. "Were you authorized," he demanded, "to draw money whenever you wished to to make advances?" "Xo. but I knew that M. Fauvel would not have refused me permission to oblige my friends. What I did is done everywhere. I have simply followed my predecessor's example." The banker made a sign of assent. "As regards that spent by myself," continued the cashier, "I had a sort of right to It, all of my savings being deposited in this bank?about fifteen thousand francs." "That is true." said M. Fauvel. "M. Bertomy has at least that amount on deposit." This last question settled, the commissary's errand was ended, and his report might now be made. He announced his intention of leaving and ordered the cashier to prepare to follow him. Usually this moment, when stern reality stares us in the face, when our individuality is lost and we feel that we are being deprived of our liberty?tbis moment is terrible. At this fatal command. "Follow me." which brings before our eyes the yawning prison gates, the most hardened sinner woods and hegs for mercy. But Prosper lost none of that studied phlegm which the commissary secretly pronounced consummate impudence. Slowly, with as much careless ease as If going to breakfast, he drew on his overcoat and gloves and said politely: "I am ready to accompany you. monsieur." The commissary folded up his pocketbook and bowed to M. Fauvel, saying to Prosper: "Let us go." They left the room, and. with a distressed face and eyes filled with tears j that he could not restrain, the banker watched their departure. , "Good heaven!" he exclaimed. "Gladly would 1 give double the sum stolen to regain my old confidence in poor rrosjier and be able to keep him with me!" Fanferlot had resolved to obtain possession of Prosper's note, which he kuew to be in ('availlon's pocket. To obtain this written proof, which must be an important one, appeared the easiest tiling in the world. He had imply to arrest Cavaillon, frighten him, demand the letter and. if necessary, take it by force. Fanferlot began talking with an office boy and. after a few apparently idle questions, had discovered Hint the Fnuvel bank had no outlet on Victory street and that consequently all the clerks were oblijred to pass in and out through the main entrance on Province street. From this moment the task he had undertaken no hinder presented a shadow of ditliculty. lie rapidly crossed the street and took up his position under a carriage gate. After awhile t'availlon appeared at the door of the hank, hut before stepping on the pavement lie looked up and down the street hesitatingly, lie soon decided, entered the Faubourg Montniartreand walked upXotrePamo street so rapidly, utterly regardless of the srrilliihliti^ passershy. whom he elbowed out of his way. that Fanferlot found it difliciilt to keep liini in si^lit. Kcaehin;; (Jhaptal street. Cavaillon suddenly stopped and entered the house numbered 39. lie had scarcely taken three steps in the narrow corridor when he felt a touch 011 his shoulder and. turning abruptly, found himself face to face with Kanferlot. lie recognized him at once, and. turning very pale, be shrank back and looked around for means of escape. But the detective, anticipating the attempt. barred the passageway. Cavuillou saw that lie was caught. "What do you want with me?" lie asked in a voice tremulous with fear. "You will be kind enough, my dear monsieur," said Fanferlot, "to excuse the great liberty 1 take. It is only about a trifling matter, and you will ...UK Al.lbrntlnno U* fnil U\LTW llfllll IIIU Willi umi^iiuuiio II 4?WU will do me the honor to accept my arm and step outside for a moment." What could Cavaillon do? lie took Fanferlot's arm and went out with bim. "What I wished to say is, my dear monsieur," began the detective, "that M. Prosper Bertomy threw you a note this morning. I am sure you will be kind enough to give it to me. Believe me, nothiug but the most absolute necessity"? "Never!" exclaimed Cavaillon. And, believing the moment favorable, he suddenly attempted to jerk his arm from under Fanferlot's and escape. But his efforts were vain. The detective's strength was equal to his suavity. "Don't hurt yourself, young man," he said, "but take my advice and quietly give up the letter." "I am in your power," said Cavaillon, then suddenly drew from his pocketbook the unlucky note and gave it to the detective. Fanferlot's hand trembled with pleasure as he unfolded the paper. Yet, faithful to his habits of fastidious politeness, before reading it he bowed to Cavaillon and said, "With your permission." Then he read: Dear Xina?On the receipt of this note take everything you have in the house, absolutely everything, and establish yourself somewhere at the other end of Paris. Do not appear in public, but conceal yourself as much as possible. My life may depend on your obedience. I am accused of an immense robbery and am about to be arrested. You will find 300 francs in the secretary. Leave jour address with Cavaillon, who will explain what I cannot say. Be hopeful, whatever happens. Goodby. Prosper. Ilad Cavaillon been less bewildered be would have seen blank disappointment depicted on the detective's face after the perusal of the note. Fanferlot had cherished the hope that he was about to possess a very important document, and who knows but that it would clearly prove the guilt or innocence of Prosper. Wbereas he bad only seized a love letter written by a mau who was evidently more anxious about the welfare of the womau he loved than about his own. Vainly did he puzzle over the letter, hoping to discover some hidden meaning. It proved nothing for or against the writer. The two . words "absolutely everything" were underscored, it Is true, but they could be Interpreted in so many ways. Fanferlot folded up the note and slipped it iuto his pocket. "A thousand thanks, monsieur, for the Information, and In return, If you please, I will relieve you of the trouble of executing your commission. I will myself take this note to Mme. Nina Gipsy. I will also give you a piece of advice. If I were In your place, I would return quietly to business and have nothing more to do with this affair." The poor fellow obeyed. Slowly and with swelling heart he returned to Notre Dame street. He asked himself how he could serve Prosper, warn Mine. Gipsy and, above all, be revenged upon this odious detective who had just made him suffer such cruel humiliation. lie had no sooner turned the corner of the street than Fanferlot went into the house, gave his name to the porter as Prosper Bertomy, went up stairs and knocked at the first door he came to. A young servant dressed In the most fanciful livery opened the door. "Is Mme. Gipsy at home?" The little groom hesitated. Seeing this, Fanferlot showed his note. "M. Prosper charged me to hand this note to madame and wait for an answer." "Come in, and I will let madame know you are here." The name of Prosper produced Its effect. Fanfcrlot was ushered into a little room furnished in blue and gold silk damask. Rut he had no time to pursue his inventory. One of the door curtains was pushed aside, ami Mine. Nina Gipsy appeared. Mme. Gipsy Is, or, to speak more correctly, was, quite young, small and graceful, with a brown, or. rather, gold colored quadroon, complexion and the hands and feet of a child. She eyed her visitor with the most disdainful surprise. "What do yon waul?" she said. "I am charged, my dear inadame," he answered in his humblest and softest tone, "by M. Rcrtomy to give you this note." Fanferlot slowly drew Prospcr's note from ids pocket and with a bow presented it to Mine. Gipsy. "Head." he said. At a glance she read its contents. She turned very ml. then very pale. She trembled from head to foot, ller limbs seemed to give way. and she tottered so that Fanferlot, thinking she was about to fall, extended his arms j to en tell lior. Pscless precaution! I Mine, tlipsy \v:is oiu* of those women whose inert listlessness conceals indomitable energy fragile looking creatures whose powers of endurance and ! resistance are unlimited, catlike In their soft grace and delicacy, especially cutlike in their nerves and muscles of steel. "Explain yourself! What does all this mean? I?o you know anything about the contents of this letter? Prosper is to be arrested, accused of being a thief?" "Yes. tnndame: he is accused of taking 3,"?o,tMio francs from the bank safe." "It is false, infamous, absurd!" she cried. "Prosper steal! It is absurd! Why should he steal? Is lie tint r eh?" "M. P.ertomy is not rich. lie has nothing but li's salary." This answer seemed to confound Mine. <!ipsy. "Hut." she insisted, "I have always soon him have plenty of money. Not rich?t hen" -She dared not finish. P."t her eye met Fanferlot's. and they understood each other. "No." she cried. "I regret to say that Prosper would never have stolen one cent for me! One can understand a man who Is trusted robbing a bank for a woman lie loves, lint Prosper does not love mo. He never has loved nu? Tint I love him. mid if is for me to save liini! I will see liis chief. the miserable w ret Hi who da res to accuse him. I will prove that lie is inuoeeiit. Come, monsieur, let us go. ami I promise you that before sunset he shall he free, or I shall he in prison with hint." Mine. (Jipsy's project was certainly laudable and prompted by the noblest sentiments. I'nfortunalely it was impracticable. Besides, it would he going counter to the plans of the detective. "What will you gain by acting thus, my dear madame?" asked 1'anferlot. "Nothing. I can assure you that you have not the least chance of success. Yon will compromise Prosper. Who knows if you will not he suspected as his accomplice? M. Bertniuy expressly forbade such a course in his letter." Mine. (Jipsy remained thoughtful for a moment, then a ray.of light seemed to cross her mind, and site cried: "Oh. I understand now! Fool that I was for not seeing it before! But where am I to go?" "Did not M. Bertomy say. my dear lady, to the other end of Paris?to a boarding house or lintel?" "But I don't know where to find any." Fanferlot seemed to he reflecting, but he had great difficulty in concealing his delight at a sudden Idea that (lashed upon him. Ilis little black eyes fairly danced with Joy. "I know of a hotel." he said at last, "but It might not suit you." "Where is It?" "On the other side of the river. Qua! St. Michel the Archangel, kept by Mine. Alexandre." Mine. Nina was never long making up her mind. "Ilere are writing materials. Write your recommendation." "With these three lines." he said, linndiii!? her the letter, "you can make I Mine. Alexandre do anything you wish." "Very well. Now how am I to let Cavaillon know my address? It Is he who should have brought me Prosper's letter." "He was unable to come, dear madatnr." interrupted the detect I ?e. "Hut I will tell !:ii.*i where lie can find you." Mine. tJipsy was about to send for a carriage, but I'auferlot said he was in n hurry and would send her one. He seemed to be in luck that day. for a eali was passing the door, and he hailed it. "Wait here." he said to the driver after telling him that he was a detective. "for a little brunette who is packing her trunks. If she tells you to drive her to Quai St. Michel, crack your whip. If she gives you any other address, get down from your seat and arrange your harness. I will keep in sight." lie stepped across the street and stood in the door of a wine store. lie had not long to wait. In a few minutes the loud cracking of a whip apprised him that Mine. Nina had started for the Archangel. "Aha!" said he gayly. "I bold her, at any rate!" TO BE CONTINUED. VOTES IJV TIIB WAV. ThinKM Seen and lleurd on n Visit to Charleston. Snow is si rare phenomenon In the lower part of the state. It is seen in Charleston on sin average of onee in ten years, probably; but not oftener than thsit. The cars thsil went down from the north on Friday night were pretty well covered with snow. The openings between them were especially adapted to the sieeumillsition of thick deposits, thsit reached a depth of 10 or 1J inches on the plsitforms. By 3 o'clock Ssiturday morning, the train wsss half way between Columbia and <'hsirlestoii. The southern limit of the snow fall laid already been psissesl si number of miles: but the rain was! coming; down in torrents. Day was just breaking; when the train rolled into Summervitle. There were a number of Negro men and women at the depot, and espying; the cinder-blackened snow on the platform, their curiosity was aroused to a high pitch. "Dawsy mercy." exclaimed one in great bewilderment. "Mat sbo inns' be snow: wondah wlia it cum film'.'" A young northern machinist who appeared to have as much curiosity about the ragged Negroes as tbe.v bad about the snow, replied: "From the heavens. 1 would say: it is impossible that it should have come from the other place!" Saturday was Cincinnati Day at the exposition, and the occasion of the formal opening of the beautiful little building that the ('bioan metropolis has erected on the grounds. There was a delegation of about luti prominent citizens present with the mayor tit their head. They bad a handsomely uniformed band of about -0 pieces?the c-ioniiis "Cosiness Men's" band. There were a number of ladies along with the party. ami all were evidently nut for a mil time. In fact it was :is k I mitured. whole-souled il erowil as one oft?-u lius the pleasure of running iieross. Alter dedieating their Imi( Iin.u ffttit vilifying and numerous toasts. they divided into groups and took in the sights of the palaeos. Just ahout dark, as thousands of eleetrie lights hegan t'i show in their riehest splendoi. they got together in ii tiody. with the hiiiid ahead, and took in the Midway. Their mining made a sensation, putting all the denizens of the Midwayi immediately oil the qui vive. On caching thi* Untile of Manassas buildin;;. the band commenced "Dixie." Almost with tiie lirst note, cheering Stroke out in different parts of the grounds with spontaneous unanimity. Indies began to cakewaik with their escorts, and it seemed as if everybody was half daft with enthusiasm. The manager of the old Miil invited lite band to ride through his mill race, and lilling the boats, the merry musicians entered the mysterious tunnels with a lively tune which the crowd outside could hear gradually growing fainter and fainter until it seemed to die away in the bowels of the earth. Out of the mill race the hand went on to the various other attractions, the jolly Cineinnatians following and spending their cash first for one foolish thing then for anotherasif they had "money to burn," It is said that when the party left Cincinnati. they made each member subscribe to a rule that required 10 cents for every kick that was registered during the trip, and that when they left Charleston the treasurer had not received a single dime. One feature of the exposition that is bound to impress itself on every visitor is the great number of people with st hemes to get dollars. There are stands and booths all over the place offering souvenirs, tobaccos and every other article for which there seems to be a reasonable probability that a guileless visitor could be induced to give up a dollar. Many of the venders and traders have megaphones through which to make their announcements. As visitors make their exit from the Palace of Commerce they hear something like this rolling toward them in tones of mullled thunder: "Kuropean plan hotel: good square meal for i>0 cents?Till: MOST UFA SONAI5LK immikiis ox thk r.norxDs:" From the way The News and Courier and The Kvening Post talk about Charleston's climate, people who believe these papers would not be surprised should they, on their arrival in mid-winter, timl barefooted children digging turtle eggs out of the sand with wooden shovels. It is really a fact that Charleston has a delightful climate, and pleasant during the most of the winter: but when it is cold it is cold right. Last Saturday was one of those cold days. A wind, locally known as a "northeaster," was coming from the sea, and where it got a fair show at the unsuspecting visitor, ii iinjiifivseu n? i nui \ iu uii ii \.y in u. ?>c*j that is never to be forgotten. Open lire places have been constructed in most of the state and city buildings, principally for the purpose of conveying an impression of cozy hospitality. I tut on Saturday the sentimental side gave way to the practical side, and the blazing logs became objects of the most grateful appreciation. Even the denizens of the Esquimaux village were glad to keep close within the walls of their curious little cooter houses. I asked one of these fur-clad folk (I do not know whether it was a man or a woman), for an opinion on the weather. The reply was "Cold!" accompanied by an illustrative shiver. Mut it is fair to say that this is not characteristic of Charleston weather. Except when these northeasters are blowing, it is really pleasant, even when the up-country temperature is quite low. The Egyptians, probably, are the most persistent traders in the Midway. Along the Streets of Cairo are numerous booths at which are offered various kinds of Oriental merchandise, including Persian silk mufllers, scarfs, fascinators, statuettes, candies, etc. If you do not go up voluntarily, the pullers-in will sieze you by the arm and insist that you look. If you appear pleased, the price is fixed high at the start, and if you do not seem so well pleased, it is commenced lower down. Iiut these traders seemed to be possessed of a good natured humor. I heard it related on Saturday morning that a beautiful mulller was priced to a visitor at $r>. He refused to buy. The fa{kir came down to $4. then to $3, and then to $3. Still the visitor did not appear to be interested, and the Egyptian concluded: "I beg you to take it for nothing." The mufiler was really worth about $3. Prices generally are not high, considering the situation. There has been no advance of rates at the hotels, al I notion on an averaKf laiui ieaimi prices have always been high enough. One can get a meal at the Charleston I hotel for $1 or stay a day for 54. From that sum the price ranges on down to $2 at the less pretentious hotels and $1 at respectable boarding houses. There are hundreds of places where a man can let his money get away from hint unless he knows to husband it carefully. and this fact probably is the basis of this incident, which, although an actual occurrence, must not be taken as seriously carrying the point it would seem to illustrate: The motorman of a crowded trolley car found it convenient to stop and make a needed adjustment to the motor. The motor was reached through doors in the door of the car. and while the work was in progress, a visitor who had just done the exposition and who was evidently Ion his way home, half full of booze, got I aboard. As lie surveyed the apparent confusion down in the bottom of the car. it half humorous, half sarcastic expression came over his face and lie said: Till pretty sure it is nobody killed or hurt. These Charleston people would not go to all this trouble for a little thing like that. Say partner, have you dropped a nickle down there?" I itm not prepared to say that there were no Chariestonians on the car; but everybody laughed. There is an interesting time of it at the railroad stations with the departure of every train. It is because of the war between the passenger departments of the railroads and the ticket scalpers. Most of the tickets sold to Charleston now-a-days. have return coupons in many cases because round trip tickets sell for only it fraction more than single trip tickets. All these round trip tickets are sold on an agreement that they are not good except for the transportation of the original purchaser. As a precaution against violation of the contract, the original purchaser is required to sign his n.'itin*, and agree to furnish other f<MMl||,(l>ie 11 |l *i I 11 J*? ?'l Ui Notwithstanding ; 11 these restriction*. I the tickets ore sold ii> tin* scalpers, and the scalpers make a business <>f selling them to oilier travelers. The railroads have a number of validating agents at the train, whose business it is to catch np with all the scalpers' tickets possible. ami the scalpers have agents on ham) to instruct their customers how to lie in such a way as to outwit the validators. Sometimes the validators get tin* worst of it: but most frequently the scalpers are turned down. As th < result of the contest, there is not a -ill!* inconvenience to even such passengers as have proper tickets, although under no circumstances do they ever sutler loss. The common sympathy is wits the scalpers the argument being that when a railroad sells a ticket it ought to lie good until it is punched. There is seldom any disposition to take into account the special conditions under which such tickets are sold, and tin* reduced rates by reason of those conditions, t'p to this time, the scalpers have been seeing hard lines, and many of them have been run out of business. \v. t>. <t.