The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-11-15

ing can slip. have brought somo
of these cards with me, and shall be
happy to take the measurement Of any
lady or gentlemen, and present them
with the card"
I never saw such excitement!
| Dozens Of charming women made a
rush for me, and sweet voices cried,
Measure me, please, NJ. Goron."
Zone moment, ladies'" l called out
"the mistress of the house frst."
Madame S. came promptly for
ward, and, after had attended to her
and a number of ladies, my nephew
filling up the cards, raised my hand.
And now the gentleren!"
Sarcey was the first to present him
SELF Then came Daudet. and other
| distinguished personages.
All along l had kept my eye on
Charles Vernet, who had remained IN
the background, and now slowly
moved toward the door.
M Vernet," said, don't go away.
Have your measurements taken"
| He hesitated a moment, and then
said, with what appeared to me a
forced smile:
mo. thank you, have seen the
| thing done before"
well, I have set my mind upon
measuring you. Ladies'" l cried, to q
couple OF American girls, who had
been among the first to be operated
| upon, please take him into custody
and bring him to me-"
Amid shouts Of laughter they seized
him and pulled him toward the table.
This time he scowled.
as this meant for a joke?" he re-
marked
"Of course. It is part Of the fun"
Either my suspicious were unfound-
ed, or the man had marvellous self-pos-
sion. He never moved muscle while
being measured.
Others were now pressing forward,
but, on the pretext that had no more
cards, l withdrew TO the smoking
room, whittier Vernet had gone, fol-
lowed by my detective. The latter
had given Vernet prepared card.
and had quickly slipped into my hand
the one he had just filed up: where
upon l went into a corner to compare
it with the official document relative
to Simon, which had borrowed from
NJ. Bertillon's office.
! A glance was sufficient. The 19.
ures were identical. It was not Yer
net, but Simon, the escaped convict.
the murder, who stood there, lighting
his cigar, making an appointment
with a friend to meet him the next
day. The next day! And in five min
utes the thunder bolt would have fall
en- on his head.
went up to him.
Have you said goodnight to- the
lady Of the houee?" l asked.
He turned sharply around.
Monsieur Goror-" he began.
Hush. Don't make scene. Say
good-by to the hostess, and tell her
you will haze to leave Paris to-mor'
row on a long journey. You will be
telling the truth. Co."
He did not move.
| For the second ead last time"
whispered, Il advise you not to make
a scene. It is not to Charles Ve-net
am speaking, It g to Simon, the as
sassin Of Aymard. My nephew owe:
yonder is a detective. and I have
three more 'nephews' downstairs H.
case OF emergency"
He Thought moment. And then
Il will go with you; but you arc
making a mistake you will regret.
It was the never-yary1ng reply OF
the criminal at bay Yet could not
help admiriug the mans nerve. re
shook hands with Madame s. anc
few more people in g. seemingly IN
concerned manner, and walked down
stairs.
In the hall, where a servant hand
ed him his overcoat, my attendant. al
q signal from me. cleverly searched
fVernet's pockets, and withdrew some
thing which he banded me. 1t was q
small revolver.
You were right. SIR" he said: u
should not have thought Of that"
At the Prefecture they were as
founded. My prisoner made a plucky
stand. and fought desperately against
the overwhelming odds; but. finally
like all the other criminals / have
sean he broke down before tho Ditl
less Bertillon system.
Yes. he was Simon: but a.. accord
ing to law. he had to be tried II
CAYENNE for having escaped. and on
suspicion OF having 11urdered Ay
mard. he was at once conveyed to the
| lie de- Re to be sent out to the pena
settlement.
But, despite my warning. tho ON
c,.,s At the lie de Re prison did mo-
keep a careful watch on Simon, 1o'
the day before he was to have beer
put on board the steamer nc manAse'
to strange himself.