The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-02-03

his dog Bruno was with him.
This was all that could be learned from
the concierge
The detective then left the house an,
hastened to the Quai des Orfeores wher
Aguepont was imprisoned, and he was a
once admitted to the prisoner. From
him he elected nothing save a confession
of his guilt. Even then he could no
dissuade himself but that there was som,
mystery buried in this strange affair. Af
ter several unsucce sful attempts to be
wilder the prisoner, the detective asked
"Where did you buy the revolver yol
used to commit the crime?"
81 had it in my possession for some
time" he answered.
"What did you DO with it afterward ?
'Threw it down the outer boulevard.
"Search will be made and it will b,
found. But why did you let your dog
follow you?" asked Guilot.
"What dog?'
"Your dog-l'runo.
Aguepont sank upon his cot and re
fused to speak further. After vainly try
ing to draw from the prisoner further
information Guilot departed, muttering
to himself:
"Who knows! have seen famous
actors in my time "
Leaving the prison the detective turn
ed his steps toward the Rue Vivenne
determined to see Madame Aguepont and
obtain from her all she might know con.
cerning the murder. First, he determin
ed to find out in what estimation the
Agueponts were held by their neighbors.
From the Deighboring shop Keepers
Guilot learned that Aguepont bore an
excellent character, and Madam's reputa-
ton was above reproach. Not breath
of SANDER assaied her good name.
"Strange," said the detective to him
self, that such people should be mixed
up in such an affair as this
Having arrived atthe shop over whose
door hung the sign, "Aguepont, Gold
and Imitation Jewelry," Guilot entered.
He was shown into the back shop, where
Madame sat attired in deep mourning
dress. In her hand she held paper
1t was a summons to appear atthe Palais
de Justice before the examining Magis-
trate.
MADAME" said Guilot, Il am sent
here in the service of the law. am a
detective. AS you know, your husband
has been arrested charged with the mur-
der of M. Bigot."
"Monsieur," she replied, "he is limo
cent. But see, have received this sum
mons. What can they want of me p
"To obtain information which | hope
will prove your husbands innocence
Don't look upon me as an enemy,mad
ame. | wish to ascertain the truth. Will
you answer me frankIy?'
"Question me- monsieur"
"You know, madame, he began, ''that
last night at IL o'clock M. Bigot, your
husbands uncle was murdered"
"Alas."
"Where was Monsieur Agucpont al
that hour?"
"My God. it is a fatality"
"Where did your husband spend last
night?"
"He went to one of our workmen who
had broken his word and failed to bring
us an article which we were to sell to-
day. You know we are poor, and could
not afford to lose a sale, no matter how
the profit. About 9 o'clock we went out
and accompanied him to an omnibus
which he entered before my eyes"
"Then your workman will be able to
swear he saw NJ, Aguepont at his house
at l oclock?"
"Alas, no "
Sand why not?"
"Because he had gone before my hus
band arrived"
But the concierge saw him7"
"Our workman lives in house where
there is no concierge"
"At what time did your husband re
turn?'
"a little after midnight"
"You thought he had been absen
long 2"
"Oh, yes; | scolded him. lie said tha
stroling along he stopped at a cafe tt
drink glass of beer That was hi
excuse"
"Was there nothing peculiar abou
him?'
"Nothing."
Large tears rolled down the pal
cheeks. But Guilot thought behind thos
tears in the depths of her blue eyes h
could detect CLEAN of joy.
"Could she be guilty" he thought.
"But where were you, madame, durin
the fatal evening while your husban
was on that useless errand ?"
II was here, e,monsieur. ! have witness
es to prove it.
"Witnesses!"
"Yes, Monsieur The evening was $
warm that wanted some ice cream, ,anC
not caring to eat alone, / sent my SCI
want to invite two of my neighbors, Mac
anne Dregot and Madame Caret. The
were here till half past l. Ask them
they will tell You. My husband is il
nocent."
"Then how do you explain his col
fession?"
"Ie is mad he is mad !" she exclain
ed, sobbing aloud.
After addressing few words of col
ISOLATION to the wife, the detective aske
permission to examine the house. L
this madame readily assented. Examinin
everything in both shops, Guilot aske
to be shown to the cellar. AS he ente
ed his practiced eye scrutinized ever
object, Fifty full bottles stood in row
These he closely examined
"No,' he muttered, mot one is scale
with green wax. The cork that protc
ted the weapon did not come from tn
cellar"
| Guilot expressing himself satisfied, tn,
then ascended to the shop, On ente
ing the detective was met by the do
who, snarling savagely, refused to |
him pass. Guilot, to quiet him, calleC
"Bruno, Bruno"
The dog, showing his teeth, Dire
back.
st is useless to call him." said Ma