Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-08-22
CHAPTER VIII. Continues,

deavored to control the least sign of
impatience or irritation during the re-
mainder Of the detectives questionings.
May ask your nam:, mademoiselle?"
William Hantlin continued, making a
significant pause before the last word.
"Leonce Anlabel Beaupre.''
"Of French parent; ge, judge, from
your name?"
Yes, monsieur"
Born in Franco"
81 was born in Paris, monsieur. l
would be glad to furnish you with the
records of my birth and baptism, but
my parents neglected to supply me
with them. was reared in one of the
founding hospitals of Paris"
She spoke in tone of such mingled
bitterness and sorrow that the detect
i've forgot for moment his object in
questioning her, and was moved to a
feeling of pity for her-the more so that
her handsome face was now quite beau
tiful, under the conflict of emotion that
swayed her.
His cool, steel-bluc eyes rested upon
1t for an instant in a glance of admra-
ton, and he said, almost With a touch
of feeling:
81 beg your pardon! did not mean
to wound you. I will detain you but
minute longer. How long have you
been in this country?"
LESS than year"
'In this city ever since you came to
the country?'
eyes,"
'"Then you have been in service in
New York before your present situa-
tion?"
II have not. Mrs. Grayson is my
first mistress since left France. Mad
am was good enough to accept the ref
erence and testimonials brought with
me-
Detected Hantlin favored Clarice With
a slight plying glance, and thought to
himself: Forged, probably, every one
of them. Is the lady deep, wonder, or
only dupe?"
He continued aloud, with a penetrat-
ing look at the Frencilwoman:
"One question more. mademoiselle.
Are you married or stngle?"
For a moment the faint color deep
ened on the girls face, then faded
away, leaving her whittier than before.
II have no husband she answered.
in tone that was scarcely audible.
Again an incomprehensiblef feeling OF
swered, softly:
THAT is all, mademoiselle. Thanks!
Sorry to have given you so much trou-
ble!''
All present listened with attention to
Detective Hantlin's questionable law
yer with unconcealed indignation, for,
having constituted himself the legal
defender of Mrs. Grayson, he feared
ho oirh no
into some expression injurious to her
mistress; Mrs. Martin, because it was
to her interest that suspicion should
fall on Clarice, and she absorbed greed
lily every word calculated to injure her
brothers lovely young bride, though
her own suspicious pointed in a, widely
different direstion; Mr.. and Mrs. Now.
bray from natural anxiety for their
daughter.
Having concluded his interrogatory
of Leonce, the detective now addressed
himself to Clarice.
"You will excuse me, Mrs Grayson, if
I ask a question in reference to your
maids references. Were they entirely
satisfactory"
Entirely So"
pardon me. I suppose you have
written to the individuals from whom
they purported to come, inquiring into
them?"
II have not done so. There seemed
no necessity. The few personal in
quiries that felt it necessary to make
of the young woman herself were an
swered so promptly and with such evil
dent truth that 1 was quite satisfied.
Any further inquiry-if 1 should con-
ciI mako anV-wi11
doubt, be equally satisfactory"
The detective bowed in acknowledge
ment of the implied rebuke in these
words, but added, with undated per-
severance:
more question"
ward her, or rather toward the spot he
had last seen her occupy.
Leonce was no longer there!
The detective looked hurriedly from
one to the other, and with a compre-
/. hensive glance swept the whole room;
but the Frcnchwoman was no longer to
be seen.
All present partook of his surprise,
and there was general stir and hur-
ried inquiry for the girl.
"Leonce!' Mrs. Grayson called,
"where are you? Step forward!
want you directly!'
No reply came.
"Where can she be? Did any one see
her leave the room? How strange!
What is the meaning of it?''
Mrs. Martin made herself particular
~ busy, moving a couple of large arm
chairs and parting the window cur
tains, as if under the impression that
Mrs. Grayson's maid must be some
where concealed in the room, but with
out discovering any trace of her. Le-
once had disappeared.
Some five or ten minutes were thus
spent in fruitless conjecture and search
when Clarice suddenly remembered
that her maid was of very nervous
temperament and subject TO severe
headaches.
mo doubt the poor girl has retired tc
her room for a few moments: she
looked wretchedly i'll. / will send al
once and inquire"
She stretched her hand toward the
bel-pull as she spoke, but Hantlir
hastily interpoSed.