Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-12

carried home, and has tainted on the
way" Then the voice added, in a
lower and more menacing tone, "You
may thank God that you are blind, OF
L would have done the same to you.''
He now perceived that terrible crime
had been committed; trembling as he
realized the fact the he stood face to
face with a murderer, and fearing for
his own life, he hurried on his way,
resolved never TO breathe word of his
adventure to any one, lest, haply, it
might come to the ear of the unknown,
and awaken his vengeance. When, how
ever, he heard of bcdy being found
In the very place where he had heard the
voice, he could not avoid an expression
of surprise, and, when lnterrogated,
frankly told all he knew. "God grant, -
he exclaimed, in conclusion, that no
evil comes to me for it,
The kings advocate listened attent-
lively to this story he had got hold of
a clue, but what reliance could he
place upon its power 20 guide him I?
He lnterrogated Gervais stricly as to
whether he thought be could recognize
the voice if he heard 1t again. The
latter insisted that he could. Several
months had passed, it was true, but
his terrible adventure seemed only to
have happened a few hours ago. So
great had been his terror that, night
and day he seemed to hear the mur-
derer's words always ringing in his
ears; ; he could recognize the voice as
certainly as his mothers. The by
ISLANDERS also testified that, deprived of
one sense, the others had increased in
power; his knowledge of the human
voice was wonderful ; they often tried
to play tricks on him by addressing
him In disguised voices, but the blind
man never failed to identify of his in
terrogator.
After many long debates, it was de-
cided by the Parliament that Gervais'
evidence should be admitted. His
frank and circumstantial deposition
uradv l~~r impression, beOS,1iHs but soIne
|
ing point to place mans life at the
mercy of the fugitive "reminiscences of
blind man, who could only trust to
his hearing. 1t seemed almost impos-
sible that Gervais should recognize
faithfully voice he had heard but
once. The Parliament, therefore, de-
termlned to prove him by bringing in
to his presence successively all the
prisoners in the Conciergerie. Martel
among the rest. If, after hearing them
speak, the blind man spontaneously
and without once hesitating should
recognize the voice, which had struck
him SO powerfully, this evidence, unit
ed to what they already had should be
held conclusive. Christmas eve was
pitched upon for this experiment, and
Tor good reasons. TO have brought up
the prisoners together on an ordinary
day would have awakened their suspi-
clons, perhaps suggested to them vari-
Gus stratagems, and thus left the sue
cess of the novel experiment to chance.
On Christmas Eve, however, the order
excited no surprise, as it was then Gus
tomary to bring all the prisoners of
the Conciergerie before the Parliament,
which sometimes, out of respect for
the day, liberated those who had been
imprisoned for trifing offences.
10 bring home to the understanding
Of the witness the Importance of the
statements he was to make, an iron
clad oath was administered to him,
which he took in truthful, honest
manner, that left no doubt of his sim
cereity, and the trial commenced.
Eighteen prisoners were brought up
and answered the questions put to
them, but the blind man never moved,
while the prisoners, on perceiving him
IN the room, gave no signs Of alarm
AS the nineteenth was introduced. It'll
was Martel, and at the sight of Ger
vais he seemed stupifed with horror
he resled and nearly tainted away. so
that the turkeys were obliged to lead
him to seat The president and
judges anxiously awaited the result.
At the first words that Martel uttered
in reply to a question, the blind man,
who, ignorant of his presence, had
hitherto remained quiet and immova-
BILE, suddenly leaned forward, listening
intently; then shrinking back with |
horror and fear, he cried out s'It is
he; it is the voice | heard on the
heights of Argenteuil,'' The Presi-
then, in loud voice. ordered the re-
moval of the prisoner and the intro
duction of another. The first part of
this order was complied with, but in
accordance to prearranged plan, Mar
Tel was again brought in and iuterro-
gated under another name. Fresh
questions elected fresh replies, but the
blind man, after listening few min
utes, exclaimed s'You are deceiving
me !; that is the voice of the man [
conversed with on the heights Of Ar
genteuil."