Year: 1866

|
of her secret lover, and had never seen
him. No; it is better as it is. am
ready to die. My secret to all save you
shall die with me. That you believe in
my innocence is the only comfort 1 have
left me.


Your unhappy friend,


ERNEsrINE'


''rhank God !" murmured the young
man, pressing the paper to his lips.
'Henceforth l will devote my life to
prove your nnoceuce to the world. God
grant that it may not be too late"


Late though it was, Bernard at once
repaired to the projects house, and after
some difficulty, procured admission. The
project, fortunately, was an old friend of
Bcrnards father, and it Was because of
this fact the young man was admitted at
SO late an hour


'But, my good FRIEND" said the old
man, after patiently listening to all he
had to say, "beieve me, it is useless
task there is no doubt that the young
woman is guilty either as principal or as
an accomplicc Still, as you so earnestly
wish it, you shall be permitted to search
the apartments OF the murdered lady.
And now, good night" he added with a
smile, sand let me hear the result of your
Investigations.


Early the next morning, Bernard,
accompanied by a gepdarme, repaired to
the baroness house. Everything lay
exactly as it had been left on the fatal
morning for the house had been and
was still in the custody of the police.
Not drawer nor cupboard escaped Ber-
nard's notice. There was no vo,t nee
visible on the windows, as if forcible ad-
mission had been gained from the out
side. Nothing, in fact, presented itself
which gave the least clue to the mystery


The search had now occupied several
hours, and Bernard felt that it was useless
to remain there longer. With sad and
heavy heart, therefore, he proceeded to
leave the apartment. But in passing out
into the entry, which was quite dark, his
foot struck against something, which, ON
taking it up, proved to be a hat
Thinking il belonged to the baron, he was
about to hang it up with others on the
peg from whicn lie supposed it to have
fallen.


''rhat hat, monsieur, if you please,
do not remember to have seen before. 1t
is strange" remarked the gendarme, as
he compared the hat in question with the
others that hung up in the entry sit is
larger and of II different shape to them" e"


''Let me have it, my good friend;
will show it to the prisoner. If it should
chance to belong to the secret lover of the
murdered lady!' thought Bernard to
himself, as he hurriedly drove to the
prison.


Ernestine was anxiously waiting to see
her friend, for he had promised to visit
her that day again, and she wished to
learn from his lips whether he still believ-
cd in her innocence.


''Do you know this hat, Enestine ?"
said Bernard, on entering the cell


THAT hat-good heavens 1T is the
very hat which the baron had on the
night he left Paris" said Ernestine in an
excited manner.


impossible! We compared it with
the other hats and this is much larger.
l believe it belonged to the burure,s' low
cr-"


"No-no-a thousand times not is
the baron's; he bought it the very day
he left. 1t was too large for him, and
he asked me TO put some wadding under
the lining for him; see if it be not
there"


"But, Ernestine, it must be fancy on
your part-that hat never belonged TO
the baron. But-stay--you are right"
added Bernard, as on turning up the
lining the wadding fell out, and with it
piece Of paper which had been used TO
add a little TO its thickness. It was a
bill written by the landlord of the hotel
at Strasburg, made out in the baron's
name, for weeks beard and lodging.
1t was dated April Just fourteen days
after his departure from Paris.


Ernestine and Bernard looked at each
other for few moments in silence. as
strange thoughts passed through the mind
Of either.


That it was the barUn's hat was now
proved-but how did it come there p
was he the murderer


Ernest;ne turned deadly pale.


do you suppose that the baron"
she gasped.


''ls The murderer p added Bernard,
finishing the sentence. "Yes, do. But
will go 1t once TO the prefect"


For the first time since her condetnna-
tion a faint ray of hope was kindled in
Ernesiinc's heart. The sight of Bernard,
her old friend in happier days, had in
deed excited a wish to live in her young
breast.


''IIow thankful am did not say
anything at the trial. The good God
will protect met


Bernard now hastened to the home of
the prefect.


swell, and what did you find 7" asked
the old man, smiling sadly at bis young
friend, who rushed into the room without
waiting to be announced.


''Be good enough to examine this hat
sa,I Hernar,I M ha handad n IN him