The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-08-23
THE SECRET ASSASSIN.


ed hotel in the Rue de Universite,
Paris, appeared before the Minister of
Police, and informed that functionary
that murder had just been committed
in his (the hotel-keeper's) house. On the
previous evening, he said, a stranger had
taken room, stating his residence to be
Meun, and his purpose te spend two or
three days in Paris. After ordering his
baggage to be carried to his apartment
the newcomer went out, giving notice
that he was going to the Odeou Theatre,
and should not return to the hotel until
the termination of the performance. Near
midnight, he re-appeared accompanied
by young and very pretty woman,
dressed in male attire, who, he said, was
his wife. The next morning, at an early
hour, the pretended spouse left the house
requesting that her husband might not
be disturbed until her return, which
would be in about an hour. At noon she
was still absent, and hearing nothing
stirring in the room occupied by the
gentleman from Melun, the landlord be-
gan to feel uneasy, and raped at the
strangers door. Receiving no answer
from within, the hotel-keeper sent for
duplicate key to the apartment, upon
entering which the unfortunate man was
found lileless in his bed.
A doctor was hastily summoned, who,
after Il brief examin alton of the body
declared that death had been produced
by a blow on the left temple, inflicted by
means Of a blunt instrument.
1t was evident that the assassination
had been committed by the woman in
male attire, and every effort was made by
the police to discover her whereabouts
but Intellectually A month subsequently
another murder was perpetratcd under
similar circumstances, except that on this
occasion the VICTIM also traveller, had
gone to his room quite alone. At later
hour, however, an effeninate- looking
young man came down stairs. and was let
out by the porter of the hotel, who re-
membered the fact on the following morn
ing, when the crime was discovered.
This affair caused great excitement in
dlio, duu lCuuuDlcu cNcfbIOUS were
made by the police to ferret out the
mysterious assassin, but still without
result. Eleven days afterward, u third
victim pershed in precisely the same
manner as the preceding two; and in
the course Of few months, no less than
twenty men lost their lives by means 50
exactly identical, that no doubt was en-
tertained that the murderous blows were
all inflicted by the same hand.
Stung to the quick, Fouche, the Min
lister Of Police, set all his spies to work,
and offered large reward for the dscov-
cry Of the author of these unparalleled
crimes.
One evening certain b., member of
the Secret Police, but who had the ap-
pearance Of a provincial gent 'eman, was
passing through narrow street of the
Cte, when he encountered handsome
equivocal-looking youth B. stopped
turned, aud said to himself, "That's
woman in male garb. If it should be
Mew
At the same moment the handsome
stranger also turned, and smiled encour-
agingly.
"That settles the question" murmured
the delighted spy. " Now, if l manage
things cautiously, my fortune is made"
And, retracing his steps, he accosted the
unknown.
81 have something very particular to
say to you" whispered b., with a know
ing leer, but it is not possible for us
to talk freely in the public street Might
| not invite you to accompany me to my
hotel?"
" | suppose you take me to be a
woman p was the reply, in soft voice.
" You are quite mistaken, my good sir
| don't mind having chat with you,
however where are you staying"
g In the Rue de PUniversite %
Indeed | am too well known to 90
there"
8" 1 am on the right track" thought
the spy. "Well, them" he said aloud,
"we will go wherever you like"
Come replied the other.
And, crossing the river, the pair pre-
sently entered a small hotel on the Place