"That is new to me. And the doubt was decided in your favour?"
"Certainly I had the money. Only, you understand, as a loan. And the
whole sum, with interest, was repaid within eight months of the date."
"Have you any acknowledgment?"
"None," said Leon briefly, "Monsieur de Cadanet was peculiar in his
dealings, and perhaps disliked considering it in the light of a business
transaction. What is certain is that it was repaid in two sums, one of
five hundred, the other of two hundred and three thousand francs."
"You might have insisted upon having a receipt of some sort, monsieur,"
said the lawyer, testily. "There can be no doubt, I imagine, that
Monsieur Lemaire's claim relates to the same sum, and to have proved
that it was a loan on Monsieur de Cadanet's part would have been a
sufficient answer. From what I have gathered, he asserts that you
waylaid a messenger on his way to the post, and took from him a letter
containing this sum, sent to him by Monsieur de Cadanet."
"In fact, a highway-robbery," interposed Nathalie, laughing.
"Yes, it proves Monsieur Lemaire to be the possessor of a lively
imagination," remarked M. Rodoin; "but it is an encouragement to fraud
when people persist in depriving themselves of their legal safeguards.
However, I had better communicate with his lawyer, and it is not
impossible that when he finds we are in earnest, and mean to push the
matter home, he will grow alarmed and offer to publish an apology."
"Well, take it, take it!" said the young man, hastily. His wife leaned
forward and put her hand on his arm.
"Ought he not to have a lesson, Leon? I am harder than you, I don't
like him to get off so easily."
"We have not reached it yet," said M. Rodoin, dryly. "When it comes,
we will see. But I think you do well, monsieur le baron, to take the
initiative and forestall them. Depend upon it, I will lose no time.
Shall you remain in Paris?"
"No," said Leon, still speaking quickly. "Nathalie, we shall go home
to-morrow. You can let me know what has to be done there, Monsieur
Rodoin."
"Certainly, certainly, monsieur. At the same time, there are certain
instructions to be given to your counsel--I will try to secure Maitre
Barraud--and it would be more convenient if you were on the spot."
"Impossible," said the young baron, with the smile which disarmed
opposition. "I give you to-morrow morning, and if I am wanted I will
run up; but what more can I do or say than I have already told you? I
know no more. There are the facts, and the law must worry them into
shape as it best can."
"We must find some witnesses."
"Where? Not a soul knew of the affair, except my mother."
"That receipt!" said M. Rodoin, mournfully, as he rose. "However, it
is they, fortunately, who have to prove their assertions. They will
have to bring forward the man from whom they assert you took the letter,
monsieur le baron."
"Oh, I can forewarn you what will be their line on that point," returned
Leon, easily, "and I shall have to confess to an impulse of curiosity.
The man was Andre, Monsieur de Cadanet's concierge. He overtook me as I
left the house, carrying Monsieur de Cadanet's letters. Here comes the
curiosity. Monsieur de Cadanet had talked of a letter which he meant to
despatch to Monsieur Lemaire, and of which he told me the contents. I
had an absurd desire to know whether it had gone, and asked Andre to let
me look at the letters. I had them in my hand for moment, and returned
them."
"Was the letter there?" asked M. Rodoin, startled.
"Certainly, and three others."
"And you gave them back?"
"Ask Andre. He will, I think, acquit me of having retained any," said
Leon, with no change of manner. "But there lies their point."
"It was unfortunate," said M. Rodoin, thoughtfully.
"But hardly criminal," put in Nathalie.
He smiled.
"No, madame. One does not expect to find anything criminal. Well,
monsieur le baron, permit me to take my leave. I will see Maitre
Barraud to-day, and he will probably request an interview with you
before you go down to Poissy."
"Let me wish you good success, and prognosticate victory," said
Nathalie, giving him her hand with a smile.
"I shall work for it, madame, were it only to justify your prophecy,"
returned M. Rodoin, bowing low.