The Elbert County tribune., 1916-05-05
HIN. EGBERT
tcOPYRioHT 1919
CHAPMAN
ILLU STRATIoNS BY

tnlrty years and are certainly not In
my safe.
"She alleged that she had lost the
key. Resolved to bring her to justice.
told her to return today, when a du-
plicate key would be made and the
safe opened. Then. | said. playing up
on her greed. / 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
womans record" Magniff continued.
Il 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 flew to-
! gether in an aeroplane at an aviation
meeting. Subsequently the traitor took
her into Westminster abbey at the
time of the coronation, ostenslbly as
his wife.
THE most damaging feature. how
ever. In my opinion, is"
Pardon. monsieur. you may not
draw inferences." intorposed the mag
istrate suavely. THAT is my province,
though doubtless"-he smiled know
ingly-"your inferences and mine will
coincide in SO clear a case OF guilt"
Il furthermore submit" Magniff con-
tinued, that this woman has stayed
at Clichy. the home of the male pris-
oner. during the last two weeks. and
is doubtless thoroughly conversant
with his plans. On board the ship.
and subsequently, while visiting the
Louvre. osteEsibly for the study of
art, she was seen In the company of
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-
sponeible 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. l 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 1t, was the stolen doc
ument. l knew 1t was there: l suf-
fered this woman to remove 1t. and
she was Immediately arrested. She
trembled and betrayed every evidence
of guilt"
you may go. monsieur" said the
magistrate. bowling to Magniff I'm
mediately the two officials were called
and gave formal evidence concerning
sshe events of the afternoon.
Have you any rejoinder to make p
demanded the magistrate, scowling al
me.
II think, monsieur. that have made
you rejoinder already" ! observed
mockingly.
Il have no more to say to you. But
to this gentleman" continued. turn
ing to the major, II beg to announce
that l am completely innocent. l dc
not know" l continued, with increas
ing agitation which. in spite of al
my efforts, was not able wholly to
conceal. Il do not quite know wha
depths OF villainy have been sounded
in this Infamous conspiracy agains
the Chevalier DIVES and myself. Blu
he is innocent. and pursued by tina
rogue and his scheming son to furthel
their hateful designs against Clichy
which they hope to snatch out of m!
grandfather's possession"
"The prisoner. In response, allege,
conspiracy to obtain title to land.
murmured the magistrate, jottin,
down few words upon his pad
my principal female witness will
arrive tomorrow morning." interpose'
Magnin. when l hope to be able t,
, place you in possession of the remain
ing facts
"Remanded in bail of the amount o
one hundred thousand francs," sal,
the functionary. Remove the pris
oner." He leaned over his bench, an,
! shook his finger at me. Once NOR,
, l counsel you," he roared: make
clean breast of the whole affair an,
throw yourself upon the mercy of th
court"
The officer of the fortress inter
posed. turning his back upon NJ. Pl
chon contemptuously, and touched mi
on the arm. | placed my hand in his
and he conducted me from the cour
room. When we had reached my room
he stopped and said. admiringly:
"Mademoiselle. you are so brave
quite believe you guilty"
You did not before?" asked smil
ing.
Before" he answered. "the charg,
seemed incredible Why. you shoul'
have been across the frontier instant