Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-11
THE SCARLET CROSS.

IHE sJAR Ell CIaDSS.
All Paris was ringing with the news O
horrible murder.
In theatrical circles, especially, the ex
element was intense, when it was known
that Mile. Croizette, the most popula
danseuse on the boards of the Varieties
had fallen beneath the knife of a cowardlJ
| assassin.
Two hideous and gaping wounds haC
been inflicted upon the unfortunate woman
either Of which would have caused hel
death But beyond this, all the circum
stances connected with the atrocious crime
remained shrouded in mystery-the motive
as we'll as the chief actor in the terrible
tragedy. There was positively no clew OF
any kind. The weapon even, with which
the murder had been committed, had been
inflicted with some sharp instrument.
After minute investigation, the first
theory that Mile. Croizette had met hei
death at the hands of some jealous lover
was reluctantly abandoned. Whilst only q
dancer. the strict morality Of her conduct
during her engagement at the Theater de
Varieties precluded any suspicion being
thrown upon her numerous admirers. The
search for the murderer would undoubtedly
have been given up if a cm ious circumstance
had not happened
Mons. Pierre Morel, an artist, called at
| police headquarters and stated that he re-
sided at 81 Rue de Petits Champs, and oc-
cupied apartments directly opposite those
of the murdered woman. Shortly after
midnight on the day of the murder he had
arisen, being unable to sleep, and going to
his 5ltting-room window. Whilst seated
there he had noticed the shadows of two
persons, those of man and a woman.
thrown against the window shade in the
upper story of house opposite him. As
be gazed the two shadows lurched forward
and fell disappearing from view. Then,
| to his intense astOnishment distinctly out
lined against the window curtain, appear
ed the shadow Of a small cross. 1t remain
ed in view for about thirty seconds, when
"a shadowy hand plucked it in haste and
| the light was eNtinguished. He had fail,
ed to report this occurrence to the police
until urged to do so by the news of Mile
Croizette's death, which reached him at
Versailles, whittier he had gone on the
morning Immediately succeeding the
murder.
Alfred Cassagne had been sitting quiet
ly III the chiefs room, having but lately
reported to him the result of his expedi-
ton to st. Petersburg, whittier he had
gone to discover the assassin of Paul Pei
aufski. He listened with considerable in
terest to the artists narrative. Chief OF
| Police Pommard, however, who had heard
| fifty stories about The murder during the
past week, heard Mons. Morel's narrative
with impotence. He was about to dis
miss him when Cassagne said:
Permit me to ask him a few ques
tons"
Certainly, replied the chief of police
with just Il tinge OF sarcasm In his
voice. ASK hundred if you like. What
the entire department has not succeeded
In accomplishing in two weeks, no doubt
Mons. Alfred Cassagne after his Russian
! experiences, will be able to solve immedi
ateiy" ~
Chief Pommard was an excellent off
GER, bat just Jrife out of temper
to an old and experienced official t.
be 50 completely bafied in the detection
OF crime that had stirred Paris to its cen
| ter
Cassagne smiled slightly, but did not
retort. On the contrary, having first sub
| jected Mons Morel to a searching eros
examination, he turned politely to Chic
Pommard and urgently requested to b.
detailed on the Croizette case.
He felt convinced that he had now
struck upon an important and likely
| clew
The chief, however, was unwilling thai
| Cassagne should waste any time on the
| matter.
But | will conduct the investigation
at my own expense, replied t hS detective
| ''Recollect Monsieur, that your own popu
| Iation is at stake, as we'll as that of the
| whole body of secret police"
This view of the matter seemed to strike
Mons. Pommard more forcibly.
We'll, go ahead, do your best, he said
at last.
vestigations upon the inductive theory
that is, he reasoned from effect to cause,
not from cause to effect. The question
he now asked himself was, ''What pro-
duced the shadow of the cross upon the
the curtain?"
That very morning he went alone and
made a thorough examination of the scene
of the murder Nothing in the apartment
had been removed. In the evening, &C
companied by Mons. MoreI, he again Wis
tied it.
Lighting a lamp he placed it upon a
small wooden table.
why do you put it in the exact center
with so much care?' asked his compan-
| ion.
Because, answered the detective,
clamps are almost invariably placed in the
center of tables. You will see its impor-
lance later on" Mons. Moral had become
as interested in the discovery of the muir.
derer as the detective. He was an educat
ed and intelligent man.
Cdssagne then took from his pocket two
| pieces of wood and fastened them together
in the form of small cross about eight
inches high This he now placed upright
on the table at little distance from the
lamp The shadow of the cross feI
upon the curtain. 1t was about eight fee
high.
Was it as large as that?" he inquired
of Morel.
No. not half as large; but what are yor
driving at?'
Never you mind, y was the reply of the
detective Wait and see"
Cassagne then moved the cross further
from the lamp until it reached the very
edge of the table, but the shadow of the