Year: 1866

|
ny French Detective.
lhad some renOwn as a successful rogue
catcher and had some experience, too.
My field Corporations, as usual thing,
lay within the confines of the Department
of the Lower Alps; and though / served
under the Sub-Prefect of the third aron-
dissement, yet the I'refect of the Depart
ment called upon me when he chose
One morning-it was in the latter part of
May-I received a note from the Prefect,
ordering me to come to Dinge and see
him with all possible dispatch. The mis-
sive came through the office of our
Sub-Prefeet, so that had nothing to do
but get ready and start. took an early
dinner, assumed the dress of peasant,
Drowned my ftce and hands, and set forth.
| reached Dinge just at nightfall, and as
soon as it was dark | waited on the Pre-
feet. He seemed to be relieved when he
saw me, and took me to his private clos
ct.


Now said I, have you got work for
me- ? yes he replied, sit down and lis
ten


We sut down and he proceedcd.
within few months past there have
been some ofthe most mysterious murders
committed in this Department and in the
Department of Var, that have ever come
under my notice. They are done mostly
on the road from Castellane to Aups.-
The first victim was Marseilles mer-
chant who had been up to Castelane to
purchase preserved fruits. His body was
found near the roadside, near the line be-
tween thetwo Departments; and at first
it was supposed he must have fallen there
and died i'll fit, as no marks of violence
could be found upon him. His pockets
had been ritled, however The next one
was found near Annot, and under the
same circumstances. He was merchant
also, and from Nice. Since then, five OF
six more have died upon the same road
in the same mysterious way, and no marks
of i'll usage have been found upon any OF
them, but all have been robbed


Have most of them stopped at Castel-
lane p


The Prefect told me they had.


And / suppose they must have stopped
at the same inn then?' remarked.


YES replied the Project.


/ then supposed that the landlords
must be concerned. But my companion
informed me that they had been narrow
ly watched, and that no shadow OF evil
dence rested against them.


But said l, lis there not poison in this
matter? Some innkeeper may administer
the poison, and then send an accomplice
| after the victim


NO. returned the Prefect with a shake
of the head. Experienced physicians
have examined the stomachs OF the dead
men, but no traces of poison have been
found. 1t is q 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 information as
the Sub Prefect can give YOU


After comforting while longer with
the Project, he let me have suit of or
dinary tradesmen's clothing, and thus
habited went to hotel and put up for
the night. In the morning procured a
horse and set out, reaching Castellane be-
fore noon. During the day | pretended
to be doing business went to the wool
en- factory and examined lot of stuff,
and also visited several places where pre-,
served fruits were put up. learned
that most of the people that came there
on business, put up at an inn kept by g
man named Jnan Fontaix so | left my
horse there and engaged lodgings.


After dark called upon the Sub Pre-
feet. He told me that he had used al
the means in his power, but had beer
able to gain no clue to the guilty party
Most of the murdered victims had beer
from Marseilles, and the excitement in thai
city was intense. Gendarmes had beer
sent out upon all the roads, and secret po
lice had also been upon the watch Ih'
last victim had fallen only four or five
days before, and the deed was done IL
fifteen minutes after the policeman ha'
passed the spot.


asked the Sub Prefect whether he ha,
any suspicious. He answered that al
the suspicion he held was fastened upol
John Fontaix, the innkeeper Nearl,
all the murdered men had stopped at hi
house, and he must have known some
thing of their business.


babe the officer keep perfectly quiet
not even let one of his own men know Q
my presence. Then returned to tn
inn, and finally entered into conversatio
with my host upon the subject of th
mysterious deaths. He pronounced
wonderful, and assured me that it ha
injured him more than he could tell
: 'Psrbles!" he muttered. They'll /