The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-07
DISAPPEARANCE OF poLycARP.

Not his wife az ALL" explained Ber-
nard. after the criminal had been locked
up, and you must not permit her 10
visit him. Mind that, NJ Sieu, no visit
ors'
Not even the cure?" whispered the
who fancied that the mysterious prisoner
must be az least a murderer.
All, he is discretion ITSELF said
Goelet, besides, he could have no bust
ness with the prisoner except for con
fession, ana that, you know, is secrecy
itself.
We'll then. you may admit the cure.
but none other on your peril The de-
tective was impressive, and NJ. Goelet
began to suspect that perhaps the pris-
oner was an arch anarchist. And mind
you, good landlord, not a word TO any
one aoout .he prisoner. ! viii take him
10 Paris with me on the first train in
the morning"
Indeed. I see that you have a most
important prisoner said Goelet, his big.
blue eyes watering with admiration OF
the famous sleuth. and l shall guard
him as the apple OF my eye I should
not have mentioned Father Polycarp.
our good cure, but he IS very jealous
for my prisoners, and always comes with
consolation for them
There was much gossip at the inn be-
tween Fifine, the maid of all work, and
Castor, who combined the Offices Of
hOrse-boy. porter and waiter, about the
arrest of II. TheriDt. the handsome
stranger who. during his brief stay, had
been astonishingly liberal with tips. FL
fine had seen him and the mysterious
Bernard meet in the little hallway that
day, heard them accoSt each other nrst
as strangers, then excltedly, and finally
watched them march of TO the town
ss-s -frI-
Theriot. Castor, quickly appraised Of the
strange event, had spent hours watching
the one door to N. Goelet's dreaded Bias
tile. and when Bernard came out alone.
rubbing his hands with satisfaction, he
had carried the news to Fidne. who, as
bound by custom and instinct. retailed
the mysterious story to the butcher, the
baker aud the candlestick-maker, so that
by nightfan the whole village knew OF
had left behind him in the inn beauti-
full wife loaded with diamonds.
Good Father Polycarp had the news
from his gardener, who said that The
riot, a famous murderer, had been caught
by the Paris police and was at that
moment bound ana shackled in Jailer
GOelets darkest dungeon. Such an op-
portunity seldom came TO the jealous
cure, and he was plainly excited. At
through the private door at the south Of
the garden, and knew whittier he was
bent. Goelet, full of his sudden import
ance, had dismissed his assistant and was
sitting in his little office chatting with
NJ. Bernard when Father Polycarp came
in and asked that he might carry the
consultations of the church to the un-
fortunate criminal within.
"Ah, 1 expected YOU would come,
Father" smiled old Goelet, but you are
late. I had locked up for the night.
NJ Sieu Bernard. Pere Polycarp. our dear
cure, wishes TO see the prisoner
Bernard bowed, grunted and scanned
the priest with an attempt at melodra-
matte cunning. The cure, who was a
sleek, shrewd man Of perhaps 40. gave
back the glance with decorous interest.
Then Goelet took the candle and led the
way, unbarring doors and twisting rusty
keys a 5 they passed into the barred and
dirty basement where the prisoner lay.
Bernard accompanied them. perhaps 10
have q final look at his charge. perhaps
TO watch for any signs of collision or
acquaintance between Theriot and the
priest. The bearded prisoner within blink
ed and stared in the sudden light. 1t
was evident that he was surprised He
said nothing. and the cure, muttering a
brief benedicite, entered> the cell and
sat down beside Theriot.
1hen the taller and Bernard withdrew
to the door which led from the cellroom,
and. standing without. waited for the
priest to finish his holy task. They
could hear the muttering of the con-
fessor and the penitent through the half
open door. bat it was an hour before
Father Polycarp came out ready TO de-
part He seemed cheered and enlivened
nv the success of his spiritual venture,
and talked animatediy TO Bernard, while
old Goelet. candle in hand. locked the
door of Therist cell and babe him
goodnight. The priest and the detective
went away together.
I have a word OF comfort for the IN
happy wife and shall be glad Of your
escort 20 the inp,' explained the cure.
Bernard appeared at the Jail before Z
in The morning. The train FOR Paris. the
only one each day, was due at s. Goelet
and his assistant were astir. Together
they went TO Theriots cell and found
nobody but Father Polycarp
He was sitting on the bench of his
dungeon, calmly reading his breviary.
His cowl was thrown back and one
sandalcd foot was thrust against the op-
posite wall Of the small apartment. Ber-
nard let slip an oath. turned pale and
shook with rage. Old GOeiet's eyes bulged
as he calculated: Mon Dieu, where is
the prisoner
arising; he is my brother. My twin"
The cure was very calm. even smiling.
as he closed his book and stopped 70
pick something from the floor.
Here is MSieu Theriots hair. his
beard. I shaved him, and he passed out
with you.
Bernard dashed cut Of the cellar and
Up the stairs ike a maniac.
Alas. M'sieu lc cure. You have ru-
f~ar s,aarff moo ned f-nrfat 1-n~.rffnc- dis
consulate on the bench. but the good
priest smiled as he took the coffee tin
from the assistant, and as he slipped IL,
said.
you VIII survive it. GoeIet. Besides.
my brother was innocent 1 confessed
him
Bernard. the smart detective was AZ
the cure house 30 i've minutes. The
gardener Ras astir, but had seen Moth
Inr Of his muster a search O. the house
showed that he was not within and had
NOT slept iu his bed. Back 10 the hotel
few the detective. Nine. Ihsriot was
gone. Clutching at the final straw OF
his suspicion. Bernard then ran 10 the
jail
You ere not Pere Polycarpr' he RACED
II the priest who was yet muuchiug his
frugal breakfast IN G0eiets Office. The
priest IS some. 4 let HIN Out ms self
Ans. weasel you may change garments.
shave face ard poll. wear FRANCISCAN
habits ana read your brothers sreriary,
but sou cannot fool Armand Bernard
~ ths Paris prefecture
s. they put poor Father tolEcarp back
IN MS cell and kept him there tili rhe W.
car came over fron Etielle 80 identify
han. sad ali the Villagers were errages
ID tie humiliation rut upon their beloved
pastor At last. defeated puzzled ard
above ali, mace ridiculous. the unhappy