Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-04
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I lived In the capital city OF Austria
and played In its theaters. I was q
true patriot to my country, what
ever else I may have been.
TT was through Maxwell that !
came to know Jean Bouchard. 1t
was through him, too, that my hus-
band, Leon. met Jean. And 1t was
Maxwell who forced Jean-whose
remarkable resemblance TO Max
wells ward, James K. Blair, had
given him the idea Of a scheme 70
rob that ward to accept a job as
SPY for the German government.
Maxwell, you see, held a club over
Jeans head-the same club, as I've
learned. that he held over the head
Of my husband, although neither,
at the time, knew OF the others
bondage. He Maxwell obtained
this club one night in Paris when
he, my husband, Jean Bouchard and
a French Lieutenant were playing
cards IN a room to which Maxwell
had taken them, a place somewhere
on Nominate Hill. An alteration
between the lieutenant, who had
been drinking heavily. and my hus-
band, arose, and during it the cleo
trio lights suddenly went out. An
instant later a pistol shot rang out
in the room. When the lights, after
a lapse Of a full minute. went on
again. the body Of the lieutenant,
shot through the heart, was Just
slipping from his chair to the floor
Maxwell instantly accused my
husband OF the shooting. and de-
manded that Icons pistol, which
was in the side pocket OF the latter's
coat then hanging ver the back of
his chair, be examined. The pistol
was found to be hot from recent
firing, and one cartridge was eX-
ploded. My husband naturally den
led the shooting, and finally Max
well suggested they settle the mat
ter by leaving the place separately
and each going his own way. Foolish
men that they were, my husband and
Jean, under the excitement Of the
moment, acquiesced to the proposal.
Shortly afterward the body was
discovered by the police, and in a
pocket Of the dead mans uniform
was found a threatening note with
the name. Jean Bouchard', signed
TO it. A card bearing my husbands
name was found on the floor. The
newspapers told Of the crime and OF
the note and card. giving the names
of Jean and Leon as suspects. It
was this club OF murder that Max
well held over Jean and my hus-
band, forcing Leon and / TO kidnao
and hold you and forcing Jean to
do his dirty work. The latter hal
lived IN New York for four years.
and could talk like an American.
That IS why he was especially val
liable to Maxwell-with that and his
resemblance 10 Jimmy Blair.
Perhaps you won't believe me.
Miss Blair" continued the Viennese
earnestly, interrupting herself. "bu.
u is true nonetheless, that my hus-
band and ! released you a full month
before the time specified by Max
well TO let you 60. He discovered this
some way. although he had left
Paris and was then in New York.
But he found out through some
source and, in revenge, or for some
other personal reason, notified the
police Of Icons presence in Paris
and also gave them his address. As
a result, my husband. of course. was
arrested and, owing TO our cOnnec-
ton with an enemy country, he will
be convicted unless I can force Max
well To speak in his behalf. And con-
viction Of murder in France you
know, means the guillotine. And
Leon, Miss Blair, IS innocent. I know
he Is innocent. Jean has told me the
story, and 1t is word for word the
same as Icons version. Both say
Maxwell must have done the shoot
ing. that he wanted the lieutenant
killed for some reason, and took
that method Of killing him so that
at the same time he would be getting
Leon and Jean in his power.
When my husband and ! came to
understand the real situation il was
decided ] should sail for New York
and find Maxwell and Jean, whose
connection with your affairs we had
learned during the time we held
you. 1t was largely because OF that
knowledge that we released you
when we did.
Jean has promised he will GO back
to Paris with me, II necessary, and