Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1909-04-09

WAS convinced we had the murderer
before us and that we were actually
looking at him. l have now brought
what | consider the indisputable
proof"
"Spcnk OUT. monsieur. Tell us the
murdtrrr's name
"Iuu will end it Oh the list of names
present in The court on the night of
the tragedy" replied Rouletabille.
The people present in the courtroom
began showing impotence. Some of
them even called for the name and
were Silcnccd by the usher.
"Thc list includes Daddy Jacques,
Bernier. he concierge, and Mr.. Arthur
Rance" said the president "Do you
accuse any Of these?"
40. monsieur"
Then | do not understand what you
are driving at. There was no other
person ut the end of the court.
Yes. monsieur, there was. not at the
end. but above the court. who was
leaning out of the window"
DO you mean Frederic Larsan?" ex-
claimed the president
Yes. Frederic Larsan!' replied Roule-
tahille in ringing tone "Frederic
I.arsan is the murdererr
The courtroom became Immediately
filled with loud and indignant protests.
SO astonished was he that the presi-
dent did not attempt to quiet it. The
quick silence which followed was bro
ken by the distinctly whispered words
from the lips Of Robert Darzac:
Its impossible! He's madv'
You dare to accuse Frederic Larsan,
monsieur?' asked the president. eff
you are not mad, what are your
proofs?'
Proofs, monsieur? Do you want
proofs? Well, here is one," cried Roule-
tabille shrilly. Let Frederic Larsan
be called!'
Usher, call Frederic Larsan."
The usher hurried to the side door,
opened it and disappeared. The door
remained open, while all eyes turned
expectantly toward it. The clerk re-
appeared and, stepping forward, said:
IN. President, Frederic J.arsan is
not here. He left, at about 4. o'clock
and has not been seen since"
That is my proofr' cried Rouleta-
billie triumphantly.
Explain YOURSELF" demanded the
president.
My proof is Larsans flight" said
the young reporter. HE will not come
back. You will see no more Of Fred
eric Larsan.'
"Unless you are playing with the
court, monsieur, why did you not ac-
cuse him when he was present? he
would then have answered you.''
He could give no other answer than
the one he has now given by his
fight" ~ 5s
"We cannot believe that Larsan has
fed. There was no reason for his do
ing SO. Did he know you'd make this
charge" }5
HE did. l told him would
sDo you mean to say that knowing
Larsan was the murderer you gave
him the pportunity to escapei' II
Yes, NJ, President, !: did," replied
Reuletabille proudly. II am notoa po.
luceman III am Ia Journalist, and my
business is not to arrest people My
business is In the service Of truth and
is not that of an e1ecutioner. If you
are just, monsieur, you viii see that ]
am right. You can now understand
1why l refrained until this hour to
divulge the name. I gave Larsan time
to catch the All train for Paris, where
he would know where to hide himself
and leave no traces. You viii not
6nd Frederic Larsan," declared Roule
tabille, fixing his eyes on NJ. Robert
Darzac. HE Is too cunning He is q
man who has always escaped you and
| whom you have long searched for in
vain. If be did not succeed in out
whiting me he can yet easily outwit
any police. This man, who four years
ago introduced himself to the police
and became celebrated as Frederic
Larsan, is notorious under another
name-a name we'll known to crime.
Frederic Larsan, NJ. President, is Ball.
! meyer"
"Ballmeyer" cried the president.
1 E55sE5ASsaAhhAVyCis SASidlMGu 1IODeIl DdT-
FAC, springing to his feet. "Ballmeyer!
1t was true, thenp'
"Ah, NJ. Darzac, you don't think
am mad now!' cried Rouletabille.
Ballmeyer! Balimeyer.. No other word
could be heard In the courtroom. The
presid ent adjourned the hearing.
Those of my readers who may not
have heard Of Ballmeyer will wonder
at the excitement the name caused.
And yet the doings of this remarkable
criminal form the subject matter Of
the most dramatic narratives Of the
newspapers and criminal records Of the
past twenty years It had been report
ed that he was dead and thus had
eluded the police as he had eluded
them throughout the whole Of his ca
reer
4 Ballmeyer was the best specimen Of
the high class gentleman swindler',
He was an adept at sleight Of hand
tricks, and no holder or mGre ruthless
crook ever lived. He was received in
the best society and was a member of
some Of the most exclusive clubs. ON
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