The Portland daily press., 1877-12-15

Victor, where one of his workmen lives,
man named Jules Tarot'
The manner in which Maitre Magloire pro-
nounced this name was intended to arouse,
and did arouse, the attention of the Magis-
trate.
''You have suspicious ?"
mot exactly; but these are the facts.
Monsieur Jandidier dismissed his carriage at
the Rue d'Arras, and went to Tarot's room
about 10 O'Clock. At II the employer and
workman went out together. The workman
did not return till midnight, and here lost
track of my man. Of course / didn't ques-
ton Tarot lest might put nina on his
guard"
"Who is this Jules Tarot?"
ga worker in mother-ofpearl; that is,
man who polishes shells on grindstone to
give them perfect lustre. He is a skillful
fellow, and helped by his wife, to whom he
taught his trade, can make hundred francs
a week.
"They are in easy circumstances, then ?''
''Oh! no, they are both young, and they
have no children, they are Parisians and
POUNDS! they amuse themselves. Monday
always squanders all the other days bring"
Two hours after Maitre Magloire's report
several police officers went to ules Tarot's
lodgings to make search. At the sight of
them the worker in mother-of pearl and his
wife turned paler than corpses and were
seized with an attack of. nervous trembling
that could not escape the practiced eye of
Maitre Maglorie. Yet the most careful
search having failed to discover anything sus-
picious, the policemen were about to with
draw when the detective saw Tarot's wife
anxiously watching cage that hung near
the window. This was a ray of light. In an
instant Magloire had taken down the cage.
Twelve hundred franc notes were found be-
tween boards of the floor. This discovery
seemed to crush the workman, while his wife
began to utter terrible shrieks, protesting
that she and her husband were innocent. On
being arrested and taken to the station they
were questioned by the examining magistrate
that very day. Their answers were precisely
the same. They had acknowledged that they
had visit from their employer on Saturday
evening, He had seemed so ill that they had
offered him something to take, which he had
refused. He had come, he said, on account OF
an important order, which he pro-
posed that Terot should undertake, hiring
his own workmen. Tarot replied that they
could not do it for want of means. Then
their employer said: sNever mind. I'll fur
nsh the money" and instantly put 1900
franc notes on the table.
At II O'Clock Monsieur Jandidier asked his
workmen TO show him out of the house; he
was going to Faubourg Saint Antoine. And
in fact Tarot accompanied him to the Place
de la Bastile, crossing the Constantine bridge
and walking along by the river.
The Magistrate asked both husband and
wife the very natural question:
"Why did you hide the moneyW
They made the same answer. Hearing on
Monday morning of Monsieur Jandidier's
disappearance they were seized with terror.
Tarot said to his wife:
"If it is known that our employer came
here, that l crossed the bridge and walked
along by the river with him, shall be COM
promised. If this money were even found
in our possession we should be lost"
The wife then wanted to burn the notes,
| butTarot prevented it, intending to return
| them to the family. This explanation was
reasonable and plausible if not probable, but
| 1t was only an explanation. Tarot and bis
| wife were still retained In custody.
| A week after that the Magistrate was in
| the utmost perplexity. Three new examine
| tons had not enabled him to form an opinion.
Were Tarot and and his wife innocent? Or
| were they simply marvelouslY clever in main
| tanning probable fable? The Magistrate
| knew not what to do, when one moring
| strange rumor reached his ears. The house
of Jandidier had just stopped payment. A
| detective who was set to work brought back
the most startling news.
| M. Jandidier, who had been considered Sc
wealthy was ruined, utterly ruiued, and for
| three years he had sustained his credit only
| by means of various expedients. He had not
thousand francs, and notes falling due at
| the end of the month amounted to $500
| francs. The cautious merchant speculated,
the yirtuous husband had mistress. The
Magistrate had just learned these particulars
| when Maitre Magloire appeared pale, and
| painting for breath.
"You know. MonsieurP'' he cried from the
| threshold.
| GAIL"
"Tarot is innocent"
81 believe him so; and vet that visit-how
| do you explain thai visit?"
| Magloire shook his head sorrowfully.
"Pm only fool" said he sand Lecoq has
| just proved it. Monsieur Jandidier spoke
of life insurance at the Cafe Turc. This was
| the key TO the affair. Jandidier was insured
| for200,00 francs,and French companies don't
| pay in case of suicide. Do you under
| stand?"
Thanks to Mons. Gustave Schmi DIT. who
will marry Therese Jandidier next month,
| the house of Jandidier has not gone into
| bankruptcy. Tarot and his wife, restored to
| liberty, have been established in business by
| this same Mons. Gustave, and not longer 60
| pleasuring on Mondays. But what has be-
| come of Mons. Jandidier A thousand francs
reward to whoever will give news of him.