The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-05-25
MISCELLANEOUS.


FROM THE RECORDS OF A FRENCH DETECTIVE.
| had some renown as a successful rogue
catcher; and had some ex .)erience, too.-
My field Of operations, as usual thing, lay
within the confines OF the Department of
the Lower Alps; and though | served un-
,,er the Sub-Prefect of the Third Arrondise-
ment, yet the Prefect of the Department
called upon me when he chose. One morn
ing-it was the latter part of May re-
ceived a note from the Prefect, ordering me
to come to Digne, and see him with all poss-
ible dispatch. The missive came through
the Office of our Sub-Prefect, so had moth
ing to do but get ready and start. took
an early dinner; assumed the dress of a
peasant; Drowned my face and hands, and
set forth. reached Digne just at night
fall, and as soon as it was dark | waited
upon the Prefect. He seemed to be relieved
when he saw me, and at once took me to
his private closet.
Now said l, "have you got work for
me-"
YES" he replied. "Sit down and
listen."
We sat down. and having tasted glass of
wine, he proceeded
Nv Itlin 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 un-
DIR my notice. They are done, mostly, on
tho s-...s.r aruxn C..stelane to Aufs. The first
victim ', as a Marseill s merchant, who had
come up TO ;.astellane to purchase preServ-
cd fruits His ncdy was found by the road
side. aear the line between the two Depart
ments; and at first it was supposed that lie
81 md liz. q
no mark of violence could be foui,d upon
him. His pockets had been ritied, however
The next one was found near Annot, and
under the same circumstances. lie was a
merchant also, and from Nice. Since then
five or six more have died upon the road in
the same mysterious manner; and no marks
of ill-usage have been found upon any Of
them; but they have all been robbed
"Have most of them stopped in Castel-
lane Z" | asked.
The Project told me that they had.
''And suppose they must have put up at
some inn there ?" remarked.
Yes, said the Prefect.
then supposed that some of the land
lords must be concerned. But my compan-
ion informed me that they had been mar
rowly watched, and that no shadow of evil
dence rested against them.
"But," said |, lis there not some poison
in this matter! Some inn-keeper may ad-
minister the portion, and then send an ac-
comphce after the victim"
'No," returned the Prefect, with shake
of his head. Experienced physicians have
examined the stomachs Of several of the
dead men, but no trace Of poison has been
found. 1t is myst erious affair. The Sub
| Pr.f ct has done all he could, but without
effect: aad now we mean to give the whole
thing into your hands. You must 60 to
Castellane at once, and there you can get
such farther information as the Sub -Prefect
can give you.
After comforting while longer with the
Prefect, he let me have suit Of ordinary
tradesman's clothing, and thus habited,
went to hotel and put up for the night
In the morning procured horse, set oui
and reached Castellane before noon. Dur
ing the day pretended to be doing business
a lot of stuff; and also visited several places
where preserved fruits were put up.
learned that most of the people who came
there on business stopped at an inn kept by
a man named Juan Fontaix; SO left my
horse there, and engaged lodgings.
| After dark called upon the Sub-Prefect
He todd me he had used all the means with
lin his power, but had been able to gain nj
clue to the guilty party. Most of the mur
dercd victims had been from Marseilles, ant
the excitement in that city was intense
GenIarmes had been sent out upon all tn
roads, and secret police had also been on tn
watch. The last victim had fallen only fou
days before, and the deed was done fifteel
minutes after the policemen had passed tn
post.
asked the Sub -Prefect if he had an,
suspicious. He answered that all the sus
picions he had held, was fastened upol
Juan Fontsix, the inn-keeper Nearly al
= the murdered men had stopped at his house
: and he must have known something OF thei
business.
babe the officer keep perfectly quiet
and not even let one of his own men know
of my presence. Then | returned to tn
inn, and finally entered into conversation
' with my host upon the subject Of the mys
terious deaths. He pronounced it wonder
] ul, and insured me that it injured him NOR
than he could tell.
"Parbleur' he muttered, they'll be su:
pecting me next, if they have not done
alreadyr. -.
was soon satisfied that Juan Fontai
knew nothing Of the guilty party. 8
was very fearful, and at times blanched an
trembled At the thought Of being apprehen'
ed for the crime. Most people would hay
J. seen in this signs of guilt; but | though
differently.
g spent all of the next day in town, ostel
), sibiy engaged in business with the TACT
ries, but in reality hunting after some cl'
is to the object Of my mission. Night can
. again but | found nothing new. wi
perfectly satisfied that the murderer hi
Ie laid his plans so deeply that no circumsta