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〃Go forth; O Christian soul; from this world; in the name of God the Father Almighty; who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ; the Son of the living God; who suffered for thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost; who was poured out upon thee。〃
The youth struggled in his bed; and a convulsive movement agitated his limbs。 Derues continued
〃When thy soul departs from this body may it be admitted to the holy Mountain of Sion; to the Heavenly Jerusalem; to the numerous company of Angels; and to the Church of the First…born; whose names are written in Heaven〃
〃Mother! 。 。 。 My mother!〃 cried Edouard。 Derues resumed
〃Let God arise; and let the Powers of Darkness be dispersed! let the Spirits of Evil; who reign over the air; be put to flight; let them not dare to attack a soul redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ。〃
〃Amen;〃 responded the priest and the Martins。
There was another silence; broken only by the stifled sobs of Derues。 The priest again crossed himself and took up the prayer。
〃We beseech Thee; O beloved and only Son of God; by the merits of Thy sacred Passion; Thy Cross and Thy Death; to deliver this Thy servant from the pains of Hell; and to lead him to that happy place whither Thou didst vouchsafe to lead the thief; who; with Thee; was bound upon the Cross: Thou; who art God; living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Ghost。〃
〃Amen;〃 repeated those present。 Derues now took up the prayer; and his voice mingled with the dying gasps of the sufferer。
〃And there was a darkness over all the earth
〃To Thee; O Lord; we commend the soul of this Thy servant; that; being dead to the world; he may; live to Thee: and the sins he hath committed through the frailty of his mortal nature; do Thou in Thy most merciful goodness; forgive and wash away。 Amen。〃
After which all present sprinkled holy water on the body。。。。
When the priest had retired; shown out by Madame Martin; Derues said to her husband
〃This unfortunate young man has died without the consolation of beholding his mother。。。。 His last thought was for her。。。。 There now remains the last duty; a very painful one to accomplish; but my poor nephew imposed it on me。 A few hours ago; feeling that his end was near; he asked me; as a last mark of friendship; not to entrust these final duties to the hands of strangers。〃
While he applied himself to the necessary work in presence of the cooper; who was much affected by the sight of such sincere and profound affliction; Derues added; sighing
〃I shall always grieve for this dear boy。 Alas! that evil living should have caused his early death!
When he had finished laying out the body; he threw some little packets into the fire which he professed to have found in the youth's pockets; telling Martin; in order to support this assertion; that they contained drugs suitable to this disgraceful malady。
He spent the night in the room with the corpse; as he had done in the case of Madame de Lamotte; and the next day; Sunday; he sent Martin to the parish church of St。 Louis; to arrange for a funeral of the simplest kind; telling him to fill up the certificate in the name of Beaupre; born at Commercy; in Lorraine。 He declined himself either to go to the church or to appear at the funeral; saying that his grief was too great。 Martin; returning from the funeral; found him engaged in prayer。 Derues gave him the dead youth's clothes and departed; leaving some money to be given to the poor of the parish; and for masses to be said for the repose of the soul of the dead。
He arrived at home in the evening; found his wife entertaining some friends; and told them he had just come from Chartres; where he had been summoned on business。 Everyone noticed his unusual air of satisfaction; and he sang several songs during supper。
Having accomplished these two crimes; Derues did not remain idle。 When the murderer's part of his nature was at rest; the thief reappeared。 His extreme avarice now made him regret the expense' caused by the deaths of Madame de Lamotte and her son; and he wished to recoup himself。 Two days after his return from Versailles; he ventured to present himself at Edouard's school。 He told the master that he had received a letter from Madame de Lamotte; saying that she wished to keep her son; and asking him to obtain Edouard's belongings。 The schoolmaster's wife; who was present; replied that that could not be; that Monsieur de Lamotte would have known of his wife's intention; that she would not have taken such a step without consulting him; and that only the evening before; they had received a present of game from Buisson…Souef; with a letter in which Monsieur de Lamotte entreated them to take great; care of his son。
〃If what you say is true;〃 she continued; 〃Madame de Lamotte is no doubt acting on your advice in taking away her son。 But I will write to Buisson。〃
〃You had better not do anything in the matter;〃 said Derues; turning to the schoolmaster。 〃 It is quite possible that Monsieur de Lamotte does not know。 I am aware that his wife does not always consult him。 She is at Versailles; where I took Edouard to her; and I will inform her of your objection。〃
To insure impunity for these murders; Derues had resolved on the death of Monsieur de Lamotte; but before executing this last crime; he wished for some proof of the recent pretended agreements between himself and Madame de Lamotte。 He would not wait for the disappearance of the whole family before presenting himself as the lawful proprietor; of Buisson…Souef。 Prudence required him to shelter himself behind a deed which should have been executed by that lady。 On February 27th he appeared at the office of Madame de Lamotte's lawyer in the rue du Paon; and; with all the persuasion of an artful tongue; demanded the power of attorney on that lady's behalf; saying that he had; by private contract; just paid a hundred thousand livres on the total amount of purchase; which money was now deposited with a notary。 The lawyer; much astonished that an affair of such importance should have been arranged without any reference to himself; refused to give up the deed to anyone but Monsieur or Madame de Lamotte; and inquired why the latter did not appear herself。 Derues replied that she was at Versailles; and that he was to send the deed to her there。 He repeated his request and the lawyer his refusal; until Derues retired; saying he would find means to compel him to give up the deed。 He actually did; the same day; present a petition to the civil authority; in which Cyrano Derues de Bury sets forth arrangements; made with Madame de Lamotte; founded on the deed given by her husband; and requires permission to seize and withdraw said deed from the custody in which it remains at present。 The petition is granted。 The lawyer objects that he can only give up the deed to either Monsieur or Madame de Lamotte; unless he be otherwise ordered。 Derues has the effrontery to again appeal to the civil authority; but; for the reasons given by that public officer; the affair is adjourned。
These two futile efforts might have compromised Derues had they been heard of at Buisson…Souef; but everything seemed to conspire in th