Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-05-10
,n.aix, and there Bressart engaged

the Sub-Prefect. From this official he
learned that most of the dead men
had come from Marseilles, and that in
that city the excitement was intense.
Gendarmes had been sent out upon all
| the roads. and secret police had also
been upon the watch. The last victim
had fallen only four days before. and
the deed had been done fifteen minutes
after the policeman had passed the spot
Further, he learned that the officials
suspicion rested to a more or less de-
gree on Juan Fontaix, as nearly all
the murdered men had stopped at this
| inn and he must have known some
thing of their business.
Impressing absolute secrecy as to his
| presence. Bressart returned to his lOdg-
ings, and finally entered into a CONVEX
sation with his host upon the subject of
the mysterious deaths
The innkeeper pronounced it won
derful, and assured the detective that
it injured him more than he could tell.
..Mon Dieu!' muttered the host.
''they will be suspecting me next, if
they have not done SO already"
Although when the murders were
mentioned Fontaix blanched and trem-
bled lest he should be apprehended for
the crime, Bressart did not deem it adj
visable to follow up the suspicious of
the Sub-Prefect concerning the land
lord.
Having spent the next day ostensibly
engaged in business in the factories,
but in reality on the alert for any clew.
Bressart became convinced no circum-
stantial evidence would answer. The
culprit or culprits must be caught with
the proof upon him or them.
Bressart, now having spent the sec
ond night at the inn. determined upon
| n very bold move. He had given an
assumed name on his arrival, and
stated that he was from Toulon; SO.
calling for his bill, he informed his
host that he was off for home. Then
he went to the fruit preserver's and
told HIM the same story. stating that
he must consult his partner before con-
Guiding any bargain. After that he
called at the wooden factory and saw
the business agent. His name was
Louis Cazaubon, and he had come to
| Castellane about year before. He
seemed to the detective like straight
| forward business man, and had previ-
ously discussed the murders with Bres-
sart in an open and ofl-handed manner.
To the agent Bressart stated what he
had told the others-that he must re-
turn to Toulon.
IF you have not the ready money
with you we can give you credit" said
the agent.
In reply, Bressart said that he had
plenty of money, but was not fully pre-
pared to pay the prices demanded.
Very well' answered Cazaubon;
al shall be happy to sell when you
come again.
Thereupon the detective departed.
| When alone. Bressart became very
thoughtful. 1t seemed strange that,
although he had told the agent that he
had money. the latter had not bantered
him. Perhaps the agent wanted him
to have money when he left Any
| how, Bressart rode to an out-of-the-
way place and left his horse, and then
returned and concealed himself in Il
position where he could watch the
movements of Cazaubon.
In a few minutes the agent came out
from the factory and walked away.
His step seemed hurried and eager.
Although the detective now fully sus-
pected Cazaubon, he felt sure that he
was not the man who did the direct
work of death. The plot must be
deeper or it would have been discov-
cred before.
| AS Bressart could not follow with
safety, he determined to wait and see
the agent returned. In less than ff-
teen minutes Cazaubon returned. He
walked with sober and innocent air.
Waiting until the agent was seated
at his desk, Bressart returned to his
horse.
The detective now concluded that il
the factory agent was really at the bot
tom of the crimes, he had already put
his machinery in motion and the next
development would be upon the road.
He examined his pistols and left the
town. taking the road along the river
toward Aups.
Having ridden about half an hour,
Bressart. although n brave man, be-
gan to experience slight sense of fear
as he entered Il dreary piece of woods.
and carefully kept his eyes about him.
The mysterious manner in which the
murders had been done verged SC
closely upon the marvellous that natil.
rally superstitious feeling was at
tached to it.
Having crossed small cascade a
st. Esprit. he was descending Il short
steep hillside, when he came upon s
boy by the roadside engaged in whip
ping mule. The youth was a slightly
built young fellow, not more thar
fifteen years of age, dressed in coarse