The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-08-09

I
nor officials that my business was of
the utmost secrecy and importance,
was informed that he had gone
home.
Gould / not communicate my
wishes to his representative?
On my replying negatively | was
told that if L particularly desired it
| could be taken to the Minister'S
house, or | could see him at the Of
flee the next morning. dreaded a
night with that fearful secret still
undisclosed, so | chose the former
alternative.
| trembled a little when | was
ushered into the presence of the ia
nous Minister, but his calm, quiet
manner, reassured me.
What is it that you have to dis
close, Monsieur ?" he asked.
''Thc secret of Il murder, Mon
sieur.n
"Well ?"
Il wish to confide it to you alone" "
| said as / glanced at the gentleman
who had accompanied me from the
office.
That is impossible. NJ. Bon
teaux is in possession of all the Sc
crets of my department. Even if |
were to hear you alone now, | should
be compelled TO confde in Others
before | could act upon your story.
Why do you hesitate ?"
Because, Monsieur, my accusa-
ton viii appear almost incredible.
| charge the Marquis de Beinville
with being the murderer of his
wife"
The Minister, who prided himself
on his imperturbability, could not
resist showing his surprise. He
glanced at NJ. Bonteaux with an air
Of pity and contempt. | am sure
he thought that | was mad.
Madame Ia Marquise died of
diphtheria. My wife knew her well
and was greatly grieved at her i'll
ness and death. On what grounds
do you base such Il charge ?"
told my story as briefly as I
could. Both my hearers listen at
tentively, but, felt, incredulously.
When | had finished, the Minister
asked:
What proof have you of the truth
of this extraordinary tale ?"
None ! answered. except the
sketch | made. | had never seen
the Marquise in my life, if it be in
deed her likeness, no other proof of
my truth is needed. '
Il knew her well" said the Min
lister. Show me the sketch"
| unpacked it and placed it before
him. He started as # he had been
violently struck.
at is indeed the Marquise," he
murmured. Then turning to me he
said Describe the man who came
to your studio"
Il could not see him well. |
think he had moustache he was
tall and thin, he spoke in low, sad
voice"
THAT would be rough descrip-
ton of the Marquis, eh, NJ. Bon
teaux ,"
"Yes, Monsieur. ! have heard that
the Marquis was overwhelmed with
grief, and that some of his friends
feared for his reason.
"A needless fear" said |; his
grief is only remorse or perhaps
dread of discovery"
The instincts OF the detectives.
who distrusts everybody and every
thing, were beginning to be aroused
in me.
Mr.. Godin, Justice is indebted to
you. All that can be done tonight
shall be done. In the morning |
shall again claim your aid. Go 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 depart
ment watched
| thanked him for his courtesy,
though could not help knowing
that he was actuated quite a. much
by a desire not to have me escape as
by his wish to protect me.
NJ. Bonteaux called for me in the
morning. He told me should have
to accompany him to the cemetery
of Pere Ia Chaise. as the Minister
had decided to have the coffin of the
Marquise taken from the family
vault and opened. 1t had been
brought into a room of the mortuary
chapel, when we arrived The Min
lister and two or three assistants were
examining the body. The wound
had been found exactly as | de-
scri6ed.
| was cordially received by the
Minister and told that the Marquis
had been sent for under the pretext
that there had been some informal
ity about the register of the inter-
ment. Orders had also been given
to bring the doctor who had signed
the certificate of death, and also one
of Che surgeons attached to the de-
partment of justice.
Presently n gentleman entered,
whispered to the Minister and hand
ed him something wrapped in paper.
1t proved to he the dagger | had de-
scribed.
"Let the Marquis be brought in"
said the Minister.
All eyes were on the door. The
Marquis entered, looking pale and
thoughtful. When he saw me his
look changed to one that | tried hard
to think showed fear, but still it
seemed to me like contempt.
"Ah, NJ. Godin, | thought you
were a gentleman. i see | made a
mistake. You have betrayed me.
1t Is not betrayal 10 give crlini-
nal to justice"
He looked at me ard smiled, ever
so family. yet still perceptibly.
M. la Marquis" said the Minis
ter, Il regret to be compelled 10 in-
form you tha. you are charged with
having murdered your wife"
4. al