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About The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1898)
THE AMERICAN THE WANDERING JEW. HV l UK NIC M K "Hut, to persist, sir," said Adrienne; "why this .. . . UM... ,1.. f..irV hesitation to answer; iiui u" Ah, mv dear young lady," said Rodin, shud- tiering, "those people are so poweriul! tneir ani mosity is bo terrible!" CII M'TEIi XXXVII. Contim ki. "He satisfied, sir; 1 owe you t o mucn, ior my Where you accepted the challenge of Morok," support ever to fail you." continued the Jesuit, without answering l'ago- " Ah, my dear young uuiy, oriei noum, as u bcrt's question, "and so fell into a trap, or eU-e hurt by the supposition; " think Letter of me, I refused it, and were then arreted, lor wain oi entreat you. is n ior myseu i llu' nn.l thrown into prison as a vagabond, m; I am too obscure, too luouensne; iui it is ior with these poor children. Now, di you know you, for Marshal Simon, for the other members the object of this violence? It was to prevent of your family, that all is to be feared. Oh, my Your beinc hero on the 13th of February." dear young lady! let me beg you to ask no ques- "But the more I hear, sir," said Adrienne, Hons, mere are secrnswmu. miai. w mv. 'the more I am alarmed at the audacity of the who possess them." Abbe d'Aigrigny, and the extent of means he has " But, sir, is it not better to know the perils at his command. Really," she resumed, with in- with which one is threatened?" creasing surprise, "if your words were not en- "When you know the manoeuvres or your titled to absolute belief " enemy, you may at least defend yourself," said " You would doubt there truth, madame? " said Dabobert. " I prefer an attack in broad daylight Dagobert. " It ia like me. Bad as be is, 1 can- to an ambuscade. not think that this renegade had relations with a "And I assure you," resumed Adnenne, me wildbeast showman as far off as Saxony; and few words you have spolcen cause me a vague then, how could he know that I and the children uneasiness." were to pass through Leipsic? It is impossible, "Well, if I must, my dear young lady, re- my good man." plied the Jesuit, appearing to made a great enort, "In fact, sir" resumed Adrienne, "I fear that "since you do not understand my hints, 1 will be you aro deceived by your dislike (a very legiti- more explicit; but remember," added he, in a mate one) of Abbo d'Aigrigny, and that you as- deeply serious tone, "that you have known. cribo to him aa almost fabulous degree of power "Speak, sir, 1 pray you speak," said Adrienne. and extent of influence." Drawing about him Adrienne, Dagobert, and After a moment's silence, during which Rodin Mother Bunch, Rodin said to them in a low looked first at Adrienne and then at Dagobert, voice, and with a mysterious air: "Have you with a kind of pity, he resumed. "How could never heard of a powerful association which ex- the Abbe d'Aigrigny have your cross in his pos. tends its net over all the earth, and counts its session, if he had no connection with Morok?" disciples, agents, and fanatics in every class of Ti ia rnA sir" snid Datrnbert: " iov nre- society which has had. and often has still, the vented me from reflecting. But how, indeed, did ear of kings and nobles which, in a word, can bunds?" raise its creatures to the highest positions, and "By means of the Abbe d'Aigrigny's having with a word can reduce them again to the noth- precisely those relations with Leipsic, of which ingness from which it alone could uplift them?" you and the young lady seem to doubt." " Good heaven, sir! " said Adrienne, " what " But how did my cross get to Tans? " "Tell formidable association? Until now I never heard me; you were arrested at ijeipsic ior want oi 0f it." papers is it not so?" "I believe you; and yet your ignorance on this "Yes; but I could never understand how my subject greatly astonishes me, my dear young passports and money disappeared from my knap- lady." sack. I thought I must have had the misfortune to 1 so them." Rodin shrugged his shoulders, and replied: "You were robbed of them at the White Falcon Inn, by Goliath, one of Morok's servants; and the latter sent the papers and the cross to the Abbe d'Aigrigny, to prove that he had succeeded And why should it astonish you?" "Be cause you lived sometime with your aunt, ana must have often seen the Abbe d'Aigrigny." "I lived at the princess's, but not with her; for a thousand reasons she had inspired me with warrantable aversion." In truth, my dear young lady, my remark in executing his orders with respect to the orphans was ill-judged. It was there, above all, and pai- and yourself. It was the day before yesterday, ticularly in your presence, that they would keep that I obtained the key of that dark machination, silence, with regard to this association and yet Cross and papers were amongst the stores of to it alone did the Princess de Saint-Dizier owe Abbo d'Aigrigny; the papers formed a considera- her formidable influence in the world, during ble bundle, and he might have missed them; but, the last reign. Well, then; know this it is the hoping to see you this morning, and knowing aid of that association which renders the Abbe how a good soldier of the Empire values his d'Aigrigny so dangerous a man. By it he was cross, his sacred relic, as you call it, my good enabled to follow and to reach divers members friend I did not hesitate. I put the relic into 0f your family, some in Siberia, some in India, my pocket. After all,' said I, ' it is only resti- others on the heights of the American mountains; tution, and my delicacy perhaps exaggerates this but, as I have told you, it was only the day be breach of trust. fore yesterday, and by chance, that, examing the " You could not have done a better action," papers of Abbe d'Aigrigny, I found the trace of said Adrienne; "and, for my part, because of the his connection with this company, of which he interest T fflPl far M naorniiert T fat-a if na a nor. I:. .ul onJ nl.ln Viof house is one of the most devoted lay metubors of the company, and therefore the blind instrument of the Abbe d'Aigrigny." "So," said Adrienne, this time smiling, "Dr. Dulcimer " "Obeyed the Abbe d'Aigrigny, the most for midable chief of that formidable society. He employs his genius for evil; but I must confess he is a man of genius. Therefore, it is upon him that you and yours must fix all your doubts and suspicions; it is against him that you must be upon you guard. For, believe me, I know hira, and he does not look upon the game as lost. You must be prepared for new attacks, doubtless of another kind, but only the more dangerous on that account " " Luckily, you give us notice," said Dagobert, "and you will be on our side." "I can do verv little, my good friends; but that little is at the service of honest pjople," said Rodin. "Now," said Adrienne, with a thoughtful air, completely persuaded by Rodin's air of convic tion, "lean explain the inconceivable influence that my aunt exercised in the world. I ascribed it chiefly to her relations with persons in power; I thought that she, like the Abbe d'Aigrigny, was concerned in dark intrigues, for which religion served as a veil but I was far from believing what, you tell me." "How many things you have got to learn! " re sumed Rodin. " If you knew, my dear young lady, with what art these people surround you without your bciog aware of it, by agents de voted to themselves! bvery one oi your s eps is known to them, when they have any interest in such knowledge. Thus, little by little, they act upon you slowly, cautiously, darkly. They cir cumvent you by every possible means, from flat tery to terror seduce or trighten, in order at ast to rule you, without your being conscious of ieir authority. Such is their object, and I must confess they pursue it with detestable ability." Rodin had spoken with so much sincerity, that Adrienne trembled; then, reproaching herself ith these fears, she resumed: "And yet, no I . 1 . i 1 AT can never believe in so lniernai a power; me might of priestly ambition belongs to another t i i : l i i : j i" . - ae. Heaven ue praiseu, w uas uisappeaieu iui ever! " "Yes, certainly, it is out of sight; for they now now how to oisperse and disappear, when cir umstances require it. but then are they the most dangerous; for suspicion is laid asleep, and they keep watch in the dark. Oh! my dea young lady, if you knew their frightful ability n my hatred of all that is oppressive, cowardly and hypocritical, I had studied the history of that terrible society, before I knew that the Abbe d'Aigrigny belonged to it. Oh! it is dreadful. f you knew what means they employ! When I tell you that, thanks to their diabolical devices, the most pure and devoted appearances often conceal the most horrible snares." Rodin's eye rested, as if by chance, on the hunchback; but, seeing that Adrienne did not take the hint, the esuit continued: "In a word are you not ex posed to their pursuits? have they any interest gaining you over? oh! from that moment, sonal favor. But, sir, after a moment's silence, she resumed with anxiety: " What terrible pow er must be at the command of M. d'Aigrigny, for him to have such extensive and formidable rela tions in a foreign country! " " Silence! " said Rodin, in a voice, and looking round him with an air of alarm. " Silence! In ' heaven's name do not ask me about it! " CHAPTER XXXVIII. " But the name, sir, the name of this company?" said Adrienne. "Well! it is ," but Rodin stopped short. " It is, repeated Adrienne, who was now as much interested as Dagobert and the sempstress; "it is " Rodin looked round him, beckoned all the actors in this scene to draw nearer, and said in a whisner. laving great stress upon the words. "It is the Society of Jesus! " and he again shud dered. "The Jesuits!" cried Mdlle. de Cardoville, un- REVEI.ATIOXS. Mdlle. de Cardoville. much astonished ut the alarm dismayed bv Rodin, when she had asked able to restrain a burst of laughter, which was him for some explanation of the formidable and "le buoyant, as, from the mysterious precautions i.: uu j a o; of Rodin, she dad expected some very different to him: "Why, sir, what is there so strange in revelation. "The Jesuits!" she resumed, stil u i:.. .i..,ti i.j lauzhins. " ihev have no existence, except in After a moment's silence, Rodin cast his looks books; they are frightful historical personages all around, with well-feigned uneasiness, and re- certainly; but why should you put forward Mad plied in a whisper: "Once more, madame, do ame de Saint-Dizier and M. d'Aigrigny in that not Question me on so fearful a subject. The w walls of this house may have ears." Adrienne and Dagobert looked at each other with growing surprise. Mother Bunch, by an instinct of incredible force, continued to regard Rodin with invincible suspicion. Sometimes she stole a glance at him, as if trying to pentrate the mask of this man, who filled her with fear. At one moment, the Jesuit encountered her anxious gaze, obstinately fixed upon him; immediately he nodded to her with the greatest amenity. The young girl, alarmed at finding herself observed, turned away with a shudder. " No, no, my dear young lady," resumed Rodin, with a sigh, as he saw Mdlle. de Cardoville aston ished at his silence; "do not question me on the subject of Abbe d'Aigrigny's power ! " character? Such as they are, they have done quite enough to justify my aversion and disdain.' After listening in silence to Mdlle. de Cardo ville, Rodin continued, with a grave and agitated air: "Your blindness frightens me, my dea young lady; the past should have given you some anxiety for the future, since, more than any one you have already suffered from the fatal influ ence of this company, whose existence you re gard as a dream!" "I, sir?" said Adrienne, with a smile, althoug a little surprised. "You." " Under what circumstances? " . " You ask me tins question, my dear young lady! you ask me this question! and yet you have been confined here as a mad persjn! It is not enough to tell you that the master of this in suspect the most noble attachments, the most tender affections, for these monsters sometimes succeed in corrupting your best friends, and making a terrible use of them, in proportion to the blindness of your confidence." "Oh! it is impossible," cried Adrienne, in hor- ... i i- vr-i ili li.-ir ror. " lou musi exaggerate. nui neu useu never dreamed of more frightful treachery " Alas, my dear young lady! one of your rela tions, M. Hardy the most loyal ana generous- hearted man that could be has been the victim of some such infamous treachery. Do you know what we learned from the reading of your an cestor's will? Why, that he died the victim of the malevolence of these people; and now, at the lapse of a hundred and fifty years, his descend ants are still exposed to the hate of that inde structible society." . " Oh, sir! it terrifies me," said Adrienne, feel in? her heart sink within her. "But are there no weapons against such attacks? "Prudence, my dear young lady the most watchful caution the most incessant study and suspicion of all that approach you." " But such a life would be frightful! It is torture to be the victim of continual suspicions doubts and fears." "Without doubt! They know it well, the wretches! That constitutes their strength. They often triumph by the very excess of the precau tions taken against them. Thus, my dear young lady, and you, brave and worthy soldier, in the name of all that is dear to you, be on your guard and do not lightly impart your confidence. Be on your guard, for you have nearly fallen the victims of those people. They will always be your implacable enemies. And you, also, poor interesting girl! " added the Jesuit, speaking to Mother Bunch, " follow my advice fear these .eople. Sleep, as the proverb says, with one eye open. I, sir! ' said the work girl " U hat have i done? what have I to fear? " " What have vou done? Dear me! Do not you tenderly love this young lady, your protect ress? Have you not attempted to assist her: Are you not the adopted sister of the son of this in trepid soldier, the brave Agricola? Alas, poor girl! are not these sufficient claims to their ha tred, in spite of your obscurity? Nay, my dear young lady! do not think that I exaggerate. Re flect! only reflect! Think what I have just said - - - . ...all to the faithful companion-in-arms oi luaranai Simon, with regard to his imprisonment at Leip- mt lil 1 X A ...... 1 f nrhdll sic. ihint wnat nappeneu u jouiaou, against all law and reason, you were brought hither. Then you will see, that there is nothing exaggerated in the picture I have drawn of the secret power of this company. Be always on your gaard, and, in doubtful cases, do not fear to apply to me. In three days, I have learned enough by my own experience, with regard to their manner of acting, to be able to point out to you many a snare, device, and danger, and to protect you from them." "In any s ich case, sir," replied Mdlle. de Car doville, "my interest, as well as gratitude, would point to you as my best counsellor." According to the skilful tactics of the sons of Loyola, who sometimes deny their own existence, in order to escape from an adversary and some times proclaim with audacity the living power of their organization, in order to intimidate the feeble Rodin had laughed in the face of the bailiff of Cardoville, when the latter had spoken of the existence of the Jesuits; while now, at this moment, picturing their means of action, he en deavored, and he succeeded in the endeavor, to impregnate the mind of Mdlle. de Cardoville with some germs of doubt, which were gradually to develop themselves by reflection, and serve here after the dark projects that he meditated. Mother Bunch still felt considerable alarm with regard to Rodin. Yet, since she had heard the fatal pow ers of the formidable order revealed to Adrienne, the young sempstresss, far from suspecting the Jesuit of having the audacity to speak thus of a society of which he was himself a member, felt grateful to him, in spite of herself, for the im portant advice that he had just given her patro ness. The side glance which she now cast upon him (which Rodin also detected, for he watched the young girl with sustained attention), was full of gratitude, mingled with surprise. Guessing the nature of this impression, and wishing en tirely to remove her unfavorable opinion, and also to anticipate a revelation which would be made sooner or later, the Jesuit appeared to have forgotten something of great importance, and ex claimed, striking his forehead: "What was 1 thinking of ? " Then, speaking to Mother Bunch, he added: "Do you know where your sister is, my dear girl? " Disconcerted and saddened by this unexpected question, the workwoman an swered with a blush, for she remembered her last interview with the brilliant Bacchanal Queen: ' I have not seen my sister for so many days, sir." Well, my dear girl, she is not very comforta ble," said Rodin; "I promised one of my friends to send her some little assistance. I have applied to a charitable person, and that is what I received for her." So saying, he drew from his pocket a sealed roll of coin; which he delivered to Mother Bunch, who was now both surprised and affected. " You have a sister in trouble, and I know nothing of it? " said Adrienne, hastily. " This is not right of you, my child! " : Do not blame her," said Rodin. "First of all, she did not know that her sister was in dis tress, and, secondly, she could not ask you, my dear young lady, to interest yourself about her." As Mdlle. de Cardoville looked at Rodin with astonishment, he added, again speaking to the hunchback: " Is not that true, my dear girl?" ' Yes, sir," said the sempstress, casting down her eyes and blushing. Then she added, hastily and anxiously: "But when did you see my sister, sir? where is she? how did she fall into distress?" "All that would take too long to tell you, my dear girl; but go as soon as possible to the green grocer's in the Rue Clovis. and ask to speak to o - your sister as from M. Charlemage or M. Rodin, which you please, for I am equally well known in that house by my Christian name as by my surname, and then you will learn all about it. Only tell your sister, that, if she behaves well, and keeps to her good resolutions, there are some who will continue to look after her." More and more surprised, Mother Bunch was about to answer Rodin,' when the door opened, and M. de Gernande entered. The countenance of the magistrate was grave and sad. "Marshal Simon's daughters!" cried Mdlle. de Caidoville. "Unfortunately, they are not with me," an swered the 'judge.