Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-27

he had discovered vulnerable point
in the prisoners armor.
"Did Mile. Madeleine dismiss you?"
Prosper was silent. lie was visibiy
agitatcd.
Speak" said NJ. Patrigent. 81 warn
you that this circumstance is one OF
the most important in your case"
"Whatcver be the cost, l am COM
PEELED to keep silence"
Beware of what you do. Justice
will not be satisfied with scruples of
conscience"
NJ. Patrigent waited for an answer.
No answer came. Prosper was buried
in thought.
"Monsicur," lie finally said "therc is
one detail have forgotten to mention.
1t may be of Importance in my de-
fensc.'
Explain"
"Thc messenger I sent to the bank
: was with me when / put the bills in
| the safe. At any rate, | left the Office
| before he did"
every we'll He shall be examined.
Now you can return to your CELL"
| NJ. Patrigent thus abruptly dismissed
! Prosper because he wished to immedi-
ately act upon this last piece of in
formation.
"Sgault," said he to his secretary as
soon as Prosper had left the room, "is
not this Antonin the man who was
excused from testifying because he
sent a doctors certificate declaring
him too i'll to appear?"
ayes, monsieur"
"Where does he liver"
''Hc is not at his home. Fanferlot
says he was so Ill that he was taken
to the hospital-the Dubois hospital"
every well. / am going to examine
him toduy-this very hour. Take writ
ing materials and send for n carriage"
Would Antonin be able to answer?
1t was doubtful. The director Of the
hospital said that. although the man
suffered horribly from broken knee,
his mind was perfectly clear.
THAT being the case, monsieur"
said the judge, II wish to examine
him and desire that no one be admitted
while he makes his deposition"
ooh, no one will disturb you, mon.
sieur. His room contains four beds,
but they are just now unoccupied."
VERY well. Come on"
When Antonin saw the Judge enter.
followed by a little lean man with the
portfolio OF an advocate, he at once
knew that they had come % take his
deposition.
"Ah," he said, monsieur comes to
see me about NJ. Bertomy's case"
"Precisely."
In answer to the usual questions the
messenger swore that he was named
Antonin Poche. was forty years old,
born at Cadaujac (Gironde). and was
unmarried.
"Now." said the Judge. "are you well
enough to clearly answer any questions
may putY'
"Certainly, monsieur"
"Did you on the 2Tth of February 60
to the Bank Of France for the S5O,0
francs that were sto!en?"
Yes, monsieur"
AT what hour did you ret,Irn?'
"Five o'clock"
ado you remember what NJ. Beltomy
did when you handed him the money!
Now, do not be in a hurry; think be.
fore you answer"
Let me see. First ne counted the
notes and made four packages OF them
which he put in the safe. Then, il
seems to me- he locked the safe and
yes, | am not mistaken-he went out. F"
He uttered these last words so quick.
~ that, forgetting his knee. he half
started up, but with cry of pain.
Are you sure of what you say
asked the judge.
NJ PatrigentS solemn tone seemed tC
frightcn Antonin.
"Sure:" he replied, with marked hest
tation. Il would bet my head on it
Sill am not sure"
II was impossible for him to he more
decided in his deposition. He haC
been frightened. He already inaginct
himself in difficulty. and for Il trifie h.
would have rctracted everything.
But the effect was already produced
and when they retired NJ. Patrigen
said to Sigault:
This is very important-yery i'm
. portaut.