New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1892-03-02
SOME MYSTERIOUS DEATHS.

l. mao some EenOWl DIS d. SUCCESSFUL
rogue-catcher; and had some expert
ence, too. My field of operations, as
a usual thing, lay within the confines
OF the Department OF the Lower Alps;
and though / served under the Sub
project of the Third ACCOMPLISHMENT,
yet the project of the Department
called on me when he chose. One
morning-lt was in the latter part Of
May received note from the Pre-
feet, ordering me to come to Digne,
and see him with all possible despatch.
The missive came through the Office
OF our Sub-prefect, SO had nothing to
do but get ready and start. I took
an early dinner; assumed the dress OF
a peasant; Drowned my face and
hands; and set forth. reached Digne
just at nightfall, and as soon as it
was dark | waited upon the Project.
lie seemed to be relieved when he saw
me, and at once took me to his pri-
waite closet.
"Now," said |, ''have you got work
for me?"
eyes," he replied. "Sit down and
listen."
We sat down, and having tasted
glass OF wine, he proceeded:
"Within few months past there
have been some Of the most mysteri-
Gus murders committed in this de-
partment, and the Department of
Var that have ever come under my
notice. They are done: mostly, on
the road from Casttllane to Aups.
The first victim was a Marseilles
merchant, who had come up to Cas-
tellane to purchase preserved fruits.
His body was found by the road side,
near the line between the two
departments; and at first it was
supposed that he must have
fallen there and died in a fit, as no
mark Of violence could be found upon
him. His pockets had been rifled,
however. The next one was found
near Annot, and under the same cir
cumstances. He was merchant also,
and from Nice. Since then five or six
more died upon the road in the same
mysterious way; and no marks OF ILL.,
usage have been found upon any of
them! but they all have been robbed. }"
"Have most OF them stoppedin Cas-
teIlane?" asked. ....
The Project told ME that they had.
land I suppose they must haveput
up at the same inn there?" [ remark
"Yes," said the Project.
| then supposed that some OF the
landlords must be concerned. But my
companion informed me that they
had been narrowly watched, and that
no shadow of evidence rested against
them.
But" said I, els there not some
poison in this matter? Some innkeep-
er may administer the potion, and
then send an accomplice after the VIC
tim"
"No,' returned the Project. with a
shake of the head. Inexperienced
physicians have examined the stom-
achs OF several OF the dead men, but
no trace of poison has been found
1t is a mysterious affair. The Sub
project has done all he could, but
give the whole thing into
your hands. You must 60 to Castel-
lane at once, and there you can get
such further information as the Sub
project can give you"
After comforting a while longer with
the Project, he let me have suit OF
ordinary bridesmaids clothing; and
thus habited, went to hotel and
put up for the night In the morn
ing | procured a horse, and set out,
reaching Castellane before noon. Dur
ing the day pretended to be doing
business. | went to the woollen fac
tory and examined a lot of stuff; and
also visited several places where pre-
served fruits were put up. ! learned
that most of the people who came
there on business stopped at an inn
kept by a man named Juan Fontaix;
sc. LEFT my horse there, and engaged
lodgings.
After dark I called upon the Sub
project. He etold me that he had
used all the means within his power,
but had been able to gain no clue to
the guilty party. Most of the muir
dered victims had been from Mar
seilIes,- and the excitementin that city
was intense Gendarmes had been
sent out upon the watch. The last
victim had fallen only four days be-
fore, and the deed was done fifteen
minutes after the policemen had
passed the spot.
l asked the Sub-prefect if he had any
suspicious. He answered that all the
suspicion he had held was fastened
upon Juan Fontaix, the innkeeper.
Nearly all the murdered men had
stopped at his house, andh must
have known something OF this business.
| bade the officer keep perfectly
quiet, and not even to let one OF his
own men know Of my presence Then
/ returned to the inn, and finally
entered into a conversation with my
host upon the subject OF the mysteri-
Gus deaths. He pronounced it won
derful; and assured me that it had in
iured him more. than he could tell
"By Joven he muttered, , '.they will
be slspecting me next, ii they. have
not done SO already"
! was soon satisfied that Juan Fon-
talk knew nothing Of the guilty party.
He was very fearful, and at times
blanched and trembled atthe thought