LITMIR.BIZ

      "Rodolph Addressed the Schoolmaster" Etching by Mercier, after the drawing by Frank T. Merrill

      "I'll tell you why I proposed this robbery to you. I knew you were a runaway convict—you know the parents of the unfortunate girl, all whose misfortunes have been caused by your miserable accomplice, the Chouette. I wished to draw you here by the temptation of a robbery, because this was the only temptation that could avail with you. Once in my power, I leave you the choice of being handed over to the hands of justice, which will make you pay with your head the assassination of the cattle-dealer—"

      "It is false! I did not commit that crime."

      "Or of being conducted out of France, under my direction, to a place of perpetual confinement, where your lot will be less painful than at the Bagne; but I will only allow you this relaxation of punishment on condition that you give me the information which I desire to acquire. Condemned for life, you have broken away from your confinement, and by seizing upon you and placing you hereafter beyond the possibility of doing injury, I serve society; and from your confession I may, perhaps, find the means of restoring to her family a poor creature much more unfortunate than guilty. This was my first intention—it was not legal; but your escape and your fresh crimes forbid any such course on my part now, and place you beyond all law. Yesterday, by a remarkable revelation, I discovered that you are Anselm Duresnel—"

      "It's false! I am not called Duresnel."

      Rodolph took from the table the chain of the Chouette, and pointing to the little Saint Esprit of lapis lazuli said, in a threatening voice:

      "Sacrilege! You have prostituted to an infamous wretch this holy relic—thrice holy, for your infant boy had this pious gift from his mother and grandmother!"

      The Schoolmaster, dumfounded at this discovery, lowered his head and made no response.

      "You carried off your child from his mother fifteen years ago, and you alone possess the secret of his existence. I had in this an additional motive for laying hands on you when I had detected who you were. I seek no revenge for what you have done to me personally, but to-night you have again shed blood without provocation. The man you have assassinated came to you in full confidence, not suspecting your sanguinary purpose. He asked you what you wanted: 'Your money or your life!' and you stabbed him with your poniard."

      "So M. Murphy said when I first came to his aid," said the doctor.

      "It's false! He lied!"

      "Murphy never lies," said Rodolph, calmly. "Your crimes demand a striking reparation. You came into this garden forcibly; you stabbed a man that you might rob him; you have committed another murder; you ought to die on this spot; but pity, respect for your wife and son, they shall save you from the shame of a scaffold. It will be said that you were killed in a brawl with weapons in your hand. Prepare, the means for your punishment are at hand."

      Rodolph's countenance was implacable. The Schoolmaster had remarked in the next room two men, armed with carbines. His name was known; he thought they were going to make away with him and bury in the shade his later crimes, and thus spare his family the new opprobrium. Like his fellows, this wretch was as cowardly as he was ferocious. Thinking his hour was come, he trembled, and cried "Mercy!"

      "No mercy for you," said Rodolph. "If your brains are not blown out here, the scaffold awaits you—"

      "I prefer the scaffold—I shall live, at least, two or three months longer. Why, why should I be punished at once? Mercy! mercy!"

      "But your wife—your son—they bear your name—"

      "My name is dishonoured already. If only for eight days, let me live! in mercy do!"

      "Not even that contempt of life which is sometimes displayed by the greatest criminals!" said Rodolph, with disgust.

      "Besides, the law forbids any one to take justice into their own hands," said the Schoolmaster, with assurance.

      "The law! the law!" exclaimed Rodolph. "Do you dare to invoke the law? you, who have always lived in open revolt and constant enmity against society?"

      The ruffian bowed his head and made no answer; then added, in a more humble tone:

      "At least, for pity's sake, spare my life!"

      "Will you tell me where your son is?"

      "Yes, yes, I will tell you all I know."

      "Will you tell me who are the parents of the young girl whose childhood the Chouette made one scene of torture?"

      "In my pocketbook there are papers which will put you on the track of the persons who gave her to the Chouette."

      "Where is your son?"

      "Will you let me live?"

      "First make a full confession."

      "And then, when I have told you all—" said the Schoolmaster with hesitation.

      "You have killed him!"

      "No, no! I have confided him to one of my accomplices, who, when I was apprehended, effected his escape."

      "What did he do with him?"

      "He brought him up, and gave him an education which fitted him to enter into a banking-house at Nantes, so that we might get information, manage an introduction to the banker, and so facilitate our plans. Although at Rochefort, and preparing for my escape, I arranged this plan and corresponded in cipher with my friend—"

      "Oh, mon Dieu! his child! his son! This man appals me!" cried Rodolph, with horror, and hiding his head between his hands.

      "But it was only of forgery that we thought," exclaimed the scoundrel; "and when my son was informed what was expected of him, he was indignant, told all to his employer, and quitted Nantes. You will find in my pocketbook notes of all the steps taken to discover his traces. The last place we ascertained

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