Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 138 to speak about the very affair that has apparently brought you hither.” “Thank God!” cried De Rosann, *‘ there is no harm as yét done !” ‘¢ HTow—no harm ?” exclaimed the banker. ‘¢ J will explain myself in two words,” replied Alfred. <‘* The individual who called upon you this morning has treacherously possessed himself of certain documents which point out the real heir to the Marquis de Denneville’s fortune: and he has doubtless come over to England with the idea of claiming the money in your hands.” ‘¢ And it was from you that the papers were stolen?” ‘¢ It was so,”’ returned De Rosann. ‘‘ T comprehend,” said Mr. Robson; and, after a moment’s re- flection, he added, ‘‘ but of course I cannot surrender the money to any one save the real heir, who must substantiate his right beyond all doubt.” ‘¢ That is every thing I require,’ with regard to the papers—” ‘‘ If you can prove that they were surreptitiously obtained, I think I might undertake to restore them to the proper owner, or to yourself,” said Mr. Robson, ‘‘ supposing the individual in question entrusts them to me, and when you produce your power of attorney, or authority to act for the parties to whom they belong.” ‘¢ And should Bell- —that is, the individual who retains those documents, hand them over to you in confidence ?”’ ‘< We must take a lawyer’s opinion, and go before a magistrate,” returned Mr. Robson. ‘‘T am afraid,” objected De Rosann, “ that the laws of England cannot take cognizance of a robbery committed in France.” ‘‘ In this case, I am inclined to think, our tribunals are competent, as you Say in your own country,” cried Mr. Robson with a smile ; ‘‘ but, at all events, I am one of the principal actors in the whole play—because I retain possession of the cash; and be assured I shall stand your friend.” ‘¢ By the bye, what name did the persen in question leave with your clerk?” asked De Rosann, as he was about to quit the office. “ Monsieur le Comte d’Elsigny,” returned the banker after a mo- mentaty reference to his book of addresses. ‘¢ Thank you,” said De Rosann; and he wished the banker a good morning; but before he had gained the door, Mr. Robson caught him by the sleeve, and reminded him of his engagement for the next day. , When De Rosann returned to the hotel, which was tie principal house of resort for all foreigners visiting the English metropolis, he found a letter, upon the table in his room, and instantly recognized the hand-writing of Belle-Rose. The contents ran as follows :— ’ answered De Rosann; ‘ and ‘< By accident we have both taken up our abode at the same inn: you arrived a couple of hours after me, and I saw you step CONNIE OOOKS (©)