The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-01-18
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
"A comparison Of this portrait with
the miniature in the locket," remarked
M. ,Cassagne, now convinces me beyond
doubt that Philip La Seur and Philip
Graham are one and the same person.
His Bertillon measurements, which
have carefully noted down, are at pres
emit of but little use to us, but as means
of Identification should we hereafter sue
coed in running him to earth, they may
prove invaluable. Beyond any question
whatever, we may now assume that Philip
Graham is in some way connected with
the murder Of Madame Roupell."
Charles D'Auburon stared at his friend
in speeches. surprise as he uttered these
words.
Il think your experience of yesterday
must have turned your head" he said,
at last. There has been no commuta-
ton of Philip La Seur's sentence. Being
still a prisoner at Toulon, how is 1t pos
sible for him to have been connected with
the mystery of. Vileneuve? My dear
friend, I beg Of you not to think any
more of this case to-day. You need q
rest. Lou nave Decu IdAluS yOu1 OAoAn
too much"
"And you, my dear Charles" retorted
Cassagne, have been taxing your brain
too little. You think that because there
is no Communication of sentence recorded in
the case of this Philip La Seur that he
is still in the custody of the prison off,
Gals at Toulon?"
"Most decidedly"
'Well, Philip La Seur broke prison
nearly five years ago, and he has 4ever
yet been retaken."
Impossible, escape from Toulon pris-
on! l will not believe it. 1t is the most
strongly fortified of any penal establish
ment in France"
Perhaps but here is a convincing
proof of it Look at this foot note, copied
from the register of Monsieur Lablanche
Escaped from Toulon,' and under it ev-
cry year since is marked: This prisoner
is still at large Besides that" added
NJ. Cassagne, laughing, 1.-The project re-
lated the history of this particular pris-
oner to my supposed wife, Madame Ores
son, as one of the most daring escapes
on record"
wen, OI COuTSc IudI SCLLlCS AIs Ca
claimed D'Auburon. mo, don't want
any more proof. You overwhelm me as
it is. But what is the next step which
you propose to take?"
Il now intend to 6nd," replied NJ
Cassagne, with the utmost elaboration,
philip La Seur, alias Philip Graham,
late of Toulon, and who may be-, while
we are talking, at the present moment, in
Paris, and only waiting for this murder
to blow over to come forward and claim
his share of his aunt's fortune"
But who" remarked D'Auburon, may
not be in Paris at all; but may perhaps
be in Rio Janeiro, for all we know to the
contrary. You must not forget that in
these days of lightning express trains,
and ocean greyhounds, one can travel a
good way in three weeks-especially if
one has money in ones pocket"
philip Graham never left Paris" an
swered the detective, "of that 1 feel con-
WINGED. A man who could escape from
Toulon is too smart a fellow not to
know he is safest when he remains right
at home. Besides, when he committed
this murder he was in a condition of
financial desperation. He did not have
plenty of money, as you seem to suppose y
"How do you know that?'
''It has since transpired that Madame
Roupell had, besides the loose bank
notes found in her escretoire, a consid-
cradle sum of money in her chamber.
That sum of money disappeared on the
night of the murder. l believe that MUIR
derer was Philip Graham. believe he
took that money. l believe, if we wait
long enough, he will come forward and
declare himself, for the purpose of claim
ing his share of Madame Roupelps prop
erty."
"Well, why not wait bit and give him
a chance"
Because, simpleton, justice won't
wait. If we don't prove she's altogether
wrong, she'll have. Charles Van Lith's
head under the ak of her guillotine be-
fore two more months are passed. II
would be a poor satisfaction for his
friends if we failed to avert such calam-
ity, and brought in our evidence in time
only to prove that the government had
killed an innocent man. The next step
will be to call on Madame La Seur. 1t
is not unlikely that Philip Graham. after
his escape from Toulon, went to see her. y
IT. ho continued