Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 65: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

50 Alfred de Rosann. *‘ But we shall be searched at Brest,” interrupted Belle-Rose, mournfully, ‘‘ and our passports will be taken from us.” ‘‘ All that is guarded against,” said Leblond, somewhat impa- tiently. ‘‘ You will each put your passport in your left hand breast pocket: when the hardy turnkey at the bagne is examining you, whisper in his ear the words ‘ La France!’ and he will not touch that pocket. The same turnkey, whose name is Plombier, will aid your escape, which, when effected, must be directed to an useful urpose. So soon as you are free, proceed—separately or together, it is the same thing—to one of the towns for which your passports are signed, and cause them to be countersigned for Paris; then push boldly forward towards the capital. On your arrival, hasten to the Rue de la Chanoinesse, in the feland of the City, cluse by the cathedral of Notre-Dame, and at Number —, inquire for me by the name of Auguste Leblond.” ‘¢ And to what is all that to lead?” asked Belle-Rose. ‘‘To raise your fallen fortunes,” was the reply; ‘‘ and,’ he added, with a peculiar emphasis, ‘‘to restore to wealth, honour, rank, and love, those who have been harshly dealt with.” The words went like balm to the heart of De Rosann. ‘“‘T left Paris this morning at day-break,”’ continued Leblond, hastily ; ‘my object was to fall in with Alfred de Rosann and Pierre Belle-Rose. I arrived at this town, purposely boasted at a public-house that I had no passport, was arrested, and, as I antici- pated, was brought to prison. Now that my task is completed, I shall produce my papers to-morrow morning, say that I thought I had left them behind the day before, and thus procure my liberty.” ‘‘ But how are you free to walk about the prison at your dis- cretion ?’’ asked Belle-Rose, scarcely knowing what to think of all that Leblond had told him. ‘¢Only felons are locked up,” replied the singular individual, whose behaviour was so dee ly enveloped in mystery. ‘ But I must now retire: good night—and remember the magic words ‘La France!’ ” Belle-Rose would have interrogated him farther ; but the sounds of retreating steps showed that Leblond had withdrawn from the guichet. Some minutes elapsed before either he or De Rosann opened his lips. At length Belle-Rose broke the silence. ‘¢ Ledoux, or Leblond, or whatever his name may be, is one of three things,’’ said he. ‘Which are they ?’’ asked De Rosann. ‘‘ He is either an infernal liar—an arrant madman—or a deuced clever fellow.” ‘s There was too much system in all he said, besides the useless- ness of deceiving us,” said Alfred, ‘‘ to make me think him a mad- man or a liar; but to-morrow morning will prove beyond a doubt the truth or falsity of his assertions.” *¢ Yes; and in the meantime let us search for the passports,” returned Belle-Rose. ‘I have them,” he added, in about a minute; ‘“‘ pray to God, De Rosann—if thou can’st pray—that they may be genuine! And if they be, then is Leblond’s power great indeed ; for I am almost certain that Prince Polignac ECONlNCOOOlKS.CO