Middletown transcript., 1914-07-25
(coPTRlGHT 1919
W6.CHAPMAN)
ILLUSTRATIONS b4
O.IRWIN MYERS

company, DuL Lu0y nave DSeu AOcC SAOSS
thirty years and are certainly not In
my safe.
"She alleged that she had lost the
key. Resolved to bring her to justice
l told her to return today, when du-
plicate key would be made and the
safe opened. Then, said, playing up
on her greed, l would purchase the
bonds from her at an enormous price.
Immediately upon her departure ]
had the safe opened. 1t was empty"
Proceed, monsieur" said the mag
istrate, smiling.
Il Immediately investigated this
woman's record" Magniff continued.
81 found that she had actually come
from Canada recently, as one Of my
woman witnesses will shortly show. In
London she became acquainted with
the prisoner DIVES. They few to-
gether in an aeroplane at an aviation
meeting. Subsequently tn 3 traitor took
her into Westminster abbey at the
time Of the coronation, ostensibly as
his wife.
"The most damaging feature, how
ever, in my opinion. is"
Pardon, monsieur, you may not
draw inferences," interposed the mag
istrate suavely. THAT is my province,
though doubtless"-he smiled know
ingly-"your inferences and mine will
coincide in SO clear case Of gull" +"
Il furthermore submit" Magniff con-
tinued, that this woman has stayed
at Clichy, the home Of the male pris-
oner, during the last tive weeks, and
is doubtless thoroughly conversant
with his plans. On board the ship,
and subsequently, while visiting the
Louvre, ostensibly for the study of
art, she was seen in the company of
a certain Greek named Zeuxis, who, as
you are aware, is being sought by the
Government as being directly impli-
Gated in this crime. Undoubtedly the
two men and the woman hatched the
scheme together and are unitedly re-
sponsibie for it."
Il thank you, monsieur" said the
magistrate. You have rendered
France a service Of incalculable value.
Please conclude your evidence"
This morning, or rather soon after
noon," concluded Magniff, smiling
broadly, the two prisoners came to
my Office with the utmost effrontery,
for the purpose Of recovering the
bonds. knew that at some recent
date some forged bonds had been
placed in the safe. With them, but so
cunningly hidden among the mass Of
papers that no casual observer would
have perceived it, was the stolen doc
ument. 1 knew it was there; suf-
fered this woman to remove it, and
she was Immediately arrested. She
trembled and betrayed every evidence
of guilt"
you may go, monsieur" said the
magistrate, bowing to Magniff I'm
mediately the two officials were called
and gave formal evidence concerning
the events Of the afternoon.
Have you any rejoinder to maker"
demanded the magistrate, scowling at
me.
Il think, monsieur, that have made
you rejoinder already" l observed
mockingly.
81 have no more to say to you But
to this gentleman" continued, turn
ing to the major, Il beg to announce
that / am completely innocent. I do
not know" 1 continued, with increas-
ing agitation which, in spite of all
my efforts, I was not able wholly to
conceal, Il do not quite know what
depths of viIlainy have been sounded
in this infamous conspiracy against
the Chevalier DIVES and myself. But
he is innocent, and pursued by that
rogue and his scheming son to. further
their hateful designs against Clichy,
which they hope to snatch out Of my
grandfather's possession"
The prisoner, in response, alleges
conspiracy to obtain title to land"
murmured the magistrate, jotting
down few words upon his pad.
my principal female witness will
arrive tomorrow morning." interposed
Magniff, when I hope to be able to
place you in possession Of the remain
ing facts
"Remanded in bail of the amount of
one hundred thousand francs" said
the functionary. Remove the pris-
oner." He leaned over his bench, and
shook his finger at me- "Once more
counsel you," he roared; make
clean breast Of the whole affair and
throw yourself upon the mercy of the
court"
The officer of the fortress inter
posed, turning his back upon M. Pi-
chon contemptuously, and touched me
on the arm. placed my hand in his,
and he conducted me from the court
room. When Ye had reached my room
he stopped and said, admiringly:
"Mademoiselle, you are SO brave 1
quite believe you guilty"
you did not before?" asked smil-
ing.
Before" he answered, "the charge
seemed incredible. Why, you should
have been across the frontier instant
ly, instead of waiting to trick Magniff
in such clumsy fashion as that. Did
the Germans pay your lover welI?"
Believe what you like; l am inno-
cent. AS innocent as-as the cheva-
Her." / added.