Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1911-12-19
CHAPTER XIII.

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M. Daburon surveyed the detective
pityingly, much as he would have
looked at remarkable monomaniac.
When the old fellow had finished:
my worthy M. Tabaret," the magis-
trate said to him; you have but one
fault. You err through an excess OF
subtlety. You accord too freely to
others the wonderful sagacity with
which you yourself are endowed. Our
man has failed in prudence, simply
because he believed his rank would
place him above suspicion"
mo, sir, no; thousand times no.
My culprit-the true one-he whom
we have missed catching feared every
thing. Besides, does Albert defend
himself? No. He is overwhelmed
because he perceives condolences 50
fatal that they appear to condemn him,
without chance of escape. Does he
try 10 excuse himself? No. He sim
ply replies, 1t is terrible And yet all
through his examination feel re-
ticence that / cannot explain"
II can explain 1t very easily; and I
am as confident as though he had con-
fessed everything. ! have more than
sufficient proofs Of that
"Ah. sir, proofs! There are always
enough of those against an arrested
man. They exist against every limo
cent man who was ever condemned.
Proofs Why. had them in quanti-
ties against Kaiser, the poor little
tailor, who"
WELL interrupted the magistrate,
hastily, If it is not he, the most in
terested one, who committed the
crime, who then is IT? His father. the
Count de Commarin.'
mo; the true assassin is a young
man.
M. Daburon had arranged his papers
and finished his preparations.
You must then see that am right.
Come, good-by, NJ. Tabaret, and make
haste and get rid Of all your foolish
IDEAS"
He moved toward the door: but M.
Tabaret barred his exit.
sir said the old man, in the
name OF Heaven, listen to me- He is
innocent. swear to you. Help me,
then, to find the real culprit. Sir, think
of your remorse, should You cause
an--"
But the magistrate would not hear
more. He pushed old Tabaret aside,
and hurried out.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, albert is in
nocent; and it is l who have cast
suspicion upon him, It is I, fool that
am. who have infused into the OBJ
stinate spirit Of this magistrate con-
viction that can no longer destroy.
He is innocent, and Is yet enduring
the most horrible anguish. Suppose
he should commit suicide. But will
not abandon him. I have ruined him;
! will save him. must, will find
the culprit; and he shall pay dearly
for my mistake, the scoundrel!"
After seeing the Count de Commarin
safely In his carriage at the entrance
of the Palais de Justice, Noel Gerdy
seemed inclined to leave him. Rest
ing one hand against the half-opened
carriage door, he bowed respectfully,
and said:
when. sir, shall have the honor
Of paying my respects to your
Come with me now said the
old nobleman.
The barrister, still leaning forward,
muttered some excuses. He had, he
said. important business: he must
positively return home at once.
Come" repeated the count, in .
tone which admitted OF no reply.
Noel obeyed.
"You have found your father" said
NJ. de Commarin, in a low tone; "but
I must warn you, that at the same
time you lose your independence"
The carriage started; and only then
did the count notice that Noel had
very modestly seated himself oppo-
site him. This humility seemed to
displease him greatly.
"Sit by my side. SIR" he exclaimed;
ARE you not my son?''
The barrister without replying, took
his seat by the side of the terrible old
man.
As soon as he left his carriage, and
reached his own room. the old noble
man recovered his haughtiness. Noel
having fully recovered himself. stood
erect. cold as marble, respectful but
no longer humble. The father and
son exchanged glances which had
nothing Of sympathy nor friendliness.
Sir" said the count, at length, in
. harsh voice, "henceforth this house
Is yours. From this moment you are
the Viscount do Commarin; you re-
gain possession OF all the rights OF
which you were deprived. Listen, be-
fore you thank me. I wish, at once,
to relieve You from ali misunderstand-
Ing. Remember this well, sir: had I
been master of the situation, I would