Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-03-06
Mr. Russell during his visit In Paris will
be highly appreciated by me.
Yours very truly,
sIAMEC
q r a n v | 1 e

| Yours very truly,
JAMES 7. HENDERSON,
"Supt. Police"
That's about perfect" soliloquised the
detective, because It transgresses every
known rule of French letter writing, and
that alone stamps 1t as English. The
Esquire Is particularly good. English
men, even OF education, are perpetually
making that mistake when addressing
letters to this country. Paris, France,
also Is not bad. NJ. Henderson would
doubtless be careful lest his friend Mr..
Russell should present 1t at Paris, Ken
lucky, or Paris, Texas"
The prefect of police had hardly time
to place himself in the dignifed attitude
In which it was his custom to receive his
callers next morning, when the door
swung open, and a gentleman, unmistak-
ably English and carrying In his gloved
hands tall silk hat, and the inevitable
umbrella Of the rain-aflicted Briton, en-
tered the apartment. He was accom-
panied by lady whose grace of carriage,
and really handsome face, accentuated il
anything in the eyes of the Frenchman
the villainous fit of all her garments.
There should be law passed to COM
pei such people to employ Partisan dress
makers. But even then they would never
look like our women" was his inward
comment, as he arose, and with the po-
| liteness Of his race bowed low as he re-
ceived his visitors.
Monsieur lie prefect, / presume" said
the gentleman, in French which was sim
ply execrable. II have the honor of ad-
dressing Monsieur Lablanche, the prefect
Of the Partisan police?"
II am he, monsieur"
Permit me to present you to my wife
Madame Russell-Monsieur Victor La
| blanche"
The Frenchman bowed more gallantly
than ever. Really, Notwithstanding their
gaucheries, these English women were
quite charming. In fact, the prefect was
agreeably surprised with his visitors. The
Englishman's manner was perfect. With
his native dignity was blended delight
full air of Difference and politeness. Not
withstanding his villainous pronouncia-
| tiop of the French language, he managed
to make himself clearly understood The
| evident cordiality of his manner thawed
whatever reserve the prefect 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
at Scotland Yard, our mutual friend,
Mr.. James T. Henderson"
Il am delighted to see anyone who
comes tome introduced by Monsieur Hen
derson," replied the prefect.
He scarcely glanced at the letter. He
was afraid he had but little to show them
after the magnificent department of his
friend, NJ. Henderson, in London. Still
he should be happy to place himself at
their disposal. What would they like to
see first?
"Oh, the rogues' gallery, by all MEANS"
suggested Nine. Russell, enthusiastically.
"Or your splendid Bertillon system Of
measurement for prisoners, which you
have brought to such perfection in Paris"
added her husband.
1t was telling compliment, because
it was true. NJ. Lablanche 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 prison reformer, and reduced
it to practical science.
Our rogues' gallery is not as exten-
sve as 1t used to be-" he explained.
Since the adoption of the system of
measurements we have not photogra phed
any but the most notorious criminals. You
can probably see more pictures in Lon
don. However, l will show you some of
the most important"
He led the way into a square, high
ce!led 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 prefect 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 prefect 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.
mo, don't want to hear the his
tories" he said, looking up from the book.
with cordial smile. I'm perfectly
4