Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-10-17
The Roupell Mystery


full air Of Difference and politeness. Not
withstanding his villainous prsnouncia-
ton of the French language, he managed
to make himself clearly understood The
eTident cordiality OF his manner thawed
whatever reserve the project had sought
to hedge himself in with. His heart
quite warmed to the intelligent Lon
doner
Il have the great fortune to be the
bearer of letter to you, monsieur" he
said, from the superintendent of police
al Scotland Yard, our mutual friend,
Mr.. James T. Henderson"
Il am delighted to see anyone who
comes to me introduced by Monsieur Hen
derson," replied the project
He scarcely glanced at the letter. He
was afraid he had but little to show them
after the magnificent department Of his
friend, n. Henderson, in London Still
he should be happy TO place himself 1t
their disposal. What would they like to
see first?
'Oh, the rogues' gallery, by all means"
suggested Nine. Russell. enthusiastically.
"Or your splendid Bertilion system of
measurement for prisoners, which you
have brought to such perfection in Paris"
added her husband.
1t was telling compliment, because
1t was true. NJ. Labianche had been in
deed the first to adopt the Bertillon sys-
tenn, and under his supervision it had
attained a marvellous degree of accuracy
and perfection. He had taken the raw
theory of a prison reformer, and reduced
it to practical science.
Our rogues' gallery is not as extern
sive as it used to be-" he explained.
Since the adoption of the system of
measurements we have not photographed
any but the most notorious criminals. You
can probably see more pictures in Lon
DON However, I will show you some of
the most important"
He led the way into a square, high
ceiled chamber, lighted from the roof only,
the walls of which were literally covered
with portraits of the desperadoes Of
France.
You see we have them arranged al
phabetically. and here is an index book
on the table for instant reference. Oppo-
site each name, you see, | have placed
the Bertillon measurement of all those
prisoners who have come here since the
adoption of that system. There they are,
men and women, from all classes of So
ciety. and of every degree of crime and
misfortune"
The fair English woman seemed
strangely moved.
Poor creatures" she murmured, soft
ly, as her little hand rested involuntarily
on the officers coat sleeve.
The project regarded her admiringly.
Tears of genuine pity were in her bright,
laughing eyes.
But it is strangely interesting" she
added. "Oh. monsieur, please show me
one or two of the most desperate and
relate their history"
The project turned to NJ. Russell. The
Englishman was evidently deeply engross-
ed in the index, hunting up the charac-
ters for himself, in his independent Eng
lish fashion.
NO. l don't want to hear the his
tories" he said, looking up from the book,
with a cordial smile. I'm perfectly
happy. But Mrs Russell is an enthu-
sast on criminal heroes. She would be
for raising a monument to Jack Shep-
pard and Dick Turpin, if l would allow
her"
1t is a sad thing to have brutal
husband" cried madame, with a pretty
pout, as she went across the room on the
| arm of the project. Let us leave him
to his own devices, monsieur. since he
says he is happy, and amuse ourselves.
The susceptible N. Labanche was in
hon 10 o+
| the service of madame. SO he proceeded
to regale her with short sketches of his
/ favorite malefactors, and madame looked
| on and laughed or became sad, just as
| the proper time.
They had completed the circuit of the
room and were near the door again NJ.
Russell was still investigating on his own
account. Nine. Russell, the pressure of
| her little hand still upon the arm of her
| gallant conductor, looked up imporingly
at him with those fatal eyes
"Oh monsieur she said, do show me
some of the prisoners
1T is not a pleasing sight for mad
ame," feebly protested the project. 1t
was a rule of his never to leave a stran-
ger alone in the rogues' gallery. Pic
| lures had been distracted before now by
reic hunters. Still a friend of the Lon
don superintendent of police, and man
so evidently to be trusted; it would be
all right. Besides it would give him an
other five minutes of the society of mad
anne. As many another man in his place
would have done, he took Nine. Russell
to see the prisoners. Ten minutes later,
| with a thousand thanks, the cordial Eng
lishman and his wife took their leave.