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

SmpnaS1ZeQ, caused no cHduSe III Al
bert's features. He preserved the
same firm bearing, without bravado.
Before God,' he answered, and
by all that is most sacred on earth. |
swear to you, sir, that am innocent.
/ am at this moment close prisoner,
without communication with the outer
world. reduced consequently TO the
most absolute helplessness. 1t Is
through your probity that hope to
demontrate my innocence"
what an actor!" thought the mag
astrate. Can crime be strong as this ~
when you were arrested, you cried
out, i am lost what did you mean
by that?''
"Sir replied Albert, Il remember
having uttered those words. When !
knew of what crime was accused.
was overwhelmed with CONSERVATION.
My mind was, as 1t were. enlightened
by glimpse OF the future. In a mo-
ment, perceived all the horror Of my
situation. / understood the weight
of the accusation, its probability, and
the difficulties should have in de-
tending myself. A voice cried out to
me. Who was most interested in
,Claudine's DEATH And the knowledge
Of my imminent peril forced me the
exclamation you speak Of"
you do, indeed, continued the mag
istrate, appear to have had the great
est interest in this death. Moreover,
i win inform you that robbery was not
the object of the crime. The things
thrown in the Seine have been recov-
.ered. We know, also, that all the
widows papers were burned. Could
they compromise any one but your
self? II you tof any any one, speak. =
what can answer, sir? Nothing"
Have you often gone to see this
w0man?"
three or four times with my faith
err
zone Of your coachmen pretends to
have driven ,yon there at least ten
times
THE man Is mistaken. But what
matters the number of visits?"
ssDo you recollect the arrangement
OF the rooms? Can you describe
,them?'
Perfectly, sir; there were two.
Claudine slept in the back ROOM"
'You were In no way stranger to
Widow Lerouge. If you had knocked
one evening at her window-shutter,
do you think she would have let you
imp
Certainly, sir, and eagerly
"You have been unwell these last
few days?''
VERY unwell, to say the least. sir.
Ny body bent under the weight Of o
burden too great for my strength. It
was mot. however, for want Of cour-
ags."
.Why did You forbid your valet
iLubin, to call in the doctor?"
"Ah! sir. how could the doctor cure
my .diseaseY All his science could not
make me the legitimate son OF the
Count de Commarin."
Some very singular remarks made
by you were overheard. You seemed
to be no longer interested in anything
concerning your home. You DESTROYED
q large number of papers and letters"
z had decided to leave the count.
.sir. MY resolution explains my con-
duct
Albert replied promptly 10 the mag
istrate.s questions. without the least
embarrassment, ana IN . confident
tone.
SIR resumed the magistrate.
sahruptly. A'tell me exactly how you
passed your time last Tuesday even
ins. from six O'Clock antn midnightf'
During Tuesday evening he stam-
mered. repeating the phrase to gain
time.
II have him. thought the magis-
lrate, starting with Joy. and then adj
ded aloud. yes. from six O'Clock I'M
"a midnight"
7 am afraid, sir" answered Albert,
N will be difficult for me to satisfy
you. haven't a very good memory
AOh, don't tell me that" interrupted
the magistrate. III l had asked what
yon were doing three months ago, on
certain evening. and at q certain
hour, could understand your hesita-
tion; but this is about Tuesday, and
It y nov Friday. Moreover. this day,
70 close. was the last Of the carnival:
It was Shrove Tuesday. That crcum-
stance ought to help your memory"
THAT evening. went out walking"
murmured Albert.
Nov" continued tho magistrate.
where did you diner
eat home. as usual"
mo, not as usual. At the end
OF your meal. you asked for bottle
Of Bordeaux. Of which you drank the
whole. You doubtless had need OF
some extra excitement for your sub
scQuent plans"
II had no plans replied the pris-
onsr. with very evident uneasiness.
You make q mistake. Two friends
came to seek you. You replied to
fham hefora sitting down to dfnner