The Mystery of Orcival (1916)
Jean Bertaud and his son, poachers, discover the body of a woman in a stream near the village of Orcival and notify Mayor Courtois, who summons M. Plantat, justice of the peace. At the home of Count de Tremorel, near-by, evidence of murder is found. The count and his wife, who are known to have received a large sum of money, are missing. The dead body is identified as that of the countess. The Bertauds are arrested. Suspicion is also directed toward Guespin, a gardener. Investigation discloses that the count and countess have been married less than six months. She was the widow of the count's friend, Sauvresy, who had idolized his wife. Lecoq, the famous detective, enters the case and determines that the elaborate evidences of murder have been carefully arranged. The mayor's daughter, Laurence, disappears. Later her father receives a note to the effect that she has been dishonored and will commit suicide. Lecoq traces the note and finds Laurence. Prior to this, however, he becomes suspicious of one Robet, a bone-setter, who shows alarm when informed that Sauvresy's body is to he disinterred. Plantat, the justice, opens a secret drawer in the Tremorel house and reveals some history: ruined by excesses, de Tremorel had determined on suicide when Kenny Fancy, demimondaine, restrained him. His friend Sauvresy had offered him a home. Between him and Mme. Sauvresy was born a guilty passion. Sauvresy died of slow poison. Discovered by their victim, de Tremorel and Bertha had been forced to wed a year after his death, on pain of exposure through papers left in the lawyer's hands. After the marriage the guilty pair had quarreled bitterly because of the count's passion for Laurence. The murder had resulted. Lecoq discovers Tremorel with Laurence. The girl urges her betrayer to kill himself in order to cheat the guillotine. Coward, he refuses. Laurence then avenges her honor by shooting Tremorel. Plantat, who loves her in spite of all, hears Lecoq justify the act. He marries Laurence.
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