Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-04-03
CHAPTER III.-(Oontinusd.
A II s t y n

on ner myers rich gems still sparkled
In their golden settings
Come here. Monsieur Reyell,~ he said.
quietly TO the mayor. In that hushed voice
which even men accustomed to such
scenes invoiuntarlly adopt in the pres
ence OF the dead. The mayor of Vile
neuve approached the bedside, and gazed
Tor some moments on the features of the
murdered woman.
DO you notice the direction OF the bull
LETT" inquired the project, pointing with
hls finger.
Il do. Ii appears to have entered the
front Of the head. considerably above the
temple"
Just so; but you will notice that its
course IL downward"
What does that indicate to you?' in
quired the magistrate.
Come with me. and | will show you"
replied the officer. He led the way across
the room. and stood before the escretoire.
You say nothing has been disturbed
here"
Positively nothing"
Then notice how this chair has been
tipped over. Now let me place another
chair In the position 1t occupied. So
NOW SIT down In 1t. You are taller than
Madame Roupell, but you may have no.
uced that women as a general thing sit
higher than men"
Il have noticed that"
therefore Tden you were both seated
there would not be 80 very much differ
ence between the height of your head
from the ground and that of Madame
RoupelI"
No! 1t would be approximately the
same"
Exactly so. Now l am going to point
my pistol at your head"
The project pressed the muzzle of his
weapon against the magistrates temple
In the spot corresponding to the wound
ON the head OF Nine. Roupel NJ. Revell
changed color slightly as he felt the cold
rim Of the pistol against his forehead.
but he sat still
you may make this experiment as
short as you please. monsieur lie project"
ne exclaimed with feeble attempt at
pleasantly.
1T is concluded replied the officer,
putting up his pistol III | had fred
then my bullet would have described pre-
cisely the same course as the bullet of
tue hsSassin mas DONE.
Through my BRAIN" replied the mag
istrate, not without momentary shud-
der. Which conyinces you"
THAT Madame Roupell was at the
escretoire when she was killed. She
must have been seated or how could the
course OF the bullet have been down
wardr
Tho mayors admiration for M. Lee
blanche Increased every moment. Though
they were alone in the room, the project
dropped HIS voice to a whisper, and took
M. Heveil ON enc side close to the win
dow when ss asked the next few Ques-
tlons:
"rov are we'll acquainted. I suppose.
with the Reupell family?"
Yes, l may say l am. We exchange
visits My wife and daughters frequent
~ walked and rode with the young ladies'
hero. In fact. may say that we have
been quite friendly"
Al. Lsblanche put the next question in
an apparently careless manner.
And the young ladiesi There was
nothing between either of them and this
young manf
Nothing that know Of He was sim
0ty a friend OF the family.
HAS he not been particularly atten-
tive to ono Of the young ladiosr'
Il do net think 10, and especially not
OF late. People here seem to think rath-
er that he has been oatiroly eclipsed by
Monsieur Chsbot, who, it appear, stood |
very well with them. know the gen
tiemsn was quite attentive"
And TO whom were those attentions d. |
rected. Mademoisello Harriet or Mademoi-
selle muailyr'
IL could not really say. There was lit
tie to choose between them. Both. as
you have seen, are charming and both.
as have told you. are the acknowledged
heiresses Of Madame Roupell."
IL was M. Lsblanche's turn to be as
tonished.
Her Acknowledged heiresses !" he ex-
claimed. why, you never told me
that"
Did notr' answered the mayor.
We'll, 1t Ia the fact. all the same. But
you were about to say something"
mot at ALL" replies NJ. Lablanche, "I
was only thinking" and he suffered his
features to relapse Into their accustomed
expression of immobility. Thank you
that is all l wish to know. monsieur Re
maire. IL you will now 20 downstairs
and prepare your report for the tribunal.
will join you In few minutes, when
have concluded my Investigations"
The mayor bowed to the project and
left the apartment.
CHAPTER ~.
Victor Lablanche owed his unprece-
denied success largely to the fact that h.,