The Morning herald., 1877-09-03

good broadcloth, wore cotton gloves a little
too large for him, and CATERS a little too
small. A very massive gold chain, in the
| extreme of bad taste, went three times
round his lean neck, and descended in a
cascade to his waistcoat pocket. 9''
Daddy Tabaret, otherwise Old Corkscrew,
stopped abruptly on the threshold Of the
door, gave one sharp, quick glance at the
magistrate, then lowered his eyelids, and
said, in voice of deferential politeness,
You have done me the honor of sending
for me-" m "o.. .r,
"Yes," answered Monsieur Daburon,
bowling in return to the others salutation,
which was of such respectful nature that
it nearly caused him to 60 on all-fours. "
"If I can be of any use to you," continu-
ed the old man, Z" I shall be only too hap
py."
You can be of very great service to us,
Monsieur Tabaret," said the magistrate, " if
you can succeed in finding out some clue
that will enable us to track the assassin !;
for I must own to you that we all seem to
be on the wrong scent. If you will take q
chair, 1 will have the whole business ex-
planned to you as far as we have gone."
"Oh, know enough of it already" inter-
rupted Old Corkscrew, Lecoq gave me the
details as we came along"
"But still" insinuated the magistrate.
"Leave it to me, sir-leave it to me. l
like to trust to my own first impressions,
unbiased by the observations Of others,
however valuable they may be because
you see, sir, despite ourselves, we cannot
help being Influenced by them. But fear
I'm wasting time, SO, if you will allow me,
I will commence at once my researches with
Lecoq."
And as the little old gentleman spoke,
his small gray eyes frightened and gleam-
ed till they shone like sparks of fire his
whole physiognomy reflected sort Of in
terror joy, and there was laugh in every
wrinkle. He seemed to grow taller-young-
or, even and it was with almost a buoyant
step that he crossed the room and entered
with eager precipitancy the second cham
ben
He stayed there some half an hour at
least, then came running out as quickly as
he had entered rushed back again-re-
turned, but only to vanish again and again
as quickly.
The magistrate, M. Daburon, could not
divest himself of the notion that in this
strange old mans every motion and look
there was startling resemblance to dog
who searches scent The upturned nose
and trembling nostrils appeared to seek in
the air itself some subtle emanation of
the assassin impalpable to others, while in
his quick comings and goings, his restless
movings to and fro, he gesticulated and
spoke aloud, apostrophising himself, heap
ing abuse upon his own stupidity, or, by
little exclamations of appreciation and tri-
umph, appearing to encourage himself to a
more energetic search. His activity was
incessant, and his friend and admirer,
Lecoq, was not left for one moment in
peace. Daddy Tsbaret required this, Dad
dy Tabaret required that. Now it was pa
per and pencil, then it was spade next
he shouted for some wet clay, some plaster,
water, and, last of all, bottle of oil,
More than an hour having passed in this
manner, the magistrate began to grow i'm
patient, and demanded Of the brigadier
what had become of their amateur detssI
tive.
"He's in the road" replied the brigadier,
with grin. "When I last saw him, he
was lying down in the mud on his stomach,
and mixing up some plaster in plate. He
told me to say he had nearly finished, and
would be at your disposition in moment"
The words were scarcely out of the gen.
dar1ne's mouth, when Daddy Tabaret ap-
peared, Joyous, radiant, triumphant, look-
ing positively younger by twenty years.
At his heels, close as his shadow, follow
u Lecoq, carrying with the greatest pre-
.ution large basket
"Ive got It p cried the old gentleman, as
he advanced briskly towards Monsieur
Daburon. "Tve drawn the cork, though
it's the very tightest I've ever wormed the
screw into. Lecoq, my good young man,
put that basket down upon the table but
gently-gently One rough shake, and I
shall have all my work to do over again."
At this interesting moment Gevrol also
re-entered the room. He had returned
from his expedition almost as triumphant
as Old Corkscrew himself.
"I've marked down the chap with the
earrings" he said. "It's beautiful trail
to follow. The boat went down the river,
and I've got an exact description of its
master"
SNOW, Monsieur Tabaret, I am anxious
to have your report" said the magistrate
All eyes were now turned on Old Cork
screw, and every ear pricked up to catch
every word that might fall from his oracu-
lar mouth. He had already emptied out
upon the table the contents of the basket
viz, a large clod Of clay, several large
sheets of paper, and three or four pieces
of plaster, still wet.
Standing upright before the table, the
queer old gentleman looked doubly gro-
tesque, and the eccentricity of his appear
ance was not lessened from the fact that he
was covered with mud from his toes to his
chin. With the air Of lecturer, and
amidst the deenest silence. he comnancod