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ILLE, S. C., TONE erely wate?B Into ice tak. of water Is ncftlo. ~4 ozen, in tr they exis^Ha "'1 phjjnomenir are exliibi* ?n iiitc ICO to It slio fact sli< sijrlit of, that any <rov? for the rich, while the I t that could he concci to hear hard upon tiie p reason wo intend to have rial prosper * of our (' nt our per 4 ''o hav" pie plenty of nuuv-. plentv sC., .-C as in prolila .she<l itni 'I i uenty of they eo. res till or oni^ *s> It CRKW. 'ill The nov? "or "er 111 elderly person, -turned of sty, ni. whose nppearanrft loudly proclaimed hat fief. Kmall,.mt"n>jre, and slightly bentbe leant with t?<?.>lonjr, nervous hands, rossed upon a namhoo cane, w'uh a car*d ivory fop. I lis round, unmeaning visat^wa-1 remarkable only for an expression of. nid astonishment. ITis oheeks ami ohin^ere closely shaven ; and his nose, which ^is u lrigiiuut pug. seemed t<> lie continual! snirtinir the ;iir. His small eyes made tip it- their deficiency in size by their perptttul movement?they were never still forjfc moment ; while his hair, which thatchedmt thinly a skull that set you in mind oflhat of a greyhound, in no wis** interfered with a j>iiir of lone ears, which stood bollv out from his head, Jts if they had been .ie winga which adorned the cap of Mercur. He was eoirovtablv dressed in a suit of good broadclcit, wore cotton gloves a little too large foruim, and gaiters a little trio umall. A ver massive gold chain, iti the extreme of -ad taste, went three times round his le.i neck, and descended in a cascade to h: waistcoat pocket. Daddy Taaret, otherwise Oil Corkscrew, plopped abxptly on the threshold of the doorTg:?-e 0! fhar?\ quick glance at the magistrate,4^ lov tvd hieyelids, and Fnid. in a ice of deferential politeness, " Vou havtione me the honor of sending for rue." "Yes," iswejvd Monsieur Pal won, liowing h'eturn to the other's salutation, which wn-f such a respectful nature that it nearly <ised him to go ou all-fours. "If I i be of any use to you," continu ed the o!?ian, " I shall be only too hap py". " 1 (ill lie 01 very (jreiu wrviiT iu us, Monsierinbaret," sai?l the magistrate, '-if you an in finding1 out soma due that will :?1 ilc ?js to track the assassin ; for 1 inn,wn to you that we all seem to he on 'he on;.' scent. If you will take a chair, I v have the whole business ex plained to n as far as we have rone." **Oh, I k\v enough of it already," inter rupted Olcjilisfr-'W. T.eeo(j <jave me the details as vanie alomr." 44 Dot sti " insinuated the magistrate. 44 Leave to me, sir?h-ave it to me. I like to truto my own first impressions, unbiassed the ob--various of others, however v;tb!? th<-\ may he : because you pee, pi He.-pi: e on: ><*lves, we cannot help bw'mir uenc"<l by thein. Hut 1 fear T'm wastinpne, so, if you will allow me, 1 will conime at once my researches with Lee.)." Aim as i wilt* oki gejmeman sjmae, hi- small gi>yes brightened and trleiim ed till thevono like sparks of fire : his who'e I'hysi omy reflected a sort of in? terior joy, athere was a laugh in every nied to grow tnller?young er, even ; and it was with almost a linoyant step that he crossed the room and entered with eager |>m:i|>i fancy the second cham ber. il* stayed there some half an hour at le.-ist, then came running out as quickly as he had entere-1 ; ru.-hed back again?re turned, but only to vanish again and again as quickly. The magistrate, M. Paburon, could not divest himself of the notion that in this strange old man's every motion and look mere was ?i siaruiug i wmuiiuite iu a uvj; who searches a scent. The upturned nose and trembling nostrils appeared to seek in th? air itst-lf some subtle emanation of the assassin impalpable to others, while in liis quick comings and goings, his restless movings to and fro. he gesticulated and spoke aloud, apostrophising himself, heap ing abuse upon his own stupidity, or, by little exclamations of approbation and tri umph, appearing t<> encourage himself to a mote energetic search. II s activity was incessant, and his friend and admirer, Lecoq, was not left for one moment in peace. Daddy Tabnret required this. Dad dy Tabaret required t'(1at. Now it was pa !>er an<l a pencil, then it was a spade ; next le shouted for some wet clay, some plaster, water, and, last of all. a bottle of oil. More than an hour having passed in this manner, the magistrate began to grow im patient, and demanded of the brigadier what had become of their amateur deteo " He's in the road," replied the brigadier, with a prin. 44 When I last Paw him, he was lyinjr down in !>*? mud on his stomach, and inixins* up plaster in a plate. He told me to say lie had nearly finished, and would be at your disposition in a moment." The words were scarcely out of the gen darme's mouth, when Daddy Tabaret ap peared, joyous, radiant, triumphant; look ing positively younger by twenty ven'-s. At his heel?, close a< his shadow, follow ed L ecoq, oBrrymir with the frrea'est pre caution a larg-e 1>n?k"t. " I've fot it !" cried the old ^enMemrvn. as he advanced briskly towards Monsieur Daburon. " I've drawn the cork, though it's the very tiprh'est I've ever wormed the screw into. Lecoq, my pood yonnsr man, pnt. that baske* down upon the table ; hut pen fly?pentlv ! One ronph sh;ik*>, and I shall have all my work to do over aeain." At fhi? interesting moment, Gevrol also re-e'it^r-'l the room. TT? had re'nrned from his exn?*d?'i<>n ahnost as triumphant as Oi l Corkscrew him-'-lf. "I've mTvV"'l 1 ?' 'he chnp wHh the enrnncrs." ho ?. !;" a b^au'lf"! ''-ail to fol'ow. Th>' ! '?- down the river, or*/? TS?rt ?/,* *?*-k . ? rtf ito """ 1,1 ; n" "1"i .10 " Nnw, T .V' r,?f, J am anxious to h'Hvc? youv r'>'-"V\" -:? ?! *' ?> m:i"istrate. All ??yi>? scvc now 1urnn'l on Old ("Virk dcrew. and ovc-v car rir'ck'"! -m to catch wry word !li:? tniirbt f ill from hi* oracu lar mnuth. TT" hsvl :iWa<lv oiimfwl out upon th?? taMo fn>? of the l>:><ket? viz,, ? la'-ffo clo'l of day, >?vf?-al lanr? ^hoo's of p-qiov. and *hm* or f hit pieces of |>];tst??p. ?!'il wpf. Standing nppjfht ltef?>n? jp turtle, the queer old sjenlleman lolled doubly gro tesque, and tl??? eccentricity of his appear ance was no? lessened from the fact that he was covered with mud from his toes to his chin. With the air r>f a lecturer, and amids* the deepest ??1-Mire, he commenced, in a tone who-"* studied inod?<ty could not alt' srether hide the pride that possessed him :? " My fi,-st discov^rv. jrentlemen. is this : that rol>li?>rv has had nothing to do with the crimo in question, and 'hat we shall find there exist private and far more terrible motives that have ]<>d to the murder of the unfortunate Widow L-.TOii^e." CHAPTRR V. OX TIIK TRAIT.. u Yes," continued Daddy Taha ret, in a tone of conviction 'hat evidently impressed h:s hearers, '' this has heen no common nwfitl purpose. h:i? 1 impelled l>v some pecM and fearful de'ermination, that has mad"1 fill otluT thoughts subservient to it. I will prove this to yon by tho evidence, mid afterwards if y>n will allow me, I will pive von my hnnible opinion as to the prob able motive of the crime." fievrol prlanced at the magistrate, to see the eff?fit Old Corkscrew was having upon him ; but, observing the fixed and at tentive expre^Mjon of hi.1* fnce, he checked tho sneer that he wa? preparing, and con led.hinis""' by ? va\ >'"* V avv ; t\ic Mai iiirs our wi?|? ill.I "''.M-'-t til.I Ml- -|,M J'"\ n-st \ V(i V"nr widow ;?,r; shoul'l-ft a? fxpiifd, aii-ji. ' ,.,i. >icknc?, In... ca^ ' ? f )!lv. !lie otlif.?, c iWai!.-," rn;jnnur(?<l tlin . ,*|- voir; \\ lie- of I"'!' w: * just the ^,e corner of his Hill I 1 v p:iMV miiM i'ai'l-i < !' tin* ? p!isily authenticated," said :i> U| tln-v will vci,p'l detective; " Kxuiniue J'',1" t?-i\ an-1 will (Ik- oM hiph wrtf iiioim v one of those that j*o from am j,-' hours at a time; but, j . : .'lies o, <\ one thin^ is posi- j :>?thai ;1ih widow *vas wiiidinsr it up be fore ?oin<r to bod. How, then, is it that this ! | dock phould have stopped at five oWvk ? ! Because she had just commenced t > draw ! | the weiphts up when th? knock came ; and ! to support the assertion. let draw your | " : l .. iL. .1 ,_1. 1 HUemioii id mis fii.-iir iiiki't uic cuii ii, uiiu i to the footprints upon its cover. Now look ! at the costume of the victim. The body of her dress has been taken off. and, in her I hurry 1o open the door, she hud thrown this i old shawl around her shoulders." " Well, 1 never !" exclaimed the brigadier, evidently much struck. "The widow," continued Old Corkscrew, " recognized the knock. Her hurry in opening- the door made me at first suspect this. What follows pv ves it. Thus the murderer was admitted ithout the slight est demur, and must have bpen already known to his victim. He is a man still | young', a little above th?* middle height, and | elegantly dressed. He wore on the even ing in question, a hat, and not a cap. He had an umbivlla, and was smoking a Tra ! burets cigar with a mouthpiece." "Oh, come, draw it mild !" cried Gevrol, j unable to restrain his filings any longer. I 441 can swallow a great d" tl, but this is too i much." I "loo much, nr too little, retorted Did i Corkscrew, " it's the truth. If yon are not | ! as minute and careful as I am. t'nat's your | j fault, not mine. I seek, nn<l I find. Too j i much, is it 1 Well, just come here, and, if i j you will 1><; so condc.-cendinp', glance at j these pieces of wet phister. l'hey j'epre- ! i sent the hoot-heels of the assassin, of J which 1 found two mapiilicent impressions 1 near the ditch where the key wjis found, i I'pon these sheets of paper i lmve traced 1 the entire footprint, which, bein?r upon ! sand, I could not succeed otherwise in hriu^iufT away, L iok ! Hisjh heel, arched iu-tep, foot little and narrow?an elegant ho.it, you must own. Vou will find this fool -tej) twice repeated on the road, and j tiv times in the fjarden?which proves, by the way, 'hat the wearer of the hoot had j knocked, not at the door, but. at the ' shutter of the window, through the chin's of which he must have seen a liir'ut. At the entrance of the ?.ar deti our man made a jump to avoid stepping upon a llowur-bed. as the point of tie' hoot, son!; deep in the soil, sufficiently 1 betrays. Tims he cleared. with a! :-ai-.-ii* 1 v ! lit tit* exertion. :i distance of neatly two vards. This show.- liim 1o ami sn|>j ! ?therefore. a yoiinjf niiUi." Old <' .rksrrew spoke in >!iril! tones, j inctallic and cutting as n razoj, and his [ rastless nes wandered incessantly from ' one to the other of his auditors, watching their impressions. u Is it my remark about the hat that has astonished you, Monsieur (ievrol ?" pursued Tabaret. "Examine the perfect circle left upon the dusty marble slab of the old writ ing-desk. Is it because I have tixed on the height of the individual in question ? Be so pood as to look at the top of those oak presses, and you will j^nreive that hands have passed over them, as if in search of sontethiutr. Don't tell me that he stood on ? c'i.til-, for in that ea??? he could have seen without Mm: obliged to feel. Are you s.M-j.tii-il tli<> umbrella ? This clod of earth contains an admirable imprint not only of tii" 'op but of tii? round piece of wood that holds Die .-ilk. Is it the cifjar hut annoys you ? Here is the end of the Tral'iiros. which I picked out of the cin ders. II :s tin- extremity been bitten, or is it with saliva ? No. Therefore the p< . .' ho smoked it must have used a til'*1. I, ?) I'tide ivored, but with very small sticc's-', to conceal his enthusiastic admira tion of his old friend : and, in order to re press any outward sijjns of approval, r"V bed his hands softly together, as though he 'viT.' "oinLr throiurh the process of washing them. Th* ' ornnii<?nry of police seemed sttipi tifil : the mii?rislrate looked delighted ; wliil- (icvrol'- face, on the contrary, grew longer and longer. As for the brigadier of gendarmerie, he mpj<?*:ireel to be in the seventh heaven of enjoyment. " Now," continued the old gentlemen, prav give tue your most earnest, attention. We have come to the point where the young man has entered the cottage. How he ac counted for his presence at eolate an hour, of course, I cannot tell ; but one thing is very certain, he told the Widow Lerouge that he hadn't dined. The worthy woman immediately sot abou* preparing1 a repast ?a repast in which she herself did not join, because in the cuphoard there are still the remains of her dinner, and you will perceive plxtes are not laid for two." Here Ohl Corkscrew paused, elevated his inquisitive nose in the air, mid, with twink ling eyes, surveyed the assembled com pany. Never was a man more delighted with his audi"nee. All w?re deeply inter ested in the marvellous exposition of cause and effect. Attention was upon every countenance ; and even those who had been prepared to scoff, not only grave up such absurb expectation, l>nt were. if possible, more eagerly curiou* than the rest. The cunnirnr old ferret had produced his 1 effect. His pans* was th?? pause of the popular speaker or the favorite actor, who, having "struck lire" 1>y some plowing phrase or well-turned fiit of " sensation," wait" 'Dili* the exci'-nvnt ha* just a litlle cooled before lie electrifies tliem with his ! next. A murmur of impatience from every j side, and I>add\ Tali.ire}, after sniffing ! miM'- nt 'i iiiiiiiwcj \ ci v n riiittiii^ 10 mu nerves. wt'rit on. "We now Approach the j^reat question of qufl!?tinns?who was thL* voirntr man ? It is evident tluit the wi.low considered his portion in society to he much above her own. In the cni?poard there is a taVile cloth, hardly at a!! ; lint instead of making use of it, sh" hrinirs ont a clean one. and d"<*id'dlv on" of hor l>est. This sph?ndi'l no' l"t of en' was, of course, in'ewh"! for him, awl <i>--|?lay??l in honor of his comin-r. Awl. h-tlv. I think, it is prol> able she seldom use of this hand some ivory-handled U* "S-." ' All !hi< is very x.icl," murmured the masri^'ra't* " v?*ry "\act." ' TJchohl, then, our voiviir mtm seated at table. !{ l.e-_?an l>y drinking n srlass of wine while the widow prepared the ham and e<r<jfs, awl placed the frying-pan on the tire. 1 lion, m* h?-:irt tailm? nun. he asked for brandy, and drank risrht off about four or tiv<* lupitur glasses. After an inward Bti-iiir<rl?' of, h?t lis say. about ten minutes? it must havo tak*n about that time to have cook-'d the hain an'l o>rjrs to tii? decree that we now se.? them?the young1 man rose, j approached th<* widow, who must have I bf?*n <>n h?*r knocs <>r bont ov<t the tire, and stabbed her twi<*? in tin* back. Death was not instantaneous. She half rose, and clun<r 1o th<> hands of Ihe assassin, while t- 1 . .1 1 I I. I ..1 ii*% MJirimjf iiimm u.ivt: her suddenly forward-, ;in?l then thrown her on her fare in the position th;it we find hoc at present. This brief struggle is indi cated l?y tli" posture of the corpse. IJent forwanis and -"truck in the back, it is upon the hack she should have fallen. The in strument *h" murderer used for his pur pose was :t sharp and pointed one. Tliis instrument, if I hiii not greatly in eiTor, was a foil with the button taken off, ami afterwards sharpened. He has left us an indication of this in wipnij; the weapon tmmt (* 11i?*?"> ' "f ' ' ' \-> dmr L ] V his energy, ?...1 liir* fist at the ***" '.body ventured t.) hr/.ard "T. p-iMii'rti'k, InO'lfiii eii his throat Hiitl w?',it ?.n. " Wi at the younir jT"i;tleinan want-d, what he sought for. v. ha: hi determin I 'o havi'. were papers- family papers ? wljieh In- knew In hi' i:: the possession of the willow. To lieeome master of the!"? he in Bpects everything ? empties thn oaken presses, unfolds the linen, smashes the old writing-desk, of which he cannot jret the key, and rips open tlie mattress. At last success crowns his effort*?lie find? what he seeks. And do you know what he does wish these papers ? He hums them. Not i!i me nn?|?i:ir?\ uiu m im? nun? mdvk hi iiiw front room. The end he had in view being' now accomplished, what is his next move? T<i fly from the scene of his crime, ami in tttkinir with liini every object of value en deavor to put justice off the scent by indi cating robbery as the motive of the murder. II > v!:i_' mad a collection of every portable sir:! !< lie can put Iiis band on, lie makes a bundle of them in the table-napkin intend ed f"i his use at dinner, blows out the can die. -hut.- ami locks tin; door hohind him, thr ~y - ?!;< ley into the ditch l>y tli:* road t-ide, ami then?ami lion, gentlemen? that's nil !" So Kayinjj. M >nsi?mr Tahtiref, with h phr?i;r. ;?t>: i ] ly suicided into a chair, and \v:ji?-'i !:i-l with an old red .-ilk pociii'i-haudkerehie f. * 1"11'>s: my w<?rd. Mou-ietir Tabaret." said the magistral--, "I must compliment you npMii y.iur in-1!t"r> into this business. In fart, from its 'x-ii.fr s-; dear, so precise, and ho proba'ile. I am imlined to think that y<>ii are on the trai.i " "Hurrah! Pldn't 1 *;;:y so?" cried Lecoq. Hjirinj^in^ from hi- chair, an 1 forgetfnl for a moment of the pies* :uv nf M ?:.~i?-1:? Da liitro'i. ?! i;i|tii!^- iii? i liii.in hi.- enthii-i-ism. ' I'l lirt ! sav li> "ii 'ir.ia tti>? cork, it anyone c ..i! :r '"i i's" h::ill lit-viol, with ill-concealed irony; '!faddy Calrinl Itri.< certainly an in ventive : ??] :y. lh;il, it -mIi:va.?d, wo i!d PimTjo ih? fortune of a novelist. Hnl T'iii n little d< u>>iS'i:1 al?>iii tl .:t j-s?r?-?-l?.1* piods lie spoke of ji'.-t now. Fancy a yomiir swell Wii!U:n,' h1 M?nt witii a i<<:ti?! 1 * t*iivi-l-?j ?I in a lah!1-napkin, a.- if lie were talking his own linen to tla* wa.-ili!" "1 can't fancy it at nil," returned O'.il Corkscrew, quietly. "You wil! apee with me, 1 mi]>|M.se, that In; wonl'ln't h.ive lieen t-o idiotic sip? to have taken the omnibus at Marl;, !" ' Of course nnl," acquiesced flevtol. "Now, my impression is thai li" went on foot l>y the short cut to the luuiks of the Seine, and there?unless lie has over IliaiClieil III" III mill K.lllir.j mi-al together?that h.?got rid of 1>is suspicions looking and troublesome handle by throw ing it into the river." "Do you think no, Daddy Tabaret?" asked Gevrol, reflectively. "Think so! I'll bet yon anything you like upon it; and the proof is, I have sent thieemen under the direction of a gen darme, to drag the river at the spot I have ! indicated. If they find the handle they i shall be handsomely rewarded, I can tell i yon." "You don't mean to say you're goinjj to j eti.nd the damage on your own account /" I "Yes, Monsieur Gevrol; I ahull pay the i reward from my own purse, and for my owu satisfaction," said the old enthusiast, | "It would indeed boa lucky chance if they found the but die," commenced the J magistrate; but before he had finished | \vh:.t he was about to nay, a {gendarme en J tered thu room, and placed ihe very bundle t in question upon the table. i It was dripping with water, and contahi cd plate, money, and some jewelry. I "One hundred francs was the reward I promised," said the ^-ndarme, as, with a military salute, he dropped the clnikii'^ trophy on the table. Daddy Tabaret, with nn air of intense patisfaction, drew from hi? pocket a bulky r.nd somewhat gTeasy pocket-book, from which he extracted a bank-note, and handed it to the jrendarme; then, after annihilati.ig' Gevrol with a look of triumph impossible to j describe, he turned to Monsieur Daburon. J "Now, sir, will you permit me to ask i vonr opinion?" j "Well, really," said the gentleman ad ! dressed, with difficulty repressing a smile at the grand air of the little old man, "your powers of penetration are bo extraordinary i that " I But here again, before he could complete j his sentence, the doctor who had lieen sum j tnoned to make the poxt vwrtem examina tion presented himself. He simply eonfiimed the assertions and j the conjectures of Monsieur Tabaret. He agreed with hint in his opinion that there ! hail been a struggle previous to the fact, I which accounted for the position in which the body had been found; and as a con firmation of this, he nointod out a bluish I circle l'uintly visible round the throat of the ; victim! as though produced by compres j ei*>n; and lastly, he stated that the Widow Uid.par'uken of food about thnjg death. j^B^^^^mained only a few odds and V. evidence to be collected, which might be of line at a later period in con victing the murderer. Old Oorkscivw, with the most extreme care, again examined the finger-nails of the de:i<l woman, and with the most infinite ]>a ucuce miiwci leu m HXiraciinfj irom oe neath tln'in tin; few atoms of the kill (jlove he l?:id spoken of. Irifinitesimallv small us these atoms were, yet the color of the trlove was still easily to he distinguished. He also put aside the pieces of petticoat upon which tlie assassin had wiped his da;r d'-r. These, with the handle which had I teen found in the Seine, and the divers foot-prints extracted l>y the old man, v.ere the only traces left by the murderer. Slight material enough; but slight as it may appear to us, in the eyes of Monsieur Dabnrou it was of very {Treat imjiortanc.e, and his spirits rose with his hopes. Th?* rock that the police in general split upon in crimes of a complex and mysteri ous nature is an error as to the motive of the act. Once they s .irt on A false scont, they further and f ''ther from the truth, in proportion to the aidor with which they pursue their investie ions; but in the pre sent case, thanks to Daddy Tabaret, the nufS'istrate was nearly certain that he was on the right track. CHAPTER VI. AN IDKA STKIKKS OI.D CORKSCItKW. Nijfht had come. For the time heing, the magistrate had nothing morn to do at La Jonohere. fievrol, I wlic was burning with impatience to bo af ter the man with the earrings, declar ed ii:s intention of taking up his quarters at 15<n:jriv?I, and to spend the rest of his evening in ferreting about the wine-shops, and hunt up. if possible, new witnesses. At the moment of starting1, when the commissary of police and the rest had taken leave of him, Monsieur Dalniron proposed that Daddy Tabaret and he should jetiirn to l'uris lOijeth'T. "1 was just about to solvit that honor," said the ( Id man, bowing; and as they valki-d id" by *?ide, the newly-discovered <*i Mm* licatue the subjec' of th"ir converea tion. It was arranged that Old Corkscrew should on the morrow take n]> his >i!:it Bougival, and make secret ami searching inquiries everywhere in its n?*i?rlil?orlio???i; while Monsieur I Jabtiron was to keep the old gyitlemati well posted with such intel ligence, as his agents mi^h' concern ing the past life and conduct of the unfortu nate Widow Leronge. "In conclusion, Monsieur 'Tabard," said the magistral-', throwing off for the mom lit all official reserve, "I am at all times visible to you. Should yon have occasion to speak to me, do not hesitate about the place or Hie hour; night or day, it is the same to me. I go abroad but rarely, and you will find me always either at my own house in the Rue de Seine, 01* in my own priv. te of fice at the court, and 1 will give outers fur jour immediate admis-ion at whatever tim* yon may present yourself." i liiev were v.. nie rauway station Moncifii; PabiM.u made 'lis jvr mise. which, together will; 'Ik* g"ncral si dne.-s of his liini tier, gave great del! ! ' i>> i>: i.i Tabard; but '.he latter in.- i (rate's nlicr of a >e::l i-i he ? :? 1? i.< !:; i called, 0:1 tii" ? ! ?? tin,: ? .* ? I.? j tllf Rli? St. I.:i/-.TC. W.:> 11:: ( ; ; '-.V |.;i, j from where M.ey . ...j i ' extend;! : hit; luiSi. un the trail (?i jli? liiisii "Ami I shall run him <i c.v:,.' (,'ic! Corkscrew, .vith all thai sclt-cMitidenee it; hip subtle instincts which marks Hip savage dweller in the wilderness rather than tlie civilized inhabitant of a great city. "The scent is weak, and thu trail is indistinct as yet, but the one will strengthen and the other will broaden in time. And when ht leas* expects it, when his confidence i-1 at its highest, when his laugh of triumph is at i1s loudest, I shall have run this fox ! earth!" The old man laid a linger respectfully oi. the arm of the magistral*, and there was a bright gleam in his piercing eyes as h<?said. In low, firm tones, that had Si; them : '" iiig af vulgar vanity, "This is iioiv-min n tne, as you say, and it is exactly that which gives me almost a certainty of its detection. T rlri nnt fluv tn-Trw?r* i?w nv n<?Tt <l:iv ?iim. not for days, weeks, month.* I;> com": lap the scent of blood i-- (In* stiongest went of nil?i1 never dies . and lh? ciimson 111:11 k that will lead 11s on, is t > him, the man we seek.a red mist, through which he tfropej< and stumbles toward.'" an open trruve!" . Then raising his hat, and with a mutter ed apology for the liberly he had taken in touching- so familiarily th*> arm of the mag istrate Hie strange old man turned on his heel and hurried away. The house of Daddy Tabaret, as hp had said, was only four or five minutes' walk from the station in tin- Rue St. La/are. 1' is a capital piece of house property, and from its central position ought to pro duce him a splendid income?that is, if he is prudent enough to ask a reasonable rent in the le'.ing r?f its various stories. As f>>r himself he occupies (h* first lloor. which consists of five handsome an>! -paeioMH ro'.in-. i-omf'Tt i'ily fi'r i~' ], with his collection of hooks as Iheir chit-f a'l'-i*i? in-Mit. IJ? lives here in a simple way?simple and frn-ral fr.-.in v. ? 1 nr-il tast?> fi" urifli iip from huliit?a!te;.d'-d l>y o-i?> s?rv:?rif, nn ol'l tt'omnn, to whom th*? tMupon irrand Ifjrls a ln?'|iiny hand, re freshed |n pecuniary \v:iv I?y his land lord and master, Monsiifiir Ta'<aret. N I'niily in tlif house lias the fa'n^st suspicion or the peenl'ar occupation and tastes of their landlord. They suppose him to lie a f|niet, inoffensive sort of man, whose solitary life is e.onun?'ncinir to have a soft ening e(f<vt upon his 1 train. They remark, with pity, hi* singular haliits. his frfijnejit and almost myst?roiis a'-sences from his heme, and his eecentri", pro-occupied man ner on his return. Th?re was one of his lodgers, howevnr, that the landlord delighted to honor, and \vV?r? fi ?vm> in I m tiVHonfirMi in nvorv u'hv tn the nil" he had laid down. , Tin's whs a widow lady named Madame j G-rdy, who lived on the third story with j her only son. Noe|; Daddy Taharet, in fact, was more " at I home" in the widow's apartments than in ! his own. ' IT son. Noel, was a yonnjr man of alioit j tl.iHv-three years of nge, looking- rather I older than he jeally whs. H? was tall, | well-made, and had a nol>le r.nd intelligent I e\rii'"<sinn of fane. To add io his natural adv.n'aires. he had also lirpe, dark ''yes | ami b'ack '?iir, whieh curled naturally. Hy i [>ri!'?s.?ion a harri?te?\ he had aspired a | cr tain reputation. H" was what is oaile 1 ] it 41 hard workrntliftr o1.a45i>:it? n nis ; oiiiirmm. vn"v i-old in .f>d thonrr^'ful in r." h Ti?id"!M !> ? f?-<e.'? ilso?]K-,-!iar- li?'l? ?<.<. uiuch osten'nti >:<?:i ?.' ??? -"* ;. :n ids -! ns privi ijilev. and was ?*': .siely ri<jid ind aust ireii: his ?n<?nls. In Mil 1 si ne G-'rdy':- iprrtrnen's P?d ly T:ii>sm-t <v>nsiri"ieu nni.s-fiii !u on*1 01 ine fninily. Ho looked upon her as a kinswo nmn, and treated Noel as his son. had often meditated offering- marriape to the chnrminfr widow, notwithstanding that s'te was much yonnper than himself, but he had desisted, not so much from the fear of a refusal, hilt from tl e fear of the conse quences of his proposal. Supposing she refused him. then good-bye forever io Ihe quiet, happy evenings, and the delicious halo of liome she had thrown about his desolatn heart. * In the meantime he had made a will, drawn hji in full form, malsinjj his young friend, the barrister, his residuary legatee, with the sole condition that two hundred noiimls a-vear wore to be nut a?ide in favor I -- .? ?, of any detective " who drew 1he cork" out of a difficult and baffling police cafe. Short ns was the distance from Hie rail way-station to his house, Da.My Takarnt took more than a quarter of an hour to ar rive there. No sooner had he quitted the magistrate than lie resumed his self-com muning and reflections, and so deeply was he wrapped up in them that he walked on without, heedinjr the passers l?y, and was so ' pi 15 ' d and el ho wed, that for every steji he toijk in advance he lost the space of half of it. Tl J., J 41. 41. - ,..l.:??l 11 lf? UIIIPM-T'.-Jsiry " yay 111,11 iji?- *iii?|rt:? of his tho'iirht \v:>- -'HI Hie mysterious murder of t?i<* Wirlov Lor^n-re. For t! ?= Hft!?*;}i titiv-, the old niiin r??] unit ed to hini.-<-lf her word?, hs rej?ort?'d l?y llip milk-woninn :? " I have nothing in the funds: lmt I have nil I want. If I wished for more, T could have it." "At the bottom or tliat boast," h? n? ' tered, " lie* a clue 'he wli'ij t? The woman I.enviir- -:is in pome secret which i was the infer"*' of pome person or jvr- ' >?. rich and ! iijhly placed, to keep Iii?i?l??s:. In 'Vist' snero* 1 -v her fortune. It was h -i t>ank. from whir" site drew at pleasure. She ha-' aim ?-?l 'In* power she possessed, and they, driven to desperation, have wiped her out ; that's at>0111 the whole truth of it. But now comes the question?what was that secret, and by what means did she become its pos sessor? It's possible that, in her vonth. sne migni nave nem :i summon in some great family, and while in the service of that family she may have seen, overheard, or ferreted out something of importance, or something hur'fnl to its credit, danger ous to its honor. Had it been merely a rich man, a piece of common clay, whose only strength was his wealth, he would have hired some other hand to deal thr- blow that was to silence her menaces forever ; but here there was no second party con cerned. The hand that did the deed tie longed to the brain lhat had conceived it, thus preventing the constant danger of be trayal that must ever exist when, in a deli cate matter, one works with an accomplice. ! i\. (jiwi bjuj n wnur\r*r u i?*, mm uiiH w iio, hi? crime accomplished, will calculate every chance of discovery calmly as a mathe maticinn considers his %ui-es, trnMinp 10 hiB clearne ;s of hvaln, to his d j?th ( " knowl edge, to produce . d< -imi nMu't. Ut-, i murderer. \vhoe\ ' lie ;h. is ? '. iv'ug a l>0j l game, evidently l< i larjre kIk-; hu'b has not ye4 lake;: <>; d.ij TaKarci .uto Lin scheme, and the :I r.-san will hw-rp Mi - ch -. M-lioanl j>;." So saying he tn>.vd tlyj gfclew.ay of h'? hoU8<0 ter aiul' ?he, thl woman,? sinoky sic " There i niiin, Dit(f inside the lu<T quickly by. " He niuat lij| love this eveni^ with a prolong to express the ex.. the same time i<)inf nose with the fumes c _ she's sent him home l *, * ()fj1 a flea in his ear. Th.,ry,t have something' mor? ordinary." . , ' " It isn't decent, the way ho foraetimes etopH ?ut of a night," grumbled th? cobbler, aa he paused in hammering the oole of a boot to glain-p out of his window into the court-yard of the house. " He's one of thoee soft old ?haj.a whom every [Yhftri one oan.tpke ndvanb.."* "F. Awo'.e . ;.| hsiii i. in By th? lios-1. i. -ok sit him mrv ! 'Pou my word, it would ba u ch?,: y if his relations would club So0'i)thcr, and buy him a strjJsrht-waistcoat." " Inflations !" said the woman, h]->o copi iner to the window, fryiiifr-pan in hand. There's noboily an ever we've seen rela'ed to the likes of nim. Jtut look at the poor old unprotected soft one, and see what he's up to in the middle of the court-yard." It must be confessed that the conduct of? our friend Monsieur Tabaret was?, to say the least, eccentric. He had middenly halted, and nfler tak in^r off his hat, was rubbing1 his head vio lently, and gesticulating in h manner that was to a looker-on sufficiently ludicrous. " No! no! no!" he murmured to himself. " I haven't got the clue to this affair. As the children say in their <rami\<,?I burn, I burn!' but I have not had my hand upon it y*t." TI<< mounted the staircase of the house, j anil ram.' nf the door of the apartments lie j occupied, entirely forp-ttin-r that lie had the latch-key in his po-ket. I lis hottse keeper hurried, not without surprise, to open it. " Ts it you. fir, at this enrlv hour?" " Kit! what?" asked her master, still ]ire occnjn'ed. " What did you say?" repeated the old man. " I nay it is only half-past eiu'ht o'do-k, and you rarely enter till lonif after mid night. It would not astonish ine now if you hadn't dined." " Certainly. I have not. However, if you've nothing ready, Marie, it doesn't matter." " Ah! that's just like jou ; as if a man's stnm.ieh was like a pair of Ki-ll-nvs. to be filled only with wind. Luckily. I've tho dinner you always order and never eat, | still warm. .So, you'd best sit down and eat it, like a sensible man." Daddy Taliaret, who was thoroughly ac customed to the roijfrh honesty of his hoine keeper, only smiled at this address, and took his seat with much docili' v at the ta ble. It was the second phase in Irs o.ven tric life lie was conimenrinjr. He raised the first spoonful of soup to his mouth, but it never yot there. I The mystery of th^ Widow L'Toii^c a<r;nn troubled his brain, and witli liis i'vr>s lialf j clos>?d In; remained like a status of marble, j his spoonful of soup suspended in the air. " T beg-in to think that nil the worM must t hp lijrht," thought Marie; 11 a man must be wroiiir in the upper <tory?lie must have a ' tile off somewhere, when he ceases to care ! for a pood dinner when it'a placed before him." j As Daddy Tnbaret still remained motion ! less jn the one position, the housekeeper, losing- patience, touched him 011 th? slioid | fl?T, scr>?nintnjr IIKO itim e:ir, ns 11 ii? wito ! " "NVliy don't you eat? Why ilon't j yon ??!tt?" "Kilt! oh, certainly?yes, why not? Of ! course, I ou^'hl to 1 if hungry, very hungry, I because, since this morning, I have been j o' li'.'cil to?" , He paused, as if struck by a thnnder I 'mlt, his month open, and his eyes fixed. " I have it!" he cried; " yes, I have it at I last!" CHAPTER VII. OI.D CORKSCPEW PAYS A VISIT. 1 The movement that accompanied tlie .vnrd recorded i- our last chapter was so sudden and violent, that Paddy TaHaret's ! ousekcupnr started if she lud 1 iral va- i/fd. and, has'ily *tr*??ti*?ir to th? door, wai*'d. ?ilh ? . palpi nti-jy !i?'art, for the f'r'he- devp!"prii(j ,t of lie/master's sud den ti: -if madr.esa. ' Vi- " !?- continued, "I'm certain there's a t;i v(**l lip :n it." "A ( ! ''] nrxft 1 up in jt! Good heavens!" th >n *1;' Mare, "is ho alluding to the soup?" And, fearful of the con-fipiences, should it mnde p>.l>li", of Miis ?:M,a<?,,dinary de lusion, she advanced quickly towards him for an explanation. "A child, air? What do you mean, sir?" Hnr voice recalled Old Corkscrew to him self, and he perceived, for th" tirst time, that he was being watche?l by Marie. "What do you want?" he cried, in a voice itliATt' Vrttl utoTlfl flllMVV prying into my private business, ami pick injr up the words that fall from my lips to repent them ngain to your gossiping friends? Retire to your kitchen, and don't come out of it till I call you!" "Tin1 fit's on him!" thought the poor wo man. "He's becoming ru'oil!"?and, slam ming tho door liehiod her, she tied precipi tately to the ki.chen. Paddy 'I'aliaret resented himself, and commenced sw.dlowing. with extraordinary rapidity, spoonful after spoonful ?f the soup, which was now completely cold. "flow was it I never thought of that lie fore? Poor humanity! I'm not worth much, after all! I'm pitting old, and my idea- are not so fresh a< they w->re; yet it's a'l as clear and p Ip 'Me as the day. A fool might have guessed it!" As he spoke he struck a bell that stood upon the table, and M.irie reappeared. "Tin* joint," he said; "briiif* in the joint, and TiiPii leave me; I want to be alone. "Yes," hi* went on. dicing: his knife with furious eniTiry into h small le^ of mutton, ?"y"R, there's u child mixed nj> in it?I'm positive of it; and these are the circum stances. The Widow I/rou^e was a ser vant in the service of a very rich lady. The husband, probably in the navy, leaves on ft lonjr journey. 'Frailty, thv name is wo. man!' us the English poet has said. So the wife, during his :il??-tice, is false to h *r marriage vow. To hide the very na'ural con --fiu Tices of h irnilt, she confide- h r Hecret to llif Will w 1. nil!.'!', and, wi'h her assistance, liid:* tl.* i her 'hild from the kno 1 ;c of iiifc \vt!i|." Here Old CuiUmtcw i anjf the bell vio lent y. "Marie! the dessert ? and leave the room!" Certainly our old friend hardly deserved the skill in cookery th:i* Marie displayed on hi? behalf. He would have found it diffi cult, if called 11}it>n. 'o nuMiti in what he hail eaten for dinm-r. Nay, lie would have frinnil if ormiillv ilifli. i.lt <ao much was Iih preoccupied, to nay what he was eating | now. ; "But the child!" he nmrmuml, slowly, j masticating a spoonful of stewed pears. I "The child! what ha.? liecome of it? Did j they kill it. No. Because then the Widow ! Leronge would have been an accomplice to I the infanticide, and therefore not to he j feared as to betrayal. The father of the j child must have wished it to live, and eti j trusted it 1o the care of the widow who nursed and brought it up. It was easy enough to take the child from her; but not qnilo so easy to destioy the proofs of its birih and existence. Th'-re was the diffi culty. The father whs the man who came in the handsome carriage, and the mother I was no other than the jierson who called | once or twice with the aristocratic youth ! men iuied by Hie village gosrips. No won dei that ihe dear < id lady wanted for noth | in1.'. There 11 r sum* secivt^' !h>i! are worth 1 as i inch a-' a .-i.od ; ie nf !:ui'i'-<i property. ' 'lo get fin -1.- '.)! fr;i:?i two pfuple at . on was n ii; ky str- ke nf biiMn??*s lor !?*?r; ! >: >!.? !' (. '? hea/ity mjmci the prop >? !.<: declining* y ai.-, and it broke. Poor, fhort-si-^hted woman! She must I.ari threaie-ied tliem, and in their f<*nr they de termined to get rid of her. liu: which of them undertook tho business? The papa? No; lie is too old. I've trot it?it was the eon! Ho wished to save the honor of his mother?so commenced by murdering1 the ridow, and finished off by burning the roofs of his illegitimacy." Marie, during the whole of thia mine, was iring her eye at the key-hole, alternating it very now and then by placing her ear to le same orifice. It whs intensely agravat g and trying to her temper, however, to find she could not succeed in catching any thing but a few incoherent words, inter spaced, every now and then, with a mild oath or two, accompanied by sudden jumps in the air, and fist shaking at invisible per sons. ' It's vpry probable," she thought, "that some designing woinpn have got hold of mv poor master, and are endeavorintr to persuade him he's the father of many of their children. Well, it serves him ri^ht, running after such disreputable people?at his tim* of life, too!" Sue got into such a state of irritated cu riosity at last, that she hazarded a soft tap at the door. No answer beimr forthcoming, she turned the handle and peeped in. ; "Did you ring1 for coffee, sir?" she said, tfnii'ily. "2fo; I. didn't," said Old Corkscrew, shortly,-"but you can bring1 it in, all the same." Hi" usual cup of coffee being handed to him, Paddy Tabaret swallowed it off at one draught, and scalded himself no horri bly in the process, that he was forced to dance a niatiitic dunce of pain before the r..; * * ii.^i.LC.iCU lunun, nug .*5 ...... m^v. tately. "Thunder and lightning!" he gasi>ed, at last; "but it w:?s hot, and no mistake! Bother the Widow L?rouge?she'll drive me crazy! Besides, I shall Income a laughing stock, if I ?ro on in this way, to my detec tive friends! But which of them, after all, could have done what I have done, and by the sheer force of habit have built up the whole story, bit by bit? Not Gevrol?poor creature!?he's too obstinate!" And at the thought of Gevrol, Daddy Tabaret rubbed his hands with delight. "Won't he be vexed? Won't he be humiliated? Won't he be sold? Shall I pro off at once and communicate with Monsieur Daburon? No; on second thoughts, I'll sleep on it. I can manage my ideas better in the quiet of the night, and pick up the various little threads of the web I have been weaving. On the other hand, if I remain here alone, I shall get too excited, and may have a rush of blood to the head. They say intense thoiiL'ht. directly after eat inc. is bad for the health. 80 I'll go out Stop! What if I pay my old friend. Madam* Gerdy, a visit? She has been ill, lately, anrl will think it unkind if I don't call. I'll have a chat with Noel; it will help me to pass the time, and will have a soothing influence on my nerves." So saying, Daddy Tabaret arose, put on his overcoat, hat, and gloves, and inform ing Marie that he was uncertain as to his return, rang the bell at his friend's door. CHAPTER VIII. 1I0W A PARAGRAPH AFFECTHD MADAMK (JRRDY. The home of Madame G??rdy was one of n - 1 1 1 i m: 1-. oL me nifrn?*i*i refjieeiaiuniy. .-in'* w;t? uuui fortal>ly off in her circumstances; and the rifintr position of her .son at the bar had increased th^je circumstances into some tiling like afllnence. Madame Gerdy lived a very retired life indeed, seldom aeeimr any company, with the exception of a f"\v of Noel's friends who v.ere occasionally invited to dinner. During: the fifteen years that Daddy Taba ret had visited her, he had only met thr-H peoj>le?the clergyman of lli?* parish ; an old schoolmaster who had taught Noel in his youth ; and the brother of Madame Gerdy, a retired colonel in the army. When thwe three visitors fonnd them pelves together, which was but rarely, they played a round ffame at cards ; but No>>! seldom remained after dinner?shutting .1, ......... from those of his mother. He was known to prolong his studies of die law f:ir into the night, and often in winter his lump was only extinguished at dawn. The mother and son lived lint for one another ; those who knew them intimately spoke in terms of admiration and respect of the filial devotion of Noel?of th" sac rifices he was supposed to make for h >r sake in living, at his age, the secluded and austere life of a hermit. The rest of Dad dy Tabaret's tenants would often contrast the conduct of this grave, studious young man with that of their landlord, wh-nn they looked npon as a gray-hearded Satan of most incorrigilil" and irregular half's. As for Madame fjerdy, she )>ositiv?ly worshiped her son. In him she saw united every moral and physical perfection. If he spoke, she was silent, and listened. A word from him was law ; a glance of his eye, a command. Her existence, in short, was passed in studying his tastes, divining his desires, forestalling his fancies, ami en veloping him in the soft and tender atinos pliere ol maternal love. But to return to Daddy Tabaret. " Li RJ'adame Gerdy at home?" lie asked of the sf rvant who opened the door ; and, without wailing for her reply, went in, with tha confidence of a man who knows tlm house he visits, and is almost sure he will be wel come, A single wax candle was burning in the drawing-room, which was not in its accus tomed order. The round table that gen erally stood in the middle of th- apart i ment had been pushed into a corner. The large arm-chair of Madame (tardy was nejtr the window, instead of in its accus tomed place by the chimney corner. The volunteer of the detective police took in all these details at a glance. "lias anything unusual happened to day?" he asked of the servant. "Oh, don't speak of it, sir?don't speak of it!" said the girl, mysteriously. "We've all had such a fright ; it's quile upset me, i can assure you, ana made me ail 01 tremble." " Why. whaf hiw been the matter?" " Well, you must know, fir, how ill n uis has lieen for th? last month, eat:ng nothing, so to speak, ami so nervous that she couldn't sleep a wink at nights," Why. this very morning as ever says to me, slip says?" "Oli, well, well!" said Old Corkscrew: " I don't want to hear about this morning Rather disapp ?in!ed at being thus cheek d in her bit of n'.--ip. the servant went or to expl tin that her mist*ess had gone afte; I dinner into the d-.i . i-ig room as usual,and, i -eating herself in n -r arm-ehair, had be j ?iin reading the n-wspaper. Ifardly had she commenced the first lines when she jjave a scream of sii'-1 u piercing1 charac ter that it echoed 'hrimjrli the house. On rushing in to nwrci":iin f! cause, Madame Gerdy wan foii'i-' ! i smis-Ics* on the carp?t. Her soi i-..i?. I :?r, :in< 1 carried her in his arms !<> her : !-<*!. .imber. "I wanted lo run fur : V ijo-i-ti-," n.iiled th Ifirl. "hilt tin* y<ni:j;r nusie wiiiildri': li me. He s?aid he knew wha< win the ma" ter." " And how in sh* notr0" ti CO _ I i *1. . t * I Tuioa recovered ii**r snnnpv--iirr x suppose she has, for Monsieor N<?'1 n .td? me leave the room?in fast, quite pit.-lied ine out of it. AJ! I know i? that jus' m-o she was speaking very loud?so l???i?l tli ' could hear h?*r in thi kitchen. Ah, sir, li very extraordinary,.- th>* " What's very oxtr- i\!ii.:tty/" " What missus sain c M ;?.<i*ur No?1." "Ah! ah! my irirl !*" sin-ered Daddy Tab arel: "so we listen at doors, do we?" " No, sir; I would tint condi* end t?? tie mean myself to mich baseness!" s.h.i ti.e servant, coloring ; " lull mi?s"s wa? almost fhrii kiiiff onl ln-r words. M,c said?" ' Aiy jfooil cirl," said l'.iii-:y T;?i.;?ri?t. tc vetvly, " I sfi-iit-j's heai- no vh'm} of '!ovi dclvi'H. A.-U M..rif?siieV h.. i :jiv1 r-.^.o ri?-iKO in sot-h matters?and ?iu'il u-1. mi ?.!?..!?: ii " The ffi v.-mt wis lie<_Hn'iin * ? 'r,,,.r "xpht n. V \i? !.I V. .i i ; " ! k 1<> y iji id'-v-t-J .d :' >r >t'l l?y telling him 1 aui hol e. I can e;tsil til h;f cotni ig." And, much satisfied with the little lesso hud just been giving, ho picked up th wspaper, and ph;. ! ig himself in tli imney comer, drew the candle a lilt arer, and began to read. CHAPTER IX. DESPAIR OF XOIil. OKKDT. A minute had hardly pna-tid, hefoi iddy Tubaret in his turn sprint!*' to h 4, and stifled a cry of instiuctive fe; <1 surprise. i'his is the paragraph which met hi es 1 A crini" of the most horrible nntnre has iui ;n ('(tiuiiiiiicil in the little viltiiirt* of !.#.) ? <n-, ami haw pliintr<'<> ' peni-vable Inhnhituu o the utmost c?i-l-,'Tiiiitioii. A wlilov jn-.j I.?:ri'iiur who v!H; niurli f'M'eomi'it mi tl illilmiliuoa, li:t* boisi tmirilcrc'l in licr u\V isc, iiiiilcr tlu'iiuMt i . >ieiioiisciieuni*tancc e police were nn ??li:?l ly mfoiin<-<l f tl I* i,l tlif ca-e, ami, w? lissve every rea?ou I ii'vc. art ujjoii llie track vl llic as^anem o; a bins." 'Thunder and lightning!" thought 01 rkscrew. " Is it possible that Madam r>!y?" i'his idea only crossed him like a flas was ashamed of it in idiut^^^^B*, and returned to his arn iir, s^PPPng his shoulders as lie nun ired, "I think I am rapidly devolopin 0 an idiot! This Widow Lerouge ha rame a sort of walking1 nightmare-! i't get her out of my thoughts!" 1 curiosity over which he had no cor 1, and which his common sense mad n despise, prompted him to read th kvspaper right through from beginnin end. , . - I'here wan nothing in it, except th? pfu raph above mentioned, which could i y way justify or account for the fain f tit or the scream?or, in fact, any hijk ii whatever. 'It is a very singular coincidence, a ? same. I don't care who nays to tl ltrary," said the incorrigible old detei fie also observed lhat the paper ha ?n slightly torn towards the hotto; the page, ami cru .lpled, with th ivulsive clutch of u human hand. \gain he repented, between his teetl t's strange?very strange!" \.t tliis moment, a door in the drawing >m, leading to Madame Gerdv's sleej?in unber, was softly "pened, and No< peared upon the thrchhold. En all probability the sudden illness c mother had very much affected hit) he was very pale, and his face, whic aally wore a calm and 6elf-posses.se nvssion, was (lushed and troubled. He seemed rather surprised on perceii r Daddy Tabaret. ' Ah, my dear boy!" said the old man 'm so jrl.xJ to see you, for you can na* mind about your mother. How i r ' Mailiime frerdy is as well a3 can li lected." .V"dame (Jerdy !" repeated the ol Hi, us'utiished jit tin- >fillim.'.-'js t>f the n "(.'ouit'?rome! 1 see you've bad at shoik, and haven't recovered froi yet." ' Vep. indeed," repeated the youn^ h?i ter, sinking into a chair and passing lii nd over his forehead ; " I've had a gm irk." [t was very apparent that Noel wji ikin<; the greatest effort to appear ciiln listen miietlv to his victor. and to ai Pi1 his questions <!nnn?rti?illy. Daddy Tabard in hi> anxhty perceive thing of this, and entreated his frien tell him the cause of his mother's il I'he young man hesitated for a momen though he were consulting with hiinsel to the propriety of replying to so d? led a question. After a long pause h d, " You are an old friend, Daddy Tal ;t, and we have few secrets from yoi tdameGeivy was overwhelmed by an at uncement in the papers of the sii'lil" d violent de;, h of a woman whom si. ew and loved." Thunder and lightning!" stammere 1 Corkscrew. [n fact, he was so stupified for the m< nt that he was almost betraying hi inection with the police, and was o i point of exclaiming, " What! you 'iner anew tne wmow L.eroujfer wne presence of mind returned, unci h iced his hand ov?-i his "yes to hide th am of intense satisfaction that spark lo them at thus being on the highroad t cover something of the ]>ast life of th tim of La Jonchere. ' Yes, Madame Gerdy knew the Wide rouge," continued Noel. "The wido' s her slave?body and soul her nla.v< a sign of her hand she would hav own herself ins he Haines." 'Then you, my de.ir boy, must nls i*e known this worthy woman?" 'I had not seen her for a very Ion le," answered Noel, whose voice seeir veiled and husky from extreme am 1 emotion ; " but I knew her well, rht to add?in fact, I don't mind cor sing to you that I loved her dearly. 1 s very natural ; she had been my \v? rse when sm infant." The?that woman/" gasped Dadd; liarot. ['hi* time the poor oM fellow felt ai st dizzy. What! the Widow Leroutf nurse of Xo? l! t was too food in lie true. Providenc .1 evidently taken him by the hand a chosen instrument. lis agonies of doubt?his despair a aining further proofs?seemed nigl r; and, overwhelmed at his success lieut liefore Noel, silent and amazed, lis subtle common sens?, however, toll a that he must bide hid time, and 110 Kitvncolf oa \ru' \\ 1VJ11 y evident he would do unless he mad< ue remark, howewti^oinmonplace, con ninir thi* revelati^^BC* mtide to hir the young barrist^^J^he cleared hi as h afor or m culculatior -.4. bUbbec^tq the heart by the sara iw that lias: struck ti e poor widov r death, Monsieur Tabaret, has doslroj all my dreams in the futire, and haj Imps, crushed for ever my most just ile hopes. 1 li:t<] tin' most cruel on re to revenue, In it this sudden deat > snapped the weapons 1 held in nv ids, and has reduced me to hclples: leless despair. Ah! I am indeed mos fortunate." Von unfortunate ? you unhappy ? ?d Daddy Tabaret, deeply moved a sorrow of one he loved so well. " Ii name of Heaven, what has happen ?" I suffer!" murmured the barristei h, how I suffer, when I think of it all t only will the injustice that has bee: wn to me be never repaired, but I an : without defence against the bittores nmny. The world can now say that e Keen pinny 01 a series <h Knaviai ks; that I am an ambitious adven er, without common modesty and with common honor." >addy Tabaret hardly know what ti ik. How could there he any associa ? between the honor of Noel and tin rder at La Jonchere? A thousaiu us, each one dissimilar to the other ined junil?l?d in his bruin. Come! come, ray boy!" lie said, cheeri "compose yourself How can calumin r reach you? Keep up your spirits ind.-r and lightning! haven't you po uds? Havo I deserted you? Trus ne?tell me the cause of your sorrow? t th<* devil's in th?* case if we two can' ke out a something that will " iff >re the old man could finish his sen " Ihe barrister rose suddenly, ae i; i'-k with a sudden resolution. *'U. yrs: iiii^niijiint. ipp, )ul know all! I ;im xvenry of WoHrmjj irl'VJ of a 5A"i?'i ihnl !h i-hnkni^ me ; art I "*n pj. < >. 1 -hn^ -iiic i-. I v i.-' ;t :ii who oil; iiul ii.*ouiv J* i:;o?a trkn'j uiiC who i? capable of aiivi.-iny; Hie f a bad judges of our own causes, and this' matter plunges axe into an abyss of doubt and hesitation." . *' ' "You know," answered Daddy, pimply, "that I am always at your* service, and have your interests at heart :is much :u? if j you were my own son. Make use of me I in any way you . may think proper, and I shall be only too happy if it is in my power to serye you." The barrister pressed the old man's hands b,'tween his own! "Von must know, then ' ho com menced. "J'?nt. no; not here. We may be overheard. Come into my study." [to be WTivr nl ,King's Mountain Military School. Y0RKV1LLE, S. C. * ESTABLISHED 1855. Col. ASBUBY COWABD, PRINCIPAL. A Fall Corps of Able Professors. rCOMPLETE outfit of Arms, Apparatus, J cth.. for thoromrh mental and nhvsi oal training. Location noted for healthful* ness, ?ttd jpoasowing Railroad and Tele graph facilities. 'Tor Illustrated Catalogue Spmvto Principal. vDflwfyl875, 35-4t EMPORIUM OF FASHION, Latest Styles! M' [II.LINF.RY, Hnlr ?.l Good s, Ij res s Goods, Fancy Goods, .. and Ladies Goods '? generally, always on jji hand, at the lowest ?i cash prices, at the m Dec. 8, 1875, 35-tf NOTICE TO Debtors and Creditors OF WILLIAM TREWIT, Dec'd. VLL persons having daims against the estate of WILLIAM TREW | IT, deceased, will please present them i to Col. Uothrau properly attested. All | who are indebted to the estate come Ifnrivnrii im mpi) iflfplv. E. E. TREWIT, W. K. BRADLEY, Administrators. Doc. 1, 1S75, 3o-3t BOOTS AND SHOES i OUR STOCK OF BOOTS AND Shoes is now complete, and at the I r\f'tnaa fC4S(H ( 'nil PJlflv and got a bargain. DuPre, Gambrell & Co. Nov. 17, 1875 32-tf Onion Sets, RED and WHITE, AT PARKER & PERRIN'S. Nov. 9, 1875, 31-2t McErran's & Bass & Co.'s Just received, by TEOWBRltGE, Agent. 24,1S75, 33-tf CUNNINGHAM AND TEMPLETO Have on hand a large Stock of gents' linen bosom shirts, at very low prices. A large assortment of ladies' and gents' morjno vests and shirts; boulevard skirts, SILK scarfs and ties. Give them :i csll. Dec. 1, lsto 34-tf " THE STAR SHIRT, Having tried these Shirts, we can safely recommend them for h tfoud fitting and durable shirt. Collars, Linen and Paper, LATEST STYLES, WITH Cravats and Scarfs to match. Quarles & Perrin. Sept. 28, lS7o. I HUM AS' SAW MILL Has been repaired, and is now in running order. All or ders for lumber will receive prompt at tention. J, W. THOMAS. March 24, 187o 50-tf