The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-05-10

Sea-Mew, and M. Briscoe will be
brought back a good deal sooner than
he expects"
With half-sigh, NJ. Canmartin sign
ed the required order, and handed it to
the detective, inquiring as he did SO.
and what is the next step after CIV
ing this to Lieutenant Rollart?"
Monsieur" replied Achille Lefort, az
intend to visit the house IN which the
murdered woman resided and make a
most minute examination of the prem
ises. 1 may also gain important in.
formation from the servants of the de-
ceased"
But pardon me-" said the mags-
trate, little timidly, should not this
have been the preliminary step?"
Monsieur" retorted the detective,
drawing himself up with an air of
some dignity, II think you will agree
with me, that it was necessary to Sc,
cure the murderer, and then to hunt
up the evidence against him"
Very well, I daresay you are right"
replied the magistrate, go on and act
as You think best"
The detective hurried down to the
port, and in a few minutes La Louve
was steaming out of the harbor in
pursuit of the Sea-Mew; he then turn.
ed his steps towards the pleasant villa
embowered with orange trees. which
mad been the residence of the unfort.
unate actress To his extreme surprise
there was no one stirring, and the house
appeared to be entirely deserted. The
front door, however, was open, and or
the gravel drive in front was a truck.
such as is used to convey luggage
overturned, and lying on its side, with
one wheel in the air.
Ihe assassin evidently brought
back the vehicle upon which he took
away the trunk" muttered Lefort'
"but where are the servants; surely
some of them must have seen him OF
have heard suspicious sounds. Is there
no one about; the place seems like q
veritable tomb"
AS II in answer to his question, a dull
muffled noise was heard in the interior
of the house, which seemed to be pro-
duced by a hard surface being struck
by some softer substance.
For a few seconds Achille Lefort
stood irresoluts, then drawing himself
up, with the air Of man about to face
some unseen danger, he entered the
house
AS he passed through the entrance
hall the sound of the knocking grew
louder, but he paid little heed to 1t
for on the white marble flooring was
tell-tale stain of crimson hue, whilst
near it was a heap of woman's finery
diapha dresses, coquettish littls
hats and silken hosiery, as though tbs
contents of huge box had been re
moved from their receptacle, and fiuns
careiessly upon the ground.
M. Achille Lefort took in all this with
a wary glance and then laying hi
fingers upon the handle of the door
threw 1t open and entered the drawing
room. Hardly had he done SO than th'
noise broke forth with redoubled We
hemence, accompanied by the mufflet
accents of mans voice, exclaiming-
"Open the door; what Is the meaning
Of my being kept a prisoner. Dolores
Dolores. where are your"
Achille turned to a small door from
behind which the sounds came, AM
saw that key was in the lock.
who are you?" asked he, bendin,
slightly forwards.
You know perfectly we'll who am.
replied the voice. open the door an,
have done with this foelery."
who are you?" repeated Aehille.
why Lionel Briscoe, of course" an
swered the concealed speaker.
The detective started. How coulC
the supposed assassin have committed
"a tuh hn aI1y I,,,
prisoned behind lock door?" His hesi
tation was, however. but momentary
and turning the key he threw open tn,
door. In an instant the young mar
darted through the aperture and gazet
wildly about him. He had suffered
agonies during the long watches of th'
night, and had been driven almost mac
by the strange sounds he had heard
and the inexplicable absence of the
woman he so madly loved. He had
made futile efforts to break through
the panels of the door leading into the
drawing room, whilst the door at the
other end, being sheathed in iron
plates, resisted his utmost efforts
"Where is Dolores? Where is the Sc.
nora Corella?" he demanded, graspng
the detective by the arm.
Achille Lefort was absolutely dazed.
The whole edifice which he had built
up with such care had crumbled away,
for 1t was impossible that Lionel Bris.
coe could have been the murderer OF
Dolores Copella.
'"The Senhora Corella," stammered
he, why she is dead"
"Deadw exclaimed the young man,
with burst of anguish, dead! why II
is impossible. How did she die?"
"She was murdered; her body was
found in a box floating in the harbor,"
answered Lefort, 'and a knife bearing
your initials was embedded in her
bosom. We thought that you were her
murderer"
"I," returned Lionel, with burst OF
scornful laughter, why l would have
given my life to have saved her little
finger from aching, but as there is
heaven above us l will hunt down the
man who has done this dastardly
deed"
"You know the assassin. then" asked
the detective in his most insinuating
tones.
The young man turned his haggard
eyes upon him, but for moment or
two made no reply.
"I accuse no one" said he; "do you
intend to detain me?"
"You must come with me to M. Can
martin, the examining magistrate; a
terrible crime has been committed, and
Justice must inform herself Of all the
particulars.
IT am willing to attend you, but
have nothing to say"
For three days Lionel was questioned
md oss-questioned, but without avail.
Rollart had returned and
hurled volley Of seafaring abuse at
The head of the detective, who had sent
him nnnn q Wild-gn chase HA hah