Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-02-16

palalS, ana jacques DanLlu recognized
the staircases which he had previously
mounted that led to the examining mag
istrate's room. He entered the narrow
room where M. Ginory awaited him.
Dantin saluted the magistrate with a
gesture which, though courteous, seem
ed to have little bravado in it, as
salutation with sword before duel.
Then he glanced around, astonished to
zee between two guards man whom
he did not recognize.
NJ. Ginory studied them. If he know
this Prades, who also curiously return
ed his look, jacques Dantin was great
comedian, because no indication, not
the slightest involuntary shuddor, not
the faintest trace of an expression of
having seen him before, crossed his
face. Even NJ. Ginory's keen eyes could
detect nothing. He had asked that Ber-
nardet be present at the meeting and
the little mans face, become serious,
almost severe, was turned, with eager
interrogation in its expression, toward
Dantin. Bernardet also was unable to
detect the faintcst emotion which could
of ever having seen this young man be-
fore Generally prisoners would uncon-
sciously permit gesture, glance, a
something to escape them when they
were brusquely confronted unexpectedly
with some accomplice. This time not a
muscle of Dantin's face moved, not an
eyelash quivered.
NJ. Ginory motioned Jacques Dantin
to Il seat directly i'll front of him, where
the light would fall upon his face.
Pointing out Prades, he asked:
do you recCg il , this man.
Dantin, after second or two, re-.
piled:
no; have never seen him."
Never"
81 believe not. He is unknown to
me.
And you, Pradcs, havo you ever seen
Jacques Dantin?"
Never. said Pradcs, in his turn
His voice seemed hoarse compared with
the brief, clear response made by Dan
tin.
He is, however. the original of the
portrait which you sold to Nine. Co.
lard.
"The Portrait"
"Look sharply at Dantin. Look st
him we'll, " repeated NJ. Ginory. "You
must recognize that he is the original
of the portrait in question.
Yes, " Prades replied. His eyes were
fixed upon the prisoner.
"Ah" the magistrate ioyously ex-
claimed, asking, and how, tell me,
did you so quickly recognize the origi-
nal Of the portrait which you SAW only
al instant IL my room!"
Il do not know" stammered Pradee,
not comprehending the gravity of a
question put il all insinuating, almost
Mniable, tone.
ooh, WE'LL" continued NJ. Ginory,
still in conciliating tone, II am 60
ing to explain to you. 1t is certain that
you recognize these features because
you had Il long time i'll which to con-
template them; because you had it a
long time in your hands when you were
trying to pull off the frame.
"The frame? What France" asked tho
young man, stupetied, not taking his eyes
from the magistrate face, which seem
ed to him endowed with some occult
power. NJ. Ginory Went on;
"The frame which you had trouble
il removing, since the scratches show
in the wood. And what if, after taking
the portrait to Nine. Colard' shop, we
should find the franz III question at an,
other place, at some other shop: That
would not ", very difficult" And NJ.
Ginory smiled at Bernardet "What if
we could add another new deposition
to that Of Nine. Colard S? Yes: what
if to that clear decisive deposition we
could add anOther--what would you
have to say
Silence! Prades turned his head
around; his eyes wandered about, as if
searching to find an outlet or a support,
gaSping like a man who has been in
jured.
Jacques Dantin looked at him at the
same moment when the magistrate,
with a glance keener, more piercing
than ever, seemed to search his very
soul. The young man was now pallid
and unnamed
At length Prades pronounced some
words. What did he want Of him.
What frame was he talking of and who
was this other dealer of whom the mag
istrate spoke and whom he had called a
second time? Where was this witness
with "the new doposition?"
cone is enough he said, casting a
ferocious look at Nine. Colard, who, on
"a sign from NJ. Ginory, had entered,
pale and full of fear.
He added in menacing tone:
lone is even too much.
The fingers of his right hand contract
cd, as if around knife handle AT this