Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-07-14

| W
II then rushed from the house, The
continued, land here / am. What
shall / do!
BY this time the commissary of po.
lice had arrived on the scene. He
questioned the man but could learr
nothing further. The party then
entered the house where the victim had
lived. Two officers were stationed al
the door to keep the crowd from enter.
ing.
When they had arrived at the apart
ments where the tragedy had taken
place, the commissary commenced his
examination.
The old dame had been stabbed
through the heart with large knife
Robbery had apparently been the mo-
tive Of the crime, for the chest in which
Madame Blous had kept her valuables
was found open, and some articles had
been taken. Further investigation
showed that the trap leading to the roo
was untastened.
at was this way" said the commits
sary, "that the murderer gained ac'
cess to the house."
Ascending the ladder, he raised the
trap and peered out. A window, about
three feet above the roof, belonging to
the adjoining hotel Of fMonsieur Grouse
was visible.
II have it," exclaimed the commits.
sary. "The murderer came from the
hotel of the worthy M. Grouse. will
question the proprietor.
Descending. after leaving an Office,
IN charge to see that no one escaped
by means of the window, the commits
sary fastened to M. Grouse. He found
that parsonage discussing the murder
with some customers at his bar.
"What shame to kill so harmless an
old woman" NJ. Grouse was saying.
"1 hope they will catch the murderer" ="
"Yes," put in the commissary. land
we will catch him in your house,
The hotel-keeper was startled, and
for moment couldn't speak.
"Who occupies the room in which
the window is that opens over the roof
of Madame Blous's house7"
my God, monsieur" answered the
terrified man. My new lodger-Louis
Chaplin
"And where is he2" asked the COM
missary.
II have not seen him this morning.
He was ailing last night, SO 1 did not
disturb Kim this morning."
"Let US 60 to his room," replied the
officer"
Ascending the stairs, flight after flight,
they reached the door of the room they
sought and Knocked.
At first no answer came. Again
they knocked louder.
who's there?" asked voice, az
parently from under the bed-clothes.
"Open in the name of law"
The door was opened and the COM
missary entered. Louis Chaplin SEEM
ed terrified at so unexpected visit.
"Madame Blous." said the commits
sary, twas murdered last night, and the
murderer gained access to her house
from the window of your room here"
Monsieur" replied Louis, "You
must be mistaken. No one has passed
through my room.
As he said this the commissary's eyes
became riveted ON some objects be-
hind an old chest in the corner of the
room.
"You can deceive us no longer he
exclaimed. "You are the murderer.
There, behind that old chest, is the
knife with which you killed the old
dame. See, it is stained with the blood
ofyour victim"
Advancing toward the chest he pick
ed up the knife, and with 1t a watch and
a pair of old.fashloned bracelets.
Louis was now unable to speak in the
presence of so damning evidence
against him. In vain he endeavored
to explain that he had not left his room
since the evening previous he had
severe headache, and had taken an
opium powder to induce sleep. He had.
he said, fallen to sleep about ten clock
and since that time he knew nothing
until he was awakened by the officer.
It is needless to say that his story was
lot believed. Hewas ordered to dress,
md was forthwith led to the prefecture.
When he appeared before the court
lis case looked very bad. He could do
,othing but plead innocence. That was
lsual with criminals. He could not
,rove an alibi. His story of a headache
md opium powder looked very fimsy.
-ouis was then confined in cell to
wait investigation.
The following evening, by mere ac-
:ident, different light was thrown up.
N the murder of Madame Blous. 1t
that the murder had caused
,reat excitement about the hotel of
donsieur Grouse. In consequence the
louse was greatly crowded, and every
oom taken. One Blandin, ignorant !
+ the previous nights Goings, was as
igned the room that Louis Chapin had
occupied. He retired about II O'Clock,
nd Immediately fell into a light sleep.
:om which he was aroused by slight
oise about the room: He rose. in bed
nd saw the face Of a man at the win.
ow. He determined to see what the
orcon ,,,oo&ad ooJ ,,,,;taJ ,,;o.,