The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-06-04

"In December, 1862, l was directed
to search for French criminal who
was wanted for murder and sought
refuge in London" said the English
detective, whose narrative of crimes
have frequently been reproduced in the
Dispatch. II have the whole story at
haLd and venture TO say it is one Of
the most sensational ever printed. l
will make no mystery of ii. but tell it
in straightforward fashion
Between the puffs of a fragrant
Hayana the detective gave this story:
Theophile Rogue was merchant in
Paris. He was widower, aged 45,
handsome and agreeable, and with the
reputation Of being rich. He resided
in beautiful villa in the suburbs, the
other occupant, besides the domestics,
being Ma'amselle Eugene Yubernier,
aged 19, his ward, the daughter of the
brother of his deceased wife. He had
squandered nearly all of his wards for
tune and was at his wits end what to
do.
One day he received a communlca-
ton from correspondent in Calcutta
in which, toward the close, he men
toned the fact that wealthy French
merchant of eccentric habits, named
Beauvis, had recently died there, leav-
ing an estate valued at nearly five
million francs, for which there was no
claimant, and that shortly before his
death this man had mentioned to him
that twenty-five years before he had
abandoned his wife in Paris with an
infant a year old, and that a year or
two later he had learned that she had
resumed her maiden name of Lacorte
and was supporting herself as mili-
ner. The letter concluded by sug-
gesting that rogue should make what
inquiries he could about the woman
and her child, as it might turn out pc
cuniariiy beneficial to him if he sue
ceeded in finding both or one of them,
and thus place this large fortune where
it belonged.
This information Immediately inter.
ested Rogue, for, singularly enough, he
had in his employ as chief clerk a
young man about 26 years of age
whose uame was Alfred Lacorte. He
took an early opportunity in an easy
and otf-hand way to say to his clerk:
"By the way, Alfred, you have been
in my employ for six years, and have
only raised your salary once. l will
add thousand francs to it from to-
day"
Lacorte expressed his thanks, and
Rogue asked whether he was married,
to which he answered he was not
Rogue next inquired whether his pa
rents were livirg. Alfred replied tina,
his mother had been dead three years
but whether his father was alive he did
not know, as he had heard his mother
say that he deserted her soon after he
was born, and that she had never heard
of him afterward.
'Dd he bear the same name al
yourself 7" asked Rogue.
"No sir" was the answer; "his name
was Beauvis."
Roques heart almost leaped into hi.
throat, and he said nothing more
The next day, to Alfred's great sur
prise, Rogue invited him TO the villa tc
dinner There he was introduced tc
Eugene. He was pressed to renew
his visits, and in few weeks feeling
of affection sprang up between the
young people, which very soon ripenec
into love. Rogue threw no impedi
ment in the way, and before they haC
been acquainted four months he pro
posed that Alfred and Eugenie SHOULD
marry and both reside at the villa
He expressed himself averse to a gran,
wedding, and so the young coupl
were quietly welded, and had thei
own apartments assigned to them.
BLOODY PLOT.
Now, at the outset, the idea whicl
was in Roque's mind was that whel
the couple were married he would dis
close to Alfred the fact of his bein,
heir to the dead Calcutta merchant
and, when once Alfred hal got posses
sion of the estate, throw himself o.
his generosity. for help out of the fl
nanclal difficulties which were ready I
overwhelm him. But Rogue had lon
been an inveterate gambler, and ha
latterly become more reckless tina
ever. After long run of i'll luck h
began 10 contemplate plan by whic
he might get the wealth coming to A
fred into his own hands. AT lengt
he devised scheme, which you sha
hear.
Among the frequenters of a gan
bling resort which Rogue visited wa
a man named Bertrand. This ma
was known to be scoundrel and a
ex-convict, but, as he was useful fo
many purposes, his presence was tolel
ated. Rogue took Bertrand into hi
confidence and explained to him hi
scheme to enrich them both. lie tol
| of lfrai'u aynact ationa and oai1 Al n