Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-22
THE GUEST CHAMBER OF THE INN AT
ST. IVES.

! received an urgent letter from the sub-
agent at st. Ives, calling me to come and un-
rSvel the mysteries Of many murders COM
mitted there, to which no clue could be had
Proceeding on the journey, 1 met the SUBJ
agent, Berret, in the diligence which had to
carry me to st. Ives
The excitement consequent upon this alarm
ing state Of affairs, had caused the sub-agent
TO decide upon personal Investigation of the
matter, and when i encountered him, he had
already started for St. Ives, so that our desti.
nation was the same.
I" You entrapped the rascal, JACQUES Gui-
chsrd, 50 admirably" Mr.. Berret remarked.
''that am led to hope for your success in the
present case, dark and doubtful as the matter
now looks"
AT all events, deem it no more than ius-
tice to myself, to make strosg effort. must
ask you, however, Monsieur Berret, TO give
me the entire management and control of this
matter in every particular ?'
" will do 80, and with pleasure Frame
whatever plans and use whatever means Won
please. will be guided by you in all things
pertaining to the business
I" This will be we'll. But one thing more.
Monsieur Berret. You must be as secret as
the grave. Do not, upon any consideration,
let II be known In st. Ives that there is q de-
tectlve oflcer nearer TO them than Paris: and
above all, do not suffer yourself to make in
qulry concerning these murders Leave me
to all the questions in my own peculiar man
ner"
The sub-sgent promised full compliance with
my instructions, and In few moments we
were rolling through the darkness and rain
into the village Of st. Ives. During these few
minutes, however, an incident occurred which
necessarily has an important bearing upon my
narrative.
Our conversation had been held, as a matter
OF course, IN so low tone as not to be over
heard by the other occupants of the diligence
In fact, hardly noticed any of their faces
But now, as finished speaking for the time
with Mr. Berret, and look around me- dis
covered in the elderly gentleman who sat di-
rectiy behind US, Monsieur Lemare a wealthy
wine-seller of Bordeaux, and with whom was
quite intimate. Upon recognising me- he
greeted me cordially, and we conversed to-
gether upon passing topics for moment
You stop at Hotel Of st. Ives, I sup
Pose? be said, changing the subject some
what abruptly.
consulted the sub-agent, and learning that
this was the only place in st. Ives at which "a
ever stopped, answered the questi on in the
Affirmative.
80 Well, shall stay there also hnt =, :.
sible may not see you agai a. in,sPSns PUs
to leave st. Ives early to- ,or,o~ ,,o,n;n.
am now on my way to England, travelling, as
ny Toas spe" ue to, in a round about
ra9,a.,.J 80 my usual custom, I have
.otain letters of exchange and
DIV e sum Of five thousand francs with
-. init me 10 count this over before you
-; case any unseen misfortune should de-
=" Ie me Of it before reaching Calais, you may
Jerufy to my creditors as to my possession Of
the money at this time
Producing plethoric pock ct book, the wine
merchant counted its contents The sum was
correct as he had stated, five thousand france
NJ Berret also at his request became q witness
TO his possession Of the money
The diligence now came to a stop before the
Inn, and the passengers fastened to leave the
one for the other. After we had taken our
supper, 1 accompanied the sub-sgent to his
room, where for an hour we talk ed on the sub
Ject OF his mission to st. Ives, and the proba-
billties 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
II may make one exception, which it may be
we'll TO mention in this place. 1 had been
sleeping for more than two hours, AID was Iy-
ing IN half unconscious state, when / was
awakened by heavy though smothered groan
was perfectly ssre that had not mistake
the sound, aud mentally deciding that it had
been oecasioned in some manner in the next
room, sat upright and listened intently But
heard no more, although i placed my ear
close to the wall. Whatever the strange sound
may have been, il was not repeated
Upon inquiring for the sub-agent the next
morning, l was told that 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 th Q sndlord,
heavy browed, ill-featured man, asked for
him. The man elevated his brow in surprise,
and declared that the wins-selIer had not been
In the house for a month
perhaps yeu do not know NJ. Auguste,"
said.
'.But do, Monsieur, perfectly" he replied.
You must be mistaken about seeing him
%. He was certainly herein this toun-last
But not in this house-you are doubtless
thinking Of some other person"
As walked away, noticed that he follow
Cd me suspiciOusly with his eyes His manner
seemed strange TO me. II was, in fact, rather
anxious and Oyerstrained, as though be wished
very much To impress it upon my mind that
Monsieur Lemare had not been ia the hotel
Upon further reflection, however, was forced
70 confess that really had not seen the wine
merchant in the inn. True, he had informed
me that he had chnged his mind, and 20 /
dismissed the subject from my thoughts
Passing into the street, / strolied along in
search Of the sub-agent I had continued my
walk for but few moments, when, upon turn
ing corner, was brought abruptly upon q
singular and terrible scene. A number of per-
sons were crowded in confusion upon the side
vslk-and among them, as it happened, M.
Berret. He quickly saw me, and seizing my
arm, conducted me to the object of common at
ten.ion. II was, as had already begun to
suspect, another victim Of the mysterious as
sassin Of st. Ives-the body Of a man lay ex-
tended upon the pavement, face downward,
the back penetrated by deep wound. But no
words can describe my astonishment and hor-
ror, when, upon the face Of the corpse being
exposed, recognised my aged acquaintance,
ID. Augusts Lemare. The sub-sgsnt started
back in horri6ed surprise, and for a mement
We both gaEed at the body in silence. My ha-
bituAl caution, however, soon returned, and
drawing NJ. Berret hastily aside, / whispered
few words in his ear.
Now, NJ. Berret, if You will follow my in
structions, think shall be able TO solve this
mystery in the course Of the next twelve hours.
Have this body conveyed as quickly as posi-
bic to some place where il can be kept pri-
vately, and then search and see whether those
fye thousand francs can be found upon it. Do
this, and rejOin me in half an hour at the inn.
will wait for You there"
I returned Immediately to the hotel, and
before the expiration Of the appointed time,