The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-02-24

L was nearly LGfee CLOCK III the
mrraj.c
"Gcodness!" cried he; "why. old
Tabaret is waiting for me. shall
probably find him asleep"
But M. Tabaret was not asleep. He
had noticed the passage Of time no
more than the magistrate. He had
become absorbed in meditation. The
fixed idea, stronger than ones will,
brought him back to La Jonchere,
where lay the body of Widow Lerouge.
NJ. Daburon's voice aroused him
from his reverie.
You will excuse me, H. Tabaret,
for having left you so long alone"
The old fellow rose and bowed re-
spectfully.
by my faith, sir" replied he, Il
have not had the leisure to perceive
my solitude
81 have reflected a good DEAL" Da-
buron commenced, "but this affair"
And l." interrupted old Tabaret,
was just asking myself what was
likely to be the attitude assumed by
the viscount at the moment of his
arrest. Nothing is more important,
according to my idea, than his manner
Of conducting himself then. Will he
fly into a passion? Will he attempt
to intimidate the agents? Will he
threaten to turn them out of the
house? These are generally the tao
tics of titled criminals My opinion,
however, is that he will remain per-
fectly cool. He will declare himself
the victim of misunderstanding,
and insist upon an immediate inter-
view with the investigating magis-
trate. Once that is accorded him, he
will explain everything very quickly.
The old fellow spoke of matters of
speculation in such tone Of assur-
ance that M. Daburon was unable to
repress smile.
1--WE have not gone as far as that
yet" said he.
But we shall, in a few hours,' re-
piled M. Tabaret, quickly. 81 presume
you will order young M. de Commar-
ms arrest at daybreak."
you are prompt, M. Tabaret.' he
said; you recognize 10 obstacles"
None, having ascertained the GRIM
inal. Who else can have committed
this assassination? Who but he had
an interest in silencing the Widow
Lerouge, in suppressing her testimony,
in destroying her papers? He, and
only he. Poor Noel! who is as full
of honesty, warned him, and he acted.
Should we fail to establish his guilt,
he will remain de Commarin more
than ever: and my yorng barrister
will be Noel Gerdy to the grave"
Eyes, but
The old man fixed his eyes upon the
magistrate with q look of astonish-
ment. .
you see, then, some difficulties,
sir?" he asked.
Most decidedly" replied M. Da-
buron. "That is matter demanding
the utmost circumspection. In cases
like the present, one must not strike
until the blow is sure. and we have
but presumptions. Suppose we are
mistaken. Justice, unhappily, cannot
repair her errors. Her hand once
unjustly placed upon a man, leaves
an imprint of dishonor that can never
be effaced. She may perceive her err
ror, and proclaim it aloud, but in
vain! Public opinion. absurd and
idiotic, will not pardon the man guilty
Of being suspected"
It was with sinking heart that the
old fellow listened to these remarks.
He would not be withheld by such
paltry considerations.
"Our suspicious are well grounded"
continued the magistrate. "But,
should they lead us into error, our
precipitation would be q terrible mis-
fortune for this young man, to say
nothing OF the effect it would have in
abridging the authority and dignity
of justice, Of weakening the respect
which constitutes her power. Such a
mistake would call for discussion,
provoke examination, and awaken
distrust, at an epoch in our history
when all minds are but too much dis
posed to defy the constituted author
tiles"
II have no luck" thought old Taba-
ret. II have to do with a trembler.
When he should act, he makes speech
es; instead Of, signing warrants, he
propounds theories. He is astounded
at my discovery, and il not equal to
the situation. Instead Of being de-
lighted by my appearance with the
news of our success, he would have
given twenty-franc piece, l dare
say, to have been left undisturbed.
All! he would very willingly have the
little fishes in his net. but the big
ones brighten him. The big fishes are
dangerous, and he prefers to let them
swim away"
Perhaps" said M. Daburon, aloud,
sit will suffice to issue search-war-
| rant, and a summons for the appear
| ance of the accused.'