The times., 1890-04-11

killed Lucien as surely as If it had been real
poison, instead Of the treachery Of those he
best loved.
Long hours this poor boy sat with this sw-
full proof before his aching eyes.
Another, oh, my motherT he groaned
He had loved his mother So Now he found
that she had been a criminal. She was THE
woman!
1t was all clear now. Had she loved Roger
at the date of the trial she would have come
forward and proved him innocent; but she
did not, and that proved that this was ven
geance. And the dates Of the events in that
vengeance had been written on his mutilated
photograph BY the hand that prepared this
vengeance. Laroque had told the truth.
Julia was the guilty one, and he saw all that
life held that was precious to him slipping
away, and Suzanne was lost to him foreveri
1t was not alone because he loved his native
country that Laroque had returned to France.
He wished to clear his name from the false
charge of murder He was now in Paris
searching, searching everywhere, everything
and every place which could give him the
least idea of what could be the solution OF this
mystery He haunted the club where he won
the 10000 francs, but all to no purpose, and at
last he saw that he should need the services OF
two expert detectives. He remembered the
names and regulations of Tristot and Pivolot,
and he decided upon employing them. Hav-
ing now as a starting point the explanation
that Suzanne had given him, he wanted to
find the man who had so resembled him as to
deceive his own wife and child
So he presented himself at the pretty and
tasteful abode of these two famous detectives,
and told them that he wished to engage their
services in a difficult and delicate matter,
which should be largely paid for.
"You already know something Of this mat
ter" said Roger, sand you will remember it
we'll when tell you that it relates to the
murder Of Larouette, and the condemnation
of Roger Laroqus for the crime he did not
commit"
"But he confessed himself guilty"
Because the shadow of the crime he did
commit lay heavier on him than the one he
did not Listen now until you hear the truth
of this affair from beginning to end, and then
would like your opinion"
Roger then began at the beginning and told
all we know, even giving the name Of Julia
De Noirville, and when he had finished his
auditors, accustomed as they were to strange
tales, looked completely dumfounded.
"But how do you know all of this"
because am Roger Laroque, and have
come to vindicate my name ut the risk Of my
life. trust in your honor, and place my life
and that of my child i'll your hands"
The two detectives looked at each other in
silence, and then as by one common accord
they rose and offered Roger their hands,
which he took with o grateful heart, He
knew he had found friends. Tristot spoke:
awe must put aside as impossible the actual
guilt of Mime. De Noirville, though she may
have inspired it OF have been an accomplice
in some way, but If we find any indication Of
her guilt we shall follow her up in private
until you gi'ye us other orders Now remains
the club. Did you know all the players there
that night? It may be that there was present
an ancient or new lover Of Mime. De Noir-
vile. Think we'll"
II cannot imagine of any person who could
have held such n position. The only peculiar
incident was that my friend the Baron De
Cey spoke to some one, thinking it me, calling
him by my name and touching his shoulder.
noticed the man, as De Cey told me laugh
ingly of the rencontre. He was large, tall,
dark and wore his hair and beard as did
His eyes, however, were different and the
eyebrows buNhy.. In the evening or in the
day one could easily mistake this man for
me at the first glance. He had recently been
received into the club. and do not remem-
Der to have seen him there before, and as you
can imagine | never went there after. His
name is Luversan."
SHe Is banker or broker or something OF
that sort, is he not. Tristotl" said Pivolot.
"Had this man any good reason to hate
your
"None that know Of"
"That we must find out. We will look up
this Luversan, as well as begin again from
the beginning, this time with a view to find
the real man, not to search proofs against an
innocent one."
81 thank you with all my heart" said
Roger, "more for my daughters seke than
my own. wish her to be able to bear her
own namc until the day she takes that Of an
honorable and noble man who loves her and
whom she loves. As to myself, should not
care so much, but would accept my fate as
my expiation for the wrong did,"
"You would be wrong, sir, for while you
were away, even now, do you know what
your workmen call youa Roger the Shame
full"
"Alas" said Roger, with sob which he
vainly tried to repress.
Roger Went nome 10 await tne result OF Cne
search Tristot and Pivolot were to make.
Several days passed without sign or word,
when one morning telegram caused him to
present himself at their home.
ave have not altogether lost cur time,"
said they, "and we have not accomplished
much either Still here is what we have dis
covered. We find that Luversan is not the
real name Of him who bears it, but Matthias
Zuber is"
AT this name Roger started end his heart
beat quicker than usual. He remembered
well that name and the man.
Did he not fight around Orleansa Had he
not caught him in the very act Of treasoni
Roger remembered distinctly the letter VOW
ing vengeance that had been left for him after
this mans escape. II that was tho same man
he knew now the motive, but how had Julia
known him9
Roger reflected o moment. aDo nothing
moro until you see me again, except TO find
out all you can about Luversan's financial
position"
"What do you think of doingT asked
Tristot.
81 hardly know yet myself. but viii keep
you informed. I must think this matter over
alone day or So"
In two days Roger returned to them and
said: