The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-05-21


prove at least that he must have returned
to Paris. Why should he return?
What was his motive? However, have
dispatched an agent of the secret police
to Strasbourg, to track his steps from
that place. When l hear anything, L
will send for you.
On arriving at Strasbourg the police
agent at once repaired to the Maison
Rouge. The landlord perfectly remem-
bered the Baron's having stayed at his
hotel for week, and having then gone,
whittier he could not say. The porter,
however, remembered where his luggage
was taken. Ii was to a house outside
the city, on the road To Saverne, where
n hired carriage was in readiness. He
got into the carriage and drove off.
But, as the driver was an acquaintance
of the porters, it was no difficult matter
to find him. He remembered the job
perfectly, but averred that the gentle
mans name was Thionville. He should
not, perhaps, have paid much attention
to this fact, had he not n sister living at
Saverne rs chambermaid III the same
hotel to which he drove his fare. On
inquiring at Sayerne, the agent found
that Monsieur Thionville had arrived at
the hotel rs stated, and that he had re-
NAMED there four days, during the
greater part of which he had kept in
doors, from indisposition.
The description the landlord gave of
his person and luggage left no doubt in
the agents mind that he was on the
right track. But nothing further could
be learned. Still, one important cir
cumstance had been proved-namely,
that, instead OF proceeding on his Jour
ney to Russia, he had turned back ON
the road to Paris, under an assumed
name.
The only thing that now remained to
be done was to put an advertisement i'll
the French and German papers, inviting
the husband of the murdered lady TO re-
pair to Paris, in order to claim the prop
erty of his deceased wife. For, it was
argued, if he had murdered her for the
sake of getting possession of her money,
it was very probable that he would take
the bait now held out Neither did this
surmise prove incorrect.
Two months, or thereabouts, had
elapsed, and the police were beginning
to despair of getting further tidings of
the Baron, when n gentleman, attired i'll
deep mourning, and apparently bowed
down with grief, presented himself at
the bureau of the police He had, he
said, "by chance seen the fearful tidings
of his wifes murder in paper at ST.
Petersburg, and had FASTENED back to
Paris as quickly us he could. The
shock, however, it had caused him had
nht ~ ~
from which he had only just recovered,
otherwise he should have returned to
Paris some weeks sooner"
Acting III obedience to the orders of
his chief, the agent referred the Baron
to n compton,, where he would be fur
nished with the register Of the death
and burial of his wife.
On entering the room, the Baron was
politely invited to take seat while the
necessary papers were being found.
After the lapse of a quarter of an
hour an official entered the room and
requested the Baron to accompany him
to another compton,, where, to his dis
may, he found himself submitted to n
rigorous examination.
but, Monsieur lie Baron, when you
left home, on March %, whittier did you
travel 2" asked the chief officer.
81 travelled through Germany, Ell
route for st. Petersburg.
"Good But which was the first
town mt which You stayed"
Strasbourg."
"Quite true !" said his questioner, re-
ferring to some papers. "On what day
did you arrive there -
"On the 2Sth. ~
Eyes and how long did you re-
main 2"
Let me see-yes it was one night
and half of the next day" replied the
Baron, with little hesitation in his
manner
"And where did you proceed to next?"
resumed the officer.
After some reflection, the Baron an
severed that he had gone to Frankfort.
"Indeed !" answered the officer, rails
ing his eyes, and directing II steady
glance towards the Baron. "To Frank
fort / think you are mistaken. You say
You arrived mt Strasbourg on the 2Sth,
where you remained till the following
day. But the landlord of the Maison
Rouge says that you remained at his
house till April 7. How do you account
for that, Monsieur lie Baron?"
"Was / there week? Yes now /
think of it, you are quite right, Monsieur;
for met several friends there, who per-
suaded me to lengthen my stay"
You also state that you next went to
Frankfort. But, if Monsieur lie Baron
reflects, he will remember that he went
to Saverne in close carriage.
eyes but that was only days trip,
and hal nothing to do with my journey"
was the ready answer. But may L
ask, Monsieur, why all these questions ?"
excuse me- Monsieur lie Baron, you
are here to answer questions, not to ask
them. Suffice it to say, it is usual under
such circumstances. Now, please to at
tend You said just now it was only
days trip, think; how was it you came
to stay four days at Saverne ?"
CT had only intended to remain one
day Mt SaveTne, but was taken i'll during
my stay at the hotel.
"Was that why Monsieur lie Baron
changed his name?" continued the
officer.