The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-07-14

I
not compelled to keep that when the
doing so would involve the escape of a
murderer. At last exhausted nature,
which had been subjected to the most
severe tension for twelve hours, claimed
her rights. / slept, but my dreams
were hideous. The figure of the dead
woman rose eyer before my fancy. She
pointed I'd. the dagger in her breast and
seemed to entreat me tospeak, although
/ heard no words and could not distin-
guish any sound
| 1t was again nearly dusk when awoke,
troubled aAd slnrefreshed, but with my
mind fully made up to tell the police all
knew. | understood the necessity for
/ acting with all possible dispatch, but
was hungry and felt that needed some
thing to give me strength and confidence
before / undertook to make my extraor-
binary revelation. After | had once
decided on a plan of action l felt easier.
The dread of the ever haunting presence
of the dead woman began to disappear.
/ went to restaurant [ had been in the
habit of frequenting when richer. Some
&C that villains thousand francs should
| help to give me the strength to denounce
him This idea pleased me, for it seemed
osayor ofretnbution. Hook up lie Soir,
turned over the pages earelessly, almost
mconsciopsly, and was Just about to lay
it down when on the last page my eve
caught this heading:
Funeral of the Beautiful Niarquise de Bien-
villes'
The words startled me, for had heard
of the beauty of the lady about whom all
male Paris had been raving for some
months. ] bad never had an opportu-
nifty of seeing her, though l had much
\ wished To doaeso. l did not know she
had been i'll, and to learn suddenly that
she was dead and buriedsshocked me not
a little. l read the article with eonsid-
cradle interest. 1t stated that the Mar
1870 had died four days before of diph-
'ttHH;SSfTa after only short illness The
last part of the article gave brief de-
scription of the lady's appearance As
l read on / BECAME more and more en-
crossed, for could not but believe that
4 the murdered womau and the Magquise
/ were one sIhe recognition of this fact
! frightenedsme | could not help seeing
shat such Q charge made against man
1 occupyinSSthe rank and station of the
! Marquis deBienville would need more
substantial proof than was to be found
in my extraordinary story.
1t was with Sreat difficulty that could
manage to eat a part OF nay dinner That
done | went back to my Studio, took my
sketch and set off for The office of the
Minister Of 1Police l inquired for him.
and after Elaying stated To one or two
minor Officials that my business was of
| the utmost ssecrecy and Importance |
was informed that he had gone home.
Gould j moi communicate my wishes
TO his representative?
On my rCplying nessatively | was told
that il l particularly desired it l could
be taken to the Ministers house. or |
could see him At his Office the next morn
ing. l dreaded a night with that fearful
secret still undiselosed, so ] chose the
former alternative. ME
| trembled little when | was ushered
into the presence of the famous Minister,
but his calm, quiet MANNER, soon reas-
sured me-
..What is it that you have to disclose,
Monsieur?' he asked. =
The secret of a murder, Monsieur
.'WelL2,1
q wish to coniide it to YOU alone,n |
said as | glanced at the gentleman who
had accompanied me from the Office.
That IS impossible. NJ. Bonteaux is
in possession of all the secrets of my de-
partmenf. Even if | were to hear YOU
alone now. | should be compelled to con-
tide in others before / could act upon
your story. Why do you hesitatep''
because, Monsieur, my accusation
VIII appear almost Incredible. l charge
the Marquis de Bienyille with being the
murderer ofsifis wife.7 +
The Minister. who prided himself on
his HMperturbabiliy, could not resist
showing his surprise. He glanced at
~ <u..sII,eaux with an air of pity and eon-
mn h.a har IN hot II
mad s.f,
MADAME la Marquise died Of diph- |
liberia. My wife knew her well and was !
greatly grieved at her illness.and death |
On what grounds do you base such a
charger
told my story as briefly as could.
Both my hearers listened attentiYely.-.
but. | felt. incredulously. When | had /
finished, the Minister asked:
'.What proof have YOU of the truth of |
this extraordinary tale?n NFtF i
None, l answered. t'cNeept the
sketch | made. | had never seen the /
Marquise in life, if it be indeed her like
ness, no other proof of my truth is I
needed"
II knew her well. said the Minister
rShow me the sketch. k
Iunpacked it and placedit before him.
He stated as If he had been Violently /
struck.
1T is indeed the Marquise. 2 he muir
INJURED. Then turning to me he said:
describe the man who came to your
studio"
Il could not see him well Itliink he f
had n moustache; he was tall and thin,
and spoke in a low, sad voice. .
That would be arough description of
lRo oh,
= '.Yes, Monsieur / have heard that
the Marquis was overwhelmed with
grief. and that some of his friends feared
"A needless fear, > said {; '@his grief is
only remorse or perhaps dread of dis
covery."
The instincts of the Sietectiye,q whosl
distI.nsts everybody and everything,
were beginning to be aroused in me-.
M Colin, Justice is indebted 70 YOU. /
All that can be done tonight Shall be
done. In the morning / shalt again
claim your aid 60 to your rooms At
once, and do not leave them or speak to
any one till | send for you; and lest you
should be IN any personal danger, / will
have the entrance to your apartment
i thanked him for this courtesy though
lscould not. heip knowing That he was
actuated quite as much by desire not
to have me escape as by his wish TO pro-
t.cs1ae-
NJ. Bonteaux called for me IN the
morning. He told me l should have to
accompany him to the cemeterysof Pere
Ia Chaise. as the Minister had deeided To
have the coffin of the Marquise token
from the family vault and opened. It
had been brought into room of the
mortuary chapel, when we arrived
The Minister and two or three assistants
were examining the body The wound
had been found exactly as l described. i
:. was cordially received by the Min