CHAPTER IX.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 143, 27 February 1886, Page 3

CHAPTER IX.

M. JOTTRAT. In a small and miserable room in rue Marais, St. Germain, a month exactly after the duel in which Edmond de Sartilly had fallen dangerously wounded, a man was seated by a white wooden table examining papers. It was evening ; a dull coal fire burnt faintly in the grate of the narrow chimney, and a brass lamp near the window dimly lighted this poor lodging place. The floor with its uneven pavement, the white curtains that long upe had made yellow, the worn-out cane chairs, all in this disagreeable lodging indicated poverty, or at least the indifference of the occupant. Strange contrast ! On the pine table was standing an ebony casket incrusted with steel that must have been the exquisite work of an artist of last century. This casket was open, and in the midst of folded parchments could be seen rolls of glittoring gold ; and bending over this treasure, as a miser counting his wealth, was Jottrat— for it waß he — unfolding successively the papers heaped in the casket, reading them with attention, and then putting them on the table in methodical order,

While giving himself up to this work, he glanced more than once at the bright heap of gold ; out his hand never stopped to touch it, and it could be divined this man was proof against itß seduct'on, because a more powerful passion filled his heart. His eyes, which never rested on the precious metal, brightened as ho gradually ran over the half-effaced parchrrents spread be'o *c him, and when he had read them he leaned his forehead on his hands absorbed in thought. The uncertain light of the lamp, striking obliquely his hollow cheeks brought out the wan paleness of his troubled features, and one might havo takon him for an anchorite meditating in the desert. The casket being emptied of the papers, there remained by the side of tho gold ari oval medallion, of which the black velvet back could only be seen.^ Jottrat hesitated a long time before touching it, and when at last he found courage to do so evidently trembled, and with a violent effort turned the medallion, when the portrait of a child was seen, with fair curling hair, rosy lips, blue eyes, and a bright, intelligent countenance. Jottratlooked atitand seemedas if he could not take his eyes from it, this mute contemplation lasting a long time, when suddenly big tears dropped from his eyes ; he covered the miniature with kisses, and burst into violent soba ! " Honry !" he cried, in a hoart-rending voice, " my son ! my darling child I where are you ? what have they done with you ?" The unfortunate man, after this explosion of grief, put his head upon his arms extended on the table, and remained motionless, overwhelmed and inert. Tho loud ticking of a painted wooden clock, the only ornament of the mantel-piece, aroused him from hia reverie. Nine o'clock !" he said, raising his head ; " a month is over, and for a month we have learnt nothing ! nothing! Excuses are made for M. de Noreff, and the affair is already forgotten at the police-office. Will he ever come, this young man, who wants to revenge his friend, as 1 wish to revenge my loss ?" Jottrat got up, and walking through the room with great agitation, continued: 'I must bo crazy ; he come to the house of a police officer ! — he, the Viscount de Sartilly ! — porhaps he has forgotten it;*' and the unfortunate man repeated twico bitterly : " Ah ! it is only I who lemember !" He sat nown again by the table, his contracted features taking gradually an expression of energetic resolution. (1 Woll, be it so," he said, suddenly ; " I will act alone." And taking up one by ono the papers that he had jusb arranged, ho bogan a singular work. He had before him a large sheet of paper, covered with indications that seemed to boar no relation to each other. Thus, he had written these words at tho top of the sheet of paper : "24th of May, IS3O. Henry carried off \ to Havre; tho ship, * Voroncjo de Riga.' ' At the conclusion of 1830, the la&t researches by the St. Petersburg police." \ And a little lower down began a rather \ explicit notice on an entirely different sub- ( ject : "De Noreff returnod to France at the beginning of the year 1832— Leimilia Ludloff and her sister Vanda, 16 and S years old.— General de Mensignac died March Bth, 1533. — A pursuit begun against him before his death for a conspiracy. — De Noreff'scourse changed after DeMensignac's death.— Frequent absences from 1533 to IS4S.— Fixed at Paris since that epoch.— The papers of the polioe-offico contain no account of him before 1533." And afterwards in Ihe corner, and completely at the end of tho page, were these lines in a finer hand-writing: "I thought I saw Susanna in a private carriage in the 13ois do Boulogne, and a young girl sitting bepide her, 7th April, IS3S. — Wrote for the last lime to Glasgow in IS4O : no news of her either in Scotland or Normandy." Jottrat read soveral times these enigmatic sentences, his eyes passing from one passage to the other, as if hoping, by bringing all the parts before him, to seize tho secret link which bound them together. " Yes," he said, slowly, " the explanation is thore. The Marquis disappeared because he was in De Koreff's way ; his father died after being mixed by this Russian in an organised plot ; and this ia the man that thoy dare not watch over, because he says he has a mission, and they do not want to displease his govermnent ; and if I had not insisted so positively, telling them 1 expected to prove tho identity of the unfortunate woman, they would not have consented to embalm the head. " I have but one hope left, which is to get into De Noreff's house without exciting suspicion. I havo leave of absence for a month and De Noreff has never seen my face, or if he has, he has forgotten it ; but the difficulty is to find the pretext. " After having thus thought aloud, he became absorbed again in his reflections ; but, coming to a decision, again kissed the portrait, putting it back in tho bottom of the casket ; arranging thopapor3 in it, and locking them up carefully, he put it in the large secretary, the only i-ather luxurious piece of furniture in this poor lodging. One document alone remained upon the table, which Jottrat had doubtless left there purposely, for as coon as he had put his treasure safely away ho sat down again, beginning to read it attentively. It was a common paper of oblong form, covered with rather close handwriting, and at the first glance an administrative report might be recognised. " What do they say?'' murmured Jotf rat, shrugging his shoulders ; " very little and in a great many words, probably ; besides, if they have given me this, it is because I can find nothing out from it ;" and he stopped, making a gesture of indifference. " Who knows '!" he began again suddenly ; " they have read it ; but there are two ways of reading ; I mistrust theirs." Tho report had these words in large letters at the top of it: "Information and researches on Roger de Mensignac." " It is now certain," paid the anonymous author, "that M. de Mensignac is not in Paris, and it is also very prpbablo that he is not dead, as the most minute search has been maie for him, even going so far as to drag the Seine, without discovering any dead body at all resembling the Marquis Tho particulars furnished by his servants do not allow us to suppose that a crime has been committed in hw house, but the antecedents, and information collected upon the habits of the Marquis, may aid us to form an opinion of the probable cause of his disappearance. " Initiated by his father in the movements of the Legitimists in tho West in 1832, he continued the most active agent for a party for which he injured his fortune, already much impaired by his father, General de Mensignac ; for fifteen yeaars the life of the Marquis has been a succession of mysterious absences, sometimes caused by political plots in the provinces, and sometimes by money embarrassments, " This inquiry, opened with the object of finding out if the disappearance of the Marquis could be connected in any way with the discovery of the woman's head in the Bois de Boulogne, had not produced any result. The woman, moreover,was not recognised at the Morgue ; had never met with M. de Mensignac, contrary to the affirmation of a few persons who have been deceived by a resemblance. As to the

pockec-booK iouna in the buekec that con ta'ned the head, it had never been seen . * in the Marquis's possession by any of the persona belonging to hi 3 service, and as well as the tracing on the cover could be dig*tinguished, it was a fanciful coat-of-arms. "Outside of his relations with the club, which have been very limibed of late, the Marquis did not go into society, and no ono knew of his being intimato with any woman. His only friend was M. de Sartilly, who was going, it was said, to be married to Mademoiselle de Mensignac, when he was grievously wounded in a duel three days aftor the Marquis's disappearance." " Wounded in a duel !" cried Jottrat, letting the report drop ; " ah, that is why I have not heard from him ! It is my own fault," added he, with growing agitation. " I should have kept myself conversant with the topics of the day, instead of hiding myself from De Noreff's spies." Aftorasilonce, hobeganagain : "Wounded in a duel ! And by whom ?" The report said nothing more of it, and finished in this manner : "The severity of M. de Sartilly's wound has not permitted ua to question him upon certain points, but he had already given his testimony at the beginning of this affair to the chief of the detective police." At the moment Jottrat wag finishing reading this sentence, a ring was heard at the door, and the agent, prudently putting the report in his pocket, hastened to open it. A man stood there, and when the light fell upon him, Jottrat suppressed an exclamation %of surprise, his emotion being so great he was obliged to lean against the wall to keep himself from falling, for he had recognised M. de Noreff. Yos, the formidable Russian was there, standing at the half- open dcor, as calm as a man just coming to pay an ordinary visit ; and touching his hat politely, he said, " M. Jottrat, I believe ?" The police-officer felt that it was important to hide his agitation, not underptanding yet the object of M. do Noreff's visit ; but felt sure that the Russian ventured to come in this manner because he thought he was not known by him. It would be necessary to take care not to show the least astonishment, in order to preserve the advantage that might result from the orror of a dangerous adversary. The entry was very badly lighted, and he hoped his first emotion might not have been remarked by his visitor. Reassured on this point, and becoming again complete master of himself, he answered calmly : " Yes, sir ;" and added with a prepossessing gesture, " will you have the goodness to come in ?" He had noticed that M. de Noreff's eyes were fiyed upon him with a disquieting persistency, and he thought it necessary to redouble his politeness. Tho Russian thanked him with an inclination of the head, and crossed Jottcat's humble threshold. The latter, having had full time to rccovor himself, was considering the possible causes and consequences of this very unexpected visit, and he who an irstant before had wished so ardently for a pretext to introduce himself in M. de Noreff's house was now brought in contract with him in the most simple manner. This step of his enemy, it is true, might be to entrap him, but he trusted in his own skill to baffle him, and was observing with curiosity the man who had for fnteen yea's played an occult role in his life — this Russian whom he had never completely lost sight of, and whom a strange chance had just brought back into his path. "Ec looks oldei'," thought Jottrat, "but his eyes and mouth have not changed." M. de Noreff not seeming to observe that Jottrat was examining him, had seated himself with perfect composui'O on one of the dilapidated chairs, and seemed inclined to talk as calmly as if he were receiving the agent in his own large saloon. " Sir," he said, "having hoard your skill spoken of very much, I have decided to have recourse to your talents in an affair that interests me." ' Excuse me, sir," answered Jottrat, "but before going any further you will oblige me by having the goodnos3 to teil ma to whom I have the honour of speak ing." "Of course, and hero is my card," said M. de Noreff, handing Jottrat a square of vellum, with his namo and title above a shield and coat of arms. This mark of confidence rather astonished Jottrat, who began to think this viait might have a natural and avowable motive, and asuming a more respectful manner after reading the titles inscribed on the card, he said, with affected embarrassment : " Sir, dare I address another question to you before putting myself under your orders ?" "Certainly, certainly," answered the foreigner, with a tone of protecting kindnesi. " I desiro to know," said Jottrat, looking stealthily at him, "how I have been fortunate enough to have my name and address brought to your notice." " It is easily explained," said the Russian, very quietly. "I am engaged, at this moment, in a very delicate and confidential research, and having need of a skilful and honest man to second me, I simply went to the chief of police, asking h\m to point out a person who united these two qualities, and he named you." " I am really ashamed in thus persisting," Jottrat began again, in the most humble manner he could put on, " but in case of private interest, where the administration permits us to act, it is the custom to give a written warrant, and although I do not doubt in the least " "Ah, you are right," interrupted M. do Noreff, " I ought to have thought of that, and probably the chief did not think of it, either. The fact is, I have not brought any permission, but that can be easily arranged. I will call to-morrow with the proper papers." Speaking in a tone of perfect indifference, the Russian made a motion to get up. Jottrat's perplexity was very great, for were he to allow this so much desired opportunity to escape of penetrating in the enemy's camp by letting him go away, he might never be able to see him again, and whether he told the truth or lied, he would not probably return to the house of a man who doubted him. But, on the other hand, the agent did not hide from himself the danger of being directly mixed in the dark operations of this execrable Russian ; but it was too lato to go back, and his ardent dodre to engage in the struggle removed the fear of failing before attaining his end. "Oh, sir," ho said to M, de Noreff, in a contrite manner, " how sorry I am for having expressed myself so badly as in speaking of a written warrant. I did not mean that it was necessary for this evening. I will go myself to the police-office to-mor-row, and beg you to believe that from this moment I am at your service." "Ah," said M. de Noreff, in an easy manner, and sitting down again in his chair. " I will not hide from you that I would rather not have this affair delayed, as interests are at stake that might be compromised from one day to another." " I am ready to act, and while waiting, I am listening," said Jottrat, gayly, having recovered all his composure. "The chief of the police has spoken to me of the special aptitude you possess for

recognising and explaining secret writings,' said De Noreff. " I have often been employed in works of that kind." " Then you could find out the meaning of a secret phrase, supposed to be hidden." "All secret ciphers have a key nob difficult to discover when one has time ; as for invisible inks, they are easily found 1 out. I think I can decipher any letter whatever, but it is rather a long operation, and will require a day, perhaps, to do it j but I have here exactly all I want.'' " It is not a letter that is in question ; it is a book." "A book!" " Yes, and I will tell you how you can be useful to me. One of my nearest relations, very rich, and still more original, had just died in Sweden. He was possefased of a singular mania for hiding his fortune, and in 3pite of our watchfulness has succeeded. We are sure that he has hidden an enormous sum, and that the indication of this hiding place is in a book that he pointed out himself ; unfortunately, our information stops there. My brother, who lives in Sweden, has examined the leaves of the book with the greatest care, without making any discovery, and he has sent it to me here. We hope to be more fortunate, particularly if you consent to aid us." " Have you no idea of the nature of the notice, or it's place in the book ?" " None ; but I suppose there is something written in sympathetic ink on one of the margins, or at the bottom of the page ; but I cannot tell, and trust absolutely to your talents to relieve me from this embarrassment." The police-agent was reflecting deeply, and felt sure that this strange history he had been listening to was connected with < the fate and fortune of Roger de Mensignac ( " Why should I not seek to find out the secret," he thought, " that this miserable creature has just told me ? What could ; prevent me, if I made the dipcovery, hiding ■ it from him, and taking advantage of it to ; save the wealth of the De Mensignac 1 family ?" This last hope decided Jottrat. " I think 1 can answer positively for my success," he said, in a confident tone, "and i lam ready to begin this evening, if you will 1 confide the bock to me." i "If you really feel inclined to bogin , your work this evening," answered the i Russian, joyfully, "you may depend upon a recompense proportionate to your service. "Now, if you will do me the favour to go with me in my carriage to my house, I will im- '• mediately put the book in your possession. ( You understand that this volume is too valuable to be removed, and I think you - can examine it as well at my house as \ here." ■ Jottrat dfd not expect this proposition, ' and could not help hesitating a moment in , thus giving himself up to his enemy, " But \ after all," he thought, "it is what I wished ;" and opening the drawer, he took out his materials for deciphering, and said,, in a firm tone : "Sir, I am ready to start." , Five minutes afterward the Russian and Jottrat were mounted together in an elc- ! gant coupe, drawn by two superb black horses, and as soon as they were seated, \ the coachman started off with great speed, M. de Noreff drawing up the windows say- \ ing, saying: "Excuse me, my dear sir, for shutting you up in this way, but I dread '. the cold extremely. " The carriage rollod on po rapidly that Jottrat could scartaly distinguish tho way they were going, but saw that the road led al»ng the banks of tho Seine, which was ! the right direction to M. de Noreff s house, ! and being rather inclined to distruet his companion, wiped off with his hands the mist that obscured the vindow ; but the fog was so thick he could not soe ten paces off. M. de Noreff, perhaps, remarked Jottrat's proceeding, for he spoke to him in a manner to reassure him completely " You arc afraid that my coach in an is going wrong, my dear sir," he said calmly, " but he is accustomed to the fogs of London, and I promise you that we shall arrive safely at our destination." " Besides," observed Jottrat, " if-. Is not very far ; and if I remember right t)<o iAdress you did me the honour to e1.0.< rue, we must now be very near your hon-o ' The agent hesitated a little in ppcMkincj of the exact situation of M. de Noreli'a house ; but the Russian did not appear to remark it, and instead of answering him, began a conversation of a totally different kind. " Has it been very long, my dear sir," he asked, in an unconstrained tone, "since you have belonged to the police ?" " About sixtoen years," answered Jottrat, rather surprised at tho question. "Then you Avere already engaged in your duties when I arrived in France, in 1832, after the Polish insurrection was over ?" " I had then been attached to it only a few months." "Then you must know of the persecutions that I was exposed to at that epoch ?" "No, sir," stammered Jottvat, who wondered what De Noreff was aiming at. j "Really? The circurnstanco was, however, very much spoken of, and many accusations were brought against me, such as being: a Russian spy, also of conspiring against the French Government, and many other thing?, from which I had great trouble in justifying myself." "I was not employed then by the political police," said Jottrat, whose embarrassment increased in proportion as M. de Noreff entered into the track of his political souvenirs, "so that 1 know nothing of this affair." "But this is exactly the most curious part," said the Russian; "for after all, politics proved to be only a pretext for persecuting me." "How is that?" " Yes, all this story of plotting and secret missions had been arranged by some police agent, who for personal reasons made war against me." A silence followed this declaration, for Jottrat could not find a word to reply to it. " And what is still stranger," M. de Noreff said, quietly, " is, that I did not know the truth until a long time after ; and, would you believe it, that it was only yesteiday, on going to the police-office, that I found the explanation of all these annoyances of 1832 ?" " What ! was it the chief of the police who told you ?" "Yes, he did, and he could not have been more gracious t;o me, in revealing to me the secret and origin of the affair, that I must confess I had forgotten." Jotratt, while making an effort to appear calm, was listening with feverish attention. " It appears," continued De Noreff, "that this man had imagined that I had taken away his mistress from him, or carried off his child ; and in the hope of finding them again, had me arrested, and my house searched. With us in Russia, a man who would play such a trick upon a nobleman would be sure to die under the knout." " And what became of the man who — caluminated you in this way ?" " I could not hear, as the chief of the police said he had been dismissed by his predecessor, who had left no notice on the subject." Jottrat breathed a sigh of relief, and went on more tranquilly : " However guilty the agent may have been, they could only punish him by sending him away. We have neither whips nor Siberia here," he added, with a forced laugh.

" That is true," replied M. de Noreff, gayly, *• but we Russians, when we want to revenge ourselvee, know* how to invent punishment quito as efficacious. I ha/c a very fertile imagination in thia way, and I know suitable means of revenge for all places." Th 9 obscure light in the carriage had hidden Jottrat, and prevented him also from seeing the white and pointed teeth of Do Nareff, who was laughing loudly. " I am lost," thought the unfortunate man •' he knows all, and he i^ going to murder me," reproaching himself bitterly at the same time for hia credulity, as he could doubt no longer that he had been entrapped. (To be Continued).