The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-11-16
NO.. q.

was so absorbed in my reflections
that, forgetting to watch my steps, j
nearly fell down.
/ The shock recalled me to a conscious
ness of my situation.
We were then passing along an i'm
mense passage with damp walls and
rough pavement. Ny companion soon
entered little room where two men
were playing cards, while three or tour
Others, stretched on a camp bed, were
smoking pipes. He exchanged a few
words with them, which did not reach
my ears, then came out, and we con-
tinued our walk.
Having crossed 4 courtyard and en-
tered a second passage, We soon reach
ed an iron grating with heavy bolts
and formidable lock.
At word from Monsieur Mechinet,
an attendant opened the grating; We
passed on the right an immense hall
where / seemed to see ali the police
men i'll Paris, and at lest climed steep
staircase.
AT the top of this staircase, at the en-
trance of narrow corridor on which
opened a number of little doors, sat a
stout man with pleasan. face, who
certainly bore 10 resemblance of the
classic jailer.
"Wby, it's Monsieur Mechinet" he
exclaimed, as he saw my companion.
81 was expecting you. I'll bet your've
come to see the murderer of the little
old man of the Batignolles."
Exactly. Is there anything new in
the casem
No"
But the magistrate must have
come"
''He has left here"
"WelI?"
He didn't stay three minutes with
the priso.er, and looked very well sat
isfied when he came away. At the
foot OF the stairs he met the warden,
and said, The business will be easily
settled; the murderer doesn't even ct.
tempt to deny"
Monsieur Meehinet jumped at least
thee feet, but the iaiIer did not notice
it, fo= he continued
'I'm not at all surprised. When l
saw the prisoner, as he was brought in
l said to myself, Here's one who won't
know how to hold OUT"
]And what is h doing now"
Hes groaning. l was told to
watch him, lest he should commit sui
eide, and of course debut it's use
less. He's one of the rascals who think
more of their own skins than other
peoples"
Lets take look at him." inter
Iupted Monsieur Mechinet, "but make
no noise"
All three of US instantly moved for
ward on tiptoe to an oaken door, pierc-
ed at the height of man with graf
ed window.
Through this window we could see
everything that was passing in the cell,
which was lighted by a dim gas burner.
rhe iailer looked in first, Monsieur
Meehinet next, then 1ny turn came.
On a narrow iron bedstead covered
with a grey wooden quilt striped with
yellow, saw man lying face down
ward, with his head almost hidden on
his folded arms,
He was weeping; the SQUAD of his
sobs reached my ears, and at times a
convulsive shudder shook him from
head to foo.
"Open the door now, "said Monsieur
Mechinet to the jailer.
He obeyed and we entered.
At the grating of the key, the prisoner
bad risen, and seated on his pallet,
with l,gs and arms hanging, and head
bowed on his breast, looked at US with
stupefied expression.
He was a man thirty five or thirty
eight years old, with figure somewhat
below the middle height, but stout,
and an apoplectic neck sunk between
broad shoulders. He was ugly, his
face had been dishgured by smallpox,
and his long. straight nose and retreat
ing forehead gave him a resemblance
to the stupid couDtenance of the sheep.
But bis blue eyes were very handsome,
and his teeth remarkably white.
"Wen, Monsieur Monistrol," Mon
sieur Mechiuet began, so We are in
trouble"
Aud as the unfortunate man made
no reply
Il admit, be continued, that the
situation isn't cheerful. BuJ if were
in Jour place, would show myself ii
man Would do myself justice, and
try to prove my innocence."
II AIN not innocent"
This tim5 there was no opportunity
for mistake, no room to doubt the in
relligence Of a messenger. We heard
the terrible confession from the Grim
inal's own lips.
What" exclaimed Monsieur Ne
chiDet, you"
The man had started up on Lis tot
tering limbs, with bloodshot eyes and
foaming lips, evidently in fit of ter
r,ble rage.
Yes, it is l." he interrupted, 9
alone. How many times must Irepee
itl 4 magistrate has just been here,
confessed everything and signed tn
confession. What do you ask morei
know what is before me, and I'm nc
afraid. l killed and must be killed
Cut my throat, the sooner the better.
Monsieur Nechinet, who was az frs
somewhat bewi!dered, quickly regain
ed his eompcsdre.
..Ooe moment" said he, people
throats are not cut like that. The!
must prove that hey are guilty. Ther
the law takes into consideration GER
tain errors, certain fatalities, if yor
please, and for this very purpose hai
invented extenuaring circumstances.
An inartieulate groan was Monis-
trolls only reply, and Monsieur Ne
chinet continued -
$50 you bore your uncle terribl'