Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-10-10
CHAPTER XVII.

Shortly before ten o'clock on the fol-
lowing morning, Cassagne and ID Auburon
entered the bureau, where under the d.
rect supervision of the commIsSary the
records of the department of police are
preserved for future reference. Cassagne
was evidently well known to the officers
of the bureau. In a few minutes such
books and induces as he required were
placed at his disposal.
D'Auburon stood by intently watching
his principal as he turned to the index
page of a huge volume. Reaching the
letter e. he ran his eye rapidly over the
names, which were arranged in the order
of their date of entry. He started in at
the top of the page full Of confidence;
as his finger travelled down the column,
however, his face grew perceptibly longer.
When he reached the bottom, he gave au-
dible expression to his disappointment by
ex.laiming:
Philip Graham either was never I'M
der police surveillance at all. or he chang
ed his name when he came to Paris"
As the detective uttered these words,
an idea suddenly occurred to DAuburOn.
Look lnder the name of the woman
in whose charge he was placed. If he
took any other name than his own, what
more natural than he should take hers"
That's a good suggestion" said Cas-
sagne. Her name was Marie La Seur,
as | recolIect it--yes, that was it. Marie
La Seur. I'll trouble you for that L
volume"
D'Auburon handed it to him, and the
search commenced afresh. Presently Cas-
sagne exclaimed:
Here is Philip La Seur. l shouldn't
be surprised if you were right. Page
ffty-three."
Hold on a minute. Don't be disap
pointed if it shouldn't prove to be the
man. La Seur is a common enough name,
and there are over two millions and
half of people in Paris to draw from.
Here's page ffty-three; now let me see
what it says"
The two men leaned over the book as
they scanned the page before them. Then
they read:
Philip La Seur placed under police
surveillance by order of the commissary."
I'VE have him - exclaimed D'Auburon.
in a tone of triumph. I'VE have him
now, for certain
Not too fast, my friend; not too fast.
Let's see what this foot note is
At the bottom of the page was written
in red ink:
''Toulon, seventeen years, forgery"
An expression of intense disappoint-
ment spread itself over the face of the
detective. D'Auburon, also, understood
Philip La Seur could have served out
but little more than half his sentence
Consequently he could have had no hand
in the commission of the crime.
For few minutes both men were en-
tirely nonplused. At length Cassagne,
who had again been thinking deeply, ex-
claimed:
Il shall not be satisfied until l have
examined the state papers relating to this
trial. at the conclusion of which Philip
La Seur was sent to Toulon.'
You will waste your time" replied
D'Auburon.
Il shall not. How do you know there
may not have been Communication of SEN
tence?"
Il must confess that did not even occur
TO me-"
well, it occurred to me: and in any
event it will be time we'll spent TO look
over the record of the trial. Philip La
Seur may have called witnesses to testify
in his own behalf-to speak, for instance,
of his former good character-and who
knows what we may learn from them?
Go out and get a CAD. while l take down
the number of the ease and put away
these books.
ITO the Palais de Justice
As they ere about to step into a cab, a
newsboy approached them. crying:
Horrible murder! \ body found in
the Seine -
BUY a paper, D'Auburon," said Cas-
sagne as he leaped into the vehicle.
D'Auburon did as requested, and jump
ing into the cab after his friend. spread
the sheet just wet from the press out
upon his knees.
Abr he calculated, this plot thick
ems with vengeance. Whom do you think
the murdered man isl"
L cannot guess"
1T is Vougeot, the detective whom the
project of police placed on the track OF
Jules Chabot.'
1t was not voluminous document, the
report of the trial and conviction OF
Philip La Seur. To be sure, no one from
| a perusal of it could have argued the
| identity Of the prisoner in the case with