Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-25
ACCUSED BY A CLOCK.
The Ingenious Device That Brought
a Murderer TO Justice.

LlerrCI. tuc ctOCAudhCrs was NhfF
thirty years of age, but he was inclined
to sadness. and was not talkative. lie
had known a great sorrow. Seven
wears before, while he was serving in
the army, his father had been muir
dured-in the shop now occupied by
the son. Who was the assassin? On
whom could he avenge the old man
who had never done harm to anybody,
and had been so kind to him? Justice
had failed 10 lay hand upon the muir
derer and robber who had carried OFF
four thousand pounds, saved sou by
sou by the father Tor the son.
All researches had been fruitless
Lierret had finished his time of service
in the army. and as soon as he was free
he returned and established himself in
the murdered mans shop, determined to
clear that suffering was gnawing at
his heart At nightfall ne wandered
about the village in search of the
criminal.
Time passed-weeks, months, years.
The murder was forgotten by all save
the orphan and the-other, who could
not but remember IT.
Quite recently Lierret had gone to
Paris and remained there several days
making purchases, bringing back with
him a magnificent clock which caused
every body who saw it TO long to pos
sess it.
Come in, gentlemen" said Lierret
TO the adrnfring groups who pressed
closely about his shop window.
What is the price of it?"
Zone hundred pounds"
'.Does 1t striker"
Certainly. Listen"
The clockmaSer caused the bell to
sound-clear, sonorous, silvery.
But nobody will buy it." said Lier-
ret II am afraid have done fool
ish thing in bringing it from Paris"
'Oh, that depends. Lierretl We are
not rich enough. but there is some
body here"
"Reallyl Whom?"
''Ehl Locard-good looking Locard
who is going TO marry and doesn't
mind what he spends"
IF You would not mind putting in a
word for me"
With pleasure; and-who knows?-
by touching him on the side of his van
ity-"
You would be doing me a great serv-
ice.'
Jacques Locard was not very much
liked and that for several reasons In
the FIRST place he had made his fortune
too suddenly. 1t had come to him from
the clouds by the intermediary of a
notary-oh. not Of this village. but
of long way OF, over the mountains
an inheritance which had at once prt
him al his case, and he had increased
this by dabbling in business
For all that he was closehsted, spoke
in loud voice, staggered in the 8 tree
drank heavily and had following.
When any body wanted 70 unloosen his
purse strings for bowl of punch or
bottle of champagne they knew on
which side to deal with him. A man
like him-the king of the countryl He
wagged his head and allowed himself
10 DC taken in.
The thing, however. was not so easy
as il had at first seemed to be. When
the name of Licrret was pronounced
before Locard il evidently produced an
unpleasant effect on that persons
nerves lie dislilzed Lierret. that was
clear. Well. everybody is free to like
or dislike according 10 his impressions.
is he uot2 Lierret-a pet,ifogger. an
idlerl No, no. he was not that; tut
even If he were. what had that TO do
with the greatest wonder that had
ever been seen in the place? Besides.
10 cost nothing 20 look at IL.
While talking. Locard drank alb
sinthe lie began 70 get warm. say
ing: Yes" saying No" and finally
cousenting to stroll as far as the CLOCK
makers saoP. tlea Withdrawing h.s
consent
Why. anyone would say you nrc
afraid % 60 20 Ltsrrcts--f
Afraid. II What do l care fo.
Lierr3t2 Come or"
Tie little wasCbmaker was 20 the
bench. his maEniiying glass in his
right eye, bending over the works 81 "a
watch Certainly ne was not lookin-
ct anything that vas going on oa.side
&c his shop, yet he saw, very plaiaif
observed the approaching EropP. and
something very much Ike q smile
mlght lave been seen 20 piag about his
lins as be did so lie hoped for a
customer, and 20 a poor tradssr.in that
must always he pleasant feeling, must
e not2 Oh. doubtless Bias ~ aH Dos-
sible customers Lierret hoped Ter oac.
ard that one w as now a. the door.
Locard entc-ed
rs that it27 ne said. conternrt-
sossly-
Lierret rose politely Tsocard turned
his back upon it--from pride evidently.
In short, he Immediately agreed TO
give 318o. and threw down Is note on
account on condition that the clock
should be that sane evening Installed
n his dining room At his h1use
This evening. frsea.lS.' cried Locard.
''vsH driaS 70 my new pisce Of flsrTsi.
tura
at SHAT hcur7"
vine aeirrk
A soen 81 Tierret toura hi-aseIf
quite afane. be burned tAe hsnk ssse
=. a. o. - d. a....4I. srf -. 80