We
immediately examined the supposed impostor; for, if he was
Monbrun, we knew that we should find on his shoulder the two
letters of the convict brand, 'T. F.,' standing for _Travaux
Forces_. After the minutest examination with the mechanical and
chemical tests used on such occasions, not the slightest trace of
the brand was to be found. The moment this astounding discovery
was made, I started to lay an embargo on the forthcoming numbers
of the Havre _Journal_ for that week, which were about to be sent
to the English agent in London. I arrived at Havre on Saturday
(the morning of publication), in time to execute my design. I
waited there long enough to communicate by telegraph with my
superiors in Paris, then hastened to this place. What my errand
here is, you may--"
He might have gone on speaking for some moments longer; but Miss
Welwyn heard no more.
Her first sensation of returning consciousness was the feeling
that water was being sprinkled on her face. Then she saw that all
the windows in the room had been set wide open, to give her air;
and that she and the agent were still alone. At first she felt
bewildered, and hardly knew who he was; but he soon recalled to
her mind the horrible realities that had brought him there, by
apologizing for not having summoned assistance when she fainted.
He said it was of the last importance, in Franval's absence, that
no one in the house should imagine that anything unusual was
taking place in it.
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