The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-04-17

tack. 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
flight
I'VE cannot believe that Larsan has
fed. There was no reason for his do
ing so. Did he know you'd make this
charger
HE did. told him would
do you mean to say that knowing
Larsan was the murderer you gave
him the opportunity to escape?"
"Yes, M. President, did," replied
Rouletabille proudly. II am not po-
liceman; l am journalist, and my
business is not to arrest people. Ny
business is in the service of truth and
is not that Of an executioner. If you
are just, monsieur, you will see that l
am right. You can now understand
why l refrained until this hour to
divulge the name. | gave Larsan time
to catch the All train for Paris, where
he would know where to hide himself
and leave no traces. You will mot
find Frederic Larsan," declared Roule-
tabille, fixing his eyes on NJ. Robert
Darzac. HE is too cunning. He is
man who has always escaped you and
whom you have long searched for in
vain. If he 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 well known to crime.
Frederic Larsan, NJ. President, is Ball
meyer"
"Ballmeyer" cried the president.
"Ballmeyerw exclaimed Robert Oar.
zric. springing to his feet. "Ballmeyer!
II was true, then!'
"Ah, NJ. Darzac, you don't think
am mad now!" cried Rouletabille.
Ballmeyer! Ballmeyer! No other word
could be heard in the courtroom. The
president adjourned the hearing.
| Those Of my readers who may moi
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
l OF fxuo tu hod NJ
ed that he was dead and thus had
eluded the police as he had eluded
them throughout the whole of his ca
| reer.
Ballmeyer was the best specimen OF
the high class gentleman swindler.'
He was an adept at sleight of hand
tricks and no bolder or more ruthless
crook ever lived. He was received in
the best society and was member OF
some Of the most exclusive clubs. Or
many Of his depredatory expeditions
he had not hesitated to use the knife
and the mutton bone. No difficulty
stopped him. and no operation" was
too dangerous. He had been caught
but escaped on the very morning OF
his trial by throwing pepper into the
| eyes of the guards who were conduct
ing him to court.
| He left France later to work" Amer
ica. The police there succeeded In once
capturing him. but the extraordinary
man escaped the next day. 1t would
need volume to recount the adven
tnres of this master criminal. And ye,
this was the man Rouletabille had al
lowSd to get away! Knowing all about
him and who he was. he afforded the
criminal an opportunity for another
laugh at the society he had defied!
could not help admiring the bold stroke
Of the young journalist, because fell
certain his motive had been to protect
both Mile. Stangerson and rid Darzao
of an enemy at the same time.
The crowd had barely recovered
from the effect of the astonishing rev
elation when the hearing was resumed
The question in everybody's mind
was. Admitting that Larsan was the
murderer, how did he get out Of the
yellow foom2
Rouletabllle was Immediately called
to the bar and his examination con
tinued.
You have told u.s." said the presi
dent, that it was impossible to es
cape from the end of the court. Since
Larsan was leaning out of his window
he had left the court. How did he dc
| thatT
HE escaped by most unusual way
He climed the wall, sprang on to the
terrace and while we were engaged
with the keepers body reached the
gallery by the window. He then bad
little else to do than to open the win
dow, get in and call out to Us. as II he
had just come from his own room
To man of Ballmeyer's strength al
that was mere child's play. And here
monsieur, is the proof Of what say"
Rouletabille drew from bis pocket q
small packet, from which he produced
a strong iron peg.
This, monsieur" he said, ''is {
spike which perfectly fits hole still
to be seen In tho eornice supporting
the terrace. Larsan. who thought ant
prepared for everything in case Of any
emergency. had fixed this SPIKE into
the cornice. All he had to do to make
his escape good was to plant one foo