Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-04-16

she recognized him. Then, when the
fellow conceived the idea Of following
the Jewels, it suited his purpose to of-
feet a reconciliation so that ne might
use the woman rs tool After the
murder it would be TO his interest 10
hide the name Of Montalbon by cutting
out the marks on the woman's cloth
ing.
Pardon my pursuing the argument, ~
said Mr.. ThaUret, .'but 1 find it enter
tanning. You surprise me, bir. Barnes,
at the ready way il which you read
mems actions Only are you sure you
are right: suppose, for instance, that
the woman had cut ont the marks her
self long before, at some time, when
sho was using au alias, then your fact
would lose solo Of its significance
would it not1 Circumstantial evidence
is so difficult 10 read, you see! Then,
having lost that link, where do you
prove MoitaiIe or Montalbon guilty:
Being the wonan's husband is 10 crime
in itself "
''Nu, g" said Dir. Barnes, deciding that
tho time had come for an end Of the
controversy. Being the woman's hus-
band does not count in itself. But when
/ procure in Paris the photograph Of
Molitaire, left by accident in his room
at his lodgings, and when recognize
that as the same man whom Mr.. Mitch
el suspected and trapped into stealing
the ruby, and when upon my return TO
New York 1 find that ruby upon that
very man and recover it, then we have
some facts that do count "
"'You recovered the ruby?" said Mr.
Mitchell, amazed
Here it is said Mr.. Barnes, hand
ing it to Mr. Mitchell. Mr.. Thauret bit
his lip, and by strong endeavor re-
tanned his self control.
"Mr. Barnes" said Mr.. Mitchell, Il
am sorry to disappoint you, but this is
not my ruby.
care you sure;" asked the detective
with a twinkle in his eye.
Eyes, though you deserve credit, for,
though not the ruby, it is the stolen
stone. 1 have a complete set of dupli-
Gates of my jewels, and in making my
little experiment / did not care TO bait
my trap with so valuable a gem. l
therefore used the duplicate, which is
this. But how have you recovered it,"
Il have been in New York for sever
al days. have devoted myself during
that time to a personal watch upon
Montalbon. Yesterday, to my surprise,
he went to police headquarters and beg
ged for a permit to inspect the stolen
Jewels, saying that through them he
might throw some light upon the mys-
terry. His request was granted. Suspect
ing treachery, l subsequently obtained
a similar permit, and investigation with
the aid of an expert showed that the
bold scoundreI had handled the jewels,
and so managed TO change the lmlta-
ton stone which he stole at the festival
for the real one in the set which figured
in the train robbery. "
by Jove," said Mr.. Mitchell, che is
an artist. Then I am indebted to you
after all for recovering the stone? But
tell as how did you accomplish it?"
''I overheard Montalbon once say that
a wise thief would keep stolen article
upon his person, so that it could not be
discovered without his knowledge.
Therefore / felt certain that he would
himself adopt this method. When the
conversation this evening reached a
point where it was evident that all
would be disclosed, the man, who is
present, dropped the ruby into his glass
of burgundy, where it would be out OF
Sight and easily recovered or swallowed.
Later he attempted to dispose of it in
this way, but quickly drank his glass
of wine, the ruby thus passing into my
mouth And now, Mr.. Montalbon, l
arrest you in the name of the law. " Say
ing which the detective put his hand
upon Mr.. Thauret's arm. The other
guests jumped up, excited and expect
ing a scene. To the astonishment of all,
Thauret remained quiet for few mo-
ments, and then, speaking slowly and
distinctly, said:
Gentlemen, we have heard several
stories here tonight viii you listen to
mine and suspend Judgment for few
moments"'
eve will hear you, " said Mr.. Mitch
ell, marveling at the mans nerve. The
others resumed their seats, all except
the detective, who stood just back of
his prisoner.
Il will trouble you to fill my glass, "
said Thauret to the waiter, and after
being served he coolly slipped mouth
ful.
II shall not bore you with a lengthy
recital" he began. Il shall simply
make a statement. Society, the civilized
society of today, frowns upon and pun
ishes what it terms the criminal class.
Yet how many have ever examined
into the existing state of things and
analyzed the causes which make the
criminal possibility? The life of such
q man is not 30 inviting that one would
adopt it from choice, one mean who
had moral instincts. With the naturally
immoral it would be otherwise, Of
course. But if one be born immoral,
who is to blame? The individual him
self or the anteeedents, including both
parentage and circumstances? We pity
the man who is congenitally tainted
with disease, and we condemn that 9TH
i CT uldu VINO ID ldlulGh III LiiSAe'AS, tACN'SoA -
his condition is analogous and traceable
to similar causes. Such man | am. l
confess that l am and always have
been criminal, at least in the sense of
acquiring money by what are termed
illegitimate methods. But you will say,
Mr.. Barnes, " turning for moment TO
the detective, and thus while speaking
to him attracting his attention, so that
unnoticed he dropped small white pei
/ let into his glass of wine, that Iwork-
ed for the jewelry house. Well, what
ever l am l have aimed to be artistic,
as Mr. Mitchell admitted Of me few
moments ago. By seeming to earn an
| honest living blinded the keen eyes Of
the Paris police, so that, though many
4 suspicious have been cast il my direc-
/ ton, conviction has always been impos-
sible. So now, while pretending 70 ex-
plain to you all, have explained moth
ing. I simply designed to prevent con-
yiction of the crimes charged against
me. Us do, thus
With o swift movement he drained
his wineglasg, though Mr.. Barnes at
/ tempted to prevent him. In ten min
utes he was dead.
THE END.
Extras.