Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-06-19
The Roupell Mystery
q r a n v II /

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 exOcrable. II have the honor of ad-
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
agrecably surprised with his visitors The
Englishman's manner was perfect. With
his native dignity was blended delight
full air of difference and politeness. Not
withstanding his villainous pronouncla.
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.
II 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
! E. L L L. ~ 4 Il
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 frst2
"Oh, the rogues' gallery, by all means, II
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 a telling compliment, because
it was true. M. Lablanche had been in
deed the first to adopt the Bertillon sys-
tenn, and under his supervision 1t had
attained a marvellous degree of accuracy
and perfection. He had taken the raw
theory Of prison reformer, and reduced
/ II TO practical science.
"Our rogues' gallery is not as exten.
slve 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 oil
the most important"
He led the way into a square, high.
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
phabetically, and here is an index book
ON the table for instant reference. Oppo
site each name, you see, have placed
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
ly, as her little hand rested Involuntary
on the officers coat sleeve.
The project regarded her admiringly
Tears of genuine pity were in her bright
laughing eyes.
But 1t 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.
lish fashion.
mo, don't want to hear the his.
tories" he said, looking up from the book
with a cordial smile. I'm perfectly
happy. But Mrs. Russell Is an enthu.
siast on criminal heroes. She would be
for raising a monument to Jack Shep.
pard and Dick Turpin. II would allow
her."
ut Is a sad thing to have a brutal
husband" cried madame, with a pretty
pout, as she went across the room ON the
arm of the project. Let us leave him
to his own devices, monsieur, since he
says he Is happy, and amuse ourselves. "
The susceptible NJ. Lablanche was in
the eyenth heaven. He was entirely at
the service of madame 30 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.
They had completed the circuit Of the
room and were near the door again. NJ.
Russell was still investigating on his own
account. Nine. Russell, the pressure of
her little hand still upon the arm of her
gallant conductor, looked up imploringly
at him with those fatal eyes.
"Oh monsieur" she said, do show me
some Of the prisoners"
ut Is not a pleasing sight for mad
anne" feebly protested the project. 1t
was q rule of his never to leave a stran-
ger alone in the rogues' gallery. Pic
lures had been distracted before now by
reic hunters. Still friend of the Lon
don superintendent of police, and a man
so evidently to be trusted; II would be
all right. Besides 1t would give him an
other i've minutes of the society of mad
anne. As many another man In his place
would have done, he took Nine. Russell
to see the prisoners. Ten minutes later.
with a thousand thanks, the cordial Eng
lishman and his wife took their leave.
CHAPTER XIX.
"A comparison Of this portrait with
4 l. ii. l. =