The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-13

, of the collection, for 40,0O0 francs. | She knew, as did old Magnus, that Pons | never would consent to part with any of | his treasures, but this aid not deter her. Schmucke had come to regard her as their guardian angel, and depended on her for everything, devoting his whole time and mind to his friend Pons. She had no trouble in making the old Ger man believe that Pons' illness and other things had overwhelmed them with debt and that creditors were about to serve papers on them.
 Schmucke was terrified not for himself but for his friend. To save Pons from death he gave the cunning woman an order of sale, and Magnus obtained the four great pictures for the absurd sum that he had offered. Mme. Cibot, how ever, took care to extort 6s.00O francs from him for her share. Mime. Cibots magnificent business quail ities were, unhappily, fatal for her hus- band, the little porter. Remoneanquo ad- mired the clever woman so much and conceived so huge an affection for her 6s, 900 fracs that he desided to make her
 
 doctored her husbands drink with a cop per spoon greatly oxidized. and loving perseverance in this course of treatment soon brought him to deaths door. So far the great collection, gathered by ! a good old man with a pure and lofty : purpose and without thought of its value in ignoble money, had done mis- chief enough among the poor leading at last to murder. It was now to extend its malignant work to the rich and make a great lady murderess in heart and almost in act.
 Frasier, having realized what the value of the collection was, saw no profit in dealing with humble porter's wife He went straight to Mime. President Camu- sot de MarviIle and told her that her cousin Pons owned a collection worth at least 100000 francs, which would no doubt pass to the Camusots if Pons died ! without heirs.
 'If he were removed to the country" said Frasier, watching Mime. President closely, The might recover. But he is under the care of an ignorant woman, Mime. Cibot, who irritates him continually
 
 his will. Unless she is removed he will be dead man in a few weeks" Poor man!'' said Mime. de Marville piously, and thanked heaven inwardly for having planted by Pons' side a creature who could relieve her of him so hon. orably.
 Frasier was sure of his ground then, and drove a bargain by which he was to be made judge if he succeeded in saving the Pons collection for the Camusots, while his friend. pr. Poulain, was to be made chief of hospital Meantime Pons had discovered the loss of his four pictures, and he succeeded in convincing Schmucke that Mme Cibot had cheated him. Fritz Brunner, who had vis- ited them, had made the old collector aware of the enormous value of the col lection. He sent for notary and dictated will to him, leaving everything to Schmucke.
 Schmucke drew near to Pons and, clasp ing his hand between his own, began to whisper a fervent prayer.
 What are you muttering there in Ger man?" asked Pons.
 T was praying to God to take us to Himself together" said the old musician, weeping bitterly.
 Soon afterward Pons died so quietly , that Schmucke did not know he was dead until they tore him away from the body of his only friend. Stupefed, agonlzed he sat staring at nothing, and to all that was said to him he replied only. Do what you please!'
 Whenever he could steal away from