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


began the magistrate, "the matter in
connection with which you are troub-
led with appearing before me?"
eyes, sir, the murder of that poor
old woman at La Jonchere."
Precisely" replied M. Daburn. IT
Justice has summoned you SO prompt
ly, it is because we have found your
name mentioned in. Widow Lerouge's
papers,"
IT am not surprised at that" re-
piled the barrister; I'VE were greatly
interested in that poor woman, who
was my nurse; and know that Nh
dame Gerdy wrote to her frequently"
"Very we'll; then you can give me
some information about her,"
'T fear, sir, that it will be very In
complete. I know very little about
this poor old Madame Lerouge I was
taken from her at very early age;
and, since have been man, I have
thought but little about her, except
to send her occasionally little aid"
"You never went to visit herP'
Excuse me. 1 have gone there to
see her many times; but remained
only a few minutes. Madame Gerdy,
who has often seen her, and to whom
she talked Of all her aaiffrs, could
have enlightened you much better
than L.
But" said the magistrate. II expect
shortly to see Madame Gerdy here;
she, too, must have received sum-
mons"
81 know it, sir. but it Is impossible
for her to appear; she is III TN bed"
Seriously"
$50 seriously that you win be
obliged, think, to give up ali hope
OF her testimony. She is attacked
with disease which, in the words Of
my friend, DR.. Herve, never forgtves.
It is something like inflammation OF
the brain, If am not mistaken. Il
may be that her life will be saved;
but she will never recover hen. reason.
II she does not die. she Wilt be in
sane"
M. Daburon appeared greatly vexed.
"This is very annoying" he mutter-
ed. "And you think. my dear sir, that
it will be impossible to obtain any
information from herr"
ut is useless even to hope for It
She has completely lost her reason.
She was, when l left her in such Q
state of utter prostraion that fear
she cannot live through the day."
And when was she attacked b.
| this illness?" 81,
Yesterday evening" ~.
"Suddenly?'
"Yes, sir; at least, apparently 80.
thought I myself think she has been
| unwell for the last three weeks at
least. Yesterday, however, on rising
from dinner, after having eaten but
little. she took up a newspaper; and
eyes fell exactly upon the lines which
gave an account of this clima she
at once uttered loud cry, fell back
in her chair. and thence slipped to the
floor, murmuring: "Oh, the unhappy
man, the unhappy mani"
1.-The unhappy woman, you mean."
mo. sir. She uttered the words !
have just repeated.
Evidently the exclamation did not
refer to my poor nurse"
Upon this reply, so important and
yet made in the most unconscious
tone, M. Daburon raised his eyes to
the witness. The barrister lowered his
head. &
And then?" asked the magistrate.
after moments silence, during which
he had taken a few notes.
Those words, sir. were the hast
spoken by Madame Gerdy Assisted
by our servant, carried her 10 her
bed. The doctor was sent for: and,
since then. she has not recovered con-
seriousness. The Doctor.
1T is well,' interrupted NJ. DabuFon.
LET us leave that for the present Do
you know, sir. whether Widow L.
rouge had any enemies?"
None that know of, sir.
"She had no enemies? Wei, now
tell me. does there exist to your
| knowledge any one having tho least
interest in the death of this poor wo-
man.?
AS he asked this question the in
vestigating magistrate kept his eyes
fixed on NoeI's, not wishing 10 turn
or lower his head. The barIister
started, and seemed deeply moved.
He was disconnected: he hesftated,
as If struggle was going on within
him. Finally, In q voice which was
by no means firm. he replied:
mo. no one"
"Is that really true?" asked the mag
istrate, looking at him more search
ingly. you know no one whom this
crime benefits. or whom 1t might bene-
ft--absolutely no one?"
Il know only one thing, sir" re-
piled Noel; land that is. that. as far
as am concerned, it has caused me
an irreparable injury"
AN injury to you, my dear sir?
You will. hope, explain yourself"