The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-09
TRUE--7T7F
by vsncs @Publie Ledge
The Secret of the Walnut
Closet

n AbAhE LIE FOLN EhE, meInDcf
lSl of the French nobility, was in
great dread-she felt instinctively that
the sword of death was hanging over
her head.
In her extremity she communicated
with Fouche, the French minister of
police. asking that he send one Of his
representatives TO her in order that
she might give him a startling piece
of information.
She laid stress on the fact that she
did lot want Fouche himself but one
Of his subordinates.
With characteristic perversity
Fouche went himself-but in disguise.
His own brother would not have
butler at the handsome ancestral man
sion on the Rue des Fosse-Saint-vic
tor, although the famous detective had
attended more than one reception
there.
There were two Madame de Pol
veres in the house-the young woman
and the dowager Of the same name.
He asked for the younger one, and
presently was greeted by rayishingly
beautiful woman.
After some hesitation she told the
detective that she was liz deadly fear
of being poisoned by her mother-in-
law.
She said she was the third wife of
the nobleman and that the other two
had died very mysteriously.
The elder Madame de PoIvere was
fearful that the family name might
become extinct.
When it became certain that the
first two wives would bring no heirs
to the nobleman they had languished
and died.
The narrator told the minister of
police that she had been married two
years now, and it was improbable that
she would have ally children.
The mother-in-law had commented
on this and thrown out ugly hints.
She had gone to the country and In
vited young Madame de Polvere to fol-
low her.
She was afraid to do so and in her
terror had sent for the detective.
Fouche listened TO this amazing
story and agreed to stay in the house
and see the adventure through.
That night the countess returned
home and was furious at the DISC
bedience Of her daughrer-in-law.
"a 70 hn
ders that she was not to be disturbed
under any circumstances.
Fouche felt that the solution of the
mystery would come before morning.
He managed TO get a room opposite
to that Of the elderly one and he
watched the door like a hawk.
An arrest could not be made on sus-
picion. He must have facts.
They came In the most unexpected
and convincing manner.
The countess had the great misfor-
tune-to herself-to be a sleepwalker.
About midnight the door of her
room opened and the countess came
out, clothed only in her nightdress and
slippers and carrying an unlighted
caLdle.
The police minister, who was in the
hall. crouched against the side of the
wall
The woman passed without seeing
him.
She walked up the staircase until
she came to the third floor. which con-
tanned the servants quarters.
Presently she reached a dingy pas
sage which led to an unfrequeLted
chamber.
She srealthily crossed the room.
brushed aside a great tapestry. reveal
ing walnut panel.
She touched a secret spring and the
door of a closet flew open, displaying
a row Of bottles containing poison.
Selecting one Of these, she placed
it in her nightdress and returned to
her room.
The next morning she was placed
under arrest and made an abject con-
fession.
The police minister reported the
case W llic cunpcIOIs WIN UcCIdE6u lIdI
such monstrous crime should not be
permitted to go unpublished.
But he wished very much to save
the honor Of the noble house.
How could justice be done without
casting lasting shame on an honored
name?
Leave IT to me. SIRE" said the re-
sourceful Fouche, "aLd I will guar
antee that justice will be done"
He arrested the countess for an al
legged political crime.
She was cast into prison for life
Her husband and son pleaded for
her. but when they learned the ma
ture Of her crime they broken-hearted-
~ left her TO her fate.
The fate she chose for herself-she
made the punishment fit the crime by
taking a dose of poison and dying in
great agony.