The Wandering Jew — Complete
which underwent strange vicissitudes since; its present representatives
are found in all ranks of society, from the sovereign to the mechanic.
"'These descendants, direct or indirect, are:
"'On the mother's side,
"'Rose and Blanche Simon--minors.
"'General Simon married, at Warsaw, a descendant of the said family.
"'Francois Hardy, manufacturer at Plessis, near Paris.
"'Prince Djalma, son of Kadja-sing, King of Mondi.
"'Kadja-sing, married, in 1802, a descendant of the said family, then
settled at Batavia, in the Island of Java, a Dutch colony.
"'On the father's side--Jacques Rennepont, surnamed Sleepinbuff,
mechanic.
"'Adrienne de Cardoville, daughter of the Count of Rennepont, Duke of
Cardoville.
"'Gabriel Rennepont, priest of the foreign missions.
"'All the members of this family possess, or should possess, a bronze
medal bearing the following inscriptions:
Victim
of
L. C. D. J.
Pray for me!
Paris
February the 13th, 1682.
At Paris,
Rue Saint Francois, No. 3,
In a century and a half
you will be.
February the 13th, 1832.
Pray For Me!
"'These words and dates show that all of them have a great interest to
be at Paris on the 13th of February, 1832; and that, not by proxy, but
in person, whether they are minors, married or single.
"'But other persons have an immense interest that none of the
descendants of this family be at Paris on the 13th February, except
Gabriel Rennepont, priest of the foreign missions.
"'At all hazards, therefore, Gabriel must be the only person present at
the appointment made with the descendants of this family, a century and
a half ago.
"'To prevent the other six persons from reaching Paris on the said day,
or to render their presence of no effect, much has been already done;
but much remains to be done to ensure the success of this affair,
which is considered as the most vital and most important of the age, on
account of its probable results.'"
"'Tis but too true," observed Rodin's master, interrupting him, and
shaking his head pensively. "And, moreover, that the consequences of
success are incalculable, and there is no forseeing what may follow
failure. In a word, it almost involves a question of existence or non
existence during several years. To succeed, therefore, 'all possible
means must be employed. Nothing must be shunned,' except, however, that
appearances must be skillfully maintained."
"I have written it," said Rodin, having added the words his master had
just dictated, who then said,
"Continue."
Rodin read on:
"'To forward or secure the affair in question, it is necessary to give
some private and secret particulars respecting the seven persons who
represent this family.
"'The truth of these particulars may be relied on. In case of need
they might be completed in the most minute degree for contradictory
information having been given, very lengthened evidence has been
obtained. The order in which the names of the persons stand will be
observed, and events that have happened up to the present time will only
be mentioned.
"'NOTE, No. I. "'Rose and Blanche Simon, twin sisters, about fifteen
years of age; very pretty, so much alike, one might be taken for the
other; mild and timid disposition, but capable of enthusiasm. Brought
up in Siberia by their mother, a woman of strong mind and deistical
sentiments, they are wholly ignorant of our holy religion.
"'General Simon, separated from his wife before they were born, is not
aware, even now, that he has two daughters.
"'It was hoped that their presence in Paris, on the 13th of February,
would be prevented, by sending their mother to a place of exile, much
more distant than the one first allotted her; but their mother dying,
the Governor of Siberia, who is wholly ours, supposing, by a deplorable
mistake, that the measure only affected the wife of General Simon
personally, unfortunately allowed the girls to return to France, under
the guidance of an old soldier.
"'This man is enterprising, faithful, and determined. He is noted down
as dangerous.
"'The Simon girls are inoffensive. It is hoped, on fair grounds, that
they are now detained in the neighborhood of Leipsic.'"
Rodin's master interrupted him, saying:
"Now, read the letter just received from Leipsic; it may complete the
information."
Rodin read it, and exclaimed:
"Excellent news! The maidens and their guide had succeeded in escaping
during the night from the White Falcon Tavern, but all three were
overtaken and seized about a league from Mockern. They have been
transferred to Leipsic, where they are imprisoned as vagabonds;
their guide, the soldier, is accused and condemned of resisting the
authorities, and using violence to a magistrate."
"It is almost certain, then, considering the tedious mode of proceeding
in Germany (otherwise we would see to it), that the girls will not be
able to be here on the 13th February," added Rodin's master. "Append
this to the note on the back."
The secretary obeyed, and endorsed "An abstract of Morok's letter."
"It is written," he then added.
"Go on," resumed his master.
Rodin continued reading.
"'NOTE, No. II. "'Francois Hardy, manufacturer at Plessis, near
Paris, forty years old; a steady, rich, intelligent, active, honest,
well-informed man, idolized by his workmen--thanks to numberless
innovations to promote their welfare. Never attending to the duties of
our holy religion. Noted down as a very dangerous man: but the hatred
and envy he excites among other manufacturers, especially in M. le Baron
Tripeaud, his competitor, may easily be turned against him. If other
means of action on his account, and against him, are necessary, the
evidence may be consulted; it is very voluminous. This man has been
marked and watched for a long time.
"'He has been so effectually misguided with respect to the medal, that
he is completely deceived as to the interests it represents. He
is, however, constantly watched, surrounded, and governed, without
suspecting it; one of his dearest friends deceives him, and through his
means we know his secret thoughts.
"'NOTE, No. III. "'Prince Djalma; eighteen; energetic and generous,
haughty, independent and wild; favorite of General Simon, who commanded
the troops of his father, Kadja-sing, in the struggle maintained by the
latter against the English in India. Djalma is mentioned only by way of
reminder, for his mother died young, while her parents were living. They
resided at Batavia. On the death of the latter, neither Djalma nor
the king, his father, claimed their little property. It is, therefore,
certain that they are ignorant of the grave interests connected with the
possession of the medal in question, which formed part of the property
of Djalma's mother."'"
Rodin's master interrupted him.
"Now read the letter from Batavia, and complete the information
respecting Djalma."
Rodin read, and then observed:
"Good news again. Joshua Van Dael, merchant at Batavia (he was educated
in our Pondicherry establishment), learns from his correspondent at
Calcutta that the old Indian king was killed in the last battle with
the English. His son, Djalma, deprived of the paternal throne, is
provisionally detained as a prisoner of state in an Indian fortress."
"We are at the end of October," said Rodin's master. "If Prince Djalma
were to leave India now, he could scarcely reach Paris by the month of
February."
"Van Dael," continued Rodin, "regrets that he has not been able to prove
his zeal in this case. Supposing Prince Djalma set at liberty, or having
effected his escape, it is certain he would come to Batavia to claim his
inheritance from his mother, since he has nothing else left him in the
world. In that case, you may rely on Van Dael's devotedness. In return,
he solicits very precise information, by the next post, respecting the
fortune of M. le Baron Tripeaud, banker and manufacturer, with whom he
has business transactions."
"Answer that point evasively. Van Dael as yet has only shown zeal;
complete the information respecting Djalma from these new tidings."
Rodin wrote.
But in a few minutes his master said to him with a singular expression:
"Does not Van Dael mention General Simon in connection with Djalma's
imprisonment and his father's death?"
"He does not allude to him," said the secretary, continuing his task.
Rodin's master was silent, and paced the room.
In a few moments Rodin said to him: "I have done it."
"Go on, then."
"'NOTE, No. IV. "'Jacques Rennepont, surnamed "Sleepinbuff," i.e. Lie
naked, workman in Baron Tripeaud's factory. This artisan is drunken,
idle, noisy, and prodigal; he is not without sense, but idleness and
debauch have ruined him. A clever agent, on whom we rely, has become
acquainted with his mistress, Cephyse Soliveau, nicknamed the Bacchanal
Queen. Through her means, the agent has formed such ties with him that
he may even now be considered beyond the reach of the interests that
ought to insure his presence in Paris on the 13th of February.
"'NOTE, No. V. "'Gabriel Rennepont, priest of foreign missions, distant
relation of the above, but he is alike ignorant of the existence of his
relative and the relationship. An orphan foundling, he was adopted by
Frances Baudoin, the wife of a soldier going by the name Dagobert.
"'Should this soldier, contrary to expectation, reach Paris, his wife
would be a powerful means of influencing him. She is an excellent
creature, ignorant and credulous, of exemplary piety, over whom we have
long had unlimited control. She prevailed on Gabriel to take orders,
notwithstanding his repugnance.
"'Gabriel is five-and-twenty; disposition as angelic as his countenance;
rare and solid virtues; unfortunately he was brought up with his
adopted brother, Agricola, Dagobert's son. This Agricola is a poet
and workman--but an excellent workman; he is employed by M. Hardy;
has imbibed the most detestable doctrines; fond of his mother; honest,
laborious, but without religious feeling. Marked as very dangerous. This
causes his intimacy with Gabriel to be feared.
"'The latter, notwithstanding his excellent qualities, sometimes causes
uneasiness. We have even delayed confiding in him fully. A false step
might make him, too, one of the most dangerous. Much precaution must be
used then, especially till the 13th of February; since, we repeat it,
on him, on his presence in Paris at that time, depend immense hopes and
equally important interests.
"'Among other precautions, we have consented to his taking part in the
American mission, for he unites with angelic sweetness of character a
calm intrepidity and adventurous spirit which could only be satisfied
by allowing him to engage in the perilous existence of the missionaries.
Luckily, his superiors at Charlestown have received the strictest orders
not to endanger, on any account, so precious a life. They are to send
him to Paris, at least a month or two before February 13th."'
Rodin's master again interrupted him, and said: "Read the letter
from Charlestown, and see what it tells you in order to complete the
information upon this point also."
When he had read the letter, Rodin went on: "Gabriel is expected every
day from the Rocky Mountains, whither he had absolutely insisted on
going alone upon a mission."
"What imprudence!"
"He has no doubt escaped all danger, as he himself announces his speedy
return to Charlestown. As soon as he arrives, which cannot (they write)
be later than the middle of this month, he will be shipped off for
France."
"Add this to the note which concerns him," said Rodin's master.