Year: 1859

lence could be found upon him. His
pockets had been rifed, however. The
next one was found near Annot, under
like circumstances. He was merchant,
also, and from Nice. Since then five or
six more have died upon the road in the
same mysterious way, and no marks of
ill-usage have been found upon any of
them; bu. they have all been robbed
Have most of them stopped in Castel*
lane p asked.
| The Prefect told me that they had.
And suppose that they must have
put up at some inn, there p remarked.
| Yes said the Prefect.
I then supposed that some of the land
lords must be concerned. But my COM
panion informed me that they had been
narrowly watched, and that no shadow
of evidence rested against them.


But said I, is there not some poison
in this matter p some inn keeper may ad-
minister the potion, and then send an &C
complice after the victim


No. returned the Prefect, with shake
of the head. Experienced physicians
have examined the stomachs of several of
the dead men, but no trace of poison has
been found. 1t is mysterious affair.
The Sub-Prefect has done all he could
but without effect; and now we mean to
give the whole thing into your hands.
You must go to Castellane at once, and
there you can get such further infor nation
as the Sub Prefect can give you.'
After confering while longer with the
Prefect, he let me have suit of ordinary
tradesman's clothing, and thus habited
went to hotel and put up for the night.
In the morning procured horse and
set out, reaching Castellane before noon.
During the day I pretended to be doing
business. I went to woolen factory
and examined lot of stuff, and also Wis
ted several other places where preserved
fruits were put up. learned that mosi
of the people who came there on business
put up at an inn kept by a man named Juar
Fontaix; so left my horse there and en-
gagged lodgings. l .


After dark I called upon the Sub-Pre.
feet. He told me that he had used al
the means within his power, but had been
able to gain no clue to the guilty party
Most of the victims had been from Mar
seilles, and the excitement in the city wa
intense.


Gendarmes had been seEt out upon al
the roads, and secret-poliee had also beer
upon the watch. The last victim hat
fallen only four or five days before, an,
the deed was done only fifteen minute
after the policemen had passed the spot


I asked the Sub -Prefect if he had an
suspicious. He answered that all tn
suspicion he had held was fastened upo


Juan Fontaix, the inn keeper. Nearl


all the men murdered had stopped OF hi


house, and he must have known somethin


of their business.


bade the officer keep perfectly quie


and not even let one of his own me


know of my presence. Then I returne


to the inn, and finally entered into col


versation with my host upon the subje'


of the mysterious deaths. He pronoun'


ed it wonderful, and assured me that IL ha
, injured him more than he could tell.


.Parbleu = he muttered, they'll be SUI


pecting me next if they have not done


alreadyl'


was soon satisfied that John Fonta


knew nothing of the guilty party. E


was very fearful, and at times blanche


and trembled at the thought of being a.
= pretended for the crime. Most of peop


would have seen in this signs of guilt; b


I thought differently.


spent all the next day in the tow
: ostensibly engaged in business with Il
u factories but in reality hunting after son
= clue to the object of my mission. Mig
came again, but I had found nothing ne


I was perfectly satisfied the murderer hs
ul laid his plans SO deeply that no cireur
e, stantial clue could be found. If I wou
al find him, must catch him with the pro
g. upon him. ...............


Ii l had given an assumed name at G
ne inn, and stated that belonged to Toulo
of On the next morning called for my bi
,e and informed my host that I was off
t. home. Then I went to the fruit preser
m ers, and told him the same, stating that
to must confer with my partner before
le concluded my bargain. After this I we
he to the wooden factory, and saw the bu'
b. ness agent. His name was Louis GAIA
ly bon, and he had come to Castellane abe
It; a year before. He seemed to be
et straightforward, business man, and yet
H., was the only one had seen whom b
on thought of suspecting. In conversi
ed upon the murders, he had been little
RI free and of. handed, treating the subj'


more cooly than man with heart wou
or be apt to do. But still I had, thus f


been able to find nothing against hi
is On the present occasion told him, al


told the Others. that I must return
ID: Toulon.


We If you have not the ready with "
BIS we can give you credit he said.
he I told him I had plenty of money. /
ne + was not fully prepared to pay the pric
,ly he had demanded. He said, Very we
os. and added, that he should be happy
M. ,,1l ma whop oopoo -,