"`To forward or secure the affair in question, it is necessary to give some private and secret particulars respecting the seven persons who represent this family.
"`The truth of these particulars may be relied on.In case of need they might be completed in the most minute degree for contradictory information having been given, very lengthened evidence has been obtained.The order in which the names of the persons stand will be observed, and events that have happened up to the present time will only be mentioned.
"`NOTE, No.I.
"`Rose and Blanche Simon, twin sisters, about fifteen years of age; very pretty, so much alike, one might be taken for the other; mild and timid disposition, but capable of enthusiasm.Brought up in Siberia by their mother, a woman of strong mind and deistical sentiments, they are wholly ignorant of our holy religion.
"`General Simon, separated from his wife before they were born, is not aware, even now, that he has two daughters.
"`It was hoped that their presence in Paris, on the 13th of February, would be prevented, by sending their mother to a place of exile, much more distant than the one first allotted her; but their mother dying, the Governor of Siberia, who is wholly ours, supposing, by a deplorable mistake, that the measure only affected the wife of General Simon personally, unfortunately allowed the girls to return to France, under the guidance of an old soldier.
"`This man is enterprising, faithful, and determined.He is noted down as dangerous.
"`The Simon girls are inoffensive.It is hoped, on fair grounds, that they are now detained in the neighborhood of Leipsic.'"
Rodin's master interrupted him, saying:
"Now, read the letter just received from Leipsic; it may complete the information."
Rodin read it, and exclaimed:
"Excellent news! The maidens and their guide had succeeded in escaping during the night from the White Falcon Tavern, but all three were overtaken and seized about a league from Mockern.They have been transferred to Leipsic, where they are imprisoned as vagabonds; their guide, the soldier, is accused and condemned of resisting the authorities, and using violence to a magistrate."
"It is almost certain, then, considering the tedious mode of proceeding in Germany (otherwise we would see to it), that the girls will not be able to be here on the 13th February," added Rodin's master."Append this to the note on the back."
The secretary obeyed, and endorsed "An abstract of Morok's letter."
"It is written," he then added.
"Go on," resumed his master.
Rodin continued reading.
"`NOTE, No.II.
"`Francois Hardy, manufacturer at Plessis, near Paris, forty years old; a steady, rich, intelligent, active, honest, well-informed man, idolized by his workmen--thanks to numberless innovations to promote their welfare.
Never attending to the duties of our holy religion.Noted down as a very dangerous man: but the hatred and envy he excites among other manufacturers, especially in M.le Baron Tripeaud, his competitor, may easily be turned against him.If other means of action on his account, and against him, are necessary, the evidence may be consulted; it is very voluminous.This man has been marked and watched for a long time.
"`He has been so effectually misguided with respect to the medal, that he is completely deceived as to the interests it represents.He is, however, constantly watched, surrounded, and governed, without suspecting it; one of his dearest friends deceives him, and through his means we know his secret thoughts.
"`NOTE, No.III.
"`Prince Djalma; eighteen; energetic and generous, haughty, independent and wild; favorite of General Simon, who commanded the troops of his father, Kadja-sing, in the struggle maintained by the latter against the English in India.Djalma is mentioned only by way of reminder, for his mother died young, while her parents were living.They resided at Batavia.On the death of the latter, neither Djalma nor the king, his father, claimed their little property.It is, therefore, certain that they are ignorant of the grave interests connected with the possession of the medal in question, which formed part of the property of Djalma's mother."
Rodin's master interrupted him.
"Now read the letter from Batavia, and complete the information respecting Djalma."
Rodin read, and then observed:
"Good news again.Joshua Van Dael, merchant at Batavia (he was educated in our Pondicherry establishment), learns from his correspondent at Calcutta that the old Indian king was killed in the last battle with the English.His son, Djalma, deprived of the paternal throne, is provisionally detained as a prisoner of state in an Indian fortress."
"We are at the end of October," said Rodin's master."If Prince Djalma were to leave India now, he could scarcely reach Paris by the month of February."
"Van Dael," continued Rodin, "regrets that he has not been able to prove his zeal in this case.Supposing Prince Djalma set at liberty, or having effected his escape, it is certain he would come to Batavia to claim his inheritance from his mother, since he has nothing else left him in the world.In that case, you may rely on Van Dael's devotedness.In return, he solicits very precise information, by the next post, respecting the fortune of M.le Baron Tripeaud, banker and manufacturer, with whom he has business transactions."
"Answer that point evasively.Van Dael as yet has only shown zeal;
complete the information respecting Djalma from these new tidings."
Rodin wrote.
But in a few minutes his master said to him with a singular expression:
"Does not Van Dael mention General Simon in connection with Djalma's imprisonment and his father's death?"
"He does not allude to him," said the secretary, continuing his task.
Rodin's master was silent, and paced the room.
In a few moments Rodin said to him: "I have done it."
"Go on, then."
"`NOTE, No.IV.