, 1861-01-03

four 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 thousand francs can be found
upon it. DO this and rejoin me in half an hour
at the inn. will wait for you there"
Ircturned to the hotel, and at the appointed
time, NJ Berret entered my room.
"There is," said he, laborng under great ex-
citemeut, "no trace Of the money upon the body
Of this unfortunate man. 1t has been plundered
Of everything valuable"
81 expected it Now, NJ. Berret, let US sit
down and talk Of this affair. think may be
able to tell you that which will surprise you"
ais it possible that you have gained a clue
to the author Of the murders? Your words and
your manner lead me to hope for it,"
"You arc right flatter myself that have
not only obtained clue, but am able to lay my
finger upon the guilty parties. Would you like
to hear Of my discoveries 7"
"Yes-l am all impatience. Please so on"
The sub agent drew his chair close 10 mine,
and listened eagerly while told the facts which
had gained since my arrival.
" In the first place, then, Monsieur Berrct," l
said, "the discovery Of this morning renders it
certain that we have selected the right theatre
for our operation. There is no question that
these murders have been committed in this
town, since we have seen one of the victims"
The sub-agent nodded aftirmatively, and l
continued
"First, then, It seems rather remarkable that
these wounds should all be inflicted in the back.
As to the manner Of the inaiction, | am not pre-
pared to explain; but it seems rather conclusive
to me that all the blows must have been pro-
duced by the same hand. In the next place,
does it not seem singular that every one Of these
unfortunate mcn has been q strangerp
"Now that think Of it, it does, as | live"
the sub-agent thoughtfully replied. But what
do you argue from this facty"
81 will draw my inferences in moment.
You will remember the circumstance Of n. Lamar
counting his money in the diligence in our pres
ence; we have seen his dead body lying in the
public streets, riaed Of the money. There is
now one question in my mind; did or did not
NJ. Lamar lodge IN this house last night?" 's
" The landlord told he did not" said NJ.
Berret. W. E-t
$50 he told mc-but I prefer to investigate
for myself We had It last night from Lamar's
own lips thatit was his intention to stay at this
inn until morning, and am inclined to the be-
lief that he did put up here last night, notwith-
standing that nobody appears TO have seen him
within the house. Il is probable that he retired
Immediately to his room, and communicated
with no one but the inn-keeper or one OF the SER
wants. Now, Mons Berret let me recur to
circumstance which think escaped your notice.
Just as NJ. Auguste was replacing his pocket
book, happeued to look behind ine, and then
saw an object which attracted my attention. II
was a man. bent forward in eager attitude, his
eyes intvntly fixed upon the operations OF NJ.
AuguSte. He became aware tbat was watch
ing him, and shrank back out Of sight, but OBJ
served his face. l saw it again this morning-it
is that Of Antoine, the hostlcr."
"This is truly an important discovery" said