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296 and motionless as I could, till I heard and saw him escape by the window. Then I made another attempt to ring the bell, but found the cord had been cut away, and that it was out of my reach.'

"'Which indicates premeditation and malice aforethought on the part of the prisoner,' said the clerk.

"'Can you form any idea of his motive for the crime?' asked the Juge.

"'None, unless it be robbery,' returned Bruneau, 'as I never heard of his existence before.'

"But not only was there nothing suspicious found upon Valentine, but on examination, no indications of robbery, nor of an intention to rob could be discovered.

"'Can you recollect any enemy who might have hired him to commit the act?' inquired the Juge.

"'None,' returned Bruneau.

"'Or any one who has an interest in your death?'

"A strange spasm seemed for a moment to convulse the features of the wounded man at this question; but he answered as before, 'None.'