The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-24

If had known that an innocent man
would have endured such suffering as
this, would have held my tongue"
Alexis brushed the beads Of agony
from his brow.
"Had you any grudge against Alloy
siux?" he asked.
II had no grudge against monsieur,
your cousin" said Grimaud. Il have
none now. But think it just that
criminal should suffer for his crime,
and I do not hold 1t just that the inno-
cent should lie under suspicion"
THAT is well said. Grimaud," cried
Billery. "That is the very essence OF
the question" ~.
II am proud returned Grimaud,
bowling as he sat, Ito enjoy monsieur's
approval. 1t is of the very essence Of
the question, as monsieur has said"
GAS for that" said Alexis, I'VE are
all agreed. Let the criminal suffer for
his crime. But, my friend, put it to
you. Do you think it is likely or pos
sible that he should escape suffering?
Is it nothing to have the ever-present
fear of detection hanging over him?
Is it nothing that the thought of the
hangman's rope should choke his
throat a hundred times a day."
Monsieur" said Grimaud, "the man
who commits brutal murder for the
sake of gain should think of those lit
tie matters beforehand"
Cali that admitted" answered
Alexis, in a dreadful voice. Nov
hear me, Grimaud." He was like man
who struggled with drowning tide,
with gaspings and sobbings of the
truth and unhelpful motions of the ex-
hausted hands. You have the crimi-
ual at your mercy?"
"That is so,' said Grimaud, gravely.
Billery looked at him and saw that his
face was set like craven bronze.
He knows that you could lay your
hand upon him at any hour?"
"A rinstant meme, monsieur" re-
turned Grimaud, with the same i'm
movable gravity.
Alexis hid his face in his hands and
shuddered. There was long pause
before he spoke again.
"And you will not exercise your
power?" he asked. at last. Grimaud
seemed to pause and ponder. You
will spare Aloysius?"
Eyes, monsieur" said Grimaud, ri
shall spare the benefactor of my boy
hood. am the better able to afford
a qualification of these generous and
friendly instincts since Monsieu Alexis
is himself so good as to forestall the
government reward"
"Animal!" cried Billery, leaping to
his feet and falling back into his arm
chair, from sheer weakness. "You
talk of the benefactor of your boyhood
and the dirty gold you take to spare
him in the same BREATH"
Zone of these fine days. said Grim
aud, rising from his seat, monsieur
may do me complete justice. For
myself am a minister of honesty-no
less, no more. Monsieur Brangwyn,
your friend, is present, will do me
the honour to say that in his opinion
have acted WELL"
"My dear Grimaud," said Alexis,
'you have made me bound to you for
ever You promise me you won't de-
nounce Aloysius, whatever comes?"
81 promise that" returned Grimaud,
striking his heels together and
stretching out his shining hat at arms
length as if he was saluting an enemy
on the stage. "And beyond that will
promise that whoever does denounce
him will have to encounter facts which
I can bring which will carry him to
derision. The Brangwyn Mystery, II
/ may be permitted to allude to it in
the popular phrase, has nine keys to
it. hold them all, and have thrown
all but one into the ocean. Who looks
for them may find; but may be per-
mitted to say that the probabilities are
against him."
He clicked his heels together and
waved the shiny hat in a manner
which Billery felt to be no less than
insolent, although it was not easy to
discover again whom the insolencs
was directed. In any case Grimaud
was gone, and Alexis, with his pro.
foundly sympathetic guest, was left
alone.
81 say. Alex" said Billery, after a
long silence, II never thought you'd
feel the thing like this. I'm whisky
sodden idiot, and saw journalistic
scoop in it. never liked Aloysius,
and perhaps there's sort of shame
in it-but perhaps felt that I should
like to hunt him down. But If 1t means
misery to you I'm sorry that ever I
began It."
'Look here, Hamilton" said Alexis,
winding his arm about the others
shoulders. 'sYou won't feel hurt at
what I'm going to say?"
II don't think I shall, anyway said
Billery, who was touched by the
anguish he had seen his old friend en-.
dure, and was very sorry for the hand
he Ind had In It. Take the risk, old
chap. and say IT,
These things happen q" said
Alexis: When my cousin Aloysins
sind / were living merrily enough Ia
the Cite q, Antin on = hundred francsa
- ~