The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-21

Il eide might easily be laid aside and that of accident substituted for it. | The stone. which might have attract ed his attention by it's strange form. might have been picked up by Pere Bernier. and if he had happened to slip and fall while holding 1t in his hand everything would be explained. and very simply. Pere Bernier un- doubtedly must have thus unfortu- nately fallen upon this triangular flint. which had pierced his heart.
 One of the physicians summoned to cnre for Old Bob was called. and he decided that Bernier's fatal wound was caused by the Hint. As to Mime. Edith and myself. after some futile and useless questions. ask ed while the doctors were at the bed side of Old Bob. we were allowed to leave the room. and we went to sit in the little parlor just outside the bed i room and were there when the magis- trates were ready to depart
 Edith suddenly seized me by the hand and cried out:
 Do not leave me. I beg of you don't leave me, l have only you left. do not know where Prince Galitch is-I do not know anything about my husband. That is what makes ttis so horrible. Arthur sent me a message saying that he was going in search of Tullio. He does not know even yet that Bernier has been murdered. Has he found the 'hangman of the sea:' Is 1t from this man-from Tullio now that I expect the truth. And not a word has come, 1t is horribler'
 As she took my hand SO confldingly and held it for a moment in her own felt that was for Mme. Edith with all my heart and soul. and l assured her that she might rely upon my devo- ton.
 RouletabfIle never failed to cast a glance in our direction every time he had the opportunity.
 'Ah. he is watching usr' exclaimed Mime. Edith
 You ought to be grateful to Rou- letabille." l ventured to remind her. flor his intervention and his silence relative to the oldest knife known to the human race' If the officers had learned that this stone dagger be- longed to your uncle Bob. what could have hfndered them from placing him under arrest?'
 "OhT she cried bitterly. "Your friend has as many good reasons to keep silence as I have. and I dread only one thing. M. Sainclair-I dread only one thing"
 And what is that?"
 'I fear lest he has saved my uncle from the authorities only to ruin him more completely. At all events. it Is necessary to be ready for anything. and know how to defend him SO long as I draw breath" And she showed me a tiny revolver which was hidden in her gown.
 "Is it actual truth that you arc ready to defend me?' she demanded, turning her beautiful eyes full upon my own.
 '1 am ready"
 Against your friend eyen?'
 If 1t should be necessary" an- swered. with a sigh. passing my hand across my forehead.
 "very well; l believe you" she an- swered. 'In that case 1 will leave you here for a few minutes. You will guard this door for me"
 And she pointed to the door behind which Old Bob was resting. Then she ran out of the room. Where was she going? She confessed to me later. She was going to look for Prince Ga Hitch. Oh. woman, woman.
 She had scarcely disappeared under the arch when Rouletabille and M. Darzac entered the room. They had heard all thut had passed Rouletnb bile advanced to my side and told me Nk.,N l. T betrayed him.
 You are using a large word. Roule- tablllew 1 exclaimed. You know that 1 am not in the habit of betraying any one Mme- Edith Is really very much to be pitied. and you do not pity her enough. my friend"
 .Ah. well. you pity her too much"
 I started to make some reply. but Rouletabille cut short my words with a dry gesture.
 'l ask you only one thing-only one. you understand. It is that. no matter what may happen-no matter what may happen-you shall not address one word to either M. Darzac or to my self"
 That will be very easy thing to promise" l replied. foolishly .irritated. and turned my back upon him.
 But at the same moment the officers coming out of the castle called to us. The inquest was at an end. There was no doubt, in their eyes. after the declaration of the doctors. that the af- fair had been an accident. and that was the verdict which they felt obliged to render. DarZnc and Rouletabille accompanied them to the outer gate. AS stood leaning on my elbows at the window I suddenly heard sound which fell upon the evening air like the blow of an immense gong. and l knew that 1t was Rouletabille who had ordered the iron gates to be closed.
 Not a single minute passed after that when l saw Mme. Edith rush into the room and hurry to me as though 1 were her only refuge.
 Then l saw Dsrzac appear. then Rou- ietabille. and leaning on his arm was h 1 l. l-