The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-10-12

dlSsociat4nS me IN MS cause by the plural
pronoun; 1--WE haven't just left the cafe,
and we haven't been wasting our time
Some one came for me on business
murder committed in the BatignolIes."
The young wife, with suspicious lock-
glanced alternately at her husband and
myself, and when convinced that we were
not deceiving her, merely said:
"Ahp'
But it would require a page to enumer-
ate everything this short exclamation
contained.
1t was addressed to NJ. Mechinet, and
plainly said:
"What! you have trusted yourself to
this young man, revealed your position,
initiated him into our secretsr'
This was the manner in which inter
pretec e a eloquent "ah," and my worthy
neigh s.a6erstcSd it in the same way,
for he repIied:
Well, yes. Where's the harm, II I
have TO fear the vengeance of the scoun-
drels have delivered up to justice, what
have | to dread from honest folks. Do
You suppose I hide myself, that I'm
ashamed of my professiont"
You misunderstood me, my dear"
observed the young wife.
NJ. Mechinet did not even hear her
He had Just mounted-I learned this
afterwards-a favorite hobby, that always
carried him away.
Zounds." he continued; ''you have
strange ideas, madamei What! am one
of the forlorn hopes of civilization! At the
cost OF my repose and the risk of my life
i secure the safety of society, and am TO
blush for it! That wouldn't be pleasant.
You Will tell me that various absurd
prejudices, bequeathed by the past, exist
against us. What do l carei Yes, L know
that there are sensitive gentlemen who
look down upon US. But, deuce take it,
I'd like to see their faces, if my colleagues
and I struck work tomorrow, leaving the
city to the army Of scoundrels we hold in
check
Nine. Mechinet, who was doubtless ac-
customed to outbursts of this kind, did
not utter a word; and she was wise, for
my worthy neighbor, meeting with no
contradiction, calmed down as IL by
magic.
'-But enough of that" he said to his
wife. There's something more import
ant just now We've had no dinner, and
are starving; can you give US some sup
peri'
= What had happened this evening must
have occurred too frequently for Mime.
Meehinet to allow herself to be found IN
prepared.
"You shall have supper in five min
utes," she replied, with the pleasantest of
smiles.
In fact, a moment after, we were seated
at table before an excellent piece of cold
roast beef, attended by Nine. Mechinet,
who constantly filled our glasses with ex-
cellent Macon wine.
While my worthy neighbor was consci-
entiousIy devoting himself to his supper,
I, looking at his peaceful home and pretty
little wife, asked myself if this was really
one of the "fierce" detectives, who have
been the heroes OF so many absurd tales.
But our hunger was soon appeased, and
NJ. Mechinet began to tell his wife about
our expedition. And he did not relate
the affair carelessly, but gave the most
minute details. She was seated by his
side, and the way in which she listened,
asking explanations when she did not
understand, revealed the bottrgeoiSe
Egeria who was accustomed to be con-
suited.
When ". Mechinet had finished she
said: tSzss<ssr-gla.7---, -.
You've made one great mistake-an
irreparable mistake" /" -
"What|
"You ought not TO have gone TO the
prefecture when you left the Batignolles." {"
But, Monsieur"
"Yes, you wanted to question him.
What did you gaint''
"I have gained, my dear"
''Nothing. It's to the Rue Vivieune
you ought to have gone, TO the wife. You
would have surprised her under the infiu-
ence of the agitation she must necessarily
have felt at her husbands arrest, and il
she is an accomplice, as may be supposed
by little adroitness you would have
made her confess.
| lol I'D Laf- A -
words. -
What, madame" ersod; 'syou think
Monistrol gtriltyr" ru ---1 Do
After a nomeut's hesitation, she an
swered: EW er l sGIf.vra b. isi.
| Yes" ---. ess.l sa lE
Then. IN a very eager tone, she con
tinued: a go s
But, I'm suro, perfectly sure. that tfls
idea of ulurae< originated With the wife
| Out OF every twenty crimes committed b
| men, fifteen are conceived and inspired by
| women. Ask Mschinet. The concierge,
| testimony ought to have enlightened you
| What is this Nine, Monistrolt A re
| markably beautiful person, yon wer,
told, coquettish, ambitious, consumed b,
| coyetousness, 2 woman who leads hel
husband about by the nose. Now, vha
were her circumstancest Poor, marrow
| precarious- She suffered from them, as Il
| proved by her asking her uncle to LEND
her 100000 francs. he refused, thus baf
fling her hopes. Do you suppose that sh,
did not bear him a mortal hatredi Sh,
! must have often repeated, IF this ole
miser were dead, we should be rich.' ANT
when she saw him healthy and strong a
an oak. she said TO herself, He'll hve
hundred years-when he leaves US hi
property, We shanT be ablc to enjoy II
|
us7' Is it SO long a step from this poin
to the thought OF committing a crime
And when tho determination was ono
fixed in her mind. she gradually prepared
her husband, familiarized him with tn,
thought OF murder, put. SO to speak, tn
knife into his hand. And one day threat
ened with bankruptcy, worn out by hi
wife's lamentation, he dealt the blow"
''All this is logical said NJ Mechinet
Very logical, undoubtedly; but wha
became OF the circumstances discovere,
10y us, nr g. ~ e.
Then, madame" said I, "you tktnl
Monistrol was stupid enough to odenounc
himself by writing his names" ,sisi.
She shrugged hsr shoulders. and m
swered:
Is that follyt dont think so, sine
1t is your strongest argument in favor G
his innocence"
The reasoning was so specious that 10
moment felt bewildersd- Then reco,
ering my self:
But he confesses that he is guilty
madame" insisted.
An excellent way of engaging the la
to prove his innocence"
"Ohw
You are proof Of it, my dear MOI
sieur Godeiul."
1
doesn't even know how his uncle wa
murdered"
Excuse me; he doesn't seem to kno'
which is not the same thing"
The discussion became animated, an
would have lasted 4 long time Il NJ NJ