Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1911-12-19
strength to recover himself and again

strength to recover himself and again
protest:
You are right, sir" he said, in a
sad but firm voice; everything seems
to prove me guilty. In your place,
should have spoken as you have done;
yet, all the same, l swear to you that
I am innocent
Come now, do you really" be-
gan the magistrate.
Il am innocent" interrupted Albert:
"and l repeat it, without the least
hope of changing in any way your
conviction. Yes, everything speaks
against me, everything, even my own
bearing before you. 1t is true, my
courage has been shaken by these in
credible, miraculous overwhelming
condolences am overcome, because
I feel the impossibility Of proving my
Innocence. But l do not despair. My
honor and my life are in the hands of
God. At this very hour. when to you
I appear lost-for in no way deceive
myself, sir-I do not despair of a COM
plete justification. await conf
IDENTIFY
what do you mean?" asked the
magistrate.
Nothing but what / say, sir"
ESQ you persist in denying your
|guilt?''
II am innocent
But this is folly
II am innocent.
very WE'LL" said NJ. Dabnron; that
lis enough for to-day. You will hear
the official report OF your examination
Tread, and will then be taken back to
solitary confinement. l exhort you
to reflect. Night will, perhaps. bring
on better feeling; If you wish at
tany time to speak to me, send word.
and will come to YOU
The unhappy magistrate, after Al
bert left, heaped the bitterest re-
proaches upon himself. He was in
despair He had never so hated AL
bert--that wretch, who, stained with
a crime, stood in the way Of his hap
piness. Then, too, he cursed old Tab
aret. Alone, he would not have de-
cided so quickly. He would have
waited, thought over the matter, ma
ltured his decision, and certainly have
perceived the inconveniences. which
Low occurred to him.
It was precisely this unfayorable
moment that NJ. Tabaret chose for re-
appearing before the magistrate.
what answers did he maker" he
asked, even before he had closed the
door.
HE is evidently guilty. replied the
magistrate, with harshness very
different to his usual manner.
| II have come,' he said, modestly,
''to know II any investigations are
necessary to demolish the alibi plead
ed by the prisoner
"He pleaded no alibi,' replied the
magistrate. dryly.
How" cried the detective, mo ali
hi? Pshaw ask pardon; he has, Of
course, then, confessed everything
NO, said the magistrate, iinpa-
tiently, "he has confessed nothing. He
acknowledges that the proofs are de-
cisive; he cannot give an account Of
how he spent his time; but he pro-
tests his innocence"
In the center of the room. M. Tab
aret stood with his mouth wide open,
and his eyes staring wildly, and alto
gether In the most grotesque attitude
his establishment could effect.
"Not an alibi, nothing?" murmured
the old fellow. "No explanations
The idea. 1t is inconceivable. Not
an alibi? We must then be mistaken;
he cannot be tho criminal That Il
| certatn."
The investigating magistrate fell
that the old amateur must have beer
| waiting the result of the examination
at the wine-shop round the corner, OF
else that he had gone mad.
Unfortunately" said he. I'VE are
not mistaken. 1t is but too clearly
shown that M. de Commarin is the
murderer. However, if you like. you
can ask Constant for his report Of the
examination, and read it over while
l put these papers in order"
Very well.'' said the old fellow
with feverish anxiety. When he had
| finished. he arose with pale and dis
torted features.
Sir" said he to the magistrate, in
strange voice, 81 have been the in
voluntary cause of terrible mistake
This man Is innocent"
Come, come" said NJ. Daburon,
without stopping his preparations for
departure. you are going out Of your
mind. my dear M. Tabaret. How,
after all that you have read. can"
"Yes. cir. yes; 1t Is because have
read this that entreat you to pause,
or We shall add ono more mistake to
the sad list Of judicial errors. Read
this examination over carefully; there
is not reply but which declares this
unfortunate man innocent, not word
but which throws out ray OF light.
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