The New York herald., 1861-12-28
CHAPTER Nv.

CHAPTER w.
THE fNTERRoaATORY
The fOOtman introduced the two magistrates.
There followed an interval Of silence during
winch the steeled soul of the president-tha man
or the old regme--was enabled TO retempor itself.
Hl.h determined effort. he composed his face,
and when the magistrates entered the room he ad.
vanced to meet them with more calmness than they
possessed. They nodded silently to one another,
and were left alone by the retiring servant.
The coroner first broke silence.
~ ~ not to you, Monsieur le President inter.
rupted ne, bowling respectfully, " it is not to you
ought to express how frequently painful il be.
comes to discharge the duties of our profession y
appreciate, sr all that one performs to assist
the administration of public justice. Seventy
three years OF an irreproachable fe--I say it un-
hesitatingly-are there to attest my entire sabms.
SION TO the laws of our country and 10 the exigen-
eies OF my position. l await an explanation Of
your object in this visit"
1T relates TO the crime that has just been per.
petrated ut the brokers'. You were al the time in
the hotel, attending the reception Of Madame de
Chamarante. 1t appears that on the arrival Of her
daughters intended strange incident transpired,
which ID connected with this murder. OF this cir
cumstance you were undoubtedly witness; and
VIC hope TO obtain from you some information that
VIII confirm (at least we fear SOY the very serious
evidence that set the police; but moment since
The incident TO which you allude," responded
the president was indeed remarkable. Monsieur
de Menza was expected mpatiently by Mndemoi-
sec do Chamarante. who, having, during the day
nihcent diadem, desired to be adorned with the
same, for the first time, only by the hand Of the
donor. The craving room was thronged with
brilliant cOnc0urse, when Monsieur de Monza ar
rived. He immediately accepted the crown Of pre-.
cioas stones that was handed him. and placed it
on the forehead OF his bctrothed, which received
the marks of his glove, which was freshly stained
with blood. You can comprehend the horror, the
unutterable dismay with which every one present
was seized. Such are the facts. Do you require
me To ansN er furtherW
could not have taken place without some expla.
nations.n
'Monsieur de Monza has narrated how a. the
door OF his hotel, he has shaken hands with per.
son at parting whom he had previously esteemed
rs friend, and who had just issued from the bro.
hors Office"
Has he named the person, Monsieur lie Pres
dent" continued the coroner
.He refused to do So in spite Of my cntrea
ties"
At this juncture the coroner manifested peculiar
embarrassment; but, making another effort, he
pursued his nterrogatories.
Ibid M. de Monza inform you whether the indi-
yaual from whom he was just separated was Of
Madame dc Chamarantes society! Did he express
surprise ut having encountered him in the street.
departing from the hotel at moment when il was
natural he should have been repairing thither, in
order to Join his congratulations to those Of the
frierds Of the familyy''
mo, sir, replied the old man.
There again ensued A silence, which the coroner
interrupted IN lowered voice, indicating deep
emotion.-
'You have a son Monsieur lie PRESIDENT"
81 have.r
"Ile resides at your hotel?"
''He has lived there since his infancy"
"Whcre did you last leave bimg'
"Hc left the hotel early this evening" said NJ.
de st. seyre with some hesitation. II did not see
him before he departed, and am not at present
aware whether he is at home not. ~
"Then he was not at the sorce Of Madame de
Chamaranteg"
This last question afforded ray of light to NJ. de
ST. Sevre. Up to that time only the nfexibie ma
gistrate had shown himself. lie had suppressed
his fears and horrid anxiety; but. finally he expe-
rienced the strong emotions OF father, and could
master himself longer. Apprehending the
drest OF misfortunes, he rose quickly und in
! CURED
"B,t wherefore all these questions sir? What
has my. son to do with this murder in tie Rue Ven
domer'
The two magistrates regarded each other with
out answering. n. de ST. sevre stood before them,
in his black attire bis face blanched white as the
powder OF his wig, his voice extinct. his trembling
maintain the dignity OF his age and position, and
yet painfully moved; his heart rcnding with TN ir
reprcssble emotiqn that inspired them with in
Involuntary respect and pity.
''You maintain silence, gentlemen" he resumed,
"You fear that am weak; you apprehend my
anger, perhaps; but you are sadly mistaken. am
strong, and able to hear anything Speak en-
The president dropped heavily into his arm
chair, Incapable Of retaining his feet yet maintain
ing his dignity in spite OF his AFFECTION.
Monsieur le President" replied the officer OF
justice; II never tet more thoroughly the respon-
abilities Of my position BE kind enough to far
nish us with all the information you possess con
cerning your son, his habits"
Regular habits; irieproachabe habits up 70
within the last eighteen months. At least, be
lieve So"
.'And since that time has he always lived with
your Has he not been trayeliingt'
''He has not"
ssThen, Monsieur ie President we mus. beg per.
mission to visit your hotel We have orders to
search it."
The coroner pronounced tbese words in husky
tone. He bowed his head and added, slowly:
"Arm yourself with forttude Monsieur le Presi+
dent This is great trial Yet we have. unfor-
tunately the most legitimate reasons for believing
M. Ernest the culprit in the murder committed this
evening on the person Of Sophie Herve, in the RE
| de Vendome'
| NJ. de St. Sevre replied not single word aor iij
| he make gesture, nor alter his attitude exc-pt
ing that deathlihe paloness overs pread his foa-
lures and after few minutes Of silence, hs fixed
eye cleaned with feverish fire, and two tears
rickcd slowly down his marble cheeks, apparently
as cold and inanimatc as statue OF despair.
The magistrates again regarded each other.
They respected the first utterance Of the fathers
grief, and waited until the unfortunate should
have recovered sufficiently his presence Of mind to
understand and attend them. But several minutes
of dead silence intervened The justice at length
hazarded question, but the old man did not seem
to hear it. few moments more passed in the
same quiet, when the president rose and said:-
.'Let us go, gentlemen
He pulled bell and the footman entered.
'Gve my respects to Madame Ia viscountess,"
he sad ''and say that shall be unable to visit
her tonight. l ain obliged to leave the hotel i'm
mediatey. Gentlemen" he continued, turning
TO the magistrates, my carriage is waiting you.p
Never, perhaps, were paterna forttude, the
pride of noble blood and the remembrance of a
stainless career put TO . ruder trial. Never did
man experience greater suffering than the stole
president in his effort to restrain his wickedness He
did the honors of his carrirge, but without pro-
nouncing word during their short journey
Arrived home, the carriage-way was closed, as
the President, on the point Of entering the hall,
summoned the usher and gave the strict order that
nobody should be permitted to leave the hotel un-
til the departure Of the magistrates. His suttcrance
was stern, his hand steady; he was resolved
An old domestic-the housekeeper--with a large
bunch of keys dangling at her belt, advancing to
meet her master, waited his orders.
"Babet," spake the President, addressing her,
"you will conduct these gentlemen throughout the
house, open for them all the doors and every closet.
Al