Year: 1867




l had given an assumed name at the
inn. and stated that belonged to ToulOn.
On the next morning called for my bill,
and informed my hosts that was of for
home. Then l went to the fruit preser-
ver's and told him the same, stating that
must confer with my partner before l
concluded my bargain After this | went
to the woolen factory and saw the busin-
ess agent. His name was Louis Cazau-
bon, and he had come to Castellane about
a year before. He seemed to be a
straight forward business man, and yet
he was the only one | had seen whom
had thought of suspecting. In conversa.
tion about the murders be bad been
little too free and off handed, treating
the subjec, more coolly than man with
a heart would be apt to do. But still l
had been thus far unable to prove any
thing against him: On the present &C.
casiOn told him as had told many 9TH
ers, that | must return to Toulon.


eff you have no money with you we
can give you credit" be said.


l told him l had plenty of money, but
was not fully prepared to pay the price
he demanded He said, "very well;"
and added be should be very happy to
sell to me when | came again. I bade
him good day, and then departed. As
soon as l was alone l began 70 suspect
Mons. LOUIS Cazaubop in earnest. When
| told him that | bad money, but did not
purchase because he charged too much,
why didn't he banter me! Simply be-
cause he wished me 10 leave town with
the money in my pocket. At least so it
appeared to me. This was sufficient
ground for me to work upon, and / re-
solved to watch the man a little while
So rode to an out Of the way place and
left my horse, and then returned and con-
cealed myself in a position where l could
see the movements of Louis Cazuabon.


In few moments be came out of the
factory and walked away. His step was
hurried and eager. 1 felt sure that he
was not the man that had done the direct
work of death. The plot was deeper
than that, or be would have been discov-
cred ere this. So l resolved to wait a.
while, and see if he returned. I would
have followed him If 1 could have done
So with safety, but he might have detec-
ted 1los and fhea lezisid fet da TInfrsV.
er. in less shan fifteen minuies he came
He walked now with q sober, innocent
air.


I saw CazaubOn at his desk, and then
l returned to my horse. knew that |
had risk to run now, bat | was ready
for it. If the factory agent was at the
bottom Of the crime, ano meant to have
me robbed, be had already set his ma
chinery in motion, and the next develop
ment would have been upon the road.
examined my pistol, aud then left the
town, taking the road along the river, to-
ward the Alps.


At the end of half an hour came to
the slopes of the Barjois mountain, and
soon afterward entered the wood now
began TO be careful, aud kept my eyes
about me. l will not say that / was
wholly without fear, for the mysterious
manner in which the murders had been
done verged so closely upon the marvel
Gus, that sort, of supersIitious dread at
tached TO it. Had the victims been shot
or run through with sword or had their
throats cut, should have no sort Of dread. |
But this was new ground. Death had
come here, nobody knew how. Il might
have come from an invisible hand. and in
dead silence. Yet when ! reasoned upon |
the subject, felt sure that the murderer
must approach very near 10 his victim ere !
the blow was struck, since it must be |
some direct and powerful agent that could |
produce death In so strange manner.


l had crossed the little cascade OF Saint
Esprit, and was descending a short, deep |
hillside, when saw young man by the
roadside. at the foot of the descent, en-.
gagged in whipping a mule. He was
slightly built fellow, and his coarse gar
ments were covered with meal. knew
that there was a mill upon a branch Of
The Verdon, not far back. and supposed /
he might be a mil!er's boy. As | came /
near saw large sack laying upon the
ground, close by where the mule stood.


"What's the matter? 2" / asked, as |
went up to him.


This ugly mule has thrown both me
and my bag of corn from bis back" he
answered.


"Are you hurt 2" l continued.


"My left shoulder is hurt" he said, !
,'and can't lift this sack again. If |
Monster would help me, l would be very !
grateful"


Until this moment the idea of suspec-
ting the young man had never entered
nv head; but the Suspicion dashed upon
me now. He was altogether too keen a
looking fellow for a milIer's apprentice.
He gave me glance from pair Of quick,
sharp eyes, that meant more than he had |
spoken. And then, if l had not been
very much mistaken, l had seen him
hiding his mule firmly with that left
hand.


Ileened from my saddle, and moved |
towards him, being careful to watch bis
every movement.


Now" said he. ''If you will take hold
of that end, we will put it on" He lifted |
a. the other end, and pretended that il
hurt his shoulder, and begged me TO lift
it on alone.


I professed to be willing to comply, !
and stopped down for that purpose keep |
ing my head in such a position that
could watch him by sidelOng glance
AS / bent over and took hold Of the sack, |
l saw him carry his hand to his bosom,