davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1922-10-08


named Armand Blaisot, while
they were seated in one Of the
cabarets In the Montmartre. He
did not, as was given In the
evidence. meet her through one Of
his alluring matrimonial adver-
tisements. The man Blaisot was
q blackmailer Of women, as
Landru we'll knew, and At first he
was somewhat surprised that con-
frere Of the underworld should
introduce him.
Madame Jaume was q weii.pre-
served. well-dressed woman. but
over . drink, later, the black
mailer oonfided to his friend. who
had moro than once assisted him
in his dirty work, that the lady
was living apart from her hus.
band, was Of no further use to
him.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
To House Of Death.

As the villa at Gambais was closed
and the old woman who cleaned II
dismissed. the pair took their lunch
at q side table In the big room at
the old.world Hotel du Plat d 'Etain.
Landru was well.known there.
and the waitress smiled a. she
served them.
It was bright autumn day, 20
Madame Jaume and her fiance de-
cided to walk along the wide. tree
lined road which led cut to that
big ciump Of trees on the left
wherein stood ''the House Of
Death"
Landru had ordered their bass
b bs sent out by the numbering
The Washington times., 1922-10-08

victims that he actually recorded
the two sous he gave at the church
service he attended with this latest
victim, with whom he made such
pretense Of violent love.
Whether Landru was ut all at.
tracted by this dressrnaler whose
husband had fed is doubtful But
he wrote her Q number Of love
letters which he had copied from
several modern love romances.
He addressed her a.: Sweet
adored one" in a long epistle he
wrote her soon after their first
introduction. and In another he
declared: Your eyes sparkle like
the petals Of the flowers in the
eswy morning." BY this poetry.
his pretended love of nature. OF
birds. and Of flowers. combined
with the hypnotism Of his strange
eyes. he no doubt held q strange
fascination over the middle-Class
Frenchwonian.
1t Is quite certain that Madame
Jaume, Withholding her secret
from her relatives. met blue.
beard" many times. The murderer
constantly urged her to obtain n
divorce. but owing to her religious
scruples-she being dsvout
Catholic-she always hesitated.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
mice Woman, Eh7"

II believe that she had money.
But I find that her husband has
left her and gone to Italy. So
am passing her by. Nice woman
chr"
Very" declared Landru. He
knew that Blaisot dealt in hun
dreds Of thousands Of. francs.
whereas he himself dealt only in
petty hundreds, and he was won.
dering wether Madame Jaume's
possessions would be worth the
trouble to gain.
His criminal mind. however,
never allowed q chance to slip,
so, inquiring casually where she
lived. he next day called upon
her.
Madame Jaume. In surprise, re.
ceived him very cordially at the
fiat she occupied at 20 Rue des
Lyanes and gave him some tea.
Now, in passing, It should be
noted that Landru. in his famous
memorandum book designated her
under the word "Lyanea" and
also under the name Of Battle
ley"-whlch was her maiden
name-and also as Chine" be.
cause madame had found employ.
ment at q dressmaker's In the
Rue de Chine. 1t was an obesslon
Of his to designate each Of his
victims in his note book. although
his memory was an abnormal
one, and he could recollect dates
with marvellous precision.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Knew Forest Well.

He knew the great forest well,
and. passing through the town.
was soon out at the lonely cross
roads, where the byway was COW
cred with brown leaves whirled
along by the gusty wind. He
drove the car off the road behind
q dark clump Of trees. and then.
glancing around and ascertaining
that he was not observed, he sat
In the car and ate some sand
wiches which his victim had pre-.
pared for him. .
He remained there for half an
hour. In case one Of the forest
guards might be lurking about. In
which case the latter would come
up to him and reveal his presence.
But, a. no one was about, he at
last. In a deep, secluded spot, be.
gan to clear away the dead
bracken and leaves, and to dig q
hole with pick and shovel, in the
use Of which he was no novice.
He worked hard for q little over
bali an hour. making hole about
two feet deep. which he carefully
covered with the dead bracken. of
which there was plenty. Then.
taking the reel of black cotton, he
tied one end Of It to a tree about
eighteen inches off the ground,
and went from tree to tree, walk.
ing In a circle until he had en-.
circled the spot where he had dis.
turbed the ground, fastening II off
at last to the tree trunk from
which he had started.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Lied About Absence.

On entering. he embraced her af'
fectionateiy. apologisins for his abb
sence on business.
II do hope. dearest. you have not
felt Ioneiy," he exclaimed anxious
iy. II had % much TO DO In Paris
that I was unable to get back any
earlier" a."
"ohi waihsd into Aoudan this
morning and ala sorne shopping"
she said. and since my return ]
have been rsading-end awaiting
you. my dearest Lucien. ! am 20
happy that you are hack again
with me-"
rhs autumn sftsrnssn was srsy
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Pleas OF Love.

dead, then I should be safe. Just
~, when Madame Marie died you
were safe. Don't you remember
III She could have told a very igiy
story to the police. and she intend.
Cd to do 40. too. Just a. this WON.
an Jaume intends"
''Ss her lips must be closed" re.
marked Landru reflectively. "But
after ALL have been thinking 1t
over--the affair is most difficult.
How am I to satisfy you that I
have closed her mouth. You will
not, expect. pay me the sum ar.
ranged. without evidence?"
Certainly not"
"Then how can we fix it?" ask.
ed Landru. whose ever active brain
was instantly at work. He was
silent for q full three minutes.
Then he went on:
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Wondered at Profit.

That took place months before.
Now he was wondering, II she died.
how much would be his profit.
He wrote to her. regretting that
his long absence had been due 10
business. He had been in Switzer-
land. he said. and asked her to
meet him for dinner at the Drou-
ant, In the Rue Gallon. To his
delight. she consented. and she
arrived. on that wintry evening.
warmly clad and looking younger
than ever.
Posing a bon vivier Of means,
he order Q little dinner as = French
gourmet would, served in q private
room. where he behaved most de-
corously. He pretended to be tired
Of the world. intensely blase. and
he expressed his intention to travel
to India and America for a year
or 90.
"I am sick to death Of Paris"
declared the baid-hesded man as
he sat In his dinner-jacket and Inn
maculate shirt. while he held his,
cigarette between his tapering
fingers and slipped his glass Of
champagne. "In q weak moment.
a year ago, I bought a little villa
out at 0ambais, In the Seine-et-Oise
"a pretty place. It IL true. with q
charming rose garden-very prctty
in summer. But ! shall sell it and
60 abroad. First, I shall 20 to
London-then out to the Far
East"
Landru had already exercised all
his allurements upon the deserted
woman whose husband, wanted for
an offense, had fled to Italy. On
her part. she had told him of her
skeleton in her cupboard. And.
further, she had revealed to him
that she was highly religious.
She knew him as Lucien Outlet,
an engineer who had come as a
refugee from Lille on the advance
Of the Germans. He had had. he
told her, big factory in Lille, but
had very fortunately been able to
transfer the quarter Of a million
francs which he Possessed into the
Credit Lyonnais.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Promised Evidence.

To-day 10 Wednesday. On Sat.
urday you will await me alone at
the crossroads at the Parquere de
Montigny In the Forest Of -Fon.
tainebicau. You will 90 to the
Hotel De L. Renaissance. at Mar.
lotte. and spend the evening there,
and later on walk out on the road
which leads to Fontainebleau.
through the forest. past the Gorge
aux. Loups. until you come to the
Carrefour. where shall be await
ing you: and I will then give yvu
the evidence you require" added
the yeliow.faced. bah-headed man
srimiy. 'It win take you an hour
to walk from Montisny."
II might come on . bicycis."
suggested the blackmailsr.
Excellent. It would ~ more
silent In the forest than II ycu
walked-and you could set away
quicker, said Landru. But you
will bring the money watn you'
chr" r..s "-~'H'
Certainly; ! agree replied
Biaisot: and thus was Madame
Jaume's murder arranged over q
delightful meal. practically within
hearing Of half.a-dossn persons at
their dsjsuner.
Landru knew well that II Ar.
mand Blaisot was prepared to pay
ten thousand francs TO rid him.
self Of Mad4l me Jaums. shs must
possess some very grave secret.
He knew that Biaisot was as dar.
ing and unscrupulous . scoundrel
a. himself. Perhaps he. too. had
committed murder. and Madame
could bear witness against him.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Pursued Acquaintance.

He pursued Madame Jaume's
acquaintance, and having invited
her out to dinner at a restaurant
at the bottom OF the Avenue
de l'opera. he succeeded in ex.
tracing from her the fact that
her husband had deserted her. and
she now intended to gain her iiv.
Ing by dressmaking.
He at once became affectionate
and charming, and Pe.t day.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Hoped to Marry Her.

He said he was hoping to marry
her. and. to carry his pretensions
further, he had the colossal i'm
pudence to pretend . religious
life, and accompanied her to mass
on several occasions. He knelt by
her side in church. mumbling.
prayers; yet at the same time he
was schemins to obtain her few
paltry possessions when the time
was ripe TO kill her!
The arch-assassin was . man OF
great ability; sagacious and Of
definite resource. Yet he was In
solently stupid. He fondly be-
lieved that. II his victims disap-
peared-if he got rid Of their
bodies-that he would be safe. II
had hardly ever occurred to him
that--sooner or later--friends Of
the women who had disappeared
would begin to institute inquiries.
His own intelligence would. one re.
fleets, have told him that his only
chance of safety was to leave
Paris and never return.
But. on the contrary. he seems
to have behaved with an utter dis
regard for the police, and with the
firm conviction-that same convic.
ton which he held at his trial
that his crimes could never bs
brought home to him.
Where was the evidence7 he al
ways asked himself. There was
none-only that the women had
disappeared; and 90 comforted
himself In the fact that about
three hundred women disappear
from Paris annually. some into
the underworld, others escaping
from justice, or some eloping with
lovers. So many women disappear
from every European capital each
year that Il 10 impossible for the
police 10 coqcentrats their snsr.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Kissed Her Lips.

That night, after kissing the
fascinated woman upon the lips.
he left her. and. avoiding the con.
cierge below-Landru hated con.
oierges. a. they might recognise
him a. 'the monsieur"-he took Q
cafe cognao at a neighboring Lafe,
and returned to his wife.
Next day. warm day in Sep.
tember-he again called upon
Madame Jaume. His mind was
made up. He had decided that her
money must be his; 90. with we'll
affected saliantry. he invited her
out to his villa at GaInbais.
Time had passed since the last
matrimonial adventure Of the mod
ern "Biuebeard." and the truth
was that In the last forty-eish.
hours he had become attracted by
her-not enamored. a. he had
been Of the poor little servant girl,
Andree Babeley.
my little trou at Gambais 10
nice in sumnaer--a garden filled
with roses-but In autumn. I fear,
my darling. that you may find II
rather triste." he said TO her when
he called next day.
II shall, no doubt. find II gay
with you as companion. dearest"
the woman laughed. little dream.
ing Of the fate which awaited her.
Two days later he took her by
train out to Houdan, purchasing
the usual one return and one
single ticket.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Meets Mystery Men.

At night, at various secret
haunts in tho underworld OF
Paris. he would meet some Of his
friends, men who. like himself,
lived by their wits as blackmail.
ers, thieves, swindlers Of women,
and suchlike. and yet were en-
tirely unsuspected In the respect.
sble circles In which they moved.
The mystery men in the middle.
class society are more numerous
than ever In London. as well AS
In Paris--a fact proved by almost
every issue Of a daily newspaper.
Soon Landru. his funds low
again. set his shrewd wits to
work to effect yet another coup.
One Of the peculiarities of his
mentality was that he had always
q victim In reserve. He neve.
sent . woman to her grave with.
out having another ready to put
In her place to pet and fondle and
brush his mustache and beard
across her lips.
The case Of Madame Buisson.
whose spirit he little dreamed
would rise against him. was the
same as the others.
Even while he was with her ne
had been corresponding with .
certain woman named Jaume.
who, living apart from her hus-
hand. had been one night intro
duced to him by . friend Of his
The Washington times., 1922-10-08

when he called. the unsuspecting
woman told him more about her
self. She had been born in 1878,
in Mines. and had been educated
In a convent there. Her family
had been annoyed by her mar.
riage because the dot given was
considered insufficient. Her hus-
band. Monsieur Jaume, soon left
her. the police wanting him for
swindling.
On that night, when she related
these things, Landru wrote In his
famous note book:
"Bathelemy, metro Martin.
Nadaud, 30 centimes."
The minute manner In which he
noted his expenditure upon his
victims was surely q mania.
On the following day he wrote
in French in bis little pocketbook:
'26 Rue de- Chine; Barthelerny
Looks much younger than she
really is. Her appearance countri-
fled; has been separated from her
husband for several years: fervent
Catholic; win not seek divorce"
The Washington times., 1922-10-08

and dispiriting. and certainly the
woman must have had a rather
duh time In that remcS- lonely
villa which Monsieur Trio. its
owner, had well named "The Her.
mitage." s..
That evening. as they sat at din.
ner, deftly prepared by Madame.
Landru wondered what secret Of
his friend Blaisot the woman could
possess. He felt half inclined to
ask her. or to carefully lead up to
her knowledge Of the elegant Grim
inal who made his money by pre-
tending to love women, just as he I
aid.
But would his knowledge alarm
her? Would she fear him II she
thought he suspected his friend
Blaisot's secret? No; he decided
that to keep q still tongue would
be discreet in view of the dastardly
plot which he had formed In order
to obtain tho $4,000 francs. He
had taken q woman's life for
twentieth part Of that sum. To
him life was just as valuable as q
chair. or q table-perhaps less, for.
in his heart. did he not hate and
despiss all women as sentimental
fools who would walk into any
trap. provided the allurements Of
poetic speeches and fervent admi-
ration were sufficiently well
staged?
Early next morning. Landru.
pleading that he must return to
Paris and promising to De back be-
fore dark. took a reel ~ black cot.
ton from Madame's ~ork.bssket
and left Gambais in his car. In
stead Of travelling by way Of ver.
sailles into the capital. he took the
road further south. ana at Etampes
stopped at . small ffonmonser's
and, bought . pickax and. spade.
Then he set out. on the fiat open
road to La Ferte. and thence to
FontainSbleau: g. .Ga., 4s5S ''-
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
In . Bad HESS.

"Now. look here. mon vieuS, ex.
ciaifhed the adyenturer. who had
nstted many thousands OF pounds
out Of women visitors to Paris Of
all nationaiitiss. "I'm In Q bad 20
sition. DO you recolieet that WON.
an Jaums. to whom ! introduced
you some time ago! I know you
have met her since. Wen, she
knows certain things which. at all
hazards. must not be revealed. She
must be got rid Of. Could you man.
age it-on the Quietf"
Landru grew pensive, and pro.
tested. The risk was far too great.
he said.
Five thousand francs on the
day have evidence Of her death"
whispered Blaisot. one OF the kings
Of the underworld. a. they walked
along in the darkness.
"But." he added grimly. IT might
perhaps listen at double that
price,"
VERY well. ten thousand. them"
replied the blackmailer. II win
give you q .promissory note for the
money. See! let's 60 into ,yonder
cafe and I will write It out"
And 90, that night, pLandru. At
his Wits ends for funds, and know.
ing that Madame Jaume's posses.
sions would only realize fourteen
pounds or 30, gleefully accepted
the blood money which the most
expert blackmailer in Paris had 20
unaxpectedly Offered.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08

old diligence. which pesssd them
ten minutes later. and when they
arrived at the iron gates, they
found their luggage already deposit
I'd there. ' p
Madame professed herself charm.
Cd with her lovers little country
villa. ana they settled down there
quietly and happily. though Ian.
dfu was greatly worried over
money. ~. -.
one day. Q fortnight later. he
received an unexpected, but very
urgent letter from the biackmailsr.
Armand Biaisot. dated from an
hotel In Grenobie. saying that he
wished to meet him on most urgent
and important business-'fn your
own interests" he wrote--and that
he would be In the 'Hole-in-the
WALL small American bar just
off the Place dc l'opera--st .
o'clock on the following Tuesday
night .
Landru teiegraphed . reply that
he would keep the appointment.
On the Tuesday night he left
Madame Jaume at home alone at
oanbsis. and motorsd into Paris.
He met Blaisot, and, after q cock
tail the pair went for . stroll along
the boulevard. ia -"
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Talks With Blsisot.

Next day at II o'clock Laudru
again met Armand Blaisot In the
Cafe do ropera, and after their
vermouth they strolled together
to q little restaurant in the Boule.
ward des Capucines. where they
had an excellent lunch.
Landru was O connoisseur Of
food. and he held that
famous rendezvous Of gourmets In
high esteem. especially when he
felt money within his grasp.
THAT little affair. Of which We
spoke yesterday. I will carry out"
he said to Blaisot as they sat to-
gether. II have had Of late ano'h'
er little piece Of business with our
old friend Caudiac."
The nnarquis7" exclaimed the
other. "oh! yes. Dieu! he had .
narrow escape the other day. He
was In Marseiiles. and was silly
over some girl. He only escaped
capture by an, ace"
'T know" said Lardru, with q
smile. But I helped him to make
q big coup about two months ago,
and he paid me the share he prom.
ised: otherwise. I should have been
on the rocks today. But-between
ourseives-what do you fear from
this woman. Jaumef"
"a great deal. men vieux," was
the handsome swindisr's whisper.
Cd reply. u can't ten you. II
would take too long. n she were
The Washington times., 1922-10-08

given up the chase, 1t seems.
"I question Il. That incident
when you escaped that night from
my house has brought . great deal
Of tnweioome inquiry into my own
doinss. and I confess do not like
the situation at all"
"Bahr laughed the great lover.
80 long a. We keep apart, thors
- no danger. Therefore. I shall.
IN future. always write to you
under the name Of Outlet"
Next day. having visited the AZ
part forser. Boas, in secret he
posted the document purport-
ing to BE- sigpaS by Madame
Buisson. handing over all her
property to Monsieur Andre
Charcroix. who. In turn. had writ
ten saying that he had sold the
contents Of the fat TO Jules Call
lard. the furniture dealer.
Two days later . pallid youth
brought to the garage At Nsuiuy
q letter containing three hundred
and sishty.five francs; 20 poor
Madame Buisson's life was taken
for = sum Of ten pounds at the cur.
rent rate Of exchange!
For several weeks Landru lived
quietly with his family. apparently
leading the humdrum existence Of
. hard.workins. respectable citi.
ZEN. He only went out after dark.
but on one occasion he narrowly
escaped death. for q bomb dropped
In the Rue Blanche. and the front
Of q five-story house fell out at
his feet.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
Thought Him Killer.

That indeed was nis suspcioh
q suspicion which was proved
quarter Of an hour later, when
LAndru cunninsly suggested q fur.
ther two thousand francs for his
assistance" and the elegant
blachmailsr. afterIs little demuT.
acceded.
BY that Landru established the
fact that Armand Blaisot, the well.
known elegant. who was seen
everywhere In Paris. and who ap-
peared at Deauville, Cannes, Biar.
ritz and Aix according to the sea-
son, was an assassin like himself.
and that the one woman who knew
the truth concerning him was
Madame Jaume-
instantly he. put his Wits
to work to profit by tint
very vital knowledge. and be-
gan to wonder how best to
use It to his advantage. But his
innate cunning was instantly
shown. for hs recognised that BY
accepting payment for the assas'
sination Of the unfortunate woman,
he would at once be unable to de.
mand blackmsil from his friend.
On reslising this. the smssins
adventurer became filled with cha
grin, but. nevertheless. eager to
gain the 1900 france, he returned
that afternoon to Gsmbais. where
the good.looking woman. whose
life had been bartered. was eagerly
awaiting him.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
LANDRU FRENCH BLUEBEARD CALMLY CONTRACTS TO Sill
LIPS OF WOMAN WHO "KNEW TOO MUCH" OF FELLOW-SW
CROOKS OFFER OF
HIGH DEATH PRICE
- PLEASED SLAYER

Latest Victim of Worlds Greatest Criminal Aet
Brutal End After Learning torDeVotedly Love
the Man Who Secretly Planned Her Death.
Heart OF Assassin Was Untouched by Her
Pleas of Love.
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUX,

Famous Crmnoogist and Author Of 1.-THE Fifth Finger"
THE -Four Faces /" Tracked By Wireless" etc.
IFTER years Of petty s0indling, Landru turned his
II attention to victimzing ,0o,en, making love to
them, getting control of their property and then
killing them. Nine. Cuchet of the first Landru
poisoned her and her son, Andre, in via rented With
her money! set up furnace and burned their bodies
He then turned his attention to hlring other to
gresoms deaths By assuring them of his overwhelming
devotion.
When the police Investigated his activities at the vila
he shre,udIy auayed their suspicious.
At the conclusion Of last weeks nstalnsent, Landru
had Just murdered Mme Buisson, oidoao, and buried
her body in Forest He then hurried to Pars to his
friend Caillard ho regularly purchased the furniture Of
Landrus victinus, a,0ays sohout asking questions The
bargain for Nine. Busso,s furniture struck
glasses Of Coffee though Calard had never seen it,
<[TF find it is worth the money when see it, will
send it in banknotes out to Neully old Jules said
- "But before 60 to the Boulevard Ney must
have her authority to remove the things"
Certainly; will post to you tomorrow Landru said
"But am in sad need Of money Immediately Give
hundred francs will you'" he pleaded
jules who had had many dealings with him. at once
took out fyfranc notes from his wallet while Landru
calling for pen and ink scribbled receipt for them
"And when this little business ended advise you to
get away from Paris at once ami " old Calard urged
Zone never knows who watching Personally think it
is a danger to me to meet YOU
II wary; fear laughed Landru. "Gaffiot has
The Washington times., 1922-10-08
PROMISED TO KILL
CREDULOUS VICTIM
FOR 10000 FRANCS

Woman Landru Had Already Seduced Proved
to BE "Too Wise" ON Activities of Partisan
Swindler, and Arch-Killer Was Pleasantly,
Surprised to Get What He Considered Worth
while Money for Her Death.