The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-06-30

.fter l did,
you have never lived with her
since?'
Never"
But you were at her house three
days before the crime was committed"
That is true, sir, but it was abso-
lutely necessary. l had had much
trouble to find her. no one knew what
had become of her. Fortunately my
notary was able to procure Madame
Gerdy's address; he wrote to her, and
hat is how learned that Clauaine
vas living at a Jonchere. l was then
1T Rouen. Captain Gervais, who is a
friend of mine, offered to take me to
'aris on his boat, and | accepted. All,
Sir what a shock 1 experienced when
| entered her house! My wife did not
know me. By constantly telling every
one that l was dead, she had without
doubt ended by believing it herself
When | told her my name, she fell
back in her chair. The wretched wo-
man had not changed in the least;
she had by her side glass and a
oottle of brandy"
"All this doesn't explain why you
went to seek your wife,
cit was on Jacques accent, sir,
that I went. The youngster mas grown
TO be a man; and he wants to marry
For that. his mothers consent was
accessory; and | was taking to Clau-
dine document which the notary had
drawn up. and which she signed. This
is it,
NJ. Daburon took the paper, and ap-
neared to read it attentively After a
moment he asked:
Have you thought who could have
assassinated your wife?'
Lerouge made no reply.
do you suspect any one?'' persisted
the magistrate.
We'll, sir" replied the sailor, "what
can l say? l thought that Claudine
had weareid out the people from
whom she drew money, i.Ae So.
from we'll; or else, getting druI.
one day, she had blabbsd too freely.
nc lCSlllHOily UcllS compete GS
possible, M. Daburon dismissed lie
rouge at the same time telling him to
wait for Gevrol. who would take him
to hotel, where he might wait, a
the disposal Of justice, until further
orders
Then NJ. Daburon turned again to
the business i'll hand. In any case
innocent Or guilty, Albert was really
the Niscount de Commarin, the counts
legitimate son.
L think exclaimed NJ. Daburon,
suddenly, II must speak to the Count
de Commarin. Constant send to his
house a message for him to come here
at once; if he is not at home, he must
be sought for"
Old Tabaret talked, but he acted
also. Abandoned by the investigating
magistrate to his own resources, he
set to work without losing a minute,
and without taking a moments rest.
The story of the cabriolet, drawn by
swift horse, was exact in every par
ticular. He had actually searched the
country, house by house, with the OBJ
stinacy and the patience of maniac
hunting for needle in hay-stack
Monday morning, he called at the
Palais de Justice, in order to find out
II the record Of Widow Lerouge's past
life had been received. He found that
nothing had arrived; but in the pas
sage he met Gevrol and his man. The
chief of detectives was triumphant,
and showed it. too. AS soon as he saw
Tabaret, he called out:
We'll. my illustrious mare's-nest
hunter, what news? Have you had any
more scoundrels guillotined since the
other day? All, you old rogue, you
want to GUST me from my place, can
see.''
"Jeer at me. my good M. Gevrol,"
he replied, mock me without pity;
you are right, l deserve it ALL"
All, come now!' said the chief,
have YOU then performed some new
masterpiece, you impetuous old fell
low?'
Old Tabaret shook his head sadly.
II have delivered up an innocent
man." he said, 'and justice will not
restore him his freedom"
Gevrol was delighted and rubbed
MS hands until he almost wore away
the skim
This is fine,' he sang out, "this is
capital. To bring criminals to justice
Is of no account at all. But to free
the innocent, by Jove! that is the last
touch of art. Tirauclair, you are an
immense wonder: and l bow before
YOU"
And at the same. he raised his hat
ironically.
Don't crush me-" replied the old
fellow. CAS- you know. in spite of my
gray hairs. am young in the pro-
fession. Because chance served me
three or four times. became foolishiy
proud. have learned too late that ]
am not at ali that l had thought N.Y.
H,,k