Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-02-19
CHAPTER XXXII.
CLARE PLEADS FOR HER LOVER.

Monsieur Daburon, the magistrate, had
his work before him, and passed all Satur-
day and Sunday examining witnesses.
from The village where the murder had
been committed, and its nearest town,
Bougival.
Whilst he snatched a half hour or so
for his meals, he had "audences' with
the isious agents of the detective force,
whose inves legations, however, were any
thing but satisfactory.
They had heard great deal of talk
about woman, who asserted that she
had seen the murderer coming out of the
widows cottage; but nobody seemed able
to give them description of this mythical
woman, or even to furnish them with her
name.
But they all thought it their duty to in
form the magistrate that an inquiry was
being conducted by a "private individual"
at the same time as theirs. This person
was sparing no end OF money. and had
about Il dozen men under him, who were
always coming across them, and forestall-
ing them in everything.
The magistrate looked somewhat star
tied.
"You have, of course, discovered who
the party WAS"
shifting AMI a-pryins about the place, in
an old gig, harncsseI to young bay
mare, as knew what work meant, and no
mistake. He must have got up very early
in the morning." said the dsconsolate de-
tective; "for wherever we went, we found
he'd been there afore us. l met the old
beggar once, and he had the impudence
to speak to me. What says he. do you
mean by showing them photographs aboutl
Before the end of the week, you'll be
crowded with witnesses, who, for Il five
franc piece, will dye their hair and boards
to any tint, pull out their teeth, and even
MAIN themselves, to suit whatever por-
trait you present them AT last, he fin
ished off by telling two of the police
agents. who happened to be in wine
shop in the village, that he had spotted
his man. Three persons had seen him
two railway guards. and a third person,
woman, whose evidence would be decisive;
for she had spoken to him, and she re-
membcred quite we'll that he was smok-
ing"
Monsieur Daburon lost his temper on
the spot.
"The oflicious old idiot!' he muttered
between his teeth. "lIere. get me my hat
and great coat! Ill start for Bougival to-
night, and I'll bring him back, with flea
in his earl!
The journey was useless. Daddy Taba.
ret, the gig, the swift bay mare, and tho
twelve men had vanished.
On returning home tired and dispiri:ed,
the magistrate found telegram os his
table, from the chief of the detective
force.
1t contained these few words:
"He have .found the man. Leare for
Paris this erening Valuable erideace.
"GEvRoL."
At nine the next morning, Monsieur Da-
buron was preparing to start for the Pal
ace of Justice, where he expected to meet
Gevrol and the man he had entrapped-
perhaps also the meddling Old Corkscrew
himself
He had collected his papers, put on his
coat and hat, when his servant informed
him that Il young lady, accompanied by
all old woman, requested to see him.
She wouldn't give her name, saying that
it was entirely unnecessary, as it was alb
soiutely Imperative that the magistrate
should spare her a few minutes of his
time.
"Show her up!" said Monsieur Daburon.
He thought it was probably some rela-
tion of prisoner whose case he had un-
dertaken previous to the murder at La
Jonchere, and made up his mind to dis
miss the unwelcome visitor rs soon as
possible.
He was standing before the chimney.
place, with his back to the door. looking
over some letters.
The noise of the opening door. the rustic
of silk dress. and the sound of Il light
footstep behind him. did not discoucert
him in the least.
He didn't even turn his head. When
he had finis he'd reading the letter he had
IN his hand. he oondeacended to lift mis-
eyes and cast rapid glance at the new
conner.
He started back, as though he had seen