The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-01-12

Hefe1l upon the debris beloac.
the ruins Of the shattered shop. He was
still Daurmuring the name of his broth
.er, and they were telling him, in a re-
assuring tone, that everything was all
right, although he vaguely felt that
what they said was not true. They had
their arms linked in his, and he STUN
.bled helplessly among the wreckage,
seeming to have lost control over his
limbs. He saw that the whole front Of
the shop was gone and noticed through
the vide opening that a crowd stood IL
the street, kept back by the police. He
wondered why he had not seen all these
people when he had looked out of the
shattered window. When they brought
him to the ambulance, he resisted
slightly, saying he wanted to go to his
brothers assistance, who was sleeping
in the shop, but with gentle force they
placed him In the vehicle, and he was
driven away to the hospital.
For several days Adolph fancied that
he was dreaming, that he would soon
awake and take up again the old pleas
ant, industrious life. It was the nurse
who tcld him he would never see his
brother again, adding by way Of conso-
lation that death had been painless and
instant, that the funeral had been one
of the grandest that quarter Of Paris had
ever seen, naming many high and I'M
portant officials who had attended it.
Adolph turned his face to the wall and
goaned. His hightful dream was to
last him his life.
When he trod the streets Of Paris a
week later, he was but the shadow Of
his former portly self He was gaunt
and haggard, his clothes hanging On
him as if they had been made for some
other man, a fortnight's stubby beard
on the face which had always hereto
fore been smoothly shaven. He sat 81
1ently at TIE cafe, and few Of his friends
recognized him at first They heard he
had received ample compensation from
thsAgovernnent and now would have
money enough to suffice him all his life
without the necessity Of working for it,
and they looked on him as fortunate
man. Buthe sat there listlessly, receiy-
ing their congratulations or condolences
with equal apathy. Once he walked past
the shop. The front was boarded up,
and glass had been put IN the upper
windows
He wandered aimlessly through the
streets Of Paris, some saying he was in
sane and that he was looking for his
brother, others that he was searching
for the murderer. One day he entered
the police Office where he had first mado
his unlucky complaint.
"Have you arrested him yet?' he
asked the officer in charge.
sWhom?'' inquired the officer, not
recognizing his visitor.
Picard. I am Adolph Delore.'
s'1t was not Picard who committed
the crime. He was in London at the
time and is there still. :"
Perhaps I could help. I am going to
London. Will you give me Picard's ad-
dress?''
"Here is his address, but I think you
had better leave the case alone. You do
not know the language, and you may
merely arouse his suspicious if you in
terfere. Still, if you learn anything
<,/,,,,,,,,-,;oo 20 with ,oo
The former frank, honest expression
in Adolph's s eyes had given place to a
look Of cunning that appealed to the in
stinct of "a French police officer. He
thought something might come of this,
and his instincts did not mislead him.
Delore with great craftiness watched
the door Of the house in London, taking
care that no one should suspect his pur
pose. He saw Picard come out alone on
several occasions and once with anoth-
er of bis own stripe, whom he took TO
be Lamoine.
One evening, when crossing Leicester
square, Picard was accosted by q stran-
ger in his own language. Looking
around with q start, he saw at his Sl0c
a cringing tramp, worse than shabbily
dressed.
"What did you say:' asked Picard,
with tremor in his voice.
Gould you assist poor country
man." whined Delore.
81 have no money. -
perhaps you could help me to get
work. l don't know the language, but
I am good workman. I"
"How can I help you to work: l have
no work myself. -
81 would be willing to work for moth
ing if 1 could get place to sleep and
something to eat :"
s. Why don't you steal? would if I