The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-02-21

"Very well; we will verify that. And the
100000 francs OF yesterday, the 29th?o
"They were paid me yesterday by"--. He
stopped brusqucly, as if hand of steel had
grasTed his throat, checking his words. He
had been standing, and the effect of his agi-
tation was so great that he sank into q chair
and great drops of pcrspiration stood out on
his forehead. MY God!' he thought, "what
was about to sayl"
II repeat my question, which you seem not
to have heard. From whence came the
100000 francs9"
Roger answered hoarsely: II told you;
from tho payment of d, bt"
"The name of that personl'
THAT Goes not concern you. 1 find your
question q little indiscreet.n
III advise you to answer without subter-
fuge."
IL do not recognize your right to question
me, and I refuse. AS my cashier has fur
nished you with all the indications in his
power beg you to notice that it is IL o'clock,
and that my time is valuable
"You do not seem to understand the gravity
of your situation"
Laroque seemed at first surprised, and then
with his ordinary brusqueness exclaimed:
"Where the devil do you find my situation
gravel What business of yours is it anyhow,
NJ Police Commissioner Lienardp
"ln that there exists strong presumptive
reasons that you are tho murderer of Inro,l-
etten
"What? hey? howg'
"You heard me-"
Laroque kept silent and seemed to pass in
mental review the words just addressed to
HIM, and looked from Ricordot to Lienard
and back Then all at once the comic side of
such an occasion struck him and he burst into
a laugh, so hearty, loud and prolonged that
the tears stood in his eyes and his sides ached
IL should never have thought of that he
said as soon as he could control his mirth.
~ am not here to inquire your opinion, ~
said Lienard with great dignity, "but to ask
you certain questions, and to place you at the
disposal of the court of Versailles in case they
are not satisfactorily answered"
At this moment Ricordot went out. and in
few seconds returned with his hands full of
bank notes, which he began to examine atten-
lively while the conversation continued.
"Very well, though it humiliates me to
have to defend myself from so ridiculous IN
accusation. But first l wish to know what
are your proofs against me-"
"They are of various nature, but am here
only to see if there is any suspicious account
of money in your possession. Do you maintain
your affirmation that though your safe was
empty on the 2Sth, the important sum found
in your possession to-day comes partly from
your winning at baccarat and the rest from
paymentl You must prove what you say.n
II played last night from 10 to midnight
with Baron de Cey, Leonce Dubois, and Gas
ton and Adolph Levallois"
"That is all right SO far. But the 100000
francs brought i'll by you on the Goth Of july"
Again Roger turned pale. II have nothing
to add to my former answer. 1t was an I'M
expected payment of loan"
''The name of the debtori"
Roger kept silent.
"Refect, this name is the proof that you
have told the truth, for it will be easy for us
| TO verify your statement" Still no answer.
SIN the name of your honorable house, your
| own honor" Still no word. SIN the name,
then. of your noble wife and your innocent
little child, whom you seem to forget, charge
| you to speak"
One instant he stood with his lips apart, then
lie sank down, down, bending his great shout.
! ders under the weight of the burden he ac.
| copied.
~ cannot, l cannot! am lost, lost!"
NJ. Lienard made gesture of impotence.
Then the expert arose and handed him, with.
out word, scrap of paper whereon he had
| written few words and six or seven bank
| notes of ], 200 francs each attached with O
| pin. NJ Lenard turned toward Larooue.
$50 then," he said, "you refuse to speakF
81 refuse.n answered he honrselv.
ITO BE CONTINUED