Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-19
The Sturw Teller.
A FRENCH INN MYSTERY.


the inn which for nearly half century had
borne the name of "Les Trois Canards."
This wayside inn was on the old post
road leading into Chalons, and half mile
from the Chateau de Sonteau. But few
travellers of late honored this old inn with
their patronage, and its landlord, Jean
Bernis, and his wife, fifteen years younger
than himself, a fascinating little brunette,
with the grace, piquancy and bearing of
woman of better degrees than that of her
present station, had but two servants, one
house girl and the other q hostler. There
was little need of even that help, save, per-
haps on such days as there might happen to
be a grand review of Government troops at
Chalons.
The carriage driven up in front Of the inn,
the driver leaped from his seat, and opened
the door of the vehicle.
"This is 'Les Trois Canards," said the
coahman, in respectful tone. 'The inn
which is near the Chateau de SOnteau."
A man came out of the carriage, followed
by one in the plain livery of valet.
out the portmanteau and dressing case. we
will stop here tonight. In the morning
we will be in time enough for the visit to
the chateau"
Master and valet at once entered the inn,
and shortly afterWard were shown to the
small suite of rooms, little cramped salon,
or parlor, with an adjoining bed-chamber,
which the latter was to occupy.
"Did you see Monsieur's valet?" said the
landlord to his wife.
eyes; and he resembles some one at the
r hxy hn 1S
the very image of Cherin, the keeper OF the
lodge. who has charge of the chateau"
II would have sworn it was Cherin," was
the landlords answer. "The likeness is
wonderful"
The newly arrived guests name was M.
Robert de Launey, banker en- route from
Chalons to Paris. His valet, a handsome
fellow of thirty-five years, informed the
landlord that his master intended purchas-
ing the chateau, and using it as summer
residence. Half the purchase money was
to be paid in the morning.
The banker and his valet had arrived at
the inn at o'clock. The conversation OF
the valet with the inn-keeper had occurred
at 9 o'clock, the exact time being, as she
afterwards testified particularly noticed by
Nine. Bernis.
At half-paSt nine, the valet was called by
his master. Fifteen or twenty minutes
later, he descended the little bar-room, and
asked in no very pleasant manner, the near
est road to the chateau, adding that ''men
who are served have no feeling, and those
who serve them get no rest. l am to 60
through the darkness to night-now-to
the chateau with message to NJ. de Son
teau."
s'But NJ. de SOnteau, at so late an hour,
may not receive your message. He is asur-
1xy i0l- nprp1 and
fortunes-the loss of his fortune at the gam
ing tables and his natural ugliness of dis
position"
''Will make him receive me all the quick
er, when he knows l am come from the
banker, who is to pay him on account 30O,-
600 francs tomorrow morning. Here is the
message, sealed up as tight as a tomb. A
horse, landlord, and quickly, 50 I may get
back in time for a nights rest"
The landlord gave him the horse and the
necessary directions for reaching the cha
teau.
81 will wait up until you RETURN" said
the landlord.
an. de Launcy will ring if he needs any
SERVICE" were the parting words of the
valet, as he rode off into the darkness.
1t was fifteen or twenty minutes past ten
when the grumbling valet rode away.
''I would have sworn he was Cherin, the
lodge-keeper Of the chateau; the same build,
the voice, the expression of the eyes-the
very counterpart of each other, are those
two"
Madame merely answered with a smile.
She already felt a strange interest in the
valet, for his resemblance to Cherin Sug-
gested to her that he might make as good a
lover as was the lodge keeper, whom, her
Jealous husband had, months before forbid
den to enter the inn.
Twice, once at eleven, and once half an
hour later, had NJ. de Launey, the guest,
rung and made inquiries if his valet had re-
turned.
At twelve o'clock, there was the clatter OF
horses hOOfS, the valet passed in, greeted
the landlord, and, bidding him retire, as
cended the narrow stairs to his masters
room. The landlord slept below at the rear,
in room which adjoined the kitchen, the
servants slumbering-the hostler over the
stable and the hOuSe-Servant III room adj
Joining the public dining-room.
At six in the morning, the landlord and
his wife were suddenly startled from theiI
slumber by loud cries and violent knock
inc at the door Of the kitchen. The noise
also brought in the house maid and the hos
tier, who were already up and beginning
their mornings work.
"Monsieur Bernis, get up quickly" was
the cry; MY master has been murdered
Help! helpw
1t was the valet who shouted the alarm
and speedily the inmates of the inn follow
ed him to his masters room.
Surely it was a horrible sight. There lay
the banker near the easy chair, in which he
must have been sitting, in dressing-gowl
and slippers, his shirt bosom and clothing
saturated with blood.
His throat had been cut from ear to ear