Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-21
CHAPTER XVI.
! TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.

Pierre was about to enlarge still fur ther on the agreeable qualities of his new acquaintance when the door of the salle opened, and M. Dumont came in, accom- panied by Clementine.
 "Ah, good morning, brigadicr." he said, shaking hands with Roger, who was an old acquaintance. You are early on the road today. Is there anything stir ring or special:'
 Nothing much, M. 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 M. Dumont, with a sig nitiCant glance toward ClemCntinc, who had gone over to the window, which commanded q view of the road, 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 q paper which had been forgotten by the notary"
 Notary" said the other, surprised.
 "Oh, yes,' said NJ. Dumont, smiling. II forgot that of course you don't know that my son is to be married today tC the young lady whom you see at tn, window
 A fortunate man Is NJ. Charles, :" said the rallant bricalicr
 But" said Dumont auXiously, 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 top window.
 As he spoke tho sound of rapid wheels was heard outside. and NJ. Dumunt and Clcmentine l:astencl out to the door to meet him. He was out of tho carric!c and across the courtyard i'll two strides, and joyful indeed was the meeting be tween the lovers, while NJ. DuInont. re- hevod from the momcntary fear which the Ecndarmc's words had aroused in him, clasped his sons hand and welcomed him with full heart. Before the greet ings werO 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 ill order, and noth- | ing missing this time. The brigadier | joined them there on the invitation of M. Dumont.
 Well" he said laughingly, clapping | Charles on the shoulder, you are a pretty bridegroom to keep lady wait | ing"
 Clementine shot rather an indignant | glance at him-as much as to say how dared he insinuate that Charles could dc anything that wasn't quite perfect while Charles himself pleaded the bad state of the roads for his being little late, adding, as he looked round, that there was no time lost by that, since M Germenil had not yet come down stairs
 My friend Germenil is not as young as he was, any more than myself" said M. Dumont. And yesterday was 6 fatiguing day for him. He had a long drive to begin with"
 After a few minutes more conversa tion Charles went up stairs to see what was detaining M. Germenil, and pres ently his voice was heard calling Pierr, to bring the bunch of duplicate keys, a. he had knocked and got no answer, ant he feared NJ. Germenil must be i'll Pierre ran up stairs with the keys, fol lowed by Clementine.
 Quick, Pierre, quick. give me tn keyv' cried Charles.
 But the key was not there. What wa! to be done?
 "Wemust break thedoor, said Charles And accordingly he and Pierre threw themselves against it with all their force It creaked, gave way, and the three rushed into the room. Then a dreadful shriek ran through the house as Clemen tine fell senseless beside the bed wher, lay the body of her murdered father.
 NJ. Dumont, followed by the rest O the party, rushed up stairs to see wha was the matter and stood speeches. with horror at the terrible spectacle Roger the moment he saw what haC happened gave the order to his men "See that no one leaves the house" Thel he returned to the room to examine fur ther. Charles had in the meantime car ried Clementine to her own room, wher' he left her in charge of Margot, who diC all she could for her with many com passionate exclamations of "Pauvr, mam'selle! pauyre bitter
 l N. Dumont assured the brigadier tha