Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-08-15

considered this as iIl-timed leniency, but
there was no help for it. The certificate
Of so famous a physician as DR.. Paul
Mason had its weight with the judge of
instruction
CHAPTER VI.
DR.. Paul Mason found opportunity to
whisper in Charles Van Lith's ear, as he
was led away:
DO not despair. l will leave no stone
unturned to establish your innocence"
Then, as he wrung his hand, he added,
oh, if you would but speak"
Van Lith said nothing in reply. He
was so overcome with the horror of his
situation that he could barely stammer
out his thanks for the doctors kindness.
Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the
misfortune which had overtaken him, he
suffered himself to be conducted unresist-
ingly TO that sombre vehicle, in which,
closely barred and huddled together like
sheep, prisoners are carried to the dark
and gloomy cells of La Mazas. Paul Ma
son Immediately took a cab to the Rue de
Reverdy, where he ate, though sparingly,
Of the breakfast which his housekeeper,
Louise, had long ago prepared against his
coming.
We'll, Madame Roupell was murdered
this morning at the Chateau Yilleneuve,"
he said at last.
The old servant started violently. She
set down the pot from which she was
about to pour a fresh cup of coffee for the
doctor, and trembled from head to foot.
rs it possible?" she CALCULATED.
1T is not only possible, but, alas. it is
a fact" repeated the doctor; land as
if that was not. trouble enough in one
Lith has been arrested, charged with the
commission of the crime"
At this additional intelligence the old
woman's eyes nearly started out of her
head.
Monsieur Charles! How can he be
guilty of such a thing? He, so gay, so
cheerful, so polite to everybody l will
never believe it."
HE was in the chateau last night, and
positively refuses to tell even me how he
came to be there. But there is a report
of the whole affair in the morning paper.
You can read it for yourself"
The old lady put on her glasses, and
simply devoured the paper which the doc
tor handed her. Suddenly she exclaim-
ed
Monsieur Van Lith's silence has some
thing to do with one of the young ladies,
you may depend upon it,
Louise pointed to a certain paragraph
in the report of the tragedy, which had
already, in the shape of an EXTRA" found
it's way thus early into print:
1T has transpired that light was
burning in the chamber of Mile Harriet
Weldon, niece of the murdered woman,
at late hour. 1t would not surprise us
to learn that this young lady ultimately
proved to be the woman in the case"
You give me credit for too much
sharpness, you sea- said Louise 1T is
the idea of the reporter, not mine"
All replied the doctor, those report
ers are very sharp fellows. Some of them
are as good as trained detectives"
They are good enough in their way"
remarked the old housekeeper, as she be-
gan to clear away the breakfast dishes,
but could they begin to compete with
such men as Marmaud, Bassaud or Alfred
Cassagne- especially Cassagne? Oh, he
is as sharp as a needle; nothing escapes
him"
Tell US something more about this AL
fred Cassagne. Why do you mention
him, particularly"
First, because he has a good reputa-
ton, and secondly, because l happen to
know something about him, monsieur re-
piled the housekeeper, highly gratifed at
being thus Intercepted. He is one of
the most famous detectives in Paris, and
he has no need to be detective at all,
or anything else, for that matter, as he
has plenty of money to live upon All, he
is grand. 1t is passion with him. When
anyone else fails to get to the bottom of
a mystery, they can in Monsieur Cas-
sagne, and he always succeeds
"Always?"
IF he does not it is because the case
is hopeless, has no bottom. He is very
shrewd He adopts a hundred DISCUSSES
An Englishman stops you on the street at
nine o'clock and asks you the way. 1t
is Monsieur Cassagne. At ten, a Ger
man shoemaker, leathern apron and all,
inquiries what time it is. 1t is Monsieur
Cassagne A little further on a crossing
sweeper begs for a few sous. 1t is Cas-
sagne again Finally, you see him out
side one of the cafes, slipping his choco-
late only you don't recognize him, for
he is a merchant or perhaps a swell of
the houlevards. All, bat he is a wonder
full man, is this Alfred Cassagne."
DO you know where he livesP"
Certainly, a cousin of mine once work
ed for him. l have been in his house.
1t is the Rue de Petits Champs. Thirty
six is the number"
II intend to employ detective on this
matter" said the doctor, presently, land
as | don't know one from another, l am
inclined TO say. Why not your friend.
Alfred Cassagne| Slip on your bonnet
and shawl, Louise. 1 want you to take a
message to the telegraph Office"
The doctor took a blank from a drawer
and wrote his dispatch.
Take that" he said. handing it to the
heusekeeper. 1T is a message to your
wonderful Cassagne, asking him to meet
me tomorrow morning at the Chateau
Villeneuve. We shall be on the ground
there, and he will have a chance to show
what he is made Of"
The old lady's face wore a beaming ex-
preston. She put the telegram in her
pocket as if it were some precious jewel
You will not regret it, monsieur, for,
as l have assured you, you will find Mon
sieur Cassagne a very clever person"
Already in her simple mind, the gloomy
gates of La Mazas had swung back upon
their massive hinges, and the young
friend of her kind master stepped forth
a free and happy man.
1t was a beautiful morning; the birds
sang melodiously in the trees which sur.
rounded the Chateau Eilleneuve. DR.
Mason had arrived from Paris on an early
train, and was now pacing impatiently
to and fro on the broad terrace in front
of the house In his hand he held q
telegram which he had received from NJ
Casa gne, the detective. He was glancing
at it for perhaps the twentieth time
when one of the windows of the morning
room, which was on q level with the
ground, suddenly opened, and Emily
Weldon stepped out upon the terrace
She was pale even to ghastliness. Not
withstanding the fatigues of the previous
day. she had passed a sleepless night
The upper chambers of the chateau