The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-15
CHAPTER II.
gRARcHNG FOR A CLUE.

CtAf LEN IL.
BRARcHEd FOR A CLUB.
Two years before, at the commencement
of 1860, the woman Lerouge had arrived at
Bougival with IL large van full of furniture,
clothes and other property. She stopped
at small inn, where she took up her quar-.
ters for the time being, informing the peo-
pie that she intended settling in the neigh
borhood, and at once set about finding q
house. This cottage being according TO her
tastes she had taken it at the yearly rental
of thirty pounds, payable every six months,
and in advance, but refused lease, al.
though offered at more advantageous
terms.
The agreement being drawn up, she had
entered the same day, after having spent
FIVE pounds in repairs.
She was woman Of about ffty-four or
fifty-ive years of age. well-preserved and
enjoying robust health. Nobody knew
why she had settled herself in q place
where she WAS stranger. It was sup
posed that she had come from Normandy,
because in the mornings che wore linen
caps, common to the women of that prov
ince. This rather homely sort of cap was,
however, discarded in the afternoons, when
the widow burst into bloom in the shape of
very bright-colored dresses, gaudy head
gear, and showy iewelry
In all probability she had come from
some naval port for illusions to the sea
and ships were of constant occurrence in
her conversation.
She had dislike of speaking of her hus-
band, who had died, she said, in ship
wreck; but upon this subject she had never
been heard to enter into any detail. Once
only she had said to the milk-woman, in
the presence of three other persons, "Never
was there woman more unhappy in her
married life than was."
On another occasion che had said, ,"Novelty
alone pleases the men. My husband got
tired Of me after the first year."
Widow Lerouge had the reputation Of
being comfortably off, if not rich. She
was also generous with her money. Had
once lent woman Of Malmaison sixty
francs to enable her to pny her rent, and
afterwards refused repayment. Another
time she had advanced two hundred francs
to fisherman of Port Marty. She loved
good living, ordered her wine by the dozen,
constantly gave excellent dinners to her
friends, and was fond of patronizing them.
When complimented on being rich was
never known to deny it. Was often heard
to say, have nothing III the funds, but I
have all I want. II l wished for more, I
could have it."
Apart from what has been mentioned
above, she never allowed the slightest allu-
sion to escape her concerning herself OF her
past life. At night she barrcaded her
house with bolt and bar, as if it had been
fortress, and never went ont after sunset.
1t was said she hahitually drank too much
at her dinner, and generally went TO bed
Immediately afterwards.
1t was very seldom any strangers visited
her. Four or five time. u lady and a young
man were seen to enter the cottage, and on
one occasion two gentlemen-one very old
and wearing several orders the other
young, and evidently "a great SWELL"
These last had come in q handsome car
riage.
A pork-bncher of Bougival, in pecuni-
ary difficulties, had been known to propose
marriage to her, but had been summarily
dismissed, with the observation that she
had had one husband. which was quite suf-
ticient, and that she was by no means dis
posed TO repeat the experiment..
Nevertheless, OIL several occasions men
were seen to call OH her. At first, young
man having the appearance of railway
guard then, a tall, dark, elderly man, in
blouse, and of sinister and tiisagreeable
aspect. After the incident Of the pork
butcher, the village gossips put these men
down as the widows admirers.
Whilst the commissary was collecting
this evidence and putting it TO paper, the
examining magistrate arrived He brought
with him the chief officer Of the detective
police, accompanied by one of his agents.
Monsieur Daburop, the examining magis-
trate, was at this time about thrty-eight
years Of age. In figure he was tail and
well made and, nc twithstanding certain
coldness and hauteur in manner, with
gentle and melancholy expression of face
This melancholy had re,nained indelibly
marked on his features after severe ILL
ness, which two years before had nearly
proved fatal to him.
He had held his present important posi-.
ton since 1859, and had rapidly acquired a
brilliant reputation. llarlworking, patient,
and endowed "ilh ro!t us subtle common
sense, he couIi navel the most tangled
skein in the mnst ruzzling law case, a,.d IN
the midst of thousand threads pick OUT
the right one.
With so many rare qualities. he, however.
hardly seemed fitted by nature for hi+ ter
rible office. He never condemned without
a shudder, mistrusting his own Judgment,
and fearing TO he led away in spite of him
eelf by the extent of the authority placed
in his hands.
The chief of the detective police was no
other than the celebrated Gevrol, who has
played 70 often a prominent part III the
criminal dramas of our time. A very able
man, with one fault, an obstinate persstenry
whether right or wrong, in his own ideas. He
never confesses himself wrong, and, the scent
once lost, stubbornly refuses to rctrace his
steps to take up another which subordinate
might have discovered. With this excep-
ton, he is the beau ideal of police officer
cool and courageous, gifted with hercu-
lean strength, notwithstanding his meagre
appearance, and ever ready to confront a
danger, and arrest-oftell sinyle-handed-
the most desperate criminals. But his
special peculiarity, his glory, his triumph,
~ MI eAudolulhaiJ ltieinoIs loF AhSe". n
face once seen by him is never forgotten.
In the most unlikely places, under the
most incredible dits1,ses he never fails to
recognize it. This remarkable and nnerr-
ing precision, he explains, is due to his
never troubling himself about any other
part of mans face hut the eyes. He could
remember glance, or detect look. when
the other features often escaped his MEM
ory. 70 quote an example: A few weeks
before the occurrence we are now treating
Of, question of identity had artisan con-
ce,ning three malefactors, accused Of Ii.
grave offence. Draped with heavy cover
ings, 90 RS to utterly disguise both height
and figure. their faces were hidden by thick
wells, in which openings were 80 managed
rs TO show only their snist"r eyes. and in
this state they were placed before tn" ke"n-
yisioned detective. Without mnmanfi
hesitation he recognized each Of III" three