The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-07-01

callers next morning, when the door
swung open, and gentleman, unmistak
ably English and carrying in his gloved
hands tall silk hat and the inevitable
umbrella of the rain-afflicted Briton, en-
tered the apartment. He was accom-
panied by lady whose grace of carriage,
and really handsome face accentuated if
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
likeness Of his race bowed low as he re-
ceived his visitors.
Monsieur lie project, l presume said
the gentleman, in French which was sim
ply execrable. II have the honor of ad-
dressing Monsieur Labanche, the project
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 CALAMITY
than ever. Really, notwithstanding their
gaucheries, these English women were
quite charming. In fact, the project was
agreeably surprised with his visitors. The
Englishmans manner was, perfect. With
his native dignity was blended a delight
full air of Difference and politeness. Not
withstanding his villainous pronouncia-
ton of the French language, he managed
to make himself clearly understood. The
evident cordially of his manner thawed
whatever reserve the project had sought
to hedge himself in with. His heart
quite warmed to the intelligent Lon
doner.
II 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,
II 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, NJ. Henderson, in London. Still
| he should be happy to place himself at
| their disposal. What would they like to
see first?
ooh, 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 a 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 a 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 photogra phed
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
phabetcally, and here is an index book
on the table for instant reference. Oppo-
site each name, you see, l 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 M Russell. The
Englishman was evidently deeply engross
ed in the index, hunting up the charac
tiers for himself, in his independent Eng
fish fashion.
mo, 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
siast on criminal heroes. She would BE-
for raising q monument to Jack Shep
pard and Dick Turpin, if I would allow
her"
ut is sad thing to have a bruta
husband" cried madame, with prett!
pout, as she went across the room on thu
arm of the project. Let us leave hin
to his own devices, monsieur, since h
says he is happy, and amuse ourselves
The susceptible NJ. Lablanche was il
the eventh heaven. He was entirely a
the service of madame. So he proceeded
to regale her with short sketches of hi
favorite malefactors, and madame looket
on and laughed or became sad, just q
the proper time.
They had completed the circuit of tn
room and were near the door again. M
Russell was still investigating on his owl
account. Nine. Russell, the pressure o
} her little hand still upon the arm Of he