St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-06-13

ing IN the SarQeu DSlOW the west WIAS
of the house. It was evident that
death had been the result of a fall
from an open second story window
under which the body was found.
Thus far the police investigation
| went, and not much further, for none
of the domestics who were examined
admitted having heard any unusual
noise during the night which might
| have helped to explain the tragedy.
| The duke testified that, feeling indis-
posed, he had retired at an early hour
after swallowing sedative prescribed
by his physician for insomnia. He
had slumbered heavily, according to
his statement, and knew nothing of
the girls death until notified by his
confidential valet. The latter, an Eng
lishman, 26 years of age, was closely
questioned by the detectives, it having
come to their knowledge that strong
affection was supposed to have ex-
listed between him and the deceased.
He proved a complete alibi showing
that he had passed the night away
from the house with friend, having
obtained leave for that purpose, and
not returning until just after the body
was found. His demeanor, as was
perhaps natural when his fondness for
the girl was takeR into consideration.
was that of man half frantic with
grief, but he bore up well under the
cross examination and replied to every
| III fv7n cc
and lucidity that left no doubt as to
his innocence.
The duke furthermore averred that
the girl had acted strangely for sever
al days and that he believed her to
have committed suicide. This asser-
ton was corroborated by several of
the servants, although their testimony
did not greatly impress the officers,
who were we'll aware that none Of the
dukes domestics was likely to con,
tradict any statement made by their
employer. Shaw alone ventured to de-
ny the allegation, but his word was not
of sufficient weight to establish the
girls sanity, and in the end Ellen
Crosby was officially declared to have
destroyed herself while in an un
sound state of mind.
1t may be plainly stated, however
that neither M. Claude nor his assist
ants believed that the unfortunate
victim had gone to her death as de
scribed by the verdict. Popular opin
ion held the duke responsible for he1
demise and in their hearts the inmates
of the prefecture agreed with this
view. But to attempt to convict the
duke was useless. The waters of the
fountain of justice were tainted by
many foul current during the sway
of the second empire, and peremptory
orders from higher source brought
the investigation to an abrupt close
The dukes wealth enabled him to sci
in motion powerful influences which
rendered him immune to the penal
ties which would have menaced an
ordinary person in such a situation
Meanwhile, to the surprise of many
Henry Shaw continued in the dukes
service. He had succeeded in gaining
the confidence of his master and al
of the Iatter's secrets, even including
that of the fraud by which he hat
obtained the greater part of his
wealth, were in his possession.
Beyond expressing his belief in FL
len Crosby's sanity, Shaw made no eff
fort towards exposing the true fact.
of the girls sad fate, and wrapped
himself in mantle Of impenetrablt
reserve that effectually withstood tht
inquiries of all his associates.
But still waters run deep, and thi:
man who apparently took no further
interest in the tragedy was in realit!
!; planning bitter revenge upon tbs
individual whom he regarded as tht
author of his sweetheart's death. Hi
knew that the hardest blow he could
} strike the miser would be to deprivt
| him of his treasures that were deare
to him than his life blood. The FIRE
step he took in the furtherance of hi!
scheme was to write letter to thu
duke of Molinford in London. pledginI