The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-04-26
UNRAVELING A PLOT.


leave Of absence from the regiment,
had returned to the village where he had
first seen tho light ofday. At large
mansion bordering on the outskirts of
Gensac, Susanne Gillette, young Eng
lish woman, had been employed as gov
erness for some time. sazz
On the first meeting Justin had fallen
madly in love with the beautiful Susan
me- and she not being opposed to hie at
tentions, after short, butte Justin
blissful courtship, gave her hand to her
ardent sutton. il -. ..e.s..
The marriage ceremonies were per-
formed amid the usual village rejoicings.
The newly welded pair took bridal
trip to Paris. The country girl had new
or seen the capital city before. and her
wonder and amazement may we'll be
imagined. The perverse instincts slum-
boring in her, were awakened by the
luxury and gayety Of the immense city,
and Susanna swore to herself that she
would be rich some day. :, -.
and after they had settled down to the
monotony of domestic life, Susanna gave
birth to son.
The joy of the father was unbounded,
but his joy, strange to say was not
HE shall be called Philip, after my
dear father" exclaimed Justin, in costa
cies.
Things went on at the Bertrand home
| in an Indifferent manner until the end
/ If no IF nh
anne desired to go to Havre, under the
pretext that the sea air was necessary
for her health In this her husband did
not oppose her. Taking her child, she
departed and was never seen by her
husband again. Before leaving, how
ever, she had promised to send her hus-
band word of her arrival. After wait
ing sufficient length, of time and receiv.
| ing no missive, Justin determined to
hasten after and ascertain the cause.
| At the moment he was about 10 start. q
note was handed to him. With trem-
! bling hand he broke the seal. 1t con-
tanned these words:
II have left yOu-fOrget me-"
The distracted husband, crazed with
anxiety and grief, started for Paris,
whittier he was sure his faithless wife
had flown, and determined that if SUI
| anne refused to return, at least to OBJ
tain possession of his son, whom he
dearly loved. He secured the great
city in vain.
No trace of the missing woman could
be found. A small fortune had been
loft him by his father, and this being
nearly ex pended in the search, he was
obliged to follow some vocation to en-
able him to gain livelihood.
After thoroughly discussing the mat
ter in his mind, he determined to fol-
low the detective profession, inasmuch
as in this pursuit he would be most like
ly to obtain so:no information relative to
his child.
He had already despaired of regain.
ing the love of the woman who was his
wife. So it was only his son for whom
he looked now.
Years rolled on and still the unhappy
man did not give up the search.
Often was he reprimanded by his su-
periors for not following more closely
the case to which lie was assigned. 1t
was because he had been in pursuit of
some phantom clue that he imagined
would restore to him his son. Case after
case, Notwithstanding, he had worked
up with remarkable sagacity. The name
Bertrand hadl6ecome terror to the evil
doors of Paris.
So it was on the morning of March Is,
1875, that the prefecture of police was
thrown into commotion concerning a
supposed murder that had been COM
United in the Rue des Invalides. Mad
anne de Brahal had been found in her
bed cold in death, with poniard still
imbedded in her heart.
Bertrand thought that he would be as.
signed to this case, and accordingly
made preparations. But in this he was
mistaken; for as soon as the examining
magistrate returned from the scene OF
the murder he informed Bertrand that
his services would not at all be neces-
sary, as the murderer had been found.
This worthy parsonage was no other
than the groom of the unfortunate lady.
"And to think that the wretch could
be so ungrateful!' exclaimed the magic
trate-"Madam de Brahal has been so
kind to him. But how could he be ouch
fool as to leave the poniard, with the in
itials on, in the bosom of his victim?
However we have him safe in his cell,
Monsieur le Judge will see how swift JUS
t;ce was in this case"
Sosaying, thesexamining magistrate de-
parted for his private Office to make out
his report of the case.
Left alone, Bertrand pondered to him
self: "Why will these people do wrong?
Why commit crimes? They must know
sooner or later their dark deeds will be
brought to light. would really like to
see this groom. who would leave the inn
plemeut of his crime, with his initials
on i'll the bosom Of his VICTIM"
1t was but the effort of a moment to
have his wish gratitied. Arriving at the
cell in which the young man lay, Bert
rand WI no expected to find some stupid,
no ri fol 81 iol, 70 E~,xl
a young man whose cOuntenance and &C.
tons ehowed him to be possessed of
considerable intelligence and frankness.
"That is not the face of brutal butch
err" muttered Bertrand. Why did you
commit so terrible q deed?" asked he.
A shrug of the shoulders was the an
swer. Looking at the prisoner straight
in the eyes, Bertrand then said.
II do not believe that you murdered
Madame de Brahal!'
The young man started toward the de-
tective eagerly, then stopped, and cast
ing his eyes to the ground, said:
WAS no: my dagger found sticking in
madame's bosom?"
''How did it get there?' inquired Ber-
rand.
my Godl IL stabbed her."
The detective, withdrawing, muttered
to himself: .,o
"Strange, indeed. I can not believe
in the guilt of this young man. He is
sacrificing himself 10 save some one.
Perhaps he has mistress among the
maids of madame, and her he wants to
protect. will find out. I will 60 to
the house of the murdered woman and
ascertain all can"
SO saying he went to his private room,
and DOMINIC q complete disguise, he
arriving at the mansion. he asked the
porter who answered the bell for Mon
sieur de Brahal. stating that with mon
sieur he had important business. He
was informed that Monsieur was not at
home--in fact, monsieur was not in
''Then," said Bertrand, "monsieur is
not aware of the terrible misfortune that
has befallen him in the death of his
wife,"
mo, monsieur" answered the porter.
"Monsieur de Brahal left Paris the day
before the murder of Hsrve, and has