Year: 1859

means within his power but had been able
to gain no clue to the guilty party. Most
of the murdered victims had been from
Malseilles, aud the excitement in that city
was intense. Gendarmes had been sent
out upon all the roads, and the secret
police had also been been on the watch.
The last victim had fallen only fifteen
minutes after the policeman passed the
post


l asked the Sub-Prefect if he had any
suspicious. He answered that all the sus-
picions he had held was fastened on Juan
Fontaix, the inn-keeper Nearly all the
murdered men had stopped at his house
and he must have known something of
their business.


l bade the officer keep perfectly quiet,
and not even let one of his own men know
ofmy presence. Then returned to the inn,
and finally entered into conversation with
my host upon the subject of the mysterious
deaths, He pronounced it wonderful and
assured me that it injured him more than
he could tell


Parbleu !" be muttered they'll be
suspecting me next, if they have not done
so already"


was soon satisfied that Juan Fontaix
knew nothing of the guilty parties. He
was very fearful and at times blanched
and trembled at rhe thought Of being ap.
pretended for the crime. Most people
would have seen in this signs of guilt but
thought differently.


l spent all the next day in town, esten-
sibly engaged in business with the facto-
ries, but in reality hunting after some
clue to the object of my mission. Night
came again but 1 found nothing new.
was perfectly satisfied that the murderer
had laid his plans so deeply that no cir
cumstantial claim could be found. If
would find him, must catch him with the
proof upon him.


I had given an assumed name at the
inu, and stated that I belonged to Toulon.
On the next morning l called for my bill,
and informed my host that I was off for
home. Then went to the fruit preserver's
and told him the same, stated that must
confer with my partner before concluded
my bargain. After this I went to The
woolen factory, and saw the business
agent. His name was Louis Cazaubon,
and he come to Castelane about year
before. He seemed to be straight-for.
ward business man, and yet he was the
only one l had seen whom l really wished
TO suspect. In conversing upon the mur
ders, he had been a little too free and of
handed, treating the subject more ccolJ
than man with heart would be apt to
But still had, thus far, been able to fuc
nothing against him. told him as
had told the others, that l must return t.
Toulon.


eff you have not the ready money witt
you, we can give you credit" he said.


l told him had pleanty of money, bu
l was not fully prepared to pay the price
he had demanded. He said, Very well
and added, that he should be happy tt
sell me when l came again. 1 bade hin
good day, and then departed. As sool
as was alone, began to suspect Mon
sieur Louis Cazaubon in earnest. Whel
1 told him l had money, but did not pur
chase, because he charged too much, VIII,
didn't he banter me? Simply because h
wished me to leave town with my none,
in my pocket. At least so it appeared t


me. This was sufficient ground for me t


work upon and / resolved to watch tn


man little; SO | rode 10 an out G


the-way-place, and left my horse, and the


returned and concealed myself in pos


teon where could see the movements G


Louis Cazaubon. In few minutes


came out from his factory and wake


away. His step was hurried and cage
| felt sure that he was not the man wh
did the direct work OF death. The plc
J was deeper than that, or he would hay
} been discovered ere this. So l resolve
, to wait while and see if he returned.
: would have followed him, if conld hay
done so with safety; but he might ha,
r detected me and that would not DO. How
3 ever, in less than fifteen minutes he cam


He walked now with sober, innocel
9 air. 1t seemed to say" Oh | have1
7 been up to any mischief, as you can see
saw Cazaubon at his desk again, al
/. then l returned to my horse. kne
t that had risk to run now, but | W
/. ready for it. If the factory agent was
g the bottom of the crime, and meant to ha