Le billet rouge. English, Page 2

  II.

  Every April the horse-show, held annually at the Palais de l'Industriein the Champs Elysees, is one of the favourite resorts of Parisiansociety; and on the day when the chargers parade, ridden by lieutenantsand sub-lieutenants, quite prepared to break their necks in order toattract the attention of the ladies, a large crowd is invariablypresent. The attractive gathering took place that year a fortnight afterDargental's tragical demise. Both George Caumont and Adhemar de Puymirolwere there, having met each other by appointment at the door. Sincetheir friend's death they had not seen nearly so much of each other asusual. They still lived in the same house, and upon the same floor, butin the morning, instead of going out together as formerly, each of themwent his own way, for George had refused to help Adhemar in discoveringthe murderer, and spent his time in a manner more congenial to histastes. The fact that Dargental had not committed suicide was nowestablished, but, otherwise, no progress had been made with theinvestigation. The valet was still in prison, but stoutly protested hisinnocence, and there was really no evidence against him. Puymirol, whomight have furnished a clue as to the truth, remained obstinatelysilent. Upon being questioned by the magistrate, on the day followingthe crime, he had contented himself with relating the incidents of thelunch. George Caumont had been equally reticent, and so had Balmer andBlanche Pornic, who were also questioned; and as the valet persisted inhis denials, it would be necessary to set him at liberty sooner orlater.

  Puymirol's attempts to obtain an interview with the countess had provedutterly fruitless. Madame de Lescombat received no one, and this wasonly natural, after the tragical event which had bereft her of herbetrothed. A letter which Puymirol had written to her, requesting aprivate interview, had remained unanswered, and our amateur detective,greatly vexed, was, therefore, reduced to waiting for an opportunitywhich might never present itself. On trying to console himself bycard-playing, he met with a terrible run of ill luck; and findinghimself most embarrassed, it is no wonder if he felt dreadfully out ofsorts as he strolled that day on Caumont's arm through the crowd insidethe Palais de l'Industrie. George, on his side, seemed to be eyeing theoccupants of the benches as if in search of some acquaintance. Indeed,he suddenly let go of his friend's arm, and Puymirol exclaimed: "Ah!there's your sweetheart--Well, go and see her. We will meet here duringthe intermission that follows the hurdle race."

  "I can not promise to be punctual," replied Caumont, evidently anxiousto start off.

  In another moment he could be seen cautiously making his way towards aremarkably charming girl, who sat with her friends in one of thetribunes: but he seemed to be in no hurry to reach her, for he oftenpaused as he approached the staircase, which he would have to ascend. Hewas not far from it when the young lady recognised him and smiled. Hethereupon eagerly bowed, blushing a little as he did so, and then,quickening his pace, he began to elbow his way through the crowd--noeasy task. Just then, however, he found himself, to his surprise, faceto face with Blanche Pornic. The meeting was very disagreeable toGeorge, who knew that the eyes of the girl he admired were upon him, sohe endeavoured to turn a little aside and thus avoid Blanche, but sheresolutely barred his way. "I see that you are not particularly glad tomeet me," she remarked, laughing, "but I shall inflict my society uponyou to punish you for failing to call on me as you promised."

  "I did very wrong, I admit," replied George, "and I will atone for myfault to-morrow; but you will excuse me for leaving you now, as I mustjoin a friend who is waiting for me."

  "He will have to wait then, for you can't go any further as anothertrial is about to take place. Don't you hear the bell?" Blanche spokethe truth. The promenaders, warned by the signal, had paused, and anyfurther progress was impossible. "I have you," she continued, "and Isha'n't let you go, for I want to have a long talk with you aboutDargental's death."

  George resolved to make the best of the situation, so he replied: "Well,as you insist upon broaching that sad subject, it is said that Dargentaldid not commit suicide as was at first supposed."

  "No doubt," replied Blanche. "Suicide was far from his thoughts. He wasmurdered, my dear fellow, and I believe I know the culprit."

  George had not expected to hear the person whom Puymirol suspected ofthe crime make such a statement as this. "You know the culprit and yetyou have not denounced him," said he.

  "Oh! I make it a principle never to meddle with matters that don'tconcern me."

  "But this does concern you. You knew Dargental so well."

  "No doubt; and he has died for having deserted me."

  "I don't understand you."

  "Oh! that doesn't matter. Had I cared to tell what I know, I should havedone so to the magistrate who questioned me; and I deserve some creditfor holding my tongue, for he insinuated that suspicion might fall uponme. But I have nothing to fear, and I am going to stand my ground. Haveyou seen the Countess de Lescombat?" added Blanche, abruptly, "I supposeyou know she is here."

  "Here, a fortnight after Dargental's death? It's impossible!"

  "She is enthroned up there in the stewards' stand, and Dargental's deathhas not affected her in the least."

  "It is certainly scandalous," replied George.

  "Oh! she imagines that by showing herself here, she will make peoplebelieve that Dargental was indifferent to her."

  "But all Paris knew of the connection, and she was about to legalise itby marriage."

  "We knew it, but the banns had not been published, and Madame deLescombat will now declare that Pierre was a friend, and nothing more.And people will end by believing that such was really the case, unlesssome of her letters should be found among the poor fellow's papers. Butshe is too shrewd to write. It is all very well for me who have nothingto lose to be prodigal with my signature. If Dargental has not burned myletters, an interesting collection will be found."

  "Dargental probably destroyed them; still, it isn't likely that theycontained anything that would compromise you," said George, scrutinizingBlanche's countenance.

  "Well," replied Blanche, quite composed, "I never concealed my fondnessfor Pierre, and I did for him what I would never have done for any otherliving being. But when I learned to know him well, I deeply regrettedwriting him a certain note, which might cause me a deal of trouble,should it fall into the hands of the authorities. Dargental was quitecapable of keeping this note. I begged of him to return it to me beforehis marriage, and if I accepted his invitation at the Lion d'Or, it wasbecause I hoped he would return it to me at dessert."

  "But in what way could this note compromise you?" inquired George,trying to smile. "I presume that it didn't contain a confession of anycrime on your part."

  "You know nothing about women," replied Blanche. "The very best of themare fools when their affections are involved, and I was madly in lovewith Dargental. To save him from any danger, I would have stolen orcommitted murder, but I did not go to such lengths as that; still I didhim a service that might have cost me dear. I tell you this, because Iknow I can trust you; but, pray, say nothing to your friend Puymirolabout the matter, for I have no confidence in him. He sides with thecountess, and I am almost certain that he just left you to go and payhis respects to her. But what do you think of the show this year?"

  "It is about the same as usual, I fancy."

  "You wonder why I came, probably. Well, I came here to see the officers.Like all the rest of my sex, I am fond of uniforms. There is one officerhere whom I have taken a special fancy to. Shall I point him out toyou?"

  "Certainly," replied George, although he was not at all interested inthe matter.

  "Step here a moment, then," said Blanche. A hurdle trial was now takingplace, and as the different competitors passed by, she indulged inlively criticism. "There he is, at last," she continued, pointing to ayoung sub-lieutenant and then clapping her hands like a child, sheadded: "Isn't he handsome?"

  George looked at the rider, who had excited her admiration, and beheld atall, well-built young man, with a handsome and genial face, mountedupon a ha
lf-bred horse, which he managed with wonderful skill and ease."Do you know who he is?" Caumont asked of Blanche.

  "No; but I should very much like to know. If he does not receive thefirst prize, the judges will be guilty of the grossest injustice. Didyou notice him bow to these ladies over there, that young girl in a lacebonnet, with an older lady, who must have been very handsome, and whostill has some good looks left her?" George glanced in the directionindicated, and, on recognising the ladies, blushed so deeply thatBlanche resumed: "So they are friends of yours? You need not blush likea schoolboy, for they are both charming, the girl especially, and I amdelighted that you know them; for now you can introduce the lieutenantto me."

  "You had better not count upon that," retorted George, drily.

  "Oh! you need not take offence, I meant no harm. You seem to be deeplyinterested in one of the two ladies; and I should never forgive myselfif I prevented you from following the dictates of your heart any longer.So go, and good luck to you!"

  George now thought of reaching the tribune to join the ladies whointerested him far more than Blanche Pornic's revelations. The trial wasover, the judges had retired for deliberation, and Caumont was about toclimb the stairs when he perceived the people he wished to join comingdown towards him. The daughter was in front, and she smiled as he stood,with uncovered head, eagerly awaiting her approach. He had beenintroduced to herself and her mother by an old schoolmate of his, now acivil engineer, who had informed him that Madame Verdon was the widow ofan iron manufacturer who had left a fortune of twelve hundred thousandfrancs, which would revert, partly to his son and partly to hisdaughter, Gabrielle, the young girl who was now descending the stairs.George had often met her and her mother in the Luxembourg gardens andhad visited them at their residence on the Boulevard St. Michel, verynear his own abode. He had gradually fallen in love with MademoiselleVerdon, but being well aware of the objections that might be made to himas a suitor for the hand of a young lady blessed with an income oftwenty thousand francs, he had carefully abstained from playing the partof a lover. Still, he had eyes, and he saw very plainly that thedaughter liked him, and that the mother did not seem to discourage hispretensions. He even fancied that Madame Verdon had been unusuallycordial of late, and he wondered if the time had not come for him tomake some advances. He wished, however, first to have an explanationwith the young girl, and then if he met with any encouragement from her,to ask her hand of her mother. But a favourable opportunity had not yetpresented itself. Indeed, Dargental's death, and the judicialproceedings following upon that tragical event, had, for some days,engrossed George's attention to such an extent that he had scarcely seenthe Verdons. "Good-morning," exclaimed the mother, as she nowapproached. "We haven't seen you for a long time past. What have youbeen doing with yourself? Gabrielle has lost all fondness for theLuxembourg garden since you have ceased visiting it."

  "Yes, monsieur," chimed in the young girl, "it is very unkind of you todesert us, and your conduct is inexcusable, for it cannot be your lawstudies that engross you, as you spend your time here."

  "It is the first time I have been here this year, mademoiselle."

  "Oh! I am not scolding you. It is much more amusing here than in ourquiet neighbourhood, especially for you who are probably acquainted withall these people. I, myself, have eyes only for my brother."

  "Your brother, mademoiselle?"

  "Yes," replied Madame Verdon, "my son, Albert, has just taken part inone of the trials, and as I am confident that he will receive the firstprize, I came here expressly to enjoy his triumph. You must allow me tointroduce him to you when the awards have been made. He has a threemonths' leave, which he will spend with us."

  "I thought your son was still at Saint Cyr," stammered George.

  "He has been promoted to sub-lieutenancy in the Seventh Cuirassiers.This promotion makes me feel very old, I assure you; and I must confessthat I am rather averse to admitting that I have a son who is twenty-sixyears of age."

  "You will see how handsome my big brother is," interrupted Gabrielle."All the ladies applauded him enthusiastically when he jumped the lasthurdle. The one who was talking with you must have split her gloves inher fervour."

  George said nothing, but he blushed to his very ears. He had flatteredhimself that Gabrielle Verdon had not noticed his long conversationwith Blanche Pornic, but he could no longer delude himself on the point."Doesn't your father ever come to Paris, now?" inquired Madame Verdon."He must be very fond of horses?"

  "My father is getting too old to travel about much," replied George,somewhat astonished by this remark.

  "I understand. When a person has charge of a large estate, it isdifficult for him to absent himself. An estate is like an iron foundry:it needs constant attention. I know something about that, for I spentten years in the valley of the Vosges. My husband only took me to Parisonce a year. You scarcely remember that time, child. Monsieur Jacqueshas not forgotten it, however." These concluding words were evidentlyaddressed to a gentleman whom George had not before noticed, but whomMadame Verdon now disclosed to view by stepping a little aside. Thisperson was tall, broad shouldered, and stoutly built. His rather coarsefeatures gave him a stern air, and he was wanting in elegance of manner,although he was very neatly dressed. "Let me introduce Monsieur JacquesRochas, my husband's former partner, and his successor," resumed MadameVerdon. "He has just sold the iron works he purchased from us, and hascome to reside in Paris. You will meet him frequently at our house."

  George bowed coldly, and the stranger returned the salute in a somewhatbearish fashion. Both gentlemen seemed ill at ease, and Madame Verdonherself appeared rather uncomfortable. "Here are the victors now," criedGabrielle. "Albert leads the procession. Let us get a little nearer tosee the party form. Use your elbows, Monsieur George, and make room forus through the crowd." And without troubling herself as to whether hermother was following her or not, she turned to the left, followed byGeorge, who asked no better than to have a private interview with theyoung girl.

  "Madame Verdon will think I am running away with you," he said,jestingly.

  "We shall be able to find her again presently, without any trouble,"replied Gabrielle. "She doesn't worry herself much about me just now.Here is a good place for a quiet talk, and I wish to speak to you upon aserious subject."

  "I am entirely at your service, mademoiselle," replied George, who wasgreatly astonished.

  The musicians now struck up a triumphal march, and, amid the din,Gabrielle resumed: "I warn you that I am going to ask you a very strangeand improper question. You have been paying me considerable attention oflate. Do you love me?"

  This question was indeed unexpected--the more so as well-bred youngladies habitually wait for it to be put to them. Mademoiselle Verdon wascertainly reversing the usual order of things; but George promptlyanswered: "Love you, mademoiselle! yes, with my whole heart. I have notyet dared to tell you so, but--"

  "No protestations. I believe you, and I am going to enable you to provethe truth of your words. Do you wish to marry me?"

  "Such is my most ardent desire. If I could hope that your mother wouldgrant me your hand--"

  "She will, if you ask her for it now; that is to say, within a few days.Later on, she will, perhaps, refuse you." George could not understandthe meaning of all this, as his bewildered mien showed plainly enough."The situation is simply this," continued Gabrielle: "My mother wishesto marry again. This news may surprise you, but it is true,nevertheless. She wishes to marry again, to enter society. Her childrenare in her way, and she does not at all care to keep them with her. Mybrother does not so much preoccupy her. An officer goes about fromgarrison to garrison when he is not in the field, so she will seldom seeAlbert; but as I cannot leave her as long as I remain single, she is ina hurry to get me married off. She is looking for a husband for me, andif you do not speak out she will content herself with the first comer."

  "Oh! she will easily secure a much more eligible suitor than myself, forI have neither money nor prospects
."

  "I have money enough for two, and your future depends upon yourintelligence and industry. My mother knows this perfectly well; she alsoknows that I like you. Moreover, she has made inquiries respecting you.She has received information that your family is highly respectable, andthat your father will leave you his estate and some capital. She is in ahurry to settle the matter, for you see it would not do for both themother and the daughter to marry within a few days of each other. Shedreads ridicule, and she is quite right, for all our acquaintances wouldlaugh at her. But if I now became your wife, she would trouble herselfno further about me. She would leave Paris, and, after travellingawhile, she would be married in Switzerland or Italy. She told meyesterday that she wished to leave next month, and that she did not wantto take me with her. The only refuge left for me would be a convent, forI cannot follow Albert's regiment about, and he is my only relative."George was so overwhelmed by these disclosures, that he did not knowwhat to reply, and Gabrielle concluded that he did not care for her. "Isee that you are shocked to hear me talk in this way," she said, sadly."I know I do wrong in censuring my mother's conduct in your presence,and throwing myself in your arms, as it were. But I never could disguisemy feelings, and I always speak straight to the point. I thought youloved me well enough to do me justice. If I am mistaken I must bear thepenalty of my imprudence; but you at least cannot accuse me ofdissimulation."

  "On the contrary, I sincerely thank you, mademoiselle, for divining thefeelings which I dared not express, and I entreat you not to take mysilence as a sign of coldness or hesitation. My delight overcame me. Iwas so little prepared for the happiness you have announced to me."

  "It is not my fault if I did not explain the situation sooner. I havenot seen you for several days. But, now, will you authorise me to informmy mother that you intend to ask for my hand in marriage--at an earlydate?"

  "To-morrow, if I have your consent, mademoiselle."

  "Thank you," replied the girl, earnestly. "I can never do enough toprove to you my love and gratitude. My brother will be as pleased as Iam when I introduce you to him by-and-by. They are very slow in formingthe procession, it seems to me," continued Gabrielle. "They have noright to keep a sister waiting so long for her brother's triumphalentry."

  "Nor a mother who is longing to applaud her son," added George, in asomewhat questioning tone.

  "Mamma? Oh, yes, she is fond of Albert, but she will wait quitecontentedly, as her intended husband is with her."

  "Her intended husband?"

  "Ah! I forgot to tell you that she expects to marry the person she justintroduced to you, Monsieur Jacques Rochas."

  "Your father's former partner?"

  "That is the title my mother gives him. The truth is, he was formerly aforeman at the iron works. He subsequently became superintendent, and,after my father's death, he leased the works. He made a good deal ofmoney, and finally purchased the place from us. It seems that he hasjust disposed of it very advantageously, and is now much richer than weare."

  "But it cannot be for the sake of his money that your mother wishes tomarry him?"

  "No, though my father only left her one fourth of his property. Shelikes Monsieur Rochas, but, for myself, I cannot imagine what attractionshe can possibly find in a man who has a very limited education, andwhom she formerly regarded as an inferior. He looks very like a farrier,and he is stern and gloomy, as well as taciturn."

  "I noticed that he did not greet me very cordially just now. I aminclined to think that he will not approve of our marriage."

  "You are very much mistaken there. He suspects that I don't like him,and he is anxious to separate me from my mother. It matters very littleto him whom I marry, providing I cease to live with her. He wishes to beabsolute master in his own house, and probably thinks that I might rebelagainst his authority."

  "But what does your brother say to Madame Verdon's plans?"

  "Oh! I am sure that he will be furious when she announces her intendedmarriage to him. He will certainly try to dissuade her, but he won'tsucceed, for she has engaged herself to this man, and she is reallyafraid of him. But there is my brother Albert passing now." And sosaying, Gabrielle raised herself on tiptoe, and with her gloved handbegan to shower kisses upon the young officer, who seemed blind to thisexhibition of sisterly affection. In fact, he appeared to be gazing withextraordinary persistence at somebody whom George could not see. Justthen, too, the young lieutenant dexterously caught a little bunch ofviolets that was sent flying at him through the air; he smiled at thesender of this fragrant missile, and then, giving his horse the rein,galloped off without even seeming to suspect that his mother and sisterwere present. "Didn't I tell you that he was turning all the women'sheads?" whispered Gabrielle to George. "He is so handsome! But I shouldlike to get a look at his latest victim."

  This wish was promptly gratified, for, just then, the crowd divided toallow Blanche Pornic to pass. She had a triumphant air, and the smilewith which she had just favoured the young lieutenant was still upon herlips. "Why, it is the same person whom you were talking with when wecame down the steps," remarked Gabrielle. "I am afraid she has bewitchedmy brother. Did you notice that he kept the bouquet of violets she flungat him? But here is my mother coming with Monsieur Rochas. If she werealone, I should beg of you to remain with us; but this gentleman'spresence would not prove congenial to you, so take leave of my mother,and meet us in the Luxembourg garden to-morrow. We shall be there atfour o'clock."

  George took his leave as Gabrielle suggested and was about to turn away,when a hand was placed on his shoulder, and on looking round, he foundhimself face to face with Charles Balmer. "I have found you at last!"exclaimed the latter. "I have some news for you about Dargental's case.Poor Pierre's valet has spoken at last."

  "How do you know?" inquired George.

  "Why, I am intimate with the magistrate to whom the investigation of thecase is entrusted, and he tells me that Jean now remembers, that atabout nine o'clock on the morning of the murder, a rathersuspicious-looking man rang at the door. Jean answered the bell, andthis man, who seemed greatly annoyed on seeing him, asked for someperson whom Jean had never heard of. He then said that he must have madea mistake in the number of the house, and went off without insisting anyfurther. Ten minutes later, Dargental, having completed his toilet, sentJean to Madame de Lescombat's with a letter, and Jean, as he left thehouse, saw the same man standing in a doorway on the opposite side ofthe street. He thought very little about it at the time, but started offon his errand. The countess resides at some distance from Dargental'shouse; besides, our friend had given Jean several other commissions,which explains why he failed to return until you and Puymirol reachedthe scene of the catastrophe. The fact is, that strange man must haveseen Jean leave the house, and then, realising that our unfortunatefriend was alone, he went upstairs again, whereupon Dargental himselfmust have opened the door."

  "No doubt; but to what motive does the magistrate ascribe the crime?"

  "To robbery, as Dargental's pocket-book is missing."

  "But are you sure that this pocket-book contained any money?"

  "One cannot be sure, of course, but it seems more than probable.Dargental was in the habit of carrying all the money he possessed abouthim, and Jean declares that his master, on going to bed at night, alwaysplaced his pocket-book under the bolster. Besides, all the drawers havebeen carefully examined, and not a penny has been found in the place."

  "And no article of furniture was forced open by the murderer?"

  "None, whatever. He evidently knew exactly where to look for what hewanted. Besides, he was probably anxious to get away as soon aspossible, as some one might have come in at any moment. It seems thatthe only clue the authorities possess consists of a memorandum inDargental's handwriting which was found in the ante-room. The murderermust have dropped it on opening the pocket-book, for the imprint of hisbloody fingers is visible on one corner of it."

  "And what is this memorandum?"

  "Robergeot would
not tell me--Robergeot is the magistrate. He has greatconfidence in me, as he has known me from my infancy; but he has a verykeen sense of professional duty, so that all I have been able to learnis that the note in question may prove of great use in discovering thecriminal. I certainly hope the brigand will be apprehended, for if themurder of my friend Dargental should go unpunished, I believe I shallreally die a year before my time, and that would upset all mycalculations, for I still have money enough left to last me thirtymonths longer."

  "Ah, yes, I forgot that you were a chronic consumptive," said Georgeironically. "Poor fellow! However, if this is all you have to tell me--"

  "Yes, for the time being; but I shall see Robergeot again, and I willkeep you well informed, though you don't seem to take much interest inthe affair. You are not like Puymirol. He knows that I am acquaintedwith the magistrate, and he asks me every day how the investigation isprogressing. But speaking of Puymirol, are you aware that he lost fivehundred louis more at cards last night?"

  "No, I just left him, but he said nothing to me about it," murmuredGeorge, surprised and still more annoyed at this news. "Perhaps he hasnot gone off yet. I am going to wait for him at the door."

  "That means, you have had enough of my company, so I will leave you."

  George was now anxious to see Puymirol, for he felt that his friend hadno right to keep a pocket-book and letters which might put theauthorities on the right scent, for he did not believe that the robberyof any money had had anything to do with the crime. Moreover, he wishedto ask Adhemar how he was situated financially, and ascertain if thislast loss of ten thousand francs would not prove an irreparablemisfortune as he greatly feared. He therefore hurried to the grandentrance where there was a dense crowd, at sight of which he almostdespaired of finding Puymirol. However, luck favoured him, but, first,he saw Blanche Pornic pass out, accompanied by a young officer who wasnone other than Albert Verdon. She did not stop to speak to George, butshe gave him a mocking smile as she passed by. She had succeeded in herpurpose; the young lieutenant to whom she had taken such a fancy, hadevidently been impressed by her charms. George had not time to thinkover the matter, for just then, Puymirol, coming upon him unexpectedly,caught hold of his arm, and dragged him off, exclaiming: "I want you todo me a favour."

  "Nothing would give me greater pleasure, but I have not got the amountyou lost at the club last night," replied George.

  "That isn't the question. I have at last succeeded in securing a fewmoments' conversation with the countess, and I am now going to see herat her house, where we shall probably have a decisive interview. Herletter is a weapon which I have resolved to use, but I don't want tohave it about me during my first visit, so do me the favour to keep thepocket-book for me until to-morrow."

  "Dargental's pocket-book! Not if I know it!"

  "So you are afraid of compromising yourself. Very well, merely take theletters, then." And Puymirol, as he spoke, drew all three of them out ofthe compartment in which they had been placed, and, after thrusting theminto George Caumont's hand, hastened rapidly away.