Year: 1861



 eyes intently fixed on the operations of NJ. Au- guste. He quickly became aware that l W s watching him, and shrank back out of ight, but not before I had observed his face. I have seen it again this mornng-t is that of Antoine the hostler'

 That is truly an important discovery the sub-agent observed.

 But this is not all. Last night I heard a groan form the chamber adjoining mine. The discovery of this morning. considered with these others of which have been telling you, leads me to believe that this was the death groan of M. Auguste Lemare. In any event, you can draw your own differences. 1t is fact that the unfortunate man retired to bed in this next chamber. Whether or not he ever left it alive IS question which in my mind admits of little doubt

 Do you really mean to say that your belief IS that NJ. Lemare was murdered under tkis roof ?

 I am positive of it, and not only he, but each of the other victims. And I am also induced to believe that every oue of these midnight as sassnations has been committed in the aGjoin- ing chamber,

 I have no doubt that you have arrived at the truth the sub-agent replied. And now, what do you propose to do first ? Would it not be better to arrest this inn-keeper and his hostler at once ?

 By DO means M Bsrrett. think that that would be an extremely iujudieious step. What l have been telling you are only conjectures of every particular, would, greatly fear, avail little as proof to charge the vllainous inn-keeper and his servant (who, beyond all question are the crlniinals) with these crimes. There is now one decisive step to be taken propose to pass the nigilt m this mysterious chamber

 Monsieur Be!ret heard my quietly spoken words, and looked perfectly asiast with aston ishlnent.

 What Gui!liot! are you mad 9 he exclaimed Pass the night in that internal slaughter house? :? Why, are you tired of life? Consider the dan ger of the thing, and the great loss to the ser vice which your death would occasion

 The earnest anxiety with which this last re- monstrance was uttered was se perfectly ludi- crous that l refr:sincd with difficulty from laugh ing outright. But soon succeeded in silencing his objections, if not in satisfying his scruples.

 1ou have l believe l then remarked, a considerable amount of money with you

 Yes. Aion Dieu! had this rascal!y landlord known it last night, might now be as cold as poor Lemare {. Can it answer you any purpose 2?

 A very important one. Lend me your pock et-book

 Still holding it in my hand. I descended the stairs, the sub-agent closely following me- The inn-keeper was sitting behind his bar, seeming ly half asleep and half awake but the instant he saw the pocket book, his dull eyes lighted up with an eager gleanl, and watched lily motions with strict attention.

 The amount is correct 1 said aloud to M Berret. Two thousand francs-this then. dis charges the debt Then walking up to the bar said to the is:nEeercr:-' The room which you T. H., have you not 6 larger one where l can iolge? ?

 les Monsieur the man replied, with re- markaLle aIac,ity, I Ishould have spoken of ii myself. There is large and pleasant chamber next 10 the one in which you slept last night do me the favor to occupy it as long as you please

 You had better decline it before it is too late,' N. Berret whispered in my ear. ] fear you will not occupy it for more than one nj ght. If you do you will accomplish what no persons has yet done.'

 Show me the room. I calmly replied paying no attention to the anxious whisper of the sub agent.

 There seemed nothing remarkable about the room when we first entered it. It was trifle larger than the other chambers of the house, and the furniture was of more antique pattern, especially the high posted bedstead

 l think this will answer said, after survey ing the apartment and its belongings.

 Will you lodge here tonight, then mon sierr?'

 Certainly. The room ruits me in every par ticuar.'

 If the dark. browed host had entertained any suspicious of my intentions, they were certainly by this time entirely dsspated; and he left the room, have no doubt, gratifed in the depths of his black heart that another victim was to fall so easily into his trap.

 You are determined on this step, perceive M Berret remarked after he had gone. We'll will not attempt to dissuade you, since 1 know you connot be moved but promise you should you be missing in the morning, l will burn the old rookery to the ground and hang the villain ous inn-keeper upon his sign-post, so surely as shall myself live till then.'

 Take whatever steps you please when you find me missing, NJ. Berret until then leave the matter in my hands, But there is one material service which you must not fail to render me. You will if you please, conceal yourself, with this. which 1 occupied last night and there await my signal. When you hear from me. you will instantly rush in and assist me to secure whoever you may fnd.'

 These arrangements were, at the proper time, put fully into operation, As evening drew on, l saw that the sub-agent and his allies were properly secreted and, first enjoining vigilance upon them. I entered the mysterious and fatal guest-chamber. The lamp which l carried, served to reveal every part of it, and quickly became aware that there was nothing unusual about the appearance of the room. It was very mnch such bedchamber as might be met with in almost every village inn. Nevertheless, l re- solved to put no faith in appearances, and i'm mediatcly commenced systematic e1amina- ton. searched everywhere-un the bed, in the closet and behind the wind w-curtains-but my search revealed nothing. It was certain that no one was concealed in the room, and there as certainly, seemed no place of ingress, save the door. l was beginning to become anxious. I reflected that the danger might come upon me unexpectedly. and from an unexpected source. sat down, and for an hour ] waited-waited in restless expectancy for the appearance of the assassin-but still 1 waited in vain. Looking at my watch, 1 perceived 1t was nearly mid night. My unaccustomed vigil had wearied me, and placing my pistols beneath my pillow, laid down on my bed without removing my clothes. was not long in discovering that this bed was of somewhat singular construction- the formation of the top being rather concave than otherwise. and so adjusted that the occu- pant could not possibly rest in it in any other way than upon his back in the middle Cpou lis back That seemed rather sim gular discovery to make just at that moment Had not every one of the murdered men been stabbed through the back? Yes, and each one of them must have received his death-wound while lying in this very bed, just as T. -click-click!

 Three sharp, distinct sounds apparently close at hand, interrupted my reflections. l knew their meaning in an instant-those sounds need