The Green Forest tribune., 1911-03-10
I esty, while Madame was, of cour

journals. began one of the <e ,t,,r+ir,o cious private inyestigati) ..r T.biob of late years, the press h 's ss..4+aa ,,,l-,' =. means to glory and ,,1, e.sfisfoo+ion g,, ,,~ of if public curiosity.
 ,.(r,s. ne, .iis4 ~, i'' femme" said Dumars.
 mat LII ticket" agreed Rob, pms All roads lead to the eternal leni."ine' HI We will find the woman"
 hnSS exhausted the knowledge of the %taf of Mr Morin's hotel, from u ; bell-boy down to the proprietor fhey gently, but infeXibly, pumped the family of the deceased as far as i his cousins twice removed. They art i fully sounded the employees of the late jeweler, and dogged his custom CTS for information concerning his habits. Like bloodhounds, they traced every step of the supposed defaulter, as nearly as might be, for years along the limited and monotonous paths he had trodden.
 At the end of their labors, MT. Morin stood. an immaculate man. Not one weakness that might be served up as a criminal tendency, not one deviation from the path of recti- tude not even a hint of predilection for the opposite sex. was found to be placed to his debit His life had been as regular and austere as a monks; his habits, simple and uncon- cealed. Generous, charitable, and a model in propriety. was the verdict Of all who knew him.
 What now?" asked Robbins, finger ing his empty notebook.
 "Cherchez la femme" said Dumars. lighting a cigarette. "Try Lady Bell airs"
 This piece Of femininity was the racetrack favorite of the season. Be ing feminine, she was cratic in her gaits, and there were a few heavy losers about town who had believed she coulJ be true The reporters ap- piled for information.
 MT. Morin? Certainly not. He was r"vcr been a spectator at the races. Not that kind of man. Surprised the gentlemen should ask.
 Shall we throw it up?" suggested Robbins, and let the puzzle depart ment have a try?"
 "Cherchez la femme" hummed Du. mars, reaching for a match. Try the Little Sisters of t-d'you-call-'em.
 It had developed during the inves- tigation, that Mir Morin had held this benevolent order in particular favor. He had contributed liberally toward it's support, and had chosen it's chapel l 9C f0T r,la oP r,r.iz- +o ship. It was said that be went there daily to make his devot1ons at the altar Indeed, toward the last of his life his whole mind seemed to have fixed itself upon religious matters, perhaps to the detriment of his world Iy affairs
 Thither went Robbins and Dumars, and were admitted through the mar TOW doorway in the blank stone wall that frOwned upon Bonhomme street. An old woman was sweeping the chapel She told them that Sister Felicite, the head of the order, was then at prayer at the altar in the al cove. In a few moments she would emerge. Heavy, black curtains screened the alcoye. They waited
 Soon the curtains were disturbed. and Sister Felicite came forth She was tall, tragic. bony and plain-fea- tured. dressed in the black gown and severe bonnet of the sisterhood.
 Robbins, a good rough-and-tumble reporter. but lacking the delicate touch began to speak.
 They represented the press. The lady had. no doubt, heard of the Morin affair It was necessary. in justice to that gentleman's memory, to probe the mystery of the lost money It was known that he had come often to this chapel Any in formation, now, concerning MT. Morins habits tastes, the friends he had, and so on, would be of value in doing him posthumous justice.
 Sister Felicite had heard. What ever she knew would be willingly told, but it was very little Monsieur Morin had been a good friend to the order, sometimes contributing as much as a hundred dollars The sis terhood was an independent one, de pending entirely upon private contri- buttons for the means to carry on it's charitable work MT Morin had presented the chapel with silver can dlesticks and an altar cloth He came every day to worship in the chapel, sometimes remaining for an hour He was a devout Catholic, consecrated to holiness. Yes, and also in the al cove was statue of the Virgin that he had. himself. modelled. cast, and presented to the order Oh. it was cruel to cast doubt upon so good man!
 Robbins was also profoundly grieved at the imputation. But. until it was found what MT Morin had done with Madame Tibault's money, he feared the tongue of slander would not be stilled. Sometimes-in fact, very often-in affairs of this kind there was-er-as the saying goes era lady in the case. In absolute confidence. perhaps
 Sister Felicites large eyes regard ed him solemnly