The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-03
SAINT PAUL, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1860

SAINT FAOL, II I'LL
be no question that these murders have been
committed in this town, since we have our
selves seen one of the victims"
The sub-agent nodded afirmatively, and
I continued:
First, then, it seems rather remarkable
that these wounds should all be inflicted in
the back. As to the manner of their inflic-
tion, 1 am not prepared to explain; but it
seems conclusive to me that all these blows
must have been produced by the same hand.
In the next place, does it not seem singular
that every one of these unfortunate men has
been stranger 7"
"Now that 1 think of it, it does, as 1
live," the sub-agent thoughtfully replied.
" But what do you argue from this fact?"
II will draw my inference in a moment.
You will remember the circumstance OF M.
Lemare counting his money in the diligence
in our presence this morning we have
seen his dead body lying in the public street,
rihed of the money. There is, now, one
question in my mind Did or did not NJ Z.
Lemare lodge in this hotel last night"
1.-The landlord told me that he did not"
$50 he told me; but l prefer to invests
gate for myself. We had it last night from
Lemare's own lips, that it was his intention
to stay at this inn until morning, and / am
inclined to the belief that be did put up here
last night, Notwithstanding nobody appears
to have seen him within the house. 1t is
probable that he retired Immediately to his
room, and communicated with no one but
the innkeeper or one of the servants. Now,
Monsieur Berret, let me recur to circum-
stance which happened in the diligence, and
which l think escaped your notice. Just as
M. Auguste was replacing his pocket>book,
I happened to glance behind me, and then
saw an object which instantly attracted my
attention. 1t was man, bent forward in
an eager attitude, his eyes intently fixed upon
the operations of M. Auguste. He quickly
became aware that I was watching him,
and shrank back out of sight, but not before
l had observed his face. l have seen it
again this morning-it is that of Antoine
the hostler."
"This is truly an important discovery"
the sub-agent observed.
"But this is not all. Last night heard
groan from the chamber adjoining mine.
The discovery of this morning, considered
with those others of which have been tell
ing you, leads me to believe that this was
the death groan of M. Auguste Lemare. In
any event, you can draw your inferences.
1t is fact conclusive that the unfortunate
man retired to bed in the next chamber.
Whoth ho loft oil 10
question which in my mind admits of but
little doubt"
"Do you really mean to say that your
belief is that M. Lemare was murdered un-
der this roof?"
II am positive of it, and not only he, but
each of the other victims. And l am also
induced to believe that every one of these
midnight assassnations have been commit
ted in the adjoining chamber"
II have no doubt that you have arrived
at the TRUTH" the sub-agent replied. "And
now what do you propose to do first !?
Would it not be better to arrest this inn-
keeper and bis hostler at oncce"
"By no means, NJ. Berret. think that
would be an extremely injudicious step.
What l have been telling you are only con-
lectures of my own, which though probably
true in almost every particular, would, |
greatly fear, avail little as proof to charge
the vilianous inn-keeper and his servant
(who, beyond all question, are the criminaIs)
with these crimes. There is one decisive
step to be taken; proposed to pass the
night in this mysterious chamber"
Monsieur Berret heard my quietly spoken
words, and looked perfectly aghast with as
tonishment.
"What, Guillot are you mad r' he ex-
claimed. "Pass the night in that Internal
slaughter house? Why, are you tired of
life? Consider the danger of the thing,
and the great loss to the service which your
death would OCCASION"
The earnest anxiety with which this last
remoDstrance was uttered was so perfectly
ludicrous, that l refrained with difficulty
from laughing outright. But 1 soon sue
ceeded in silencing bis objection, if not in
satisfying bis scruples.
"You have, believe" then remarked,
"a considerable amount of money with you. p"
"Yes. Mon Dieu! had this rascally
landlord known it last night, might now
wv 40 CoAu 90 PoOi ACmdIC Oou IL duo"Oi
you any purpose?"
"A very important one. Lend me your
pocket. book"
Still holding it in my hand, descended
the stairs, the sub-agent closely following
me. The inn-keeper was sitting behind bis
bar, seemingly half asleep and half awake,
but the instant be saw the pocket.book, his
dull eyes lighted up with an eager CLEAN,
and he watched my motions with strict at
tention.
The amount is correct" said aloud,
to NJ. Berret. "Two thousand francs-this
then, discharges the debt" Then walking
up to the bar, said to the inn-keeper
"The room which you have given me does
not suit me in the least-have you not a
larger one where can lodge ?"
Yes, monsieur" the man replied with
remarkable alacrity, II should have spoken
of it myself. There is large and pleasant