The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-03

unseen misfortune should deprive me of it
before reaching Calais, you may certify to
my creditors as to my possession OF the
money at this time"
Producing a plethoric pocket book, the
wine merchant counted its contents. The
sum was correct, as he had stated, five
thousand francs. Mr.. Barret also, at his
request, became witness to his possession
of the money.
The diligence now came to stop before
the inn, and the passengers hastened to
leave the one for the other. After we had
taken our supper,.I accompanied the sub
agent to his room, where, for an hour, we
talked on the subject of our mission to st.
Ives, and probabilities of success; and then
as the hour was quite late, bade him good
night, and retired to my own chamber and
soon after to sleep.
Nothing unusual occurred during the
night, if l may make one exception, which
it may be well to mention in this place. l
had been sleeping for two hours, and was
lying in half unconscious state, when
l was awakened by heavy, though somewhat
smothered groan. l was perfectly cure that
/ had not mistaken the sound, mentally de-
Gliding that it had been occasioned in some
manner in the next room, sat upright ard
listened intently. But l heard nothing
more, although placed my ear close to the
wall. Whatever the strange sound may
have been, it was not repeated.
Upon enquiring for the sub-agert the
next morning, was told he had risen before
me, and left the inn.
The idea then occurred to me that might
have an opportunity to pass half an hour
with Monsieur Lemare and addressing the
land ord, "a heavy -browed, ill.featured man,
I asked for him. The man elevated his
brow in surprise, and declared that the wine
seller had not been in the house for month.
"Perhaps you do not know M. Auguste, u
1 said.
"But I do, Monsieur, perfectly" he re-
piled. "You must be mistaken about see.
ing him here"
"He was certainly herein this town
last night"
"But not in this house-you are doubtless
thinking of some other person."
As l walked away l noticed that he had
followed me suspiciously with his eyes. His
manner seemed strange to me. 1t was, in
fact, rather anxious and overstrained, as
though be wished very much to impress il
upon my mind that Monsieur Lemare had
not been in the hotel. Upon further rehec.
tion, however, l was forced to confess that
really had not seen the wine merchant in
the inn. True, be had informed me that he
had changed his mind, and so l dismissed
the subject from my thoughts.
Passing into the street, strolled along
in search of the sub-agent. I had continued
my walk for but few minutes, when upon
turning corner, / was brought abruptly
upon singular and terrible scene. A
number of persons were crowded in confu-
sion upon the sidewalk, and among them, as
it happened, Mr.. Berret. He quickly saw
me, and seizing my arm, conducted me for.
ward to the object of common attention. 1t
was, as 1 had already begun to suspect
another victim of the mysterious assassin
of St. Ives-the body of man lay ex.
tended upon the pavement face downward
the back penetrated by deep, ghastly
wound. But no words can describe my
astonishment and horror, when upon being
exposed l recognized my aged acquaintance
M. Auguste Lemare =! The sub-agent, too
started back in Mortified surprise, and for a
moment we both gazed at the body in ST.
lence. My habitual caution, however, soon
returned, and drawing M. Berret hastily
aside, whispered few words in his ear.
Now, Monsieur Berret, if you will fol-
low my instructions, l think 1 shall be able
to solve this mystery in the course of the
next twelve hours. Have this body con.
veyed as quickly as possible to some place
where it can be kept privately, and then
search and see whether those five thousand
francs can be found upon it. Do this and
rejoin me in half an hour at the inn. ]
will wait for you there"
l returned Immediately to the hotel, and
before the completion cfthe appointed time
M. Berret entered my room.
sThere is," he said in voice laboring
under great excitement, "no vistige of the
money upon the body of this unfortunate
man. 1t has been plunder ed of everything
valuable"
"Ab, expected it. Now Monsieur Ber-
ret, let US sit down and talk calmly of this
affair. l think may be able to tell you
that which will surprise you"
is it possible that you have gained clue
to the author of these murders! Your
words and manner lead me to hope for it. ,
"You are right. I fiatter myself that ]
have not only obtained clue, but am able
even to lay my finger upon the guilty par
ties. Would you like to hear of my discov
cries ?'
"Yes-I am all impatience. Please &c
on."
The sub-agent drew his chair close to
mine and listened eagerly, while I disclosed
the significant facts which I had gained
since my arrival at St. Ives.
"In the first place, then, Monsieur Perret,
said, "the discovery Of this morning rem
ders it certain that we have selected the
right theatre for our operations. There car