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


tered. They were Tristot and Pivolot, who
had como to tell M. Lacroix that this morn
ing Roger Laroque had been arrested in his
Office, Rue Saint Maur, and examined at
onco by commissaire of the judiciary
Pronting by tho presence of these two detec-
tives at the Villa Mont lais, they proceeded
to search tho premises for anything which
might seem to them useful in establishing
their evidence against Roger. This search
was not fruitless, as they found in Rogers
dressing room tue clothes which Roger had
worn tho night of the crime, the gray coat
with its cape, pair of brown pantaloons,
which were torn; high gray hat, with
narrow black band, denied and soiled. Iris
tot and Pivolot, who had been at work since
the previous day, knew that these were un-
doubtedly tho clothes that Roger had worn
on the day of the murder.
"Look at the coat, pantaloons and overcoat
and hat. Do you know themp asked Lacroix
of Hen1iette.
ayes; they are my husbands"
"Did your husband tell you how this hat
was crushed and coat and pantaloons became
SO soiled and torn?"
She made "a negative sign
@Have you the keys to this secretary and
the bureau"
In few moments every nook and corner
was searched and the papers, money, every
thing that could possibly bear upon the case
made into package, along with the clothes
In ono of tho bureau drawers M. Lacroix
found a small silver handled revolver Of six
barrels, five of which We're loaded and one
empty, and it was of q size which would
carry Just such ball as the doctor had ex-
tracted from the dead mans breast. The
three men took their departure, carrying with
them the clothes, papers and revolver.
ave shall have to return tonight toward
10 or IL o'clock for an experiment which l
wish to make Will you please wait our
coming!" said Lacroix, as they We're about
to SO.
Henriette bowed without speaking. She
had reached the limit of her forces and could
no longer resist.
At about IL Lacroix returned, accompanied
by Tristot and Pivolot, and it was Henriette
herself who opened the door for him. She
had tried to imagine what could be their
object, but vainly. And after all, what did
it matter? 1t would only be one torture more.
Neither Of the detectives entered the house
with M. Lacroix. They remained in the gar
den, while he mounted to the parlor, where
he said:
Il uluSU uSk yOur ptIuiiSSlOi, HUMILITY, COBO
into your room for few minutes only"
"What do you wish to dor
"You shall see. 1t is an experiment"
He went into the room. Suzanne was not
in bed She had begged SO hard of her
mother not to make her 60 to bed until they
should have gone.
"Oh, mother, mother" she had begged,
"protect me from that man! Forbid him to
talk to me; he frightens mel"
As soon as she saw M. Lacroix she retreated
to the back of the room, while the magistrate
went out on the balcony. The night was
splendid. The sky seemed covered with stars,
which shone like so many plying eyes upon
this corner Of the earth, where for two days
despair had made its habitation. The calm
was SO great that there Yves not even a leaf
stirring. Opposite, the cottage of Larouette,
mournful and deserted since the assassina-
ton, seemed to animate itself and to live.
Before the open window Of the victims room
q shadow moved. A candle placed OH the
table suddenly lighted the scene, the theatre
IT the crime. Lacroix then came and took
Suzanne by the hand. She drew back, say
ing:
Mamma, mamma, I don't want to go!'
Henriette mechanically approached tue
balcony, not imagining what M. Lacroix in
tended to do, but, suddenly having seen, she
understood, and drew back with cry of
horror.
"No, you shall not do that" cried the UNI
happy woman, throwing herself between SUI
Zannc and M. Lacroix. ut would be an abom-
nation, an atrocous abuse of power that is
not permitted you. 1t is enough to have tor
tured us as you have done for the last two
dave Won in NV bo,ca on1 in INV room,
and have the right to order you to leave it,
and do Col gol"
She was in state of agitation bordering
on insanity, and she drew back from M. La
croix, hiding the child's terrified face in her
robe
"But reflect, madame" said Lacroix.
IL have told you that my child is sick A
strong emotion may kill her, so delicate and
nervous she is. Have pity upon her, sir.
And what do you wish anyhow from hers
What of me? Why for two days have you
entered by force into our lives, giving us no
instant of repose? A crime has been COM
mitted near us. Is it my fault or hcrsl You
trespass upon our rights, and your zeal carries
you too far. A woman's chamber should pe
sacred to you, and more sacred still the
terrors, the tears and the innocence of this
child. Go then, 1 tell YOU"
She was angry, felt outraged, and not only
that, but hemmed in and helpless, and per-
haps she would have betrayed herself had
he not answered coldly:
"Since neither you nor your daughter knows
anything of the murder of Larouette, how
can you know that we are about to rehearse
the crimew
She said no more except "Have mercy upon
us, oh, Father Of the fatherlessl"
Lacroix said:
"Since she saw nothing why is s!.e afraida
And why does she not wish to go with lpe on
tho balconyr
Suzanne suddenly lifted her head and
looked at her with regard which said plain
ly, "Fear nothing; am strong"
And with Lacroix she went out on the bal
cony. Opposite, in the little room, seated
before his secretary, was a man occupied with
his papers. This was Tristot. Behind him
burned the candle which shed its light. La
croix touched Suzanne's shoulder "Look,
child If you have seen you will remember"
Then came up the street tall man, with q
high gray hat, a gray coat with cape. This
was Pivolot. in Rogers clothes. One by one
the dreadful scenes of this drama were worked
out with remarkable force and precision.
zone can see perfectly well" said Lacroix,
"and it is evident, il they were as Victoria