“None,” said Léon briefly, “Monsieur de Cadanet was peculiar in his dealings, and perhaps disliked considering it in the light of a business transaction. What is certain is that it was repaid in two sums, one of five hundred, the other of two hundred and three thousand francs.”
“You might have insisted upon having a receipt of some sort, monsieur,” said the lawyer, testily. “There can be no doubt, I imagine, that Monsieur Lemaire’s claim relates to the same sum, and to have proved that it was a loan on Monsieur de Cadanet’s part would have been a sufficient answer. From what I have gathered, he asserts that you waylaid a messenger on his way to the post, and took from him a letter containing this sum, sent to him by Monsieur de Cadanet.”
“In fact, a highway-robbery,” interposed Nathalie, laughing.
“Yes, it proves Monsieur Lemaire to be the possessor of a lively imagination,” remarked M. Rodoin; “but it is an encouragement to fraud when people persist in depriving themselves of their legal safeguards. However, I had better communicate with his lawyer, and it is not impossible that when he finds we are in earnest, and mean to push the matter home, he will grow alarmed and offer to publish an apology.”
“Well, take it, take it!” said the young man, hastily. His wife leaned forward and put her hand on his arm.
“Ought he not to have a lesson, Léon? I am harder than you, I don’t like him to get off so easily.”
“We have not reached it yet,” said M. Rodoin, dryly. “When it comes, we will see. But I think you do well, monsieur le baron, to take the initiative and forestall them. Depend upon it, I will lose no time. Shall you remain in Paris?”
“No,” said Léon, still speaking quickly. “Nathalie, we shall go home to-morrow. You can let me know what has to be done there, Monsieur Rodoin.”
“Certainly, certainly, monsieur. At the same time, there are certain instructions to be given to your counsel—I will try to secure Maître Barraud—and it would be more convenient if you were on the spot.”
“Impossible,” said the young baron, with the smile which disarmed opposition. “I give you to-morrow morning, and if I am wanted I will run up; but what more can I do or say than I have already told you? I know no more. There are the facts, and the law must worry them into shape as it best can.”