I have seen
the letter which the police agent sent the next morning to
Harleybrook; and, speaking from my recollection of that, I shall
be able to relate all you can desire to know.
First, as to the past history of the scoundrel Monbrun, I
need only tell you that he was identical with an escaped
convict, who, for a long term of years, had successfully eluded
the vigilance of the authorities all over Europe, and in America
as well. In conjunction with two accomplices, he had succeeded in
possessing himself of large sums of money by the most criminal
means. He also acted secretly as the "banker" of his convict
brethren, whose dishonest gains were all confided to his hands
for safe-keeping. He would have been certainly captured, on
venturing back to France, along with his two associates, but for
the daring imposture in which he took refuge; and which, if the
true Baron Franval had really died abroad, as was reported,
would, in all probability, never have been found out.
Besides his extraordinary likeness to the baron, he had every
other requisite for carrying on his deception successfully.
Though his parents were not wealthy, he had received a good
education. He was so notorious for his gentleman-like manners
among the villainous associates of his crimes and excesses, that
they nicknamed him "the Prince." All his early life had been
passed in the neighborhood of the Chateau Franval.
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