The Morning herald., 1877-09-10
twenty-four hours, your mother-I would
say, Madame Gerdy-is corpsel"
CHAPTER XIX.
DENoUNc1Na THE MURDERER,

Eleven o'clock was striking from a
neighboring church steeple, when Old
Corkscrew left his young friends house.
"What a mine I've sprungr' he thought,
as he walked joyously along the pave
ment, in seventh heaven of delight. I've
bowled out my professional friends-1've
forestalleds them all! Ha! ha! wasn't
far out, though, about there being child
mixed up in the business; but l never sus-
pected a substitution. And to think of his
mother-a woman would have canonized
as saint-that she could have lent her.
self to such a scheme! I was going to
propose marriage to her, too. Well, well;
suppose I'm an old fool, after all"
At this last thought Old Corkscrew shud-
dered.
He saw himself married and settled;
then discovering, all at once, the past his
tory Of his wife.
He saw himself mixed up in scandal
lous lawsuit, with the scorn and ridicule
of society falling like an avalanche on his
head.
He leaned against lamp-post, almost
overwhelmed at the vision he had con-
jured up.
By this time the Daddy had arrived at
the house of the examining magistrate,
Monsieur Daburon. who was just upon go
ing to bed; having left, however, orders
with his servant to admit the old man, no
matter at what hour he called.
At the sight of his self-constituted de-
tective, the magistrate hastily put Oh lis
dressing gown, and advanced to meet
him.
"Something has happened" he said,
eagerly, "or you wouldn't be here at this
hour' Are you on the trail' Have you
got clue9"
"Better than thatp said Old Corkscrew,
smiling and looking at the anxious face
before him with an aggravating calmness.
"Out with it then; and don't stand grim
ming there like an old baboon."
Daddy Tabaret struck the clenched fist
of his right hand into the palm of his
| left.
ave got my man! I've found out the
murderer of the Widow Lerouge"
"What already! It seems impossible"
"I've the honor of repeating to You,
| sir" continued Daddy, 'that I have dis
covered the man who committed the crime
at La Jonchere."
Then, with precision and clearhess Of
which the magistrate would have hardly
| believed him capable, he told the story he
f had cleaned from the young lawyer that
evening.
sand those letters I've told you about,
I've seen. In fact, don't mind telling
you, I've bagged one of 'em-only to ver-
Iify the handwriting, mind you-only to
Iverify the handwliting!
And as he spoke, he placed the letter on
M. .Daburon's knee.
"Yes," murmured the magistrate; II
think we've got our man at last The evil
dence against him seems as clear as the
lay. Crime breeds crime, and the guilt OF
. the father has made an assassin OF the
ksonw
"I'ye hidden the names as yet, sir" con-
tinued Daddy Tabaret, "because wanted
to hear your opinion first" .,
"Ob, you can mention them to me with
out the least danger interrupted the
magistrate' "In whatever position in LIE
( the parties happen to be-however high
thew may be placed have never hesltat-
| ed in the course have to pursue"
81 know that, sir-I know that! But in
the present instance they happen to be
verv highly placed indeed. The father,
who has sacrificed his legitimate son for
his illegitimate, is the Count Lionel de
Valcourt. ana the murderer Of the Widow
Ieroupe is the Viscount Albert de VAL
court" :,
Old Corkscrew, accustomed in the
atrical language, to stage effects, had dealt
out these last words with exasperatln1g
slowness- that they would
produce an immense impression. The ell
feet surpassed his widest expectation:
M, Daburon seemed struck as with a
thunderbolt. ~,
He shuddered at first, then stood still, a
statue of astonisment and horror.
Mechanically he repeated from time to
time. as soon as his white lips could frame
the words, "Albert de ValcourtF-Alhert
de Valcourt?' ,,,
eyes" reiterated the Daddy; 'the noble
Viscount-its him, and no mistake
Becoming suddenly aware OF the extra
ordinarv change in the face of the maGls-
trate. he approached him in alarm.
"YOu are lll!-your Lace 10 so "A''. :
What's the matterl" w.,
"Nothing-nothing. I'm quite wtll,'
answered M. Daburon. "lt was only tne
surprise-the shock. happen to knoT'
the man you mention; and-and-weil'
the truth is, should like to be alone tor q
short time. Go into the next room; there's
a good fire there, and lots OF books, police
ranorts. and all that sort Of literature
st inst the thing to amuse you;" and, So
saying, he pushed his ola TREND @ OUT o. u
the room; and, directly he was gone sunk
into chair, and, covering his face with
his hands, gave way to an uncontroliaole
it Of sobbing.
MANY attempts have been made to OBJ