The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-07-13

rested under suspicion!
Struck with horror 1T the thought
and convinced Of her innocence. hast
ened ut once TO Jules Garvcau, theli
one of the most celebrated lawyers in
Paris, and begged him to undertake
the case Oh her behalf.
He was already we'll Informed as tC
al the details that had then been made
public. and although he consented to
undertake the case. he WAS far from!
encouraging. for the evidence was
strong against the unfortunate young
prisoner.
1t appeared that upon the night OF
the murder StepAaEie de Lussac and
NJ. Valroide were quite alone together
in their apartments. Madane's maid
had asked for and received permission
to be absent for that evening and the
night. And. contrary 70 the usual Gus
tom, Nine. Ge LuSsac had herself Gis-
missed NJ. Nalroide's valet at all early
hour in the evening.
In the morning when the man sought
his masters room At the accustomed
hour he found signs Of confusion there
The large, carved chest was open-ail
unusual thing and some papers
!, strewed the floor. but the room itself
was empty, and the bed had not been
occupied: In surprise he hastened to
the library. and there, in his large arm
chair, was NJ. Valroide, his head rest
ing upon the table beside him. Not
asleep. tllough-as tic man thought at
tirst-but rigid and cold, with clotted
blood upon him. ;sHd a bullet in his
| heart.
| The alarm was given. and q plySi-
clan and officers OF justice were sooit
at hand, but there was nothing for
them to do but trace and bring tho
murderer to justice. for the Old man
had been killed instantly, and had been
dead for many hours.
The search was begun at once. and
on the floor in Nine. de Lussac's bou-
doir, which opened into the library,
was found dainty. silver-mounted re-
voiver. marked with the interlacing let
ters IS. de L." 1t was Stephanie's own
revolver, and one barrel CT tie deadly
toy was empty.
And Stephanie herself? They found
her III her bedroom, in the dress she
had worn the night beforehand there
was blood upon it-and there was d
frozen horror upon her face.
In reply TO the questions put to her
she would answer nothing. and 50 she
was arrested ard taken to prison to
await her trial.
The bullet which was extracted from
the body of NJ. ValroiGe was found to
fit the empty chamber of Stephanie's IS
pistol.
That tie murder could Eot lave been
accidental was proved. for Il box of
valuable papers and large SUMS in
sold, which rumor placed at various
eNorbitant amounts, had disappeared
from tie safe in the carved chest III
NJ. Eairoide's room. where the So
called m;ser had kept large part of
his accumulated wealth.
1t was impossible, they said, that a
woman could have secreted this box
of papers so rs to utterly battle the &c.
tectives, whose whole energy was bent
upon its discovery. But the accom-.
plice. if there had been one, had var.
ished without leaving trace behind.
The trial took place early in !he fol.
towing month. Carveau arranged that
should be present and 1 saw her
agaiE--more beautiful, thought. thar
ever.
During her Imprisonment she had
resolute!y kept silence. and in answer
to NJ. Garvcau's repe&tcd questions shs
only said: Il can tell YOU nothing" 1r
vain he pleaded with her. and showed
her what 4 hopeless case hers was il
she persisted il this silence. II can d.
nothing for you. madame. unless an
in your confidence" lie said. Though
I. and also ny friend. both believe yor
are innocent, and that your silence is
to screen some individual Of whom We
can get ne trace ye. we have no proofs
ard the evidence is all against YOU
Madame, once more, implore you tt
speak,
She looked at him tntently. but only
said. quietly: No. YOU have no proofs.
Then, after moment, she asked
Monsieur, what if they find ME gull
ty"
And Le had to answer: The guiI!o
tine
She ShudGered and turned pale
while her white hands cir~led her slen
der neck. us Il to protect it from III
deadly knife's cruel edge. Then. re
covering herself. she said: After ali
monsieur. death must come.'
; Put not by the sUil!otine" he re
, LIED. indignantly. MADAME, l III
convinced that you could be cleared l..
simply giving me L ciew 70 the myS
, terry Of that night. You alone can say
Yourself / can Go nothing. But it j
: inconceivable that ,0u should thu