Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-17
CHAPTER XVI.
A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.

acquaintance when the door of the sale
opened. and NJ. Dumont came in, accom-
panied by Clementine.
"Ah, good morning, brigadierp' he
said, shaking hands with Roger, who was
an old acquaintance. You are early on
the road today. Is there anything STIR
ring or specials"
Nothing much, NJ. Dumont," replied
the gendarme. "A couple of escaped
prisoners from Lyons, whom we are on
the lookout for, and here they are some
where in or about the forest of La
Marche, and we are on our way there
now"
"Hush" said NJ. Dumont, with sig
nifcant glance toward Clementinc, who
had gone over TO the window, which
commanded view of the rond, and was
eagerly watching for any sign of Charles.
But you rather alarm me, for my son
had to pass through the forest on his
way to and from st. Maurice last night,
and we are now wondering little at
the delay in his return, as we expected
him earlier"
But what was NJ. Charles doing at
st. Maurice
He went TO fetch a paper which had
been forgotten by the notary"
Notary" said the other, surprised.
ooh, yes" said NJ. Dumont, smiling.
II forgot that of course you don't know
that my son is TO be married today to
the young lady whom you see at the
window"
"a fortunate man is NJ. Charles"
said the gallant brigadier.
But" said Duinont anxiously, "what
you tell me-
Here he was interrupted by Pierre,
who had left the room and now ran in
crying out that NJ Charles was coming;
| that he had seen the carriole from the
| .op window.
AS ne spoke the sotjnd of rapid wheels
~as heard outside. and NJ. Dumont and
ilemntino FASTENED out to the door to
meet him. lie was out Of the carriole
and across the courtyard in two strides,
and joyful indeed was the meeting be.
tween the lovers, while NJ Dumont, re-
lieved from the momentGry fear which
the gendarme's words had aroused in
him, clasped his son hand and welcomed
him with a full heart. Before the greet.
ings Were finished the notary and the
cure arm in arm, turned in at the gate
and the whole party went into the salon
together. where Picard awaited them
with the papers all in order, and moth
ing missing this time. The brigadiel
joined them there on the invitation OF
NJ. Dumont.
well" he said laughingly, clappine
Charles on the shoulder, 'you are &
pretty bridegroom to keep IA lady wait
ing
Clemcntine shot rather an indignan
glance at hiln-as much as TO say how
dared he insinuate that Charles could dc
anything that wasn't quite perfect
while Charles himself pleaded the hac
state of the roads for his being littl
late. adding as he looked round, tina
thero was no time lost by that, since NJ
Gcrmcnil had not yet come down stairs
My friend Gernenil is not as youn:
as he was, any more than myself" saiC
NJ. Dumont. And yesterday was
fatiguing Gay for him. lie had Ion;
drive to begin with
ton Charles went up stairs to see wha
was OBTAINING II. Germenil, and pres
entity his voice was heard calling Pierr
to bring the bunch Of duplicate keys, a
he had knocked and got no answer, an,
he feared NJ. Germenil must be i'll
Pierre ran up stairs with the keys, fol
lowed by Clomentine.
"QuicI, Pierre, quick, give me til
key cried Charles.
But the key was not there. What wa
to be done:
"Wemust break the door, said Charles
And accordingly he and Pierre thre,
themselves against it with all their force
It creaked, gave way, and the thre
rushed into the room. Then dreadfu
shrek ran through the house rs Clemel
tine fell senSeless beside the bed wheI
lay the body of her murdered father.
M. Dumont. followed by the rest c
the party, rushed up stairs to see wha
was the matter and stood speeches
with horror at the terrible spectacl,
Roger the moment he saw what ha
happened gave the order to his mel
"See that no one leaves the house. The
he returned to the room to examine ful
Their. Charles had III the meantime CA
ried Clementine to her own room, wher
he left her in charge of Margot, who di
all she could for her with many con
passionate EXPLANATIONS of "Pauvr
mam'sello! pauvre p'tite"
NJ. Dumont assured the brigadier tha
the murdered man had not a single el
envy in the world.
Had he any money in his possessioni
asked tho officer.
, He had 1900 francs, Clementine
dot, which was to have been handed owe
,, to my son today as soon as the contr;
was signed
Here, said Charles, there is his pool
;; etbook," catching sight of the edge Of
under the pillow and pulling it on
But it is empty he cried. "TheI
has been robbery as well as murder,"
Have you any suspicious" asked IL
bripa1ipr