Litchfield enquirer., 1861-05-16

Bordeaux, and with whom I was quite intimate Upon recognizing me, he greeted me cordially and we conversed together upon passing topics for moment f0-
 You stop at the hotel St. Ives, suppose :? he said, changing the subject somewhat abrunt. ly consulted the sub- agent, and learning that this was the only place in St. Ives at which he affirmative.
 Well, shall stay there also, but it is possible l may not see you again. as intend to leave St Ives early in the morning. am now on my way to England, in a roundabout way. Contra. ry to my usual custom, I have neglected to obtain letters of exchange, and have now the sum of five thousand francs with me. Permit me to count it over before you that in case any unseen misfortune should deprive me of it, be- fore reaching Calias, you may certify to my ere ditors as to my possession of the money at this time.
 Producing pethoric pocket-book. the wine. merchant counted its contents. The sum was correct as he had stated, five thousand francs.- M. berret also, at his request, became witness to his possession of the money.
 The diligence came to stop before the inn and the passengers hastened to leave the one for the other. After we had taken our supper. l accompanied the sub-agent to his room, where for an hour, we talked on the subject of our mis- sion to St. Ives, and the 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 may make one exception, which 1t may be we'll to mention in this place. 1 had been sleep ing for more than two hours, and was laying in half unconscious state when was awakened bp heavy though smothered groan. I was per fectly sure that had not mistaken the sound, and mentally deciding that it had been occasion ed in some manner in the next room. sat up- right and listened intently. But heard nothing more, although l placed my ear close to the wall. Whatever the strange sound may have been it vas not repeated.
 Upon inquriag for the sub b-agent the next | morning, was told that he had risen before me, and left the inn.
 The idea then occurred to me that I might have an opportunity to pass half an hour with Monsieur Lemare and addressing the landlord 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 Lemare,' l said.
 But I do, Monsieur, perfectly he replied ou must be mistaken about seeing him hcre He was certainly herein this town--last night
 But not in this house--you are doubtless thinking of some other person.
 As walked away noticed that he followed me susricously with lis eyes His manner seemed strange to me. It WAS, iii fact, rather anxious and overstrainel, as though he wished very much to impress it upon my mind that M ! Lemare had not been in the hotel. Upon fur i ther reflection. however, was forced to confess 4l. l if,rl Il 1 the inn. True. he had informed t, e that he had changed his mind, and 50 dismissed the subject from my thoughts.
 Passing into the street. stroed along in search of the subagent. had continued my walk for but q few moments, when upon turnn, a corner was brought abruptly upon a singulal and terrible scene. A number of persons were crowding in confusion upon the sitlewaik-antl among them NJ. Beiret. He quickly saw me and seizng my arm, conducted me forward to the object of common attention. It was. as had already began to suspect, another victim of the mysterious assassin of St. Ives--the body ot d man lay extended upon the pavement, face downwards, the back penetrated bya deep ghast | ly wound. But no words can describe my as tonishment and horror. when upon the face be ing exposed l recognized my aged acquaintance N. Auguste Lemare. The sub-agent too, start ed back in surprise, and for moment we both gazed at the body in silence My habltual eau. | ton, however soon returned, and drawing M Berret hastily aside. l whispered a few words in his ear.
 Now. Monsieur, if you will follow my nstruc tions, l think l shall be able to solve this ny stery in the course of the next twelve hours Have this body conveyed as quickly as possible to some place where it can be kept privately and then search and see whether those five thou sand francs can be found upon it. Do this, and rejoin me in half an hour at the inn I vii wait.for you there.'
 returned immediately to the hotel, and be- fore the expiration of the appointed time NJ Berret entered my room.
 There is,' he said, in voice laboring under great excitement, no vestige of the money upor the body of this unfortunate man. It has beer plundered of everything vauable.'
 'Ah, l expected it, Now, Monsieur Berret let us sit down and talk calmly of this affair. think I may be able to tell you that which may surprise you
 Is it possible that you have gained a clue tc the author of these murders! Your words anC manner lead me to hope for it.
 You are right. fatter myself that I have not only obtained clue, but am able even te lay my finger upon the guilty parties. Would you like to hear of my discoveries?
 Yes, am all impatience. Please go on.'
 The sub agent drew his chair close to mine and listened eagerly, while disclosed the sgni fcant facts W hch had gained since my arrival at St. Ives.
 In the first place, then. Monsieur Berret.' said the discovery of this morning renders i. certain that we have selected the right place for our operations. There can be no question that these murders have been committed in this town, since we have ourselves seen one of the victims
 The sub-agent nodded affirmatively, and con. tnued:
 First, then, it seems rather remarkable that these wounds should be inflicted in the back As to the manner of their nfiction, I am not prepared to explain but it seems conclusive to me that all these blows must have been produc ed by the same hand. In the next place does il not seem singular that every one of these unfor tunate men has been stranger?'
 Now that think of it, it does, as live,' the sub-agent thoughtfully replied. But what do yot argue from this fact
 I will draw my inference in moment. 1or remember the circumstances of M. Lemart counting his money in the diligence in our pre- sence-this morning we have seen his dead bod! lying in the public street ried of his money There is TOW one question in mine. Did, or not, M Lemare lodge in the hotei last night ? .The landlord told me that he did not. ], So he told me, but prefer to investigate fol } myself We had it last night from Lemarei own lips, that it was his intention to stay at this inn until morning. aud am inclined to the be. lief that he did put up here last night, notwith standing that nobody appears to have seen him