The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-04-16

much precision, except that the count
looked younger and more robust than III
had pictured him, a handsome man, high
bred, composed and dignified, a gentleman
without fear and without reprOach,"
whatever he had done RaOul also was
the fair, steady eyed Frank, though slender
Of physique.
Old Auguste was, however, a surprise to
me, because my mental picture Of a French
maitre d'hOtel was based entirely on the
finished metropolitan sort, or Of the stage
ana movies, an upper servant Of the pol
ished sort, deferential, suaVe, a sort Of
domestic autOmattOn, usually with a bunch
Of side WhiSkers and perhaps a VinOus eye.
So / was scarcely prepared for the prOvin-
cial sort OF f~unctiOnary that Auguste
proved to be, skin like old saddle leather,
with a multitude Of fine lines that we're
not yet wrinkles, except for the crOW's-feet
at the corners Of his blue, frosty eyes,
a thatch Of hair ike an Aluetian islanders,
that grew down in front to a peak almost
in contact with the bushy grizzled eye
brOws that ran straight across his fore
mead without interruption and would have
furnished a creditable mustache for a Jap
anese war mask. Strong yellow teeth, some
OF which were lacking, face shaver, but a
day'o two late, so that the white sprOut-
ing hairs gave it an ashen-lOOk. Neat
ly dressed in a sort Of black brOadclOth,
too big for him, but with the inevitable
pique vest Of fine blue and yellow lines
and small fiat. highly polished brass but
tons, that he seemed to wear as insignia
Of office to place him as butler.
It struck me that there was still more
Of the trctic whaler than butler about the
old fellow, and I was no longer surprised
that he should have told his master to-
tell Miguel where he got off. / can mag
Inc him also as years before one Of the
brood Of a lighthouse keeper, Matched on
the rocks like a young cOrmOraRt or sour
Irying up such a spre as the Penmarch
light, at his fathers hOarse bidding to
polish the lenses or the outer windows on
the little gallery, a more fitting job for
! Auguste than the polishing Of the Dom
/ court knives and forks.
There we're not as many present to wit
ness the examination as in the Wharf
case. Held in camera unannOunced and the
mere reading of Jacques not admissible
evidence in itself unless followed by con-
I ~feSsiOn, no lawyers nor reporters were
admitted. There were only the local police
a rev from the grand prefecture, and two
or three distinguished psychologists.
Rather to my surprise, Jacques asked
1 first to examine RaOul. Following his usual
= technique, he seated himself opposite the
I young man and, with a murmur Of apology,
leaned forward and took his head between
! his hands, looking ~thOughtfully into the
? blue eyes, that met those Of Jacques IN
$ But at this moment an interruption Oc-
u CURED. Rather more than that, it was in
> the nature Of an Eruption. A woman
impassiOned voice outside the door de.
manded vehemently that she be admitted
The guard stationed there answered, III
a curt military tone, that it was impossible
lubIG came the cOuuu VI d SCulLACs Z
frenZied gurgle of rage. Somebody inside
shot the bolt OF the door
Jacques turned his head sharply. lie
her come 81"
His direction was silently Obeyed. Coren
tine burst into the room. She was still
beautiful woman, physically, but at thii
moment her features we're distorted will
rage and suspicion.
"Wha is all this p she stOrmed. "Havl
you brought that fraud Of an American
that chariatang ?"
jacques rose, turned, and faced her wit
a slight sardOnic bow. COrentine seemed
little staggered at the calm and elegan
individual with whom she found hersel
confronted. Always Immediately dressed
his type Of beauty, serapht
when a little boy, was now in ripe man
hood of the archangel sort, a Gabriel or
Saint Michael. It was, as I have sale be
fore, neither Of a virile nor an effeminat'
not yet a neutral sort; more like what on
might imagine Of some celestial vtsttan'
a Marian.
Corentine's eyes opened wide. Then sh
asked Sullenly. Have you examine him Z
"NO, madame. 1 was about to examin
the. mind Of Monsieur RaOul de Malarti
With your kind permission / shall pro
ceed."
Jacques resumed his position facin
RaOul lightly touching the sides Of Il
head with his spread fingers, beautiful
formed like the rest Of him.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, I
- said quietly: "This yOung man is absolute
"A ly innocent Of any greater crime than tn;
~ Of lying to save his friend. The mind
10 Monsieur de Malartic does not even knO
O. how Don Miguel met his death. It believe
y. however, that the Count de DOmcOurt
, story is truthful in every detail. But /
believes the count to be in grave danger
conviction for murder through the pal
testimony Of false witnesses. Such is Il
love borne the count and his daught
Annik by NJ. de Malartic that he prefers
go himself to the guillOtine rather tha
30 see these two suffer calamity. It is neet
" less for me TO read further"
COrentine sprang up, her face pale an
= fiercely triumphant. In her relief at tn
finding, she ignored what had been sa
of her method Of procuring witnesses.