Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-23

With a hearty handshake, a promise
that call would yet be right, " Darrent
left Astray Marsden and made his way
to New York en- route for Paris
Over month passed before Herbert
Darrent was back in Norcombe He
asked at the police station for the adj
dress of the woman who figured in the
case as the housekeepcr of Josiah Mars
den and, learning it, made his way to
the cottage, which he left in about half
an hour with very satisfied look upon
his face
Next morning Astray was aroused
from his apathy by the entrance of the
detective and in moment was on his
feet and gripping his hand
Back at last, Darrent" he ex-
claimed excitedly. 81 thought | should
be done for before you returned. Tell
me at once, have you found him?"
Darrent shook his head, and Astray
sank back into his seat.
Then you have been unsuccessful
"Not altogether, Darrent replied
"but things have turned out very diff
ferently from what | expected I reach
ed Norcombe yesterday afternoon and
visited the woman. Margaret Gadsden
who acted as your father housekeeper
You remcmber?'
Astray nodded his head.
THAT visit was to settle the last
point in connection with my journey
TO Paris, Look at the page of the diary
headed June, 1894, and you II see what
it says 4 set out for Paris. not this
time to hunt for her, but to demand
the Scriptural forfeit. | have killed
him -
Enough, enough" Astray cried
That is the part of the book that
haunts me. He died murderer, muir
dcred "
II have killed him." Darrent calmly
continued, murdered him"
Herbert Darrent paused impressively
and, leaning toward Astray, said,
THAT is not true
"WhatEh
"Your father had not been half a
dozen miles away from NorcO,nbe dur
ing the last ten years. His mind was
unhinged. He yearned for that man )
life until, in his dreams. he killed him
that is all 1 have told you this first
and now | will deal with my visit to
Paris. This was the clew | started upon
this entry in the diary:
Nov 2j, 1S71.--ITer father was
discovered shot dead in Paris this morn
ing | dare not ell her Who will be
the next? What is this nameless gang
What is their purpose? l dare not stop
here.
ITO me it was obvious that that was
the first stepin the solution of the mys-
terry and an easy one. The records of
the French police put me in possession
of the whole of the facts connected
with that murder, but they turned ont
anticipated A man, Maurice de Lanez,
was discovered shot dead, but''-Dar-
rent again paused there was no mys-
terry whatever.
Maurice de Lanez caught his cashier
red handed in theft and sent for the
police, but before they had time to ar
rive the man turned on him, shot him
| dead and fed
"He was captured next day on the
outskirts of the city, tried, condemned
and guillotined. He died confessing that
his sentence was just one, for Lance
had been the best of masters. There
was no other record of murder of a
any other year y
"But the mystery ~
"There is no mystery.
"The assassins?'
There are no assassins and never
were.
| THE gang?'
| There is no gang"
"My brain reels / cannot under
stand What does it meant"
Listen. On oct. &, 1S71-I am in
| debted very much to chance for ever
having been able to put this peculiar
/ affair together-a party Of students
were carousing in top floor room in q
hou.e in one of the worst quarters OF
/ Paris. They were devil may care lot
and one or two were wanted by the
police, not for anything very serious
mind you-for drunken brawl, per
/ haps, or little overeXuberance after &
students ball The gambling was al
its height when suddenly they bear(
, the sound Of man rushing up stairs
The light was eXtinguished, and they
held their breath and waited Then tht
man burst into the apartment-ar
Englishman. "
"Nes, yes; go on"
"Woll, | told You they were hare
Drained crew. an ingenious lot of prac
teal jokers an irresponsible set o
scamps, and one had brilliant idea t
fool the EnPlishman. He told it to hi
comrades, and it was hailed with
suppressed roar of merriment. They
| Were to pretend to the stranger that h,
had broken into solemn conclave of
secret society. Make him take hi
chance with them and draw for life
Do you follow the story?'
II begin to understand. Go on. y
"Your father was that man, Astray
and his disposition was as yours is nov
unable to face danger As You mad
mistake and fed from your accuser
he made mistake and dared to def,
them He accepted their proposal ant
drew for the life of woman. They be
gan as a joke; they carried it on t.
teach him lesson.
Bravo men.