The Morning herald., 1877-09-12
yet betrayed Old Corkscrsw!, Then he
said, aloud, "An irreparable injury to your

Isaid, aloud, San irreparable injury to your
self? Idon't understand"
Noel's embarrassment increased, rather
than decreased at this inquiry.
"I'm aware, sir" he answered, ''thatI
ought to speak the truth and nothing but
the truth, but still there are circumstances.
SO delicate that man Of honor shrinks
from unveiling them"
Monsieur Daburon stopped him by a
gesture. The sad, ~hesitating, voice of
Noel touched him.
II know your story" he said; "but how
I came by that knowledge, am not at
Liberty to reveal" '7I4 N1 T]H.D.E
The young barrister turned white to the
very lips.
Then, after pause, he told his story
story which is already known to the
|leader. \ ~ EF & ~ ~
With rare eloquence he expressed his
feelings on the morrow of his discovery
that he was not the son Of Madame Gerdy,
but the legitimate son Of the Count Lionel
de Valcourt. He spoke with feeling OF
the shock of the discovery, Of his grief,
his perplexities, his doubts.
/ Monsieur Daburon listened to Noel's
story with the most intense attention. Not
a word, not gesture, not even a. move
ment Of the eyebrows, betrayed his i'm
lpressions.
"And how, sir" observed the magistrate,
"after having heard what you have told
me, can you now say, that no one in your
opinion, had any interest in the death of
the Widow Lerouge2"
The young barrister was silent.
"It seems to me that the position OF Al
bert de Valcourt becomes almost unas-
sailable. Madame de Gerdy is insane.
The Count will deny everything. And all
your letters prove nothing. must con-
fess that this crime is the luckiest thing
that could have taken place in the inter-
est Of the young Viscount."
"Oh, sir!" cried Noel, in strong protest;
.'such an insinuation is dreadful" "s"'' .Ea.
The magistrate looked narrowly into the
face Of the young barrister. At.
Was heespeaking frankly, or playing a
little game Of his own.
Noel never moved muscle, and re-
piled almost Immediately.
"What reason could this young man
have to fear, or even be nervous, regard.
ing his positionY have never threatened
hin, even in the most indirect way, ! SIM
1 ply told him the facts of the case, asking
him to think over them, and make final
decision"
sand he asked you to give him time,"
eyes. asked him to accompany me to
the Widow Lerouge, whose evidence wonld
clear away all his doubts, but he didn't
seem to understand me. He knew the
old woman we'll, however, having visited
her constantly with the Count, from whom,
to my knowledge, she had received large
sums of money"
"Didn't this extraordinary generosity
appear to you somewhat singular9"
"Not in the least"
"Can you explain why the Viscount
didn't seem disposed to follow you9"
"Certainly, He told me he wished,
above all things, to have an explanation
with his father. who was out Of town, but
would return in few days. Now I
wished to have arranged everything with
out any public scandal-to have washed,
in fact, our dirty linen at home."
"You didn't intend to 60 to law, then2"
interrupted the magistrate in surprised
tone.
"Not on any account Do you think,
sir" he added, proudly, "that to recover a
name that belonged to me, I should COM
mence by dishonoring itY'
M. Daburon's eyes frightened with a
sincere admiration. ~
II admire your unselfshness," he said,
extending his hand as he spoke, and
grasping that of the young barrister;
"but it is my painful duty to tell you that
Justice must have its course; and that,
perhaps, before this day is over, you may
enter into possession Of your rights In
fact, that at this very hour, Viscount Al
bert de Valcourt has been arrested for
murderw
"What!' exclaimed Noel, in sort of
stupor. "It's true, then; and wasn't
| mistaken as to the real sense of your
| words! The fact is, was afraid to un-
derstand their meaning"
"You understand them now, however,
sir" interrupted Monsieur Daburon; "and
l thank you for your frank and straitfor-
ward explanations. They most materially
tighten the painful duty have before me.
Let me see you again tomorrow. In
| the meantime, must ask you to forward
me the letters which are in your possess
sion."
"In an hour you shall have them,' ans
wered Noel. And, taking up his hat he
left, after having warmly expressed his
gratitude to the magistrate.
A few minutes after, the door Of Mon
sieur Daburon's office was again re-
opened, this time, without any prelimin-
airy warning.
He looked up in angry surprise.
In the doorway stood the figure of the
Count Lionel de Valcourt, stiff, pale, and
stern, like one of those ancient portraits
that seem frozen in their golden frames.
MANY attempts have been made to OBJ !