Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-06-13
The Roupell Mystery


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-afHicted 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-
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. ~ have the honor of add
dressing Monsieur Lablanche, the project
of the Partisan policeT
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 poiiteness. Not
withstanding his villainous pronouncia
ton of the French language, he managed
to make himself clearly understood. The
evident cordiality of his manner thawed
whatever reserve the project 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"
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?
'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
II was true. NJ. Lablanche had been in
deed the first to adopt the Bertillon sys-
| tenn, and under his supervision 1t had
attained 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 1t used to be-" he explained.
"Since the adoption of the system of
measurements we have not photographed
any but the most notorious criminals. You
can probably see more pictures In Lon
don. However, | will show you some Of
the most important"
He led the way into a square, high
J 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
= alphabetically, and here is an index book
on the table for instant reference. Oppo-
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
", 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 NJ. Russell. The
. Englishman was evidently deeply engross
, ed in the index, hunting up the charac
tiers for himself, in his independent Eng,
, lsh fashion.
: mo, don't want to hear the his
, tories" he said, looking up from the book
3 with a cordial smile "I'm perfectly
happy. But Mrs. Russell is an enthu,
siast on criminal heroes. She would be
/ for raising monument to Jack Shep-
: pard and Dick Turpin, If would allow
her"
"It is sad thing to have q brutal
/. husband" cried madame, with a pretty
3 pout, as she went across the room on TIE
arm of the project. LET us leave him
! to his own devices, monsieur, since he
l says he is happy, and amuse ourselves
The susceptible NJ. Lablanche was In
the eventh heaven. He was entirely al
the service of madame. So he proceeded
to regale her with short sketches Of his
favorite malefactors, and madame looked
; on and laughed or became sad, just as
the proper time.
j They had completed the circuit Of the
y room and were near the door again. NJ
a Russell was still investigating on his OWL
account. Nine. Russell. the pressure OF
o her little hand still upon the arm Of her
i gallant conductor. looked up imploringly
at him with those fatal eyes.