Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-09-25


strange ideas. madame! What am one
of the forlorn hopes Of civilization At the
cost OF my repase and the risk of my life
secure the safety of society, and am to
blush for It'll That wouldn't be pleasant.
You VIII tell me thaS various absurd
prejudices, bequeathed by the past, exist
against us. What do 1 carer Yes, know
that there are sensitive gentlemen who
look down upon us. But, deuce take 1t!
I'd like to see their faces, if my colleagues
and 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 n word; and she was wise, for
my worthy neighbor, meeting with no
contradiction, Gained 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 Nine.
Mechinet to allow herself to be found I'M
prepared.
You shall have supper in Ave min
utes," she replied, with the pleasantest of
smiles.
In fact, moment after, we were seated
at n 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-
entiously devoting himself to his supper,
l. looking at his peaceful home and pretty
little wife, asked myself if this was really
one of the "herce" detectives, who have
81 st OH nd boil
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 bOtrgeOiSe
Eseria who was accustomed to be con-
suited.
When NJ. Mechinet had finished she
said:
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 gainH"
Il have gained, my dear"
Nothing. It's to the Rue Vivienne
you ought to have gone, to the wife. You
would have surprised her under the inf1u-
ence of the agitation she must necessarily
have felt at her husbands arrest, and if
she is an accomplish, as may be supposed,
by a little sdroitness you would have
made her confess"
had started from my chair at the
words.
,lo 7
Monistrol guiltyr
After moments hesitation, she an
swered:
Yes"
Then, in very eager tone, she con-
tinued:
But, Pm sure, perfectly sure, that the
idea of murder originated with the wife
Out of every twenty crimes committed by
men, fifteen are conceived and inspired by
women. Ask Mechinet. The concicrgc'S
testimony ought to have enlightened you.
What is this Nine. MonistrolP A re,
markably beautiful person, you We're
told, coquettish, ambitious, consumed by
covetousness, u woman who leads her
husband about by the nose. Now, what
were her circumstances? Poor, narrow
prccarious. She suffered from them as is
proved by her asking her uncle to lend
her 100000 francs. He refused, thus baf.
fling her hopes. Do you suppose that she
did not bear him mortal hatred? She
must have often repeated, If this old
miser were dead, we should be rich And
when she saw him healthy and strong as
an oak, she said to herself, He'll live
hundred years-when he leaves us his
property, we shan't be able to enjoy it.
and who knows whether he won't bury
us?' Is it so long step from this point
to the thought of committing crime?
And when the determination was once
fixed in her mind, she gradually prepared
her husband, familiarized him with the
thought of murder, put, so to 81 eak, the
knife into his hand. And one day, threat
ened with bankruptcy, worn out by his
wife's lamentation, he dealt the blow"
''All this is logical" said NJ. Mechinet.
Very logical, undoubtedly; but what
became of the circumstances discovered
by us'
Then, madame" said l, ''you think
Monistrol was stupid enough to denounce
himself by writing his name2"
She shrugged her shoulders, and an,
swered:
sis that follyi 1 don't think so, since
it is your strongest argument in favor of
his innocence"
The reasoning was so specious that for
moment felt bewildered. Then recov,
ering myself:
But he confesses that he is guilty,
madame" insisted.
can excellent way of engaging the law
to prove his innocence"
"Ohp
You are q proof of it, my dear Mon,
sieur Godeiul''
why, madame, the unfortunate man
doesn't even know how his uncle was
murdered"
Excuse me; he doesn't seem to know
which is not the same thing"
The discussion became animated, and
would have lasted a long time if NJ. Me,
chinet had not put an end to it.
Come, come" he said to his wife.
kindly, you're too romantic this even
ing"
Then addressing himself to me
"As to you," he continued, "I'll take
sou with me tomorrow, and We'll call
on Madame Monistrol. Now, as I'm al