The Washington times., 1922-10-22
Claiming Innocence.

pTcsfueHt, INC pribOu pdTOeT -CaIuo
to trim his moustache and famous
Assyrian beard. he greeted him.
with saying:
"Clip my beard nicely. II go
to the embrace Of the Red Widow
I want to still please the ladiesr'
Landru was theatrical to the
end, and yet his calmness was un-
equalled by any criminal the
world has ever known.
The president gave his weli-con-
sidered decision late in the evening,
but It was not conveyed to the
assassin.
In Paris, however, the result
was quickly known, and hundreds
Of people went out in motor cars
to watch and wait for the sensa.
ton Of seeing the great Lover
upon the scaffold. Versailles was
invaded by people from the night
restaurants of Paris and elsewhere.
All the nightbirds Of both sexes
from the Montmartre and the
Quarter Latin were there in readi-
ness for sensational spectacle.
AWOKE TO MEET END.
Meanwhile, in Landru's cell
there burned a solitary gas lamp.
On his pallet lay the condemned
man. He woke up at o'clock in
the morning and complained that
II was cold. A warder-two of
them stayed day and night In the
condemned cell-fetched him an
extra blanket: sleep, however, had
gone for ever.
At 5:45 the procession Of black
coated magistrates went to the
cell. The government prosecutor
began his customary speech, but
was interrupted by Landru sitting
up in his cot.
II know. gentlemen, why you
have come. There is no need to
tell me. am an innocent man,
but will die bravely. know
that this is not your fault, and I
forgive you"
Landru placed himself in posi-.
ton so that one Of Deibler's as
sistants could cut away his shirt
collar and trim his hair behind.
Don't cut my beard" was the
only request he made. The man,
at a sign from the executioner,
merely trimmed II.
The customary glass of rum and
the last cigarette were waved
politely aside.
II do not need them to die
bravely." said Landru.
After being closeted a few
minutes with the chaplain, Landru
announced that. in order not to
keep the magistrates waiting he
preferred not to wait for Mass.
The signing of the prison register
for the last time and the final ad-
justment Of the prisoners hands
behind his back took barely a
minute more.
CROWD WATCHES KNIFE.
Cavalry facing the prison gate
were seated stiffly on their horses
with sabres drawn. A hundred
yards distant on the other side
were other mounted troops, and
the infantry with fixed bayonets
were standing to attention, and all
around a dense mob to see the last
of "Bhlebeard."
Then, haggardly framed against
the opened door. Landru ap-
peared." says the special cor
respondent Of the Daily Mail. who
was present. He was dressed in
trousers and white shirt cut close
to the neck. and his pale face and
his bald head cleaned death.
white in the light of dawn. He
bore himself bravely, with head
erect and bearded chin thrust
forward in the attitude so familiar
during his trial.
He paused for minute and
leant on his counsel, who kissed
him and whispered BE brave"
Then, erect once more. he en-
lbraced the cross held to him by the
priest, and. facing the guillotine
just four PAGES from him. stepped
forward. held on either side by two
of the executioner's men. His feet
had barely touched the plank
when he muttered almost to him.
self his last words: IT will be
brave"
With crash the knife fell.
Three seconds lad not elapsed
from the opening Of the prison
gates.
END OF "BLUEBEARD."
And such In the amazing and
gruesome end of the cruel anj
heartless assassin. the modern
"Bluebeard." who. bald, ugly, and
brardsd, attracted. Il 10 known. no