The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-07-06
MISCELLANEOUS.

/ M ySCor1OuS DeaCn at CdSCellane.
FROM THE RECORDS OF FRENCH DETECTIVE.
l had some renown as a successful
rogue.catcher and had some experience
too. My field of operations, as usual
thing, lay within the confines of the De-
partment of Lower Al ps; and though l
served under the Sub -Prefect of the Third
Arrondisement, yet the Prefect of the
Department called upon me when he chose.
One morning-it was the latter part of
May-I received note from the Prefect
ordering me to come to Digne and see
him with all possible dispatch. The mis-
sive came through the Office of our Sub
Prefect, so had nothing to do but get
ready and start, took an early dinner,
Drowned my face and hands, and set out.
reached Digne just at night.fall, and as
soon as it was dark waited upon the Pre-
feet. He seemed to be relieved when be
saw me, and at once took me to his pri-
vate closet.
Now" said l, have you got work
for me ?"
"Yes. Set down and listen" Re re.
piled.
We sat down, and having tasted the
glass of wine, he proceeded
Within few months past there have
been some of the most mysterious murders
committed in this Department and in the
Department of Var that have ever come
under my notice. They are done, mostly
on the road from Castellane of Aups. The
first victim was a Marselles merchant,
who had come up to Castellane to pur-
chase preserved fruits. His body was
found by the road side near the line be-
tween the two Departments and at first
it was supposed that he must have fallen
there dead in fit, as no marks Of violence
could be found upon him. His pockets
had been rihed, however. The next one
was found near Arnot, and under the same
circumstances. He was merchant also,
and from Nice. Since then five or six
have died upon the road in the same mys-
terious manner, and no marks of i'll usage
have been found upon any of them but
they have all been robbed"
Have most of them stopped in Castel.
lane 2" 1 asked.
The Prefect told ME they had
"And suppose they must have put
up in some inn there ?" | remarked.
Yes" said the Prefect.
l then supposed that some of the land
lords must be concerned. But my com
panion informed me that they had beer
narrowly watched and that no shadow O.
evidence rested against them.
But" said l, I" is there not SOM
poison in this matter. Some inn keepe
may administer the potion, and then sem
an accomplice after the victim"
No." returned the Prefect, with
shake of the head. Experienced phys
icians have examined the stomachs O
several of tie dead men, but no trace O
2 poison has been found. It's mysteriou
affair-The Sub-Prefect has done all h
r. could, but without effect and now W
mean to give the whole thing into you
hands. You must 60 to Oastellane g
once, and there you can get such farthe
information as the Sub Prefect can Civ
you.
IS After comforting awhile longer with ii
Prefect, he let me have suit of ordinar
% tradesman's clothing, and thus habited
went to hotel and put up for the nigh
Ih the morning / procured a horse, s
=. out, and reached Castellane before moo
During the day pretended to be doiI
business. | went to the woolen factol
and examined lot of stuff and al
visited several places where preserv
fruits were put up. learned that me
OF the people who came there on busine
stopped at an inn kept by q man nam