Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-21
THE TALE OF ACRIME.

The TALE OF A CRIME.
N. Theodore, chef de surcte, sat In
his cabinet deeply perplexed his two
elbows on his desk, his head on his
hands. He was musing.
t'And was it going to last, this
which had been going on for so long
while? And these assassins, were
they going to end by beating him?
Where they going to compel him by
adverse public opinion to send in his
resignation?
''Parbleu. it looked 50, and as if
they did 1t on purpose, passing the
Word from one to another to force
him to get out of their way. Eight
assassinatiOns, one after another!
Crimes Of the worst calibre, with
startling details, which peopled alike
with horrifying visions the sleep Of
the bureaucrat and the concierge.
And not an assassin, for all their
skillful work, had they been able to
lay their hands upon; they had fled,
every man Of them; they had disap-
beared, vanished-piif, like puff of
air. Celebrity, despatch. their motto,
and to 90 without leaving an address
behind them! Frankly, it had begun
to pass the bounds of all reas IN.
"And now, to top off these eight
other crimes, there was still another,
ninth one-a murder like the
others. accomplished the evening be-
fore. under similar conditions. a
femme galante with her throat cut.
five thousand francs worth of jewels
gone, and-not trace Of the assas-
sins!"
Despite his robust philosophy, that
had long been the admiration and
emulation of his century, M. Theo-
dore felJ himself drifting into mel
ancholy and reflection, not unmixed
with anger.
mine murders one after the
other: nine crimes without an author;
nonsense! impOssible!" The chef de
surete pulled himself together, threw
hack his head like war horse sniff
fling battle, and-the door opened.
1t was his secretary who presented
himself, bearing card in his fingers.
IA gentleman, monsieur, who in
sists upon seeing you. He declares, "
and the secretary smiled little at
the absurdity Of the idea, ''he de-
clares himself in position to furn-
ish you with definite particulars re-
garding the crime of yesterday"
''Ah. the crime Of yesterday" The
Chief turned quickly. "Then bid
him enter" said he. and while the
secretary regained the ante-room to
do his bidding, M. Theodore cast his
eye upon the card before him.
Frederick Houscal." he read in a
half voice. ''BOuscal, Bouscal; 1t
seems to rue that l know that name
that I've heard it somewhere.
He scrawled line upon a scrap of
paper, and handed it to the secre-
tary, who returned at the moment
ushering in the visitor who had
asked to see him, dismissed him with
Il word, and was ready for the mat
ter in hand.
M. Theodore raised his eyes. Be-
fore him was man simply but
neatly clothed, and with frank and
honest countenance, though yelled,
as by cloud, with sadness. The
eyes were clear and open, the nous
tache and goatee grey and pointed
in short, there was something in his
manner, something in his appear.
ance of a militalre in retreat.
You have particulars to give me,
have you not, monsieur?" questioned
the chef de surete; ''partlculars, ]
believe, of the crime of yesterday"
II hope SO, monsieur" simply re-
sponded the visitor.
"Ah, hope SO! You are not sure
them"
1T rests with you, M. le Chef,
whether ] am sure or not All de-
ponds, in fact, upon an operation
the means OF which you alone are
able to furnish me-"
explain, II you please"
Certainly. and at once, though
doubtless you have heard 1t often
spoken of, N. le Chef; a certain scien
tiac procedure which permits under
certain conditions. better even thar
description can do 1t, reproduction
of the portrait Ut the assassin. Briefly,
behold my meanil You know. o.
course" he continued. ''that the phe
nomenon called vision the object