Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-15

HARTELLs MURDER
To this gentleman he recalled the circum-
stances of Robert Hatreli's murder
THE murderer was supposed to be SWISS"
he said. 'but that was a purely speculative
idea founded upon his statement that he was
a journeyman watch maker. One part at least
of that statement. the assertion that he was
employed by II well-known firm in Cornhill.
was proved to be false. The name of
Antoinette. which was used a decoy to lure
him to his death, is the name of girl he knew
in Paris. The girls brother was known to be
vindictively disposed toward him. although her
relations with Hatrel we're perfectly innocent
and he acted as a man of honor throughout.
The mention of the girls name is to my mind
conclusive proof that Claude Morel was con-
cerned in the murder if he was not the actual
murderer. wonder that the attention of the
French police was not called to this case and
that effort was made to find the murderer
upon this side of the Channel. seeing the large
reward that was offered by Mr.. Hatrelrs
widow"
1T was too soon after the Commune. We
had our hands over full at that time. The
police Of this city have only one fault, Mon
seur."
And that is?''
There are not half enough Of them. The
French police are the most highly trained body
IN Europe, yet crime stalks rampant in the
capital from midnight till morning -the wolves
so much outnumber the sheep dogs. 1 own
that 1t was an oversight on our part not to hunt
down Claude Morel. His name was in the
black book of the Commune for more than one
petty villainy, but he slipped through our
| fingers, escaped the guns at Satory and the ex-
! portations from Havre. Had he paid the legal
| penalty for his offenses his secret would have
/ been safe in our hands. / suppose you know
that Is our rule never to divulge the ante
cedents of q forcat who has served his time"
| That seems rather hard upon the non-crim-
inal classes, who may ally themselves with an
ex-feion for want Of knowledge of the past
which would serve as a warning"
Il will not dispute that point, but it is part
| OF our code of honor. A criminal who is irving
to recover his place in society has nothing to
| fear from us SO long as he leads an honest life.
| Claude Morel, however, belongs to another
category. For the undetected felon We have
no mercy"
will you do what you can to ascertain if he
has been IN Paris since '72?" asked Fiorestan.
Yes, will institute an lnquiry-but fox OF
that breed is good at winding and doubling
and not easy to hunt down. do not think he
would set his foot in Paris after being con.
cerned IN more than one row that involved
rapine and bloodshed, especially if he was
afterward implicated in murder in London
He would be more likely to try the new world
America or Australia"
He might keep away for a few years and
then venture back, emboldened by the passage
OF time. There Is man whose character anC
surroundings are an enigma to me and whom
| l am most anxious to understand more clearly
| Will pay the expenses of any investigation
you may be able to get made into the existenc.
of this man."
''Who is hep
"He calls himself Leon Duverdier, but
have shrewd suspicion that he is no othel
than Claude Morel. wonder whether there il
any member Of your force who remember
Morei and could identify him after a lapse O
years?'
'There are plenty Of men who were engaged
in hunting down the Communists, but More
was never q man Of mark. doubt If his per
sonai appearance would be remembered by an,
of our men. You had better leave the matter
in my hands for few days and will see wha
can be done. You can get me the details O
this London murder and . report Of the in
quest, SUPPOSED"
Eyes, have the newspapers with their re
port OF the inquest and the inquiry before tn,
magistrate. will get all the particulars copies
and send you the copy. The Partisan police