The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-23

describing the salon. sketching it. draw
ing n plan for his journal.
1t was, in fact, the conmissary, who
was followed by Nine. Moniche and a
number of curious persons who had
forced their way in when the front door
was opened.
The commissary, before entering, took
a comprehensive survey of the room
and said In a short tone: Every one
must go out. Madame. make all these
people go out. No one must encer."
There arose an uproar. Each one tried
to explain his right to be there. They
were all possessed With an irresistible
desire to assist at this sinister investi-
CATION.
but we belong to the press"
The reporters may enter when they
nave shown their cards." the commits
sary replied. The others-no." There
was a murmur from the crowd.
II others-no," repeated the COM
lnissarN. He made a sign to two Off
GERS who accompanied him, and they
demanded the reporters cards OF iden-
tification. The concourse Of curious
ones rebelled. protested, growled and
detained against the representatives
of the press, who too precedence
everywhere.
, The Fourth Estate!" shouted an old
man from he foot OF the staircase.
He lived in the house and passed for
a correspondent Of the institute. He
shouted furiously. when a crime is
committed under my own roof, l am
not even allowed to write an account
of it. and strangers. because they are
reporters, can have the exclusive privi-
iege OF writing it up"
The con1aissary did not listen to
him, but those who We're his fellow suf-
ferers applauded him to the echo. The
commissary shrugged his shoulders at
the hand clippings.
.It is hut right " ha cnjd tn thu va
porter, that the agents OF the press
should be admitted in preference to
any one else. Do you think that it is
easy to discover a criminal? l have
been a journalist. too-yes. at times.
In the Quarter occasionally. l have
even written a piece for the theater.
But we Will not talk of that. Enter.
enter, l beg of you, and we shall see"
And elegant, amiable, polished. he
looked toward M. Bcrnardet, and his
eyes asked the question. Where is IL?
Here! Nj. lie Conmissaire."
Bernardet stood respectfully In front
of his superior officer as u soldier car
iSing arms. and the commissary In his
turn approached the body. while the
curious ones, quietly kept back by Mo-
niche, formed a half circle around the
pale and bloody corpse. The commits
sary. like Bernardet, was struck by the
naughty expression of that livid face.
Poor man. he said, shaking his
head. "He is superb, superb. He re-
minds me of the dead Duke of Guise in
Paul Delaroche's picture. l nave seen
1t also at Chantilly, in Gerome's cele-
brated picture OF The Duel du
Pierot.'"
Possibly in speaking aloud his
thoughts the commissary was talking
so that the reporters might hear Jim.
They stood, notebooks in hand, taking
notes. and Paul Rodier, catching the
names, wrote rapidly in his book: M.
Desbrfere. the learned com1missary, SO
artistic. so we'll disposed toward the
press. was at one time "a journalist. He
noticed that the victims pale face, with
its strong personal characteristics, re.
sembled he dead Duke de Guise III
Gerome's celebrated picture, which
hangs In the galleries at Chantflly."