Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-08
A SLENDER CLEW.

Many years ago, on July afternoon, /
was sitting in my study waiting, like many
young avoue, for clients who came not,
when at about four O'Clock a gentleman
was announced by the name of Lavigne.
7 was glad to think that knew no one of
the name, for being unknown he might be
client.
A tall, well-dressed man entered and
asked whether he could have half an hours
talk with me. l consulted my watch and
diary with the true air of busy man and
thought could spare the time.
Would mind locking the door? Hardly?
Did I remember the Dumont murder?
Slightly. Would / listen while he gave an
account of it?
Ten years ago M. Dumont a wealthy
banker, married young widow, with whom
two Of his friends, Messrs. LIE Theuff and
Goudin, were in love. Nevertheless they
remained his friends. All three gambled
heavily, and the banker, the rich man, won
while the others lost.
One night, the Sd of February, Madame
Dumont went to masked ball, leaving
her husband, who was suffering from rheu-
matism, at home in bed. On her return
she found him lying dead, with his throat
cut. Goudin was arrested and tried.
A strong case Of circumstantial evidence
was brought against him, the principal
witness being M. LIE Theuff.
NJ. 6. set up an alibi; he proved that he
was at the dance, and asserted that during
the time when the deed must have been
done he was in an alcove, talking to Nine.
Dumont. This she corroborated.
+ The court reluctantly acquitted M. Gou-
din, but all Paris believed him guilty, and
thought Nine. Dumont his accomplice.
The widow retired to her mothers, and M.
Goudin, though really innocent, unable to
face the public suspicion, went to Australia
| and there made a fortune.
My visitor had grown so excited that
| soon guessed that had before me M. Gou-
din, returned from Australia. Wishing to
show my smartness, stopped him, and
said: $50 you are M. G., and you have
| come back from Australia, anxious to prove
your innocence"
The stranger jumped up and nervously
asked how knew it, and seemed much re-
lieved to find that it was guess. He said
l was right and that he would spare no ex.
pense to establish his innocence.
Since his return he had seen the widow:
she had told him LIE Theuff was heavily in
debted to her husband, who on the I'd OF
February had said that he had quarrelled
with him over cards and was going to make
it warm for him next day; that she was
sure LIE Theuff had murdered her husband.
She would not, however, tell him the reason
| for her belief. The murderer had left Paris
soon after the trial, as he was found out in
cheating at cards. He was living quietly
at Auray, in South Brittany. sNow," T"
| said he, 81 know he is the murderer, for he
gave false evidence against me. You must
go to Auray, get introduced to him, that ]
| can manage; and even if it cost YOU two
years you must worm out his secret.'' ]
objected on the ground that there could
not be any evidence. M. Goudin then saiG
that he had omitted one thing; Nine Du
mont and her maid said that the murdered
man had round his neck, the night of his
death, gold chain with locket contain
ing her portrait, painted by her, and also q
lock OF her hair. She was sure LIE Theuf
had taken it, and did not believe, for rea-
sons she would not give, that he had de-
stroyed it.
Ihls seemed to me very probable, and
felt that if could find the locket in his
possession should convict the man. M
Goudln offered SO large a reward that al
last l agreed to aid him. soon arrived al
Auray, and took a room at the very com
Portable hotel du Pavilion.
The day after my arrival called on M
Poncard, notary; he was to introduce mt
TO M. LIE Theuff. I found him a clever
handsome man, and very polite. He told
me that my adversary was considered queer
he did not go into Auray society-indeed
shunned it; he lived alone in the upper hal
of small house in the Rue Leperdit, th,
ShOpkeeper of the lower half acting a,
valet, cook, &c. He was said to be study
ing stones, and was supposed to be writing
book about them. M. Poncard had me-
him at Carnac, and had dined several times
with him, but feared that he played card
too high, and successfully; at which /.
smiled, knowing the cause of his success
He never would cvme in any one's house
but his own.
After long talk we walked together II
the Rue Leperdit. I am naturally Of |