then, this horrible agony having reached its height, he softened by degrees, and, in about a quarter of an hour, threw himself into my arms, bathed in tears.Beside him were his loaded pistols: one day later, and all would have been over.I cannot tell you the reason of his despair; I am not at liberty to do so; but it did not greatly astonish me.Now there is a complete cure to effect.We must calm, and soothe, and heal this poor soul, which has been cruelly wounded.The hand of friendship is alone equal to this delicate task, and I have good hope of success.I have therefore persuaded him to travel for some time; movement and change of scene will be favorable to him.I shall take him first to Nice; we set out tomorrow.If he wishes to prolong this excursion.I shall do so too, for my affairs do not imperiously demand my presence in Paris before the end of March.As for the service I have to ask of you, it is conditional.These are the facts.According to some family papers that belonged to my mother, it seems I have a certain interest to present myself at No.3, Rue Saint-Francois, in Paris, on the 13th of February.
I had inquired about it, and could learn nothing, except that this house of very antique appearance, has been shut up for the last hundred and fifty years, through a whim of one of my maternal ancestors, and that it is to be opened on the 13th of this month, in presence of the co-heirs who, if I have any, are quite unknown to me.Not being able to attend myself, I have written to my foreman, the father of General Simon, in whom I have the greatest confidence, and whom I had left behind in the department of the Creuse, to set out for Paris, and to be present at the opening of this house, not as an agent (which would be useless), but as a spectator, and inform me at Nice what has been the result of this romantic notion of my ancestor's.As it is possible that my foreman may arrive too late to accomplish this mission, I should be much obliged if you would inquire at my house at Plessy, if he has yet come, and, in case of his still being absent, if you would take his place at the opening of the house in the Rue Saint-Francois.I believe that I have made a very small sacrifice for my friend Bressac, in not being in Paris on that day.
But had the sacrifice been immense, I should have made it with pleasure, for my care and friendship are at present most necessary to the man whom I look upon as a brother.I count upon your compliance with my request, and, begging you to be kind enough to write me, `to be called for,' at Nice, the result of your visit of inquiry, I remain, etc., etc.
"FRANCIS HARDY."
"Though his presence cannot be of any great importance, it would be preferable that Marshal Simon's father should not attend at the opening of this house to-morrow," said Father d'Aigrigny."But no matter.M.
Hardy himself is out of the way.There only remains the young Indian."
"As for him," continued the abbe, with a thoughtful air, "we acted wisely in letting M.Norval set out with the presents of Mdlle.de Cardoville.
The doctor who accompanies M.Norval, and who was chosen by M.Baleinier, will inspire no suspicion?"
"None," answered Rod in."His letter of yesterday is completely satisfactory."
"There is nothing, then, to fear from the Indian prince," said D'Aigrigny."All goes well."
"As for Gabriel," resumed Rodin, "he has again written this morning, to obtain from your reverence the interview that he has vainly solicited for the last three days.He is affected by the rigor exercised towards him, in forbidding him to leave the house for these five days past."
"To-morrow, when we take him to the Rue Saint-Francois, I will hear what he has to say.It will be time enough.Thus, at this hour," said Father d'Aigrigny, with an air of triumphant satisfaction, "all the descendants of this family, whose presence might ruin our projects, are so placed that it is absolutely impossible for them to be at the Rue Saint-Francois to-morrow before noon, while Gabriel will he sure to be there.At last our end is gained."
Two cautious knocks at the door interrupted Father d'Aigrigny."Come in," said he.
An old servant in black presented himself, and said: "There is a man downstairs who wishes to speak instantly to M.Rodin on very urgent business."
"His name?" asked Father d'Aigrigny.
"He would not tell his name; but he says that he comes from M.Van Dael, a merchant in Java."
Father d'Aigrigny and Rodin exchanged a glance of surprise, almost of alarm.
"See what this man is," said D'Aigrigny to Rodin, unable to conceal his uneasiness, "and then come and give me an account of it." Then, addressing the servant, he added: "Show him in"--and exchanging another expressive sign with Rodin, Father d'Aigrigny disappeared by a side-door.
A minute after, Faringhea, the ex-chief of the Stranglers, appeared before Rodin, who instantly remembered having seen him at Cardoville Castle.
The socius started, but he did not wish to appear to recollect his visitor.Still bending over his desk, he seemed not to seen Faringhea, but wrote hastily some words on a sheet of paper that lay before him.
"Sir," said the servant, astonished at the silence of Rodin, "here is the person."
Rodin folded the note that he had so precipitately written, and said to the servant: "Let this be taken to its address.Wait for an answer."
The servant bowed, and went out.Then Rodin, without rising, fixed his little reptile-eyes on Faringhea, and said to him courteously: "To whom, sir, have I the honor of speaking?"