Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-10-19

lowed them; and the three entered the
building. A few worshippers were at
the great altar, and the sacred edifce
seemed unusually quiet and peaceful.
The organ-builder seemed too agitated
to answer the questions that the town
official asked him, but led the way quick
ly to the organ-loft. Put your foot on
that pedalY' he said, excitedly, pointing
to particular one of the scale.
The official was too bewildered to COM
ply, and Francois did it for him.
"Now try the next one I" said he.
Francois did so, but no sound came;
only queer, intermittent rumbling like
a bounding and rebounding.
sit does not sound" said the organ
builder. "Follow me and I will show
you why"
cit never has sounded since the great
trial-day, years ago, muttered the young
man. But he followed on.
They clambered up rickety staircase,
still more rickety ladder, and came to
pla torn at a level with the top of the
organ; and all around them, reaching up
out of the dim light below, were the
open pipes. Passing hurriedly around,
organ, their agitated guide paused be-
fore row of immense pedal pipes, and
without allowing his own eyes to look,
he held the light that he carried for the
others.
Both looked down into the cavernous
tube that he indicated, and both started
back in surprise and fear.
"It is mans leg!" gasped the
frightened town official.
| After the first moment of surprise had
passed, they began to get back their
wits; and the young man advised that
they send for several strong men and
lift out the pipe.
This seemed sensible, and in half
hour the men were at hand and the pipe
was drawn down to the level of the
organ-loft and laid horizontally. The
workmen had been informed of the
nature Of their work, and all were under
intense excitement. The pipe was
very long, and the body was at least five
feet from the top. One of the workmen
reached in a pole having a hook at the
end, and the next minute drew forth the
dead body of the sinister old organist
Baptiste Lacombe.
There was pause of silent horror.
Nobody cared particularly for the dead
man, but the manner of his death was
terrible.
Chow did it happen?" whispered
one.
perhaps it was suicide" anrwered
another.
They began to more closely examine
the huge tube. Francois Tegot, who, al
though thus far cooler than the others.
now seemed unable to stand, and pointed
to the hand of the dead man, which was
tightly clenched upon small cord. One
OF the workmen approached. and with
some difficulty drew out the line; and a
new thrill Of expectation went through
the silent company when they saw, at
tached to the end of the line, an old
leather bundle covered with dust.
Young Tegot now seemed to master
himself by great effort, and motioning
the workman back, he advanced, and
lifting the bag tenderly out into more
convenient position, he said solennly, as
if to himself, 81 have long suspected
something Gas wrong, and now J. shall
know"
Then he examined the bag, and at
length took from his pocket knife and
carefully cut open one side.
Despite the fact that he expected the
revelation that now came, he started a
little back, for the opening revealed a
piece of cloth, coat, which even the
town Official could recollect to be the
coat of The long-lost organist, Raoul
Tegot, Francois father.
The young man stepped back and
sank again into his seat, and the others.
coming forward, laid the bag quite open,
and drew forth watch and embroidered
vest; in pocket of the coat was found a
purse. Here is an odd treasure" said
one Of the workmen, holding up locket
of dull gold.
Francois seized it and opened it. The
color forsook his face and his eyes filled
with tears. He simply said:
My mother"
The town-oficial now whispered to the
surprised organ builder, that the vii
famous Lacombe had killed poor Tegot
on the morning of the trial, and had
secreted the body in some unknown place
and hidden the valuables here. Fright
ened by the fear of discovery, he had at
tempted to remove the treasures, and
had fallen into the pipe and had TINS
met horrible death. ''There is moth
ing secret" said Francois, "but shall be
revealed. Sin is its own detector, and
its secrets cannot rest"
The excitement among the townspeo-
pie was for many days even greater than
it had been at the time of Tegot's disap-
pearance, and many and bitter were the
reproaches heaped upon the wicked or
ganist's memory.
Francois was Immediately chosen or
ganist, and held the position during his
entire life.
------------ a77s
Postal Cards.
A trootica on tho biotorv If tho y,oCto1