The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-09-09

with that theory In ny mind.
searched for proof In their lodge,
which, as you know, entered. I
found there under their bed some
springsss, and brass wire. All /
thought, these things explain why
they were out in the park at night
/ was not surprised at the dogged ST
lence they maintained before the ex-
amining magistrate, even under the ae-
cusation so grave as that Of being ac-
completes in the crime Poaching
would save them from the assize court.
but It would lose them their places.
ard as they were perfectly sure Of
their innocence OF the crime they
hoped & would soon be established,
and then their poaching might go on
as usual. They could always confess
later. I, however, FASTENED their con-
fession by means of the document M.
Stangerson signed. They gave all the
necessary proofs were set at liberty
and have now a lively gratitude for
me. Why did ] not get them released
sooner7 Because was not sure that
nothing more than poaching was
against them. | wanted to study the
ground. AS the days went by, my con-
viction became more and more certain.
The days after the events of the mex
plicable gallery had need Of help
could rely on. SO resolved to have
them released at once"
We reached the Donjon inn and en-
tered it.
This time we did not see the land
lord, but were received with pleas
ant smile by the charming hostess.
'How's Daddy Mathieuf" asked
Rouletabilio.
Not much better, not much better
He is still confined to his bed"
His rheumatism still sticks to him,
then"
"Yes. Last night ives again
obliged to give him morphine, the only
drug that gives him any relief"
She spoke In soft voice. Every
thing about her expressed gentIeness.
She was, indeed. beautiful woman.
somewhat with an air Of Incidence,
with great eyes seemingly black and
blue, amorous eyes, Was she happy
with her Grabbed, rheumatic husband?
The scene at which we had once been
present did not lead US to believe that
she was Yet there was something In
her bearing that was not suggestive
of despair She disappeared into the
kitchen to prepare our repast. leaving |
on the table a bottle of excellent cider
filled our earthenware |
mugs, loaded his pipe and quietly ex-
planned to me his reason for asking |
me to come to the Chandler with re-
volvers.
"Yes," be said contemplatively, look
ing at the clouds of smoke he was I
putting out, yes, my dear boy. l ex- |
pect the assassin tonight"
A brief silence followed. which l
took care not to interrupt. and then
he went on:
Last night just as l was going to
bed M Robert Darzac knocked at my
room. When he came In he confided
to me that he was compelled to go to
Paris the next day-that is. this morn
Ing. The reason which made this jour-
hey necessary was at once peremptory
and mysterious. 1t was not possible
FOR him to explain Its object to me. i
10, and yet, he added, j would give
my life not to leave Mile. Stangerson
It this moment He did not try to
hide that he believed her to be once
more In danger. 1T will not greatly
lstonish me II something happens to-
morrow night he avowed. and yet l
must be absent. | cannot be back at
he Chandler before the morning OF the
lay after tomorrow
II asked him to explain himself, and
his is all he would tell me. His antici-
'ation of coming danger had come to
i'm solely from the coincidence that
dlle. Stangerson had been twice at
acked and both times when he had .
zen absent Now man so moved
Who should still go away must be act
1g under compulsion-mu be obey
lg a will stronger than his own. That
vas how reasoned, and told him so.
Ie replied Perhaps | asked him II
file. Stangerson was compelling him.
lie protested that she was not His de-
to go to Paris had been
lken without any conference with
ille Stangerson.
ITO cut the story short he repeated
lat his belief In the possibility of a
'esh attack was founded entirely on
le extraordinary coincidence. If any
ling, happens to Mile. Stangerson,' he
lid 1t would be terrible for both OF :
s-for her, because her life would De
Danger; for me. because could mel
!, ! defend her from the attack nor
II of where had been. am perfect
aware OF the suspicious cast on me.
,n axnrnininn nun uisfraf a and NJ Lar