The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-04-23
CHAPTER VI


Dr. Paul Mason found opportunity to
whisper in Charles Van Lith's ear. as he
was led away;
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. be
suffered himself to be conducted unresist-
ingly to that sombre vehicle. in which.
closely barred and huddIed 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 be ate. though sparingly.
Of the breakfast which his housekeeper,
Louise. had long ago prepared against his
coming
We'll. Madame Roupel was murdered
this morning at the Chateau Villeneuve."
be said at last
The old servant started violently. She
set down the pot from which she was
about to pour fresh cup Of coffee for the
doctor, and trembled from head to foot.
rs 1t possible?" she calculated
1t Is not only possible. but, alas. It Is /
= fact" repeated the doctor: '-and as /
If that was not trouble enough in one
day. my friend Monsieur Charles Van Il
Lith has been arrested. charged with the
commission Of the crime"
AT this additional intelligence the old i
woman's eyes nearly started out Of her
head
Monsieur Chariesl How can be be
guilty Of such a thing? He. 80 gay, so
cheerful. so polite to everybody I 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 n report
Of the whole affair In the morning paper.
You can read II for yourself
The old lady put on her glasses, and
simply devoured the paper which the doc
tor handed her. Suddenly she exciain-
ID:
Monsieur Van Lith's silence has some
hing TO do with one Of the young ladies.
rou may depend upon It,"
Louise pointed to a certain paragraph
n the report Of the tragedy, which had
already, In the shape Of an extra found
Is way thus early into print:
at has transpired that a light was
turning in the chamber Of Mile. Harriet
Weldon, a niece Of the murdered woman.
i late hour. Il would not surprise Us {
o learn that this young lady ultimately
Iroved to be the woman In the case"
you give me credit for too much ,
harpness, you see" said Louise. "Tt IL
be idea Of the reporter. not nine"
All" replied the doctor, those report
r. are very sharp fellows. Some Of them
re as good as trained detectives" 3
They are good enough In their way
emarked the old housekeeper, as she be-
an to clear away the breakfast dishes.
but could they begin to compete with {
ugh men as Marmaud. Bassaud or Alfred
assagne especially Cassagne7 Oh. he s
as sharp as a needle; nothing escapes +
In"
TELL US something more about this Al !.
red Cassagne. Why do you mention
i'm, particularly
First, because be has good reputa-
on. and secondly, 5S>=aae / happen 10 q
now something about him, monsieur re- Z
lied the housekeeper, highly grafiHed At =
ring thus INTERCEPTED. "IIe is one Of
le most famous detectives IN Paris, and :.
e has no need TO be a detective At ALL n
: anything else. for that matter, a. he
is plenty Of money to live upon All. he
grand. II IL a passion with him. when
lyone else fails 70 get to the bottom Of
mystery. they call IN Monsieur Cas-. y
gne. and be always succeeds y
"AlwaysT
If be does not IL is because the es.s r.