Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-08-25

II know it," declared Coquenil. 81
have absolute proof Of there" He
drew from his inner coal the baron's
diary and handed it to the judge.
"What is this?" asked the latter.
ellis own confession. written by him
self"
The judge turned gravely to De Hell
delmann-Bruck. II have a painful
duty to perform. sir. Take this man
out. under arrest. and clear the room.''
"Astounding!" muttered the Judge.
"a great achievement. NJ. Coouelin."
AT this moment an awestruck at
tendant came to say that the baron
wished a word with Nj. Paul.
"By all means.' consented the Judge.
Haltingly. on his cane. Coquenil
made made his way to an adjoining
room. AS he glanced at the baron, M.
Paul saw that once more the man had
demonstrated his extraordinary self
control. He vas cold and composed as
usual.
1.-THE other day you said you were
sorry when you left me in that hot
cellar" said Coquenil. "Now you're in
a fairly hot place yourself, baron, and
I'm not sorry"
De Heidelmann-Bruck shrugged his
shoulders.
"The point is" said the baron, 81 am
going to pay the price that society ex-
acts when this sort of thing is found
out. l am perfectly willing to pay it,
not In the least afraid to pay it and
above all. not in the least sorry for
anything. l want you t o remember
that and repeat it. have no patience
with cowardly. canting talk about re-
morse | have for one moment
regretted anything l have done, and |
regret nothing now. Nothing. have
had five years of the best this world
can ~give-power, fortune. social posi-
ton. pleasure. everything, and what
ever l pay I'm ahead of the game. l
want you to believe. though, that |
was genuine when | said | liked you.
l was ready to destroy you, but | liked
you. | like you now. Coquenil, and
this is perhaps u last talk; they will
take me off presently. and-you collect
odd souvenirs-here is one-a little
goodby-from an adversary who was
game, anyway. You don't mind ac-
cepting it,"
There was something in the mans
voice that Coquenil had never heard
there. Was it a faint touch of sentl-
ment? He took the ring that the baron
handed him. an uncut ruby, and look
ed at it thoughtfully.
He handed back the ring.
The baron's face darkened. He
made an angry gesture. Then he
twisted the ring in his fingers,
"Ah, that pride of yours! You've
been brilliant, you've been brave, but
v unkind before. It's only u bau-
bic, Coquenil. and"-
De Heidelmann-Bruck stopped sud-
denly. and M. Paul caught a savage
CLEAN in his eyes; then, swiftly, the
baron put the ring to his mouth and,
sucking in his breath, swallowed hard.
The detective sprang forward. but it
was too late.
"A doctor-quick" he called to the
guard.
mo user murmured the rich man,
sinking forward.
Coquenil tried to support him. but
the body was too heavy for his band
aged hand. and the prisoner sank to
the floor.
I'll won the last trick, anyhow"
the baron whispered.
Coquenil picked up the ring that had
fallen from a nerveless hand. He put
it to his nose and shifted it.
"Prussic acid" be muttered.
Two minutes later. when DR.. Duprat
rushed in, the Baron de Heidelmann-
Bruck. unafraid and unrepentant, had
gone to his last long sleep. His face
was calm. and even in death his lips
seemed set in a hooking smile of tri-
umph.
=
When a sweet young girl finds her
self IN serious debt to a man and at
the same time M of the richest heir
esses in the world, she naturally
wishes to give some substantial form
to her gratitude, even to the extent of
a few odd millions from her limitless
store. which Alice was very glad to do.
At any rate, Coquenil was hence
forth far beyond any need Of follow
ing his profession. Whatever use he
might in the future make Of his bril-
liant talents would be for the sheer
Joy Of conquest and strictly in the
spirit Of art for it's W sake.
On the other hand, if at any time
he wished to undertake a case it was
certain that the city Of Paris or the
government of France would tender
him their commissions on a silver sal.
YER. for now, Of course, his justifca-
ton was complete, and by special ar
rangement he was given a sort of row.
ing commission from headquarters.
with indefinite leave Of absence. Best
Of all. he was made chevalier Of the
Legion of Honor 'for conspicuous pub
lie service" What q day it was, to
be sure, when Nine. Coquenil first
caught sight Of that precious red badge
on her SONS cOatl