Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-03-28
She made an effort and whis-

She made an effort and whis-
pered:
eyes, yes. took a taxi and
drove about. | also walked a
little"
THAT is a fact which we can
easily verify when we have found
the driver of the taxi. Meanwhile,
there is an opportunity of remov-
ing the somewhat = grievous
impression which your silence has
left on u minds"
II am quite ready"
1T is this: the person or n of
the persons who took part in the
crime appears to have bitten into
an apple which was afterward
thrown away in the garden and
which has just been found. To
put an end to any suggestions
concerning yourself, we should
like you to perform the same ac-
ton"
"Oh, certainly" she cried, Gag
erly. eff this is all you need to
convince you--"
She took one of the three apples
which Desmalions handed her
from the dish and lifted it to her
mouth.
1t was a decisive act. If the two
marks resembled each other, the
proof existed. assured and 1nde-
niable.
Before completing her move4
ment, she stopped short, as though.
seized with a sudden fear.
Fear of what? Fear of the mon
strous chance that might be her
undoing? Or fear rather of the
dread weapon which she was
about to deliver against herself?
In any case nothing accused her
with greater directness than this
last hesitation, which was incom-
prehensible, if she was innocent,
but clear as day if she was guilty!
What are you afraid of, mad
ame?" asked M. Desmalions.
Nothing, nothing" she said,
shuddering. II don't know. & * y
| am afraid Of everything "
1t is all so horrible"
but, madame / assure you
that what we are asking of you
has no sort of Importance and, I
am persuaded, can only have a
fortunate result for you. If you
don't. mind, therefore,"
She raised her hand higher and
yet higher, with a slowness that
betrayed her uneasiness. And
really, IN the fashion in which
things we're happening, the scene
was marked by a certain solemnitv
and tragedy that wrung every
heart.
"And, if [ refuse?" she asked.
SUDDENLY.
You are absolutely entitled to
refuse said the project of police.
But is it worth while, madame?
| am sure that your counsel would
be the first to advise you-n
My co%unsel?" she stammered.
understanding the formidable
meaning conveyed by that reply.
And, suddenly, with a fierce re-
solve and the almost ferocious air
that comforts the face when great
dangers threaten, she made the
movement which they were press
ing her to make. She opened her
mouth. They saw the bleam of the
white teeth. At one bite, the white
teeth dug into the fruit.
There you are, monsieur" she
said.
M. Desmalions turned to the ex.
aiming magistrate.
Have you the apple found in
the gardenY"
"Here, Monsieur lie Prefet."
M. Desmalions put the two
apples side by side.
And those who crowded round
him, %anxiously looking on, all ut
tered one exclamation.
The two marks Of teeth were
identical.
Identical! Certainly, before de-
claring the identity Of every de-
tail, the absolute analogy Of the
marks of each tooth, they must
wait for the results of the ex.
pert's report. But there was one
thing which there was no mis-
taking and that was the complete
similarity of the two curves.
In either fruit the rounded arch
was bent according to the same in.
Election. The two semicircles could
have fitted one into the other. both
very narrow, both a little long
shaped and oval and of a re.
stricted radius which was the very
character of the jaw.
The men did not speak a word.
NJ. Desmalions raised his head.
Nine. Fauville did not move, stood
livid and mad with terror. R1t all