Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

"CAUGHT AT?AST? OR, THE FELON'S BRAND. [ALL BIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER XXVM. M. TARLAXDET FORMS A RESOLUTION. ø. FORTNIGHT had passed since M. Parlandet's sym- pa.thetic visit to the house of Mrs. White. The dis- eomnture which he experienced upon that notable occasion had long since vanished from his mind. Away from the inBuence of Mrs. White's sternly quiet iace, he began to breathe again and feel at ease. His plains had been successful; his dreaded competitor, tbepcsses&orof that ugly secret, had disappeared; there was no longer any fear of his being superseded With Van Flewker. At times, it is true, the re- collection of his secret being still in the possession of bis enemy's mother would intrude, casting a hideous obadow upon his cheerfulness of mind but ah, bah vwhat matter ? After all, she was only a woman. Our dear young friend happily disposed of,' thought M. Parlandet—"comfortably stowed away in a. safe place, whence, I imagine, there is little tikelihood of his return, we can now proceed with the grand scheme which his engagement interrupted for t time. With him I ha/ve altogether done. His account in my private lfflgt-i- is closed. Let us be business-like—draw a line across the page, write <0b. +May 4,' as his epitaph, and turn over the leaf. Stop! The prudent man utilises his adversaries after they have ceased to oppose Irm. I shall work in this dear M. Raymond even yet." Gaily humming a barcarole, M. Parlandet sat down to his desk and wrote the following note: Pa.UMa,It,Jmiel6,lS—. DEAR M. Kt.ECKSER.-If not better engaged, will it suit you to favour my humble roof with your presence this even- ing ? I have just i-eceived a few by a friend arrived from Germany upch the merits of which I .<.honld be glad to ha.veyouT opi'tU(m. Likewise some Masks of rheinwein, to be to the "ame orde,tl. Put your chessb<'a.rd in yo'.u' pocket if you tike, that we Via, fight each other if combatively inclined -.Ever your devoted N. V. P. Answer arrived in due course from Kleckser that he should be happy to spend the evening in M. Par- landet's society. The invitation, in fact, though given by Parl to smt his own projects, happened, curiously enough, to chime in with Klecker's objects too. HavngiearHCnomMrs. White the details of her recent interview with Parl, it seemed clear to his logkal mind that the manager was playing some terribly deep g;'m', in which whatever might have happened to Havmond was only an ep'sode; and it was with a view of endeavouring to get a, peep into the enemy's cards that he had so readily accepted the invitation. Isn't it a pity to waste so splendid an evening within four walls ?" a.sked Eleckser. on the evening appointed we shall enjoy ourselves much more in the open air. Don't you think so, M. Parlandet ?" My son, your words are words of wisdom and of truth, returned Patl. The only question that re- mams now to decide is, whither we shall direct our Wandering steps." 46 a capital place not far from remarked "where and I often go when the weather's 6np. It's called the 'Elephant's Tos!f. To-a. for the Tusk of the E!epha,nt. then, my friend'" returned Parl and the two set cut. Now I should mention that the grand scheme of which M. PHi'!a')det had spoken to himself that morning was a, very important affair indeed. To compare great thrngs with it v/a.s much the same idea as a powerful Opposition conceives when it intends to overthrow a, Ministry, or as the scheme of a down-trodden J!a1ÏonRiít.v to upfet the powers that be. M. Pa.rta.ndet had formed the resolution of over- turning Mynheer Fab;;j,n va.n Flewker. and intended to reign in his stead. He did not mean again to run the risk of hems' suoerseded, v.'h!ch he had in- C'y:' d with Raymond V.'hit'?: and, beHeving so good an opportunity as the present wou!d not speedily recur, he preferred endeavo'rmg to establish himself in tl)e merchant' fPat. He. kne'v v. e!1 that. even if he succeeded in lip, be unable to carry on the business ?'ithout rhe fSH:s!anr'e of the clerks, but he belif'vPc] this could be p!1f(:ha.sf'cl. At rate, very cautiously and wari'yftT. first, he would try the effect of a little. iud!cious tampering, and he selected Kleckser as tb.e o!ic;itl on whom to make his madden essny. Th!s wa.s the secret of the invitation prf'viously set forth. Pphotd, therefore, ?.L Parlandet a.nd Kleckser, a couple of hnurs later, seated comfortably in one of the garden harbours of the Elephant's Tusk." A !!tt!e refreshment for Ohe good of the house having been ordered, M. Par!andet brought forth his Rhein- wein and cigai"?, and the two proceeded, solemnly, and with the gravity bentriasr so important a subject, to test their merits. Par! presfr)t!v proposing play, KIecker produced tus board a.r.d men, believing ?—simp'e youth ?-that they were merely to engage tn a. f!"enrHy content at chess. M. Pa.riandet, upon the concrary, knew wetl that he was making the initiatory moves of a far more hazardous and deadly gamp. Curious, is it not, very dsar M. Eleckser," re- marked Par], present.iy, "th¡),t no news has been yet received of our late coHeaeue, M. Vhite P And his family have not heard anything whatever about him?" "Nothing whatever, M. Fsrlandet; returned Heckser, unsuspiciously. The wine of his fatherland ha,d somev.'hat opened his heart an'r* loosened his tonsu so he v.ent on I should rather ceme to you for information upon the subject, I think, than you tome." "To me ?" inquired Parl, astonished. "Wherefore, pray, my f.-enr! ? WfU, Mrs. White appears to fancy you know Mo-e about rhf disappearance of her son than you choose to say." Is it possible F But, bah These women, par- ticularly when thay in life, do adopt the Strangest notions. What?"t,hly interest could 7have in inducmg M. RaymoiDd to :stOP away ?" I know of none. But, so far as I can understand, Mrs. White seems to think some sinister influence h&s been at work. She feels sure her son would never remain away of his own free will." '< I will own to you frankly, my friend, that I am disposed to agree with Mrs. White so far. The only j Question is, by whose agency was the son removed.?"

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sure you had already anticipated my thought. It Is wonderful coincidence," philosophised M. Parlandet, "thismarvel-loussimilarityofidea." B-b-but you never m-m-mean to suggest that the p-p-person you m-m-mentioned brought about the rem-m-moval ofVhite, M. Parlandet?" stammered Gwi)!im, in high excitement. "Calm yourself, dear friend; I suggest nothing"r replied Parl. I name no one. I only say a certain person possesses an interest in another person's going away. Interest and opportunity coincide sometimes, dear GwiDim. That is all." B-b-but that would be m-m-mur——" "Precise!y, my dear Gwillim," interrupted M. Parlandet, "so it would. You are beginning to comprehend, I see. If that illustrious personage has acted as you—not I—suppose, the deed would be that with the ugly name which we will not mention, ifyouplease. Rememberstillthatlaccusenoone. if --ou pl( I only say the thing is possible; and if the act were proved it would become matter of duty and honour to bring the doer to justice. It would )a.turaUy be very painful to us ali," be concluded, fe' agly but dutv to society, dear M. GwiUim, duty I fore all." "H-b-but I"real!y c-c-can't believe it, M. Parlandet. It's q-q-q'nte imp-p-possib)e." In this world of possibitities, dear Gwillim, nothing is impossible," returned Parl. If it were the case, what on earth's to become of the b-b-business P What's to b-b-becnme of M.s' ?" Aha'" titought Par!. Come, we are reconciling ourselves to the idea. Good We shall get a Jittle further presently. Supposing," he continued, aloud, that the lamentabie contingency should actually occur, and the great and prosperous business should be left for a time without a bead,, it is not impossible, perhaps, that the requisite organ would befound. Let me offer you another cigar. B-b-but nobody could p-p-possibly take Mr. Van —I m-m-meau that person's--p!ace. M. Parlandet. Oh, I can't. I won't b-b-believe it chap 27 M. Parlandet shrugged his shoulders. It is unpleasant, I admit," he remarked. But it is not usual that the machinery of the world stands still wt'.en one of the movers happens to meet the common lot: another mover steps in and takes. hi" place. The same with a large business. It is not unlihelv .°omo ether person might be found to replace theiHustriou' personage who!?e departure we should all so much regret. Some other individual able to appreciate Dcrhaps even better than his predecessor, the 'ervicH and devo'ion of those whom he employs. As I before observed. I do not know that this would be so, but stiil it might take place. Of one thing be assured,my dfarGwiU'm. If any change should occur,yoM?'xea.I and capability will never be for- gotten.' Will you take anything more ? No ? Then let us go home to bed, like good boys, and rise refreshed to pursue our duties upon the morrow." And M. Pa,rlanr!et walked off with GwiIHm. This was the best evening's work he had done yet. He lettered himself that he began to see his way. Here was one adherent, at any rate. Unluckily, he was also the least capabi' and uRpful of the three, but still he might be rendered valuable in teaching others. If K'eckser and WhifSes continued obstinate, they should fall with their patron. M. Pnrla.ndpt fell asleep that night wlniesuil think- ing llTlcler what sty!e and 'title hp, shou!d announce the npw firm to the world. Should it be Parlandet and Company (iate VMn FIewker)," or NapoTeon- Victoire Pariandet only ? He rather preferred the sound of the latter. M. Pa.r!audet's next stpp along the course he had mar!;edoutw!i!be seen from a little conversation with his friend M. Chatomlleux at the chambers in Pall Mall. "Thf scheme progresses bravely, Poing," said he to his fripnd, as they clinked their glasses together. To the success of the great undertaking my brave "To its success a.nd our profit!" returned M. (II.-Ltf)uillPllx. "Any more little underta.k'mgs similar to the last ? If so. h°re is the man to carry them to a brilliant termination." Do I not know it, comrade P" inquired Part. "From the time when we were linked together in the bonds, not quite of matrimony, up to this present hour, in which we gaily drink our wine in this land of fogs and mists, we have worked together c''rdia,My. I,for uiypart,bavor'everrepentedthe partnership; nor, I believe, has thou." Not I," returned his friend. With thine the head to plan and think, and mine the hands to execute, our parts are well apportioned. But teM me, what is the business now to be done ? Some stirring task. I hops, for I am getting rusty." The present game is quiet and easy, Poing, but not without its mten'st. Coolness and caution are all that we shall want. Thou wilt have to go a journey, my brave." chap 27 Good I need excitement. Whither is the trip to be ?" demanded M. ChatouiDeux. Thy tour must be confined to Belgium, Holland,. Germany, and Switzerland," replied "Parl. "What thouwitthavetodoissimplythis. See, upon this paper are noted the names of the agents and firms in those countrit's with whom the house is chieEy con- nected. It is impor!:a.nt, now, that mv respected benefactor should bc'gin to feel embarrassed, that his p'ans shadd be crossed, his overture declined. Dis- trust of our stabUity must be instiUedinto the minds of our connections abroad. No handle must be given, no (.lei! iiit- aceii,ttio-n n!ade. It must be hinted- nothing more—thjt, t.he !)ons-' of Fabian van FJewker has over-spe:'uln.tcc' of late; that us i)lustnous head, anxious to rf?'c< m its fortunes, is growing desperate, unscrupuious and rash. It must be gently whispered thd.twca.remtsaff: Whenca.nstt')(!usetout?" To-day, to morrow, in a wpf-k, or in an hour," responded M.C!)?':oui?enx. "Itmitt-,M-snot;I a.m at fU! ready whpn suppled with_ He hfid or.t, ri,, hand, ;lHl tapped significantly upon Its pa1n\ \1;1\ l¡ ,he toretm{;er of the other. M. rarJnndpt. si,twd "T!.n.r.t:bonh3!-ac'f'he!eturned,"annto surnui'.mt-. it so<M-: ithtg mus'G be r?':ed. By chance, quUjc'co.'n'ra.ryt'or.heordii'f?-i'ycouri.e.aUttIec?sh hs8 co')K'u..t' my hmds. \\hir:h nu:bt to send onto the oit)C". ¡"oltunatt'ly, its p'.yment is not expected yet. so I cHn piny wij-h it un!:i)t.he proper time arrives. It h, i1. r'm:Oll,,5ff,t. Poing. will it not, t!ie See.hpre are n',ti>S w'iich s:o'<i sld.ce. If itioie are positively wanted, thoa T!!UAt tft mekr'o' M. Chafouiiiea.ux took t!ie iiM.!e bundle of bank notes handed to him by his friend, counted them, and crammed them into his pocket without a word. Par!surve'!cdthsopQ''ali(;nwit') Rome mistrust. He feit it grievous, yet not to be avoided, to entrust the pleai:urcofexpe:idmg M much money to other hands; but