Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-12
CHAPTER vi.
Helene Vauauier's Evidence.

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A nurse opened the door. Within
the room Helene Vauquier was lean
ing back in a chair. She looked i'll,
and her face was very white. On the
appearance of Hanaud, the Commits
saire, and the others, however, she
rose to her feet. Ricardo recognized
the justice Of Hanaud's description.
She stood before them a hard-fea-
tured, tall woman Of t%hirty-ive' or
forty. in a. neat. black stuff dress,
strong with the strength of a peas
ant, respectable, reliable. She looked
what she had been, the confidential
maid OF an elderly woman. On her
face there wa now an aspect of
eager appeal.
ooh, monsieur!" she began, ''let
me go from. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
prison, if you like. But to stay here
where in years past we were SO
happy-and with madame lying In
the room below. No, it is insup-
portable"
She sank into her chair, and
Hanaud came over to her side. =
Eyes. yes" he said. in a soothing
voice. II a understand your feel
ings. my DOR woman. We will not
keep you here. You have, perhaps.
friends in Ak with whom you could
stay?"
"oh, yes, monsieur" Helene cried
gratefully. "Oh. but I thank you!
That I should have to sleep here to-
night! Oh, how the fear Of that has
frightened me!n
"cYou need have had no such fear.
After all, we are not the visitors OF
last night" said Hanaud, drawing a
| rhojr' o11co fnt hor a nd rot}Sr~ har
hand alphabetically. Now I want
you to tell these gentlemen and my
self all o know of this dreadful
business: Take your time, MAIDEN
oiselle. We are human"
"But, monsieur, I known nothing
she cried. II was told that I might
go to bed As 500 as I had dressed
Mile. Celie for the seance."
A New Rebuff.
"Seance." cried Ricardo, startled
into speech. The picture Of the AS
sehsbly Hall at bennington was again
before his mind. But Hanaud turned
toward him, and, though Hanaud's
face retained it's benevolent expires,
sion, there was a glitter in his eye.
which sent the blood into Ricardos
face.
did you speak again. MI. Ri.
cardo?" the detective asked. mo;
/ thought it war not possible" He
turned to Helene vauquier. "Sc
Mile. CeHe practised seances. THAI
is very strange. We will hear from
them. Who knows what thread may
lead us to the TRUTH"
Helene yauquier shook her head.
Monsieur, it is not right that yor
should seek the truth from me. Fol
consider this! I cannot speak with
Justice Of Mile. Celie. No, I cannot!
I did not like her. I was Jealous
yes, jealous. Monsieur, you want the
truth hated her!" And the won.
ans face flushed and she clenched
her hand upon the arm OF her chair
I"Y9s,I hated her. How could l heir
tt?'' she asked.
"Why? asked Hanaud gently
"Why could you not help it?"
Helene Vauquier leaned back
again, her strength exhausted, and
smiled languidly.
II will tell you. But remember i
Is q woma speaking to you, ani
things which you will count sill,
There was one night last June-on,
" last June! To think OF It! So lit.
lite while ago there was no Mile
Ceiie and, as Hanaud raised hh
hand, she said hurriediy. "Yes, Yes
I will control myself. But to thinl
Of Mime. Dauvray now"
Tho Whole Story.
And thereupon heSblurted ont he,
the question which had 70 perplexel
| him-how q girl Of 30 much distinc,
ton as Celia Harland came to be liy'
Ing nth = uonn2n Of - common I