The Washington herald., 1914-06-05
THE SECRET OF THE WELL.

| When Jean Farades cabled his neph-
ews. Francois and Machut. that he was
returning from India with a fortune de-
rived from skillful manipulation of the
| cinchona market, the curtain ascended
over one Of those terrible dramas in the
repertory of ordinary life that testify
to the genius Of the great impresario-
Fate.
The news of unexpected wealth ter
minated abruptly and ruthlessly the
amiable relations that previously had ex-
listed between the two brothers. Fran
co.'s Immediately began to suspect that
Machut was plotting to win his uncle IS
| favor and acquire the entire estate. while
Machut perceived a similar motive be-
hind even the most insignificant acts of
his brother. They spoke churlishly and
regarded each other with suspicion.
Their enmity and their sudden change
in conduct became the talk OF the neigh
borhood. Each day witnessed a fresh de-
\ velopment in the hostile relations, until
at length a wall was erected separating
the dwellings and gardens owned by the
| brothers.
In the meantime the uncle's arrival
was delayed, and II was surmised he had
| met with an unexpected obstacle on the
journey. For more than a week no news
had been received from him, and the
| nephews began to speculate concerning
the cause, though they did not commu-
nicate their fears to each other.
One afternoon while Francois sat smok-
ing in a garden chair. he saw a neighbor
lowering a bucket into a well in the
shadow Of the wall that separated the
gardens. The bucket appeared to have
got caught at the bottom. for the man
jerked frantically at the rope. Finally
he abandoned the attempt, and Francis
head him call an urchin and ask him
to descend into the well and ascertain
the cause of the trouble.
Francois walked across the garden and
reached the well as the boy reappeared
His face was pale, his eyes stared wildly
and he trembled so violently that only an
inarticulate chatter resulted from his
efforts to speak. Francois shook him
roughly
Speak be ordered. What have you
SEEM" The boy stared at him, his face
twitching.
Murder he cried at length Look
His trimbling finger pointed into the well.
and after several unsuccessful efforts he
finally explained that he had found the
body of a man at the bottom.
A crowd OF excited neighbors gathered
about the well while the lifeless form
was brought to the surface. AS 1t was
laid on the ground the two brothers.
who had been standing at the inner rim
Of the throng, bent over it and cried:
"Uncle" The next moment their
glances met Each looked searchingly,
almost accusingiy. at the other. The
bystanders easily read the suspicion
that had crept into each mind The
brothers were still starting when two
gendarmes edged their way through the
crowd and declared that they were de-
tanned by the order of the magistrate.
Each protested his innocence as they
were led away.
An investigation disclosed that Jean
Farades had returned on the day when
he was expected and that the murder
must have been committed Immediately
after his arrival. There was no clue,
but the brothers. as presumptive heirs
to the fortune of the dead man, were
the only persons who could have bene-
fitted by his death. With both the
motive and the opportunity established.
reasoned 1e procureur imperial, grave
suspicious naturally must attach to the
brothers.
The only persons whose belief in the
innocence of the accused never faltered
were Jacques Velimay and his law part
ner. Paul Mersains, who had maintained
friendly relations with the brothers for
several years and who now hastened to
their assistance.
Look at this" said Maitre Velimay
to his partner one morning after a night
of strenuous investigation. Il have just
learned that this paper was taken from