River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-02-02


returning home, got into conversation with
the inmates of the chateau and soon learned
the state of affairs. He resolved to institute
a search for the culprits on his own account
Louvait, having achieved this victory over
his rival, returned to Baudray's inn, where
he was told that no strangers had been en-
tertained as guests for two or three weeks !;
and that, furthermore, no strangers had
been seen in that neighborhood for as long
a time. The only guests who had lately left
the inn were the American, Fairfax. and the
Englishman, Oxford.
By this time, daylight was approaching
and Mireille arrived with the news that no
strange boat had been in the harbor
All the vessels which came in before the
storm were yet there. However, some Of
the sailors thought they had caught feet
ing glimpse of a huge boat, passing out to-
ward the island in the harbor. And one old
superannuated fisherman swore that, while
he was inspecting his nets, after the storm,
he the brilliant lights Of a steamer moving
out toward the channel.
LOuvait felt that the hour for immediate
action was gone, and that this was a case
requiring time, tact and patience. His de-
light increased as its magnitude and COM
plexity increased. Clearly no conspirators
II.
was deeply planned, finely-executed plot.
Men with means and authority We're its
Originators and executors, and were, there
fore, none of the people in the region there
abOuts. The glory to be gained was greater,
as the intricacy of the affair was greater.
Louvait's spirits rose TO the occa sion. His
enthusiasm became boundless as his am
bition.
''Not only have secured the sole man
agement of the case-a thing / didn't ex-
pect at the outset-but / have beaten
Leroi,' exclaimed he, joyously.
So the two worthless, in the most compla-
cent and self-satisfed humor, retired for a
brief rest.
The result of Louvait's careful and unre-
hitting exertions, next day, were as fol-
lows:
A carriage had been returned to livery
stable in Dol, about four o'clock on the very
morning following the abduction.
sit is full seven hours drive from the
sea-coast to Dol. Surprising it came direct
from Chateau Neuf, it must have left there
about nine o'clock last e''ening-just about
the hour when the fishermen think they
saw the yawl and the steamer The owner
says it was hired late during the previous
night. By whoml think by the conspira-
tors another clueIi
Thus he reasoned.
After further inquiries he discovered
that five suspicious-looking characters left
the cars at Dol, on the very night when the
vehicle was procured at the livery stable
two alighting from the st. Malo express to
Paris, and three from the express arriving
from Paris.
That they had hired the chaise, Louvait
fully believed. And that this was the chaise
used in the abduction he clearly proved by
comparing the distance between its wheels
with that between the tracks cut in the
earth about the old fish-house. II was an
old-fashioned vehicle, with a tremendous
breadth Of axle. So it was quite unlikely
that any other conveyance should have made
those broad ruts.
The result of the detectives subsequent
investigations was such as TO fasten his
suspicious upon Fairfax, Oxford and Roger.
But, then, TO Offset the suspicion that the
Englishman and his servant were the inter
esting pair that mysteriously left the st.
MalO express at Dol, the station-master at
st. MalO showed card, bearing the sigma
ture ARTHUR Fairfax, " requesting him ''to
reserve compartment for two on $50 p. m.
express to Paris to be called for by Mr..
Richard Oxford and valet"
Mr.. Oxford and valet had not only called
for this compartment but occupied it in per-
son, d. ing the entire trip to Paris-so the
guard said.
''Did the gentleman in such a compart-
ment travel to Paris or get Off at DOLE"
HE and his valet went direct TO Paris"
Describe their personal appearance"
'sTher hats were drawn down over their
faces, but / think one of them wore light
mustache. He was at least six feet in
height The valet wore only short-cropped
side-whiskers. He was about five feet
seven inches tall"
This correctly described Dick and his
valet. Yet Louvait was not satisfied.
ITO RF rONTTNT-FDI