Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-02-02

y" |
at is my portrait" Jacques Ddntin de-
cldrCd
and the chief asked, through politeness,
for news about his candidature to tho
Academy -ef Moral and Political Sci
ences.
do not let us talk of the institute, "
the magistrate replied. 1T is like the
beginning Of q hunt to sigh for the
prize that brings unhappincss.
The sombcr pile, the MaZas, opened
its doors to the three men They tray
erscd the long corridors, with the heavy
mir which porvadcd them in spite of all
efforts to the contrary, to small room,
sparsely furnished "a table, "a few chairs,
glass bookcase), which served as an
Office for the examining magistrates
when they had to hold any interviews
with the prisoners.
The guardian in chief walked along
with NJ. Ginory; NJ. Leriche followed
them, and Bcrnardet respectfully
brought up the rear.
nory ordered. He seated himself at the
table. NJ. Lericho took Il chair at one
side, and Bernardet stood near the little
bookcase, which was next the only win
dow in the room.
jacques Dantin soon appeared, led in
by two guards in uniform. He was very
pale, but still retained his naughty air
and his defiant attitude. The magistrate
saluted him with slight movement of
the head, and Dantin bowed, recogniz-
ing in Bernardet the man with whom
he had walked and convcrsed behind
Rovere's funeral car.
"Be seated, Dantin, NJ Ginory said,
land explain to me, beg, all you know
about this portrait. You ought to recog-
niZe it.
He quickly held the picture before
face to see what sudden emotion it
would display Seeing the portrait,
Dantin shivered and said in short
tone, 1T is u picture which l gave to
Revere"
"Ah," said NJ. Ginory, "you recog-
nizo it them
lit is my portrait, 3" Jacques Dantin
declared. lit was made "a long time
ago. Revere kept it III his salon. How
did it come here!'
"Ah!" again said the magistrate,
"EXplain that to mel"
NJ. Ginory seemed to wish to be a
| little ironical. But Dantin roughly said:
M. 10 Juge, have nothing to ex-
plain to you. l understand nothing,
! know nothing. Or, rather, | know tina.
III your error-an error which You will
bitterly regret some day or other, l am
sure-you have arrested me, shut me
up in Mazas, but that which l can as
sure you Of is chat have had nothing
do you hear, nothing--whatcve to dc
with the myrder of my friend, and
protest with all my powers against your
processes.
Il comprehend that" NJ Ginory
coldly replied. "Oh, | understand all
the disagreeableness Of being shut W
within four walls, But then it is very
simple. In order to go out one has only
to give to tho one who has a right &c
know the explanations which are asked,
Do you still persist i'll your system: Dc
you still insist on keeping know not
what secret, which you Will not reveal
to us;''
81 shall keep it, monsieur | have re-
flocted," said Dantin "Yos, | have re-
Elected, and in the solitude to which
you have forced me | have examined
my conscience " He spoke with firm.
ness, less violently than ut the Palais
de Justice, and Bernardets penetrating
little eyes never left his face; neither
did the magistrate nor the chiefs.
Il am persuaded" Dantin continued,
THAT this miserable mistake cannot last
long and you will recognize the truth.
shall go out, at least from here, with
out having abused confidence which
one has placed in me and which i'll
tend to preserve.
"Yes, said NJ Ginory, perfectly
| know your system. You will hold tC
it, 1t is well. Now, whose portrait is
that"
1T is mine"
by whom do You think it was pos
siblc that it could have been sold in tho
bric-a.brac shop where it was found?"
Il know nothing about it, Probably
by the one who found it or stole it from
Nj, Rovero's apartment and who is prob
ably, without the least doubt, his assas
sin. "
That seems very simple to you?"
at seems very logical"
Suppose that this should he the ex
act truth, that does not detract from tn,
presumption which duplicates you anC
from Nine Moniche $ deposition, which
charges you
Yes yes, know--the open safe
the papers spread out, the tele-a-tet,
with Revere, when the concierge ell
tered the room--that signifies nothing
"For you perhaps. For justice it hi
tragic Specification. But let us rctul
TO the portrait 1t was You. l suppo.
who gave it To Rovere?"
"Nr,, it WAS l." Dnntin rcspoude
"Roylro was IN amateur IN art; nor,