Volume II Part 12 (1/2)
”I do not know: the lady sold me the things in the presence of the porter; I had not the necessity to ask her name, as what she sold belonged to herself.”
”But their new abode?”
”That, also, I do not know.”
”Perhaps they can inform me at their old lodging?”
”No, sir; for when I returned to fetch away the things, the porter said, speaking of the mother and daughter; 'They are very quiet people, but very unhappy; some misfortunes have happened to them. They always appeared calm; but I am sure they were in a state of despair.'
'And where are they going to lodge at this late hour?' I asked him.
'In truth, I know nothing,' answered he; 'it is, however, quite certain they will not return here.'”
The hopes that Rudolph had entertained for a moment vanished. How could he discover these two unhappy females, having only as a clew the name of the young girl, Claire, and the fragment of a letter, of which we have spoken, at the bottom of which were the words: ”_Write to Madame de Lucenay, for M. de Saint-Remy_.”
The only chance, and that was a very faint one, of tracing these unfortunates, rested in Madame de Lucenay, who, fortunately, was on intimate terms with Lady d'Harville.
”Here, madame, pay yourself,” said Rudolph to the shopkeeper, giving her a note for five hundred francs.
”I will give you the difference, sir.”
”Where can I engage a cart to carry the things?”
”If it be not very far, a large truck will be sufficient; Father Jerome has one, quite close by; I always employ him. What is your address?”
”No. 17, Rue du Temple.”
”Rue du Temple, No. 17. Yes, yes, I know the house.”
”You have been there?”
”Many times. First, I bought some clothes of a p.a.w.nbroker who lived there. It is true, she did not carry on a large business, but that was no affair of mine: she sold, I bought, and we were quits. Another time, not six months ago, I went again for the furniture of a young man who lived on the fourth story, and who was going to remove.”
”M. Francois Germain, perhaps,” said Rudolph.
”The same. Do you know him?”
”Very well. Unhappily, he has not left in the Rue du Temple his present address, and I do not know where to find him.”
”If that be all, I can remove the difficulty.”
”You know where he lives?”
”Not exactly; but I know where you will be sure to meet with him.”
”Where is that?”--
”At a notary's, where he is employed.”
”At a notary's?”
”Yes; who lives in the Rue du Sentier.”
”M. Jacques Ferrand!” exclaimed Rudolph.