The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-05-21
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.


Information reached the French po
lice that early on the morning of the 10Th
of April the Baroness de G. was lying
dead in her bed, strangled with a piece
of ribbon. She had been married as
widow to Baron de c., and was about %
years old, very pretty, of engaging man
ners; and both she and her husband
were known far and wide for lavish hos
pitality.
Three weeks before the murder the
Baron set out for Russia, where it was
said that he inherited some property
from a relative. During the absence of
her husband the Baroness kept very
much at home, with Ernestine Lamont,
beautiful girl of the most innocent and
simple manners, who had been educated
and protected by her. On the night be-
fore the murder the Baroness went to
the opera. EIneStlne, who was not very
well, did not accompany her; neither did
she sit up for her, rs the Baroness had IL
private key, and did not wish the young
lady to be disturbed. 1t was the Gus
tom that when the Baroness, on awalling
in the morning, rang her bell, Ernestine
went first to her bedroom. When on
the morning after the murder, no bell
was rrlng, the servants wondered, and mt
last one of them went up to Ernestine's
room to ask the cause. 1t was empty.
Thinking that she was gone, rs usual, to
the Baroness bedroom, the servant went
thither. There the shutters were still
closed, and the night-lamp still burning
on little table by the bedside. On the
floor lay the lifeless body of Ernestine.
The girl now screamed for help the
other servants hurried upstairs, and, on
opening the shutters, il was seen that the
Baroness lay dead, evidently strangled
with piece of ribbon, which was at
once recognized as belonging to Ernest
inc, who was lying in swoon on the
floor.
On coming 10 herself, it was naturally
supposed that she would be able to
throw some light on the matter, but, to
the surprise of all, she showed nervous
hesitation hardly to be reconciled with
innocence. On further examination, it
was found that the secretaire stood wide
open, and that quantity of papers and
other articles were lying about i'll con-
fusion, as II the contents of each drawer
had been hastily turned inside out BY
this time the police had arrived. With
scarcely moments hesitation they pro-
nounced that one of the inmates of the
house must either have committed the
crime, or at least been an accompice in it.
Evidently, also, there had been robbery
added to murder and, therefore, it was
thought right to search the boxes of
each member of the household. The
II a
came to Ernestine's turn to deliver up
her keys, the young lady showed a
strange unwillingness to do So OF
course the police persisted, and in a very
little time discovered large sum of
money and several Jewels belonging to
the murdered lady carefully secreted at
the bottom of her box.
How does mademoiselle account for
this money! was the first question put
to her.
81 do not know-I-cannot tell.
Pray-do not ask me, was the hesitat-
ing reply.
The suspicious already attached to
her were now considerably strengthened,
and the police only discharged their
duty in arTesting her. The case was
tried, and Ernestine Lamont found
guilty.
A young lawyer named Bernard,
whose knowledge of Ernestine's previous
character made it very hard for him to
believe her guilty, resolved to see Der.
After some little difficulty, permission
was granted him to visit the condemned
an prison. But, if he went thither with
any faith iii her innocence, he left the
prison without doubt of her guilt Her
answers to his questions were evasive and
unsatisfactory.
On reaching home late that evening
he found note lying on the table. 1t
was from Ernestine. aud ran as follows:
Ny DEAR FRIEND / feel that owe you at
least some explanation of my strange conduct,
and will therefore put You in possession of the
facts of the case. 1t il only forcstalhng my in
tention. This letter would have been delivered
10 you after my death.
You are aware of the circumstances which
made me regard the Baroness as mother.
You are aware, too, of her husband 8 fatal pro-
pensty TO the gaming-table, passion which in
course of time led To an arrangement between
them. The Baroness was very beautiful. and
still young, and, failing to find that love and af
lection which she hoped her husband would
show her. formed an unfortunate intrigue. /
was horror-struck when she informed me Of
this but il was not for me to blame her. As
might be expected, no good could possibly re-
suit from this attachment. Her lover proved
unworthy Of her confidence an succeeded,
whether by threats or menaces L know not, in
obtaining from her large sums of money. IL