Crittenden press., 1902-04-17

fortunate criminal within.
"Ah, | expected You would come.
father" smiled old Goelet, but you
are late. had locked up for the
the night. Nsieu Bernard Pere Poly
carp. our dear cure, wishes 20 see the
prisoner.
Bernard bowed, grunted and
scanned the priest with an attempt at
melodramatic cunning The cure.
who was sleek. shrewd man Of per-
hsps 40 gave back the glance with de-
corous interest. Then Goelet took
the candle and led the way, unbarring
doors and twisting rusty keys as they
passed into the barred and dirty base
ment where the prisoner lay. Bernard
accompanied them, perhaps to have a
final look at his charge, perhaps to
watch for any signs Of collusion or ac-
quaintance between NJ Theriot and
the priest. The bearded prisoner with
in blinked and stared in the sudden
light. 1t was evident that he was sur
prised. He said nothing, and the
cure, muttering a brief benedicite, en-
tered the cell and sat down beside
Theriot.
Then the jailer and Bernard with
drew to the door which led from the
cellroom, and. standing without, wait
ed for the priest to finish his holy
task. They could hear the muttering
Of the confessor and the penitent
through the half-open door. but 1t
was an hour before Father Polycarp
came out ready to depart. Heseemed
cheered and enlivened by the success
of his spiritual venture, and talked an
imatedly to Bernard, while old Goe-
let, candle in hand, locked the door of
Theriot's cell and bade him good
night. The priest and the detective
went away together.
Il have a word of comfort to the un-
happy wife, and shall be glad Of your
escort to the inn, " explained the cure.
And so they walked away toward
the hostelry which was the temporary
home Of both Bernard and Nine. The
riot. CASTOR admitted them, awak
ened madame. and sat at the head of
the stairway wondering while the
priest at the far end of the hall gave
his brief message to the prisoners
wife. Bernard, whose room was on
the first floor, saw him depart, and in
ten minutes the priest disappeared be-
yond the vine-coyered wall of his gar
den. and all Blossin slept.
Bernard appeared at the Jail before
seven in the morning. The train for
Paris the only one each day was due
at eight. Goelet and his assistant
were astir. Together they went to
Theriot's 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
sandaled foot was thrust against the
opposite wall Of the small apartment.
Bernard let slip an oath, turned pale
and shook with rage. Old Goelet's
eyes bulged as he calculated: Mon
Dieu. where is the prisoner!'
81 let him 90, Goelet," said the
priest, arising; she ismy brother. My
twin"
The cure was very calm( even smil-
ing, as he closed his book and stopped
to pick something from the floor.
Here is M'sieu Theriot's hair, his
beard. | shaved him, and he passed
out with you"
Bernard dashed out Of the cellar
and up the stairs like a maniac.
"Alas! Msieu le Cure, you have ru-
ined met moaned Goelet. dropping
disconsolate on the bench, but the
good priest smiled as he took the cof-
fee tin from the assistant, and as he
slipped it, said:
"You will survive it, Goelet. Be
sides, my brother was innocent. / |
confessed him"
Bernard, the smart detective was at
the cures house in five minutes. The |
gardener was astir, but had seen moth |
ing of his master. \ search of the |
house showed he was not within and |
had not slept in his bed Back to the |
hotel flew the detective. Nine The
riot was gone! Clutching at the final |
straw of his suspicion Bernard then
ran to the Jail.
you are not Pere Polycarpp he |
rapad at thp nripst ,Vho was muncbipU