The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-10-05


perative tone-''Rue I.ecluse, 80 aux B,-
tignollss-and be quickr'
The distance drew n volley of oaths
from the driver. No matter, he gave his
horses violent blow, and the carriage
rolled on.
"Ah, so we're going TO the Batig-
nolles," asked, with the smile OF acour-
tier.
But NJ Mechinet made no reply. /
doubt whether he heard me-
a complete metSmorphosisw was taking
place IN him. He did not seem exactly
asitxted, but his compressed lips and the
contraction OF his large, bushy eyebrows
betrayed intense preoccupation of mind.
His eyes, fixed on a vacancy, seemed to he
studying the terms Of some insOluble
problem.
He had drawn out his snuff box, and
was constantly taking immense piuchrs,
which he kneaded between his finger and
thumb and raised to his nose, but did not
inhsle.
This was trick l had noticed, and
which greatly amused me. The worShy
man, who had n horror Of tobacco, WAS al
ways provided with n snun-box worthy OF
n stage fnancier.
II anything unforeseen occurred,
whether pleasant or disagreeable, he
pulled it out Of his pocket and began to
take snuff furiously. The box WAS often
empty, but his gestures remained the
same.
afterwards knew II was n trick OF his
TO conceal his Impressions and divert tho
attention OF his questionsrs-
MeAn:ise we drove on.
The pocrs ascended, not without diff
Guilty, the Rue de Clinchy, crossed tho
outer boulevard, turned into the Rue de
Lecluse, and ere long stopped at some
distance from the address given
To so further WAS impossible, the street
was 20 blocked by ! dense crowd.
Before the house, bearing the number
30, tive or three hundred persons were
standing with outstretched necks and
sparkling eyes, painting with curiosity,
and with difficulty kept back by n half
dozen policemen, who yainly shouted in
their hATshest tones, Pass on, gentlemen,
pass on
Alishting frora the carriage, wo ap-
preached the house, forcing our way
through the loungcrs with great diff
Guilty.
We had already reached the door OF No.
-, when - policeman rudely thrust ua
back.
stand back. No admittarce here
Ey companion eyed him from head %
80 you don't recognizes me. an
Mechinet, and this young mar" "-ko
pointed to me-''is with me-
"ParGen mel Excuse me-" stsmmered
the man, raising his hand to his lat. II
didn't knov-wSlk in"
We catered.
In the vestlhule a stout woman, evi-
IDENTIFY the concierge, redder than peony,
was talking and gesucUlatiEg amid u
group OF lodgers.
where il it," ". Nechinet asked
roughly.
''On the third foo-, my dear rnon.ieur.-
she answered; third floor. right-hand
doori Oh Lord, what a nlisfortunei Inn
house like ours! Such n good maa!'
/ heard no more. VI. Mechinet had
dsrted up the stairs, and followed, my
heart beating a. If II would stihe me.
The right-hand door en- the third feox
stood open.
We entered, crossed an autechambcr.
dinins-room, drawing room, and at last
reached bed-chAmber.
II could live a Thousand years I should
never forget the spectacle that met my
eyes. As write. after 30 many years,
can see the smallest details.
Two men were leaning on the rrsntel-
piece opposite the door: a commiSsary OF
an examining magistrate.
On the right, seated mt n tablo, n younB
man, the clerk, was writing.
In the centre of the room, on the floor,
amid n pool Of black, coagulated blood,
lay the body OF an old man with white
hair. He was stretched on his back, with
his arms extended. Terrified, l stood
rooted 10 tho threshold, so near frintinG,
that to save myself from falling l WAS
obliged to lean against the door.
My profession had familiarizsd me
with Heath; had long since conquered
the tcrrors OF the hospital, bat this was
the first time found myself confronted
with crime. Por il was evident that an
abonlinable crime had been committed
Ny neighbor. less impressionable than
i, had en,ered with firm step.
"Oh. it's you, Mechinet, :" said the com
miSsary OF police, "Pm very sOrE 10
have troubled you"
why"
Because we sha'n't need your Wits.
We know the criminal. have given my
orders, and he must be already arrested Z"
Strange, From NJ Mechinet's gesture.
one weuld have supposed this assurance
annoyed him. He drew out his snuff
box, took two or three OF his Imaginary
pincheS, and said:
tnC - hHDNn
The examining magistrate answered:
And known in very certain and pos
tive fashion; yes, Monsieur Mechinet.
The crime having been committed, the
Assassin fed, believing that his victim
had expired. He was mistaken Proyi
dence watched the deed. The unfortunate
man still breathed. Summoning all hi.
strength. be dipped one of his fingers in
the blood that was flowing in stream.
from the wound, and wrote on the floor
his murderer's name, thus denouncing
him to human justice. Look"
Thus informed. perceived what / had
not noticed At first.
On the floor, in large. ill--haped. scarce
ly leCible letters, was written with blood
MONS.
"WeIl,'' said NJ Mechinet-
That, replied the commissary OF 20
lice, ''is the beginning of the name OF th,
poor old mans nephew-a nephew o
whom he WAS very fond, and who is nance
Monistrol."
The devil - said my neiehbor.
''I don't suppose, /" continued the magis
trate, "that the scoundrel will tryto den,
| it. The Ave letters arc an overwhelming
charge against him Besides, who profit
by this cowardly crime' He alone. tn
sole heir OF the old man. who leaves large
| fortune, lhcy say lhcrc II iioiS W
| dence; the crime was committed yester-
day evening. Well, yesterday evening
no one visited this poor old man except his
nephew. The concierge saw him come in
about O'Clock and 60 out n little before
| midnight.
That's plain" said N. Mechinet,
chats very plain. This Monistrol is .
fool"
Then, Struggling his shoulders, he con
| timed:
did he steal anything, did he break
any article of furniture, TO put people OF
| N wrong scent in regard TO the motive o