Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-30

disorder. proceeded graveiy with his
examination.
please state what you know about
this case" he said. and again the au-
dience waited In deathlike stiffness.
There IS no need of many words"
answered NJ. Paul. Then. pointing an
accusing arm at De Heidelmann- Bruck.
IL know that this man shot Enrico
Martinez on the night OF July at the
Ansonia hotel"
The nobleman sat rigid on his chair;
the judge went on with his questions
You say you know this2" be de-
handed sharply.
Il know st." declared Coquenn. 81
have absolute proof OF THERE" he
drew from his inner coat the baron's
diary aud handed 1t 20 the Judge.
Z what is thisr asked the latter
His own confession. written by him
| self"
The Judge turned gravely to De Hei-
delmRnn Bruck. Il 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. CoqueIin."
AT this moment an awestruck at
tendant came to say that the baron
wished n word with ST. Paul
by all MEANS" consented the Judge
Haltingly. on bis cane. Coquenil
made made his way TO an adjoining
room. AS be glanced at the baron. NJ.
Paul saw that once more the man had
| demonstrated his extraordinary self
\ control. He was cold and composed as
usual
The other day you said you were
sorry when you left me I'm that hot
| cellar" said Coquenll. Now you're I'm
a fairly hot place yourself. baron. and
! I'm not sorry"
De Heidelmann- Bruck shrugged his
A., shoulders.
THE point is" said the baron. 81 am
/ going 20 pay the price that society ex-
! acts when this sort OF thing is found
out am perfectly willing to pay Il.
not I'm the least afraid TO pay IL and.
, above all. not In the least sorry for
| anything. ] want you TO remember
that and repeat IL I have no patience
with cowardly, canting talk about re-
| morse | have never for one moment
regretted anything ! have done. and
regret nothing now. Nothing! ! have
bad dive years OF the best this work
1 can give-power. fortune social posi-
don, pleasure. everything, and what
ever / pay I'm ahead Of the game. I
want you TO believe. though. that
was genuine when l said l liked you.
was ready 20 destroy you, but liked
you like you now, COquenI. and
Il this e narhoDe orr toof folt~- eho,- iii
take me OF presently. and-you collect
odd souvenirs-here is one-a little
Goodby-from an adversary who was
game. anyway. You don't mind &C
cepung it7"
There was something IN the mans
voice that Coquenil had never heard
there. Was IL faint touch OF seuti-
ment7 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 bis fingers.
"Ah. that pride OF yoursi You've
been brilliant, you've been brave, but
never unkind before. It's only a bau-
bic. Coquenil. az -
De HeldeIma m Bruck stopped sud
denly. and NJ Paul caught a savage
CLEAN n his eyes; then. swiftly. the
baron put the ring TO his mouth and,
sucking In his breath. swallowed hard
The detective sprang forward. but IL
was too late.
"a doctor-quickr' he called 20 the
guard.
NO user murmured the rich man,
sinking forward
Coquenil tried to support him. but
the body was too heavy for his band
aged hard. and the prisoner sank 10
the floor
IL won the last trick. anyhow. {"
the baron whispered
| Coquenil picked up the ring that had
fallen from nerveIess hand He put
IL TO his nose and shifted It
| "Prussic acidI" he muttered.
Two minutes later. when Dr. Duprai
rushed in. the Baron de HeideImann.
Bruck. unafraid and unrepentant, had
gone 10 his last long sleep. His face
was calm. and even in death his lips
seemed set In a knocking smile or tri.
umph-
When sweet young girl finds her.
self IN serious debt 70 a man and al
the same time one OF the richest heir
esses in the world. she naturally
wishes TO give some substantial form
10 her gratitude. even 20 the extent OF
a few odd millions from her nmitless
store. which Alice was very glad 10 do
| At any rate. Coquenil was hence
forth far beyond any need OF follow
ing his profession. Whatever use hG
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 its own sake.
/ On the other hand. II at any time
he wished TO undertake a case 1t was
certain that the city OF Paris or the
government OF France would tendeI
him their commissions on a silver sal
i yer for now Of cnurca bgS s,,~rf9co