The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-01
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Arthur spent the whole day at Mon
Repos, and during all those long
hours Antoinette never stirred. About
five o'clock a little note was brought
to him from the Mayor at Goucy. His
presence was required at the Hotel
de-Ville. 1t informed him that the
body Of the murdered man was to be
removed at eight o'clock to the Chap
ellie des Morris in the cemetery at
Goucy; and Monsieur Tasset had the
kindness to add that he should not
be detained at the Hotel-de-Ville
longer than could possibly be helped,
but should be set at liberty to return
to Mademoiselle Rigaud before the
removal took place to afford her sup
port and consolation.
Arthur was obliged to obey the
summons; there was no alternative.
When he reached the Hotel-de-Ville
he was at once subjected to a Vigor-
Gus cross-examination by the notaire
and the Mayor. At the end Of the
examination matters seemed to LOOK
even blacker for poor Battiste than
before.
The first and most important point
was clearly to get Paul Leduc back
again. Without his evidence it would
hardly be possible actually to convince
Battiste; with it no one had the
smallest doubt that it would be un-
ayoidable. A telegram had been sent
to the address in Paris which he had
given, and even while they were
seated in conclave the answer was
brought in: Monsieur Leduc has not
yet returned to Paris, but was hourly
expected, and their wishes should
be communicated to him at once on
his return" There was nothing for
it but to wait. Poor old Battiste was
conveyed back to prison, and the
formal meeting broke up.
Arthur turned to take down his
hat from the peg on which it hung,
intending to return to Mon Repos,
when his attention was suddenly ar
rested by a few words Monsieur Tas-
set was saying to the notaire Le-
gros.
II hope something may occur to
help US, Legros," he said, anxiously.
Tell me, do you honestly believe IN
tie guilt of old Battiste?"
There is evidence enough to con-
Wet him twice over" said the %notaire,
swapping his fingers.
Evidence or not" said Monsieur
Tasset, doggedly, mo Breton peasant
ever injured his fo%ster-brother. That
is one of the things that does not
happen. 1t is a puzzle to me alto
gether. We want Jacques Aymar."
Both laughed slightly, but Monsieur
Legros departed.
Arthur went up to the Mayor,
MAY 1 ask who is this Jacques Ay.
MARI" he said. would he afford a
clue to the m~ystery?"
Tasset shrugged his shoulders.
:'He might have done so, monsieur"
he said; but, unfortunately, he died
in the seventeenth century. He used
the divining-rod in a peculiar manner
for the discovery of crimes" !
"Yes?" said Arthur, anxious to
hear more.
The reason that we are Interested
in him in Goucy is that a Nantais
family named Aymar settled in the
town some fifty years ago, and 1t was
supposed that the power-in a modi-
fed form, it is understood-still ex-
listed among them"
That is curious" said Arthur.
do you believe in it,"
Bah! Why not? Our poor vic
tim, Monsieur Rigaud, married into
the family"
~"Indeed!" said Arthur, assuming
an indifference he was far from feel
ing.
Yes, the last of them all, Made
moiselle Jacqueline. She was called
La belle des bellies in Goucy, and
Monsieur Rigaud was much disliked
for dragging her into the poverty
and obscurity of Mon Repos. She
died very early" and the good man
sighed deeply.
Monsieur Tasset arranged with Ar
thur that he would return at eight
o'clock to be present when the body
of Monsieur Rigaud was transferred
to the Chapelle des Morris. He con.
sidered it advisable that someone OF
authority should be present, in case
it was found that the curiosity OF
the crowd should become obtrusive,
and Arthur returned at once to Mon
Repos.
To be Continued.