Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-20

G19ef<a uge at the Archangel. so
tSs&@J highly recommended by Fan |
ferlot the Squirrel. Prosper Bertomy
was being entered OH the jailer's book
at the police Office. There he had to
wait two hours while the commissary
went to receive orders from higher au-
thorities. When it was announced to
him that coach was waiting for him
at the door, he got up, but before going
out requested permission to light a CT
gar, which was granted. 1t was mag
nificent weather, bright spring morn
ing. AS the coach went along Mont
martrc street Prosper kept his head
out of the window. smilingly complain
ing at being imprisoned on such love
ly day when everything outside was so
sunny and pleasant.
1T is singular" he said. "I never
felt so great Il desire to take a walk
To the court clerk while he was 60
ing through the formnlities of the COM
mitment Prosper replied with naughty
brcvity to the Indispensable questions
asked him.
But when he was ordered 10 empty
his pockets on tho table and they be-
gan to search him his eyes flashed
with Indignation, and a single tear
dropped upon his flushed cheek. In an
instant he had recovered his CalnncSS
and stood mp motiOnlcss, with his arms
raised in the air so that the rough crca-
lures about him could more convenient
ly search him from head to foot to as
sure themselves that he had no suspi-
cious object hid under his clothes.
Tho investigation would have, per-
haps, been carried to the most igno-
minious lengths but for the interven-
ton OF middle aged man of distn-
guishcd appearance, who wore white
cravat and gold sp"ctacles and was
sitting by the fire. At sight OF Prosper
he started with surprise and seemed
much agitated. He stepped forward
and seemed about to speak to him,
then suddenly changed his mind and
sat down again. In spite of his own
troubles, the cashier could not help
seeing that this man kept his eyes fNs-
tened upon him. Did he know him?
Nalnly did he try to recolcct having
met him before. This man, treated
with all the Difference due to chief,
was no tpss a parsonage han n cele-
hrated member of the detective corps,
NJ. I.ecoq. When the men who were
searching Prosper We're about TO take
off his boots. saying that a knife might
be concealed in them, n. Lccoq waved
them aside, saying, THAT is suiii-
Gent"
He was obeyed. All the formalties
being ended, the unfortunate cashier
was taken TO a narrow cell. The heaN-
lily barred door was swung to and lock-
ed upon him. He breathed freely. AT
last lie was alone. NcS, lie believed
himself to be alone. He was ignorant
that a prison is made of glass; that the
accused is like a miserable insect un
der the microscope of an entomologist
lie did not know that the walls have
stretched ears and eyes always watch
full. lie was so sure of being alont
that he at once gave vent to his sup
pressed feeling and. dropping his MASK
of impassibilty, burst into n flood Of
tears. His wrath, long pent UP, now
flashed out like a smoldering fire. In {
paroXysm of rage he uttered impreca
tons and curses. He dashed himsel
against the prison walls like wilt
benst in n cage.
In the evening when the tailo
brought him his supper he found hin
living on his pallet. with his face buried
in the pillow, weeping bitter tears
He was not hungry. Now that he wa
alone, he fed upon his own bite
thoughts. He sank from a state o
frenzy into one of Supplying despair
The night was long and terrible, an
/, for the first time he had nothing I
count the hours by as they slowl
dragged on but the measured tread q
the patrol who came to relieve III
sentinels. He suffered agony. In Tn
morning he dropped into sleep. frot
which he was awakened by the roug
> voice of the jailer.
Come. monsieur" he said. ito III
Judge of instruction"
= "Let us 60" said Prosper, withou
stopping to repair his dlsordered toile
During the passage the jailer SALE
"You are very fortunate in havin
your case brought before an hone'
. man."
- The jailer was right. Endowed wit
remarkable penetration, firm, unbiased
equally free from false pity and e.
~ cesslve severity, NJ. Patrigent posses
ed in an eminent degree all the DUAL
! ties necessary for the delicate and Iii
ficult office OF Judge Of instruction.
Prosper was escorted along corr
dor, through room full of policemeI
down flight Of steps, across kind I
~ cellar and then up steep stairca'
which seemed TO have no end. Final
i he reached long. narrow gallery, upc
. which opened many doors bearing dl
ferent numbers. SummOning all h
" courage, he placed his hand on Il
doorknob and was about to enter whs
the jailer stopped him.
al Don't be In such haste" he sal
y "Sit down here, and when your tut
comes you viii be called"
y The wretched man obeyed, and h
keeper took a seat beside him.
u Presently a little old man dressed
black, wearing the insignia OF his
VI tice, a steel chain, cried out:
w prosper Bertomy!'
~ Prosper arose and, without knowll
how, found himself in the office of
u Judge OF instruction.