The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-04-14
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TaD WIDOW
LER0UCE |
L uu alDolIlR. |
CHAPTER XXI.

~ udu SILL W IeCSlVe Tue evidence
q several of the counts servants. and
the report of the commissary of police
charged with the arrest. The servants
We're brought in and examined separ-
ately. The testimony of each was,
to say. fresh accusation. 1t was
easy to see that all believed their
master guilty Albert's conduct since
the beginning OF the fatal week, were
reported, commented upon, and ex-
planned.
BY combining these dispositions, M.
Daburon was able to follow his pris-
oner hour by hour from the Sunday
morning.
The turn of the commissary of police
had now come. In few words, he
gave an account of the arrest, already
described by old Tabaret. He did not
forget to mention the one word,
Lost" which had escaped Albert; to
his mind it was confession. He
then delivered all the articles seized
n the Viscount de Commarin's apart
ments.
The magistrate then gave the nee
essary orders for Viscount Albert to
BE- brought before him.
Albert scarcely noticed his removal
0rom home to the seclusion of the pvis.
on. 6natched away from his painful
thoughts by the harsh voice Of the
sommtssary, saying, "In the name of
the law arrest you," his mind, COM
Dletely upset, was a long time in re-
covering its equilibrium. Everything
that followed appeared to him to fioat
tndistinctly in thick mist like those
1reamRcenes represented on the stage
behind quadruple curtain of gauze
TO the questions put to him, he re-
oiled. without knowing what he said.
At the prison they dragged him
along the dark corridors, opened
2oor. and pushed him into a small
cell. He then heard them lock and
boH the door. He was prisoner
and, In accordance with special orders,
In solitary confinement. He immedi-
Ately felt marked sensation of COM
tort. He was alone. 1t seemed to
him that he had forever escaped from
society; and he rejoiced at it. He
Derceiyed a small bed, he threw him
selt upon it. and was soon sound
asleep.
Albert slept four hours. In awaken
ing, his head seemed clearer than It
had been ever since his interview with
aoel.
Albert entered the magistrates Of
Go with his head erect. His features
tore traces Of great fatigue and OF
d3eepless nights.
Tho usual questions which open
sach examinations gave NJ. Daburon
n opportunity to recover himself.
You are aware, sir" he commenced,
4 tone Of perfect politeness, that
you had no right to the name you
oear1'
Il know. s1r," replied Albert, "that
am tho natural son of M. de Com
0ar1n. know. further. that my faith
e would be unable to recognize me,
wen II he wished to. since was born
Aaring his married life.''
What were your feelings upon
earning this?"
Il should speak falsely, sir, If I
said did not feel very bitterly. When
enc is in the high position 1 occupied,
the fall Is terrible. However, / never
Tor moment entertained the thought
Of contesting M. Noel Gerdy,s rights.
I always purposed, and still purpose,
70 yield. l have so informed Nj. de
Commarin."
M. Daturon expected just such a re-
ply; and it only strengthened his sus:
aiciorA
You could not oppose M. Geruy,~
continued the magistrate, with any
chance of success. You had. indeed,
on your side, the count and your
mother: but M. Gerdy was in posses
sion of evidence that was certain to
win his cause, that of Widow Lee
rouge"
II have never doubted that, SIR"
Now" continued the magistrate,
seeking to hide the look which he
fastened upon AL ert, Justice sup
poses that. to do away with the only
existing proof, you have assassinated
Widow Lerouge."
This terrible accusation. terribly
emphasized. caused no change in Al
bert's features. He preserved the
same firm bearing, without bravado
Before God" he answered, land
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 I hope to
demontrate my innocence
What an actor" thought the mag,
istrate. Can crime be strong as this?'
When you were arrested, you cried
out. am lost what did you mear
by thatT'