Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-03-06
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
ent of but little use to us, but as a 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 speechless 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, l beg Of you not to think any
more Of this case to-day. You need q
rest. You have been taxing your brain
too much"
And you, my dear Charles" retorted
Cassagne, have been taxing your brain
too little. You think that because there
Is no commutation of sentence recorded in
the case Of this Philip La Seur that he
is still in the custody of the prison Off
cials at Toulon?''
Most decidedly"
"Well, Philip La Seur broke prison
nearly five years ago, and he has never
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, "the prefect re-
lated the history of this particular pris-
oner to my supposed wife, Madame Cres-
son, as one Of the most daring escapes
on record"
well, Of course that settles It," ex-
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?"
81 now intend to fnd," replied NJ.
Cassagne, with the utmost deliberation,
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 aunts 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-especally if
one has money in ones pocket"
Philip Graham never left Paris" an
swered the detective, "of that | feel con-
vinced. 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"
How do you know that?"
ut has since transpired that Madame
Roupell had, besides the loose bank
notes found in her escretoire, a consid-
erable sum Of money in her chamber.
That sum of money disappeared on the
hight of the murder l believe that mur.
ierer was Philip Graham. 1 believe he
,ook that money. believe, II we wait
ong enough, he will come forward and
leclare himself, for the purpose of claim |
ng his share OF Madame Roupell's pron- |
,rty."
"Well, why not wait bit and give him
chance?"
Because, simpleton, justice WON'T
vait. IL we don't prove she's altopetber
wrong, she'll have Charles Van Idtb,.
lead under the ak of her guillotine be-
ore two more months are passed. II
would be poor satisfaction for hi.
riends il we failed to avert such n calam-
ty, and brought in our evidence in tjms
My to prove that the government had
illed an innocent man. The nert ster
will be to call on Madame La Seur II
3 not unlikely that Philip Graham. after
is escape from Toulon, went to see ber.S
Ito be contnued.)
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The way to be safe In never to feel