The Osceola times., 1884-10-25

was positively no indication how the
thief had entered. and though the him
ges Of the bedroom door had been forced,
yet there was no sign of jackscrew hav-
ing been used and the woodwork was
not rent around the screws, which seem
ed to have been partially loosed as
though in preparation for the theft.
Under these circumstances ii was no
wonder that suspicion rested on Mons
ieur Lebonis, and inquiries began TO be
made as to his antecedents. He had re-
sided in his present dwelling three years,
and before that had lived in another
part of Paris for ten years. He was en-
gagged in a reputable business, being the
junior partner in a large stationery firm.
As a young man be had been exemplary
20 far as could be ascertained, and though
the authorities felt in their duty to ar
rest him, they were for awhile in grave
doubts as to the wisdom or justice Of the
act.
II was shown that Madame Lebonis
had had the jewels which were missing;
but then, on the other hand, a pair of
old boots belonging 10 Monsieur Lebonis
were found, which corresponded exactly
with marks in the garden near the graf
ed window of the Baroness De Beauce's
cellar. There was no one in Monsieur
Lebonis's house on the night in ques-
ton who could be suspected Of the
crimes except himself
The police were nonplussed. They
searched the dwelling and the garden
and the outhouses for any sign of the
plunder taken from the dwelling Of the
baroness, but in vain.
A NEW HAND.
Monster Lebonis was in durance. and
there was a strong probability Of his be-
ing convicted as the murderer and thief,
when Durivier, detective not hitherto
employed ON the case, took it in hand.
He made careful study Of it, and reacn-
ed the conclusion the that person who
took Madame Lebonis's diamonds also
murdered the baroness and robbed her
and that that person was not Mons Le-
bonis. He learned these facts: Monster
Lebonis returned from London-where
he had been on business for ten days
on the evening of the crime. He saw
his wife, who was sick in bed, and retir-
ed TO his apartments on the other side Of
the dwelling. During his absence gen
tleman in the employ OF MonsiuI Lebon-
ISIS firm had called with a letter from
him to his wife. Madame Lebonis had
been out great deal.
Where? The detective answered that
in few hours Ito the Mabille and 9TH
er doubtful places, with a male friend.
Who was the male friend? Persons
who thought they could recognize him
identified him as the gentleman in the
employ of the firm who had called upon
Malame Lebonis. Who was he? Chas
Bolette. Whence came he? He was
put into his position by Mons. Lebonis.
at the request Of his wife, who represent
ed that he was a second cousin. So said
Mons. Lebonis.
THE PLOT THIcRENs.
Once on this track, strange facts came
TO light. Bolette and Madame, before
her marriage to Lebonis, had visited st.
Nazaire together, and passed as man and
wife. They had been to other places un-
der similar conditions.
While the officer was thus making a
searching inquiry, il was discovered that
Madame LebOnis had disappeared. Then
il was ascertained that Bolette was also
missing. The best detectives were on
their track at once, but their quest was
vain. Nothing could be ascertained of
their whereabouts.
A month passed. Lebonis seemed great
ly depressed, and said he must quit Paris
This man Bolette was the murderer of
the Baroness, without doubt, and his
paramour, the wife of Lebonis, was
confederate. II was a deeply-laid scheme
The robbery of Madame Lebonis and
the robbery of the baroness were TO be
so alike that every one would say. at
was the work of skillfnl thieves, who
were bent on doing good stroke Of bus
mess in one night"
Lebonis was a wronged and innocent
man, and he was set at liberty, of course
The whole country was secured for Bo-
lette and his accomplice. Belgium, Eng
land, Switzerland, Prussia, Austria. all
were searched, but the search was fruit
less
At vERsAILLEs.
March II following the crime, was a
miserable day. Night came down early
and damp. Durivier was at Versailles
on special business. A close carriage
drew up at the depot and from it alight-
ed tall, elegantly-dressed man and a
comely woman. They spoke moment
TO some one who remained in the car
riage and then entered the depot.
Durivier caught glimpse of the occu-
pant of the carriage as il turned and the
light of the lamp flashed on it. 1t was
Lebonis.
"Who are your friends, Monsieur Le-
bonis" the officer said to himself He
entered the depot. The lady and gen.
tleman were taking passage for st. Naza
rine.
st. Nazaire? st. Nazaire? How had
the name recently interested him? To
be surel Bolette and Madame Lebonis.
He stood where be could see the wo-
man distinctly. She was muffled and
vailed and disguised in score Of ways,
but there was no doubt it was she. And
the man? All, that was the question.
The man? Why, ii must be Bolette, Of
course.
And in another moment Durivier had
the two in custody-so politely, so quiet
ly, that no one knew it but themselves.
There were few words when they reach
ed Paris--for the journey t. st. Nazaire
was postpored-they had story to tell.
THE SEQUEL.
Briefly, Bolette and Madame Lebonis,
or rather Madeline Bolette, had been
man and wife for years. They were
miserably poor. Lebonis took fancy
TO the woman and she became his mis-