Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1912 — Page 3

The TRUTH ABOUT THE CASE

The Experiences of M. P. Goran, Ex-Chief' of the Paris Detective Police Edited by Albert Keyzar FIGHTING THE GHOSTS

Hhad dined at the house of Madame A , the widow of an old friends, and was about. to ave, when she whiswant to speak to you. Have you seen my brother Xavier of late?” “No. Why?” “Then you know nothing of his impending marriage?” “Not a word. Who is the fortunate lady?” “Don’t joke; the matter is serious. I want your advice, and, Heaven knows, probably your help. Something strange has happened to him. Within the last fortnight I had noticed his haggard looks; and, after questioninlg him several times, he Informed me that he intended to marry Mademoiselle Germaine E , a girl barely eighteen; and he, as you know, is forty-three. He refused to enter Into any explanatiqns, and cut my questions short with the remark that he was compelled to marry her. When, a few days later, I,once more referred to the subject, he went away, and I have not seen him Bince.” “I am sorry for you,” I retorted, “but Xavier is not the first man who makes a fool of himself in that way. He is very much of age, and probably very much in love. 1 therefore do not see where I can be of any use to you or to him.” “I tell you there is a mystery about this that scares me. Xavier’s eyes looked haunted; I never saw such an expression on any one’s face. For our old friendship’s sake, find out what is at the bottom of it all.” “My dear friend,” I retorted, “there is nothing in what you tell me to show that your fears are Justified; but, since you appeal to our old friendship, I will see Xavier on the matter.” I had known Xavier for some years. He was a good-natured, easy-going, Immensely rich fellow, who had idled through life; he was interested in horses, but was too lazy and Indolent to have a racing stable. I was not long gathering a few interesting fact's. For the last six months,. Xavier had ceased to frequent his favorite club, and he, a great whist-player, had deserted the cardtable. But a more alarming symptom was that he had taken up spiritualism. My next step was to learn what I could about Germaine E , the girl Xavier intended to marry; and this Is what I heard: She was born in Vermont, of French parents, who had died, leaving her in charge of a poor farmer’s family. M. E , her father’s brother, a large Iron manufacturer'in Toulouse, being childjess, wrote to these farmers to say that he and his wife would adopt the orphan; and the money for the Journey from the United States having been sent, Germaine, then in her fourteenth year, arrived In France. The girl was wofully ignorant, and uncouth in her manner, but, being remarkably Intelligent, soon became very accomplished. Despite her brilliant qualities, her uncle and aunt regretted having adopted her. She showed herself self-willed and headstrong.

For three nights I read •works on spiritualism, and when I had crammed Into my head as much as it could conveniently hold on, that subject, I went in search of Xavier. - At one time I could have found him any hour of the day; but with all his habits changed, it was no easy matter, and I dared not ,call at his house for fear of arousing his suspicion, „ I discovered that every Wednesday night he dined at a little restaurant near the Montparnasse Station. I went there early and took my seat in a quiet corner. It was a queer place, patronized by gentlemen of the spirit-rapping fraternity. It was getting late, and I was beginning to fear I should misß Xavier, when he came in and sat down at a table near me. He gave a quick iglance aroupd the room, but did not recognize me. I noticed a great change in him. His careless expression had disappeared, and now and then he would draw his fingers through his hair, an action altogether new to me. “Hello, old chap I” I called out to him. He turned around and stared at me in surprise. “Hello, Goron, what brlngß you here?” “Well, to tell you the truth, I am here on a rather queer errand. Come with me to the case at the corner, where we can talk. Perhaps you can give me some information.” A quarter of an hour later, when we were seated opposite each other, I began: “What I am going to say to you must remain between ourselves. Is. this understood?” "Perfectly.” “The fact is I'm In a bit of a fix. For the last three months I have been investigating a very difficult case,

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without being able to find the slightest clue. Yesterday I was on the point of giving it up in despair, when I remembered that one of my foreign colleagues had, through the help of a medium, obtained some valuable information that put him on the right traiL I decided to make a final attempt, and went to that little restaurant, where I hoped to meet a man who, I know, is well versed in these matters. My man did not turn up; but, fortunately, I saw you, and possibly you may assist me.” “Look here, Goron,” he cried, with an excitement such as I should not have thought was in his nature, “I can, and will, help you. Strictly between ourselves, I have gone in for spiritualism. I have a splendid medium for you, a man called Boissier, who assists me in my researches. He is now, I dare say, waiting for me at restaurant I will bring him here.” “Hold hard, Xavier!" I cried. “I Shall be delighted to make the acquaintance of your friend Boissier. You must, however, remember that it will never do for me, the Chief of the Detective Police, to let a stranger know that I have recourse to the occult science to detect crime. The comic papers would make fine sport of me. Since you kindly offer to help me, only you and I must know of it But, if you like, you can Introduce me to M. Boissier under another name, always supposing he does not know me by sight." “There is no fear of that," cried Xavier; “Boissier has been all his life abroad, and returned to France only some six months ago. I’ll fetch him.” A moment later Xavier came back, accompanied by a clean-shaven man with a large face. My friend introduced me as M. Martin from Bordeaux, and I had the pleasure of shaking M. Boissier’s fat, flabby hand. I alleged an engagement, and soon took my leave, after having made an appointment with Xavier for the following day. When we met, Xavier informed me that Boissier would put himself at my disposal if I wanted to hold any intercourse with the other world, . “Boissier,” he added, “is a wonderful chap. I have the greatest confidence iq. him, and through him you will, I am sure, arrive at good results.” Suddenly he turned to me with the question: “Have you heard I am getting married?”. “No. I have no time to go into society. Let me congratulate you. Who is the lady?” He remained silent a moment, ran his fingers through his hair, and remarked :

"Her name Is Germaine E . Since you are interested in spiritualism, I want you to make her acquaintance. You will find her an accomplished girl. She is young, very young—too young for me,” he added In almost a whisper. I eyed my friend narrowly, and dared not question him, for I felt I was nearing the secret. But he shook his head, and as we walked together In the direction of his. house, we did not exchange a word. On reaching his door I wished him good-night, when he seized my arm and said: . “Come In; I want to talk to you.” We went into his smoking-room, and his valet had hardly closed the door, when he exclaimed: “Goron, don’t go in for spiritualism! The human mind cannot stand it. Mine is giving way under the Btrain.” And then I saw in his eyes the haunted look that had scared his sister. I put my hand on his shoulder, and said soothingly: “I see you are fearfully worried. You know you can trust me.” With his eyes half shut, as if in a trance, he spoke so rapidly that I had some trouble to follow him. “Goron, the future has been revealed to me. I have heard voices, and they told me what would happen. I -will perform great deeds, with the help of a woman, my wife, and her name is Germaine E- ■. Evil influences are at work against me; but I will escape them, thanks to that woman. She, too, has heard the same voices, and must obey their Injunctions.” Xavier paused a moment, wiped the perspiration from his forehead, and continued in a quieter tone. "Were it not for these mysterious commands, I would never marry that girl—in every way unsuited to me. Bnt.it is in the decree of fate. Next week our banns will be published.” I had come prepared for something of that sort; but this was much more serious than I had expected, and I began to wonder how much villany I should detect before I cqme to the, bottom of the affair. * To reason with a man apparently under a kind of spell would have been folly. I therefore refrained from comment, and said: “I know of cases where persons, having misunderstood the words the spirits, have tested the accuracy of their commands by other means. Suppose we, too, make another test?” Xavier, who had been nervously par

cing up and down the room, stopped in front of me. “No,” he cried; "I have applied a test; and one that will put even your doubts at rest. On the advice of a friend, ’ I went famous fortuneteller, and the first thing I heard from, her was that I would marry Germaine. Don’t smile, Goron. Like you I have always been skeptical of palmists and their kind. But I heard of another well-known soothsayer in Lyons, and when I called on her she told me the identical thing. I even went to Amsterdam, to a woman whose address had given me, and the result was the same. Can you wonder when I say that influences are at work?” “Yes, Xavier,” I cried; “you are right Influences are at work; but you and I will prove stronger than they!” Poor Xavier, who, of course, did not understand the inner meaning of my words, gazed at me in astonishment and Baid: ’1 want you to meet Germaine. Will you dine with us tomorrow night at Voisin’s, at eight o’clock?” “With pleasure. But remember that as I , too, want to consult the spirits, I must, for the next few days, remain M. Martin, for your fiancee as well as for your friend Boissier.” "Very well. I promise not to make a mistake.” In a bitter tone, he added, “My fiancee, as you will, see, is emancipated, and does not object to dining with me in a restaurant without a chaperon.” As I alighted at Voisin’s a brougham drove up with Xavier, Boissier, and Mile. Germafne, the latter a slim, pale girl, with a curious Way of looking at people from the corners of her gray eyes. She spoke very little, nbr was Xavier in a mood to talk. Boissier, on the other hand, was in great form, and talked to everybody, including the waiters. He seemed to have taken a great liking to me, and, slapping me on the back, said: “Martin, I shall be delighted to as-

I HAVE DECEIVED YOU! FORGIVE ME!

stet you, if you want any advice from the other world.” "That is awfully good of you,” I replied; “the sooner the better, as I want to get back to Bordeaux.” We arranged to meet the following afternoon at his apartment In the Rue Bleue; and, at his request, Germaine promised to come, too. "She is wonderful!” remarked Boissier; “she seems to command the spirits!” Xavier and I saw Germaine home, and we walked a little way together. “How long have you known Boissier?” I asked. f ‘About six months.” "Was it through him you made Mile. Germaine’s acquaintance ?” j “Yes. I saw her the first time at the seance of the S. S. Society, where Boissier had taken me.” “Do you mind giving me the name of the fortune-teller you consulted here in Paris?” Xavier hesitated a moment “Mademoiselle Clementine is her name.” “The woman In the Avenue Trudaine?” “Yes. Do you know her?" “No; I know of her.” And with that I wished him good-night v" When I called at the Rue Bleue, Germaine was sitting in a listless attitude on the sofa. Boissier was as boisterous as ever. “Come on, Pythonissa,” he shouted to the girl; “mount your tripos; our friend Martin is in a hurry.” Germaine sat down at the table, placed a piece of paper in front of her, took up a pencil, and looked at me from the corners of her eyes, while Boissier held his hands over her head. Having remained a minute In that position, he beckoned to me to come close up to him, and whispered: “Put your question!” "I should like to know,” I said, “where Maillard, who died a year ago, hid the documents for which his relatives are searching.” , Germaine, her eyes half-closed, began to write slowly, and I read: “In a black bag.” “Where is the bag?” I asked. Again the pencil moved, and wrote: “In the garden.”

“Go on with your questions," said Boissier. * “No, thank you.” I retorted; “you have given me most valuable information; I can. act upon that.” The banns of Xavier’s marriage were to be published on the 13th; it was already the. 6th, and I shuddered when I thought how little time was left to me to sift this business. ' I went home and traced my plan, The investigations I had to make would take me a Way from Paris fully three days; and there remained, therefore, only another three days to put into execution the pcheme which I trusted would bring everything to light During my absence, I had Boissier and Germaine watched. On my return I learned that the latter had met Xavier twice, but otherwise had not called anywhere nor received visitors, with the exception of Boissier, who had gone to her house''and stayed there half an hour. * Boissier, on the other hand, had been very busy. He had met Xavier every day; he had spent an evening at Mile. Clementine’s private residence at Suresnes. He had rflap been seen in earnest conversation with two ladies, who proved to be connected with Clementine’s establishment. Moreover, he had dined with an individual called Riviere, who occupied a bedroom above Boissier’s apartment. This Riviere had once been arrested on a charge of embezzlement, but had been discharged. My scheme was not only a risky one, but needed elaborate preparation. I started early by calling on a bachelor friend, and obtained his permission to use his apartment in the Place Valois for the following afternoon. At my request, he also instructed his housekeeper, an elderly woman, to place herself at my disposal. From there I went to Xavier. “Keep yourself free tomorrow,” I said; “I will call for you at two o'clock.” “What for?” he asked.

“I will tell you that later. Ido not intend to waste your valuable time; nor can I afford to lose mine. I suppose you can trust me?” “All right," he sighed, "I’ll wait for you.” I then drove to the Rue Bleue, and caught Boissier just as be was leaving the bouse. When be saw me he held out both bands. “What cheer, Martin?" “I am glad I caught you. Professor Leroy, the well-known spiritualist from Brussels, is here. He has invited me to a private seance, and allows me to bring a few friends. Xavier is coming, and I want you to give ns tbe pleasure of your company.” “Leroy, Leroy,” he replied; “I never heard that name. But if Xavier comes I will join your party.” “I am sure you will enjoy it. Here is the address. Three o’clock, sharp." At the Avenue Kleber, Mile. Germaine told me sbe had a bad cold, but would wrap up well and assist at the seance. As I left her house, I heard my name called, and a carriage stopped a few yards from me. I recognized Mme. A , Xavier’s sister. “My dear Goron,” she cried, in an anxious tone, "how is it I have not heard from you? Have you forgotten your promise?” "I have forgotten nothing. In order to help your brother I have even embarked on-a strange adventure. Hitherto I have had to do with living men; now I am fighting ghosts.” The next day I found Xavier more peevish than usual. I pretended not to notice this, and when his brougham drove us to the Place Valois, I said: “Xavier, I have invited you to an odd performance. Promise me to keep your nerves under control, and not tabutter a word during the seance until I give you leave. On my part, I promise you that, in all probability, you will sleep better tonight than you have for the last three months. Is it understood?” He nodded assent, and JL knew 1 could trust him. When we reached the Place Valois, Professor Leroy was arranging the dining-room where the "'seance was to be held. We waited in the drawing-room for

Germaine and Boissier, who arrived within five minutes of each other; we then followed the professor to the dining-room. The blinds had been rOOm. ■ .. . ■ , -,-rnT,-Wv, : r -, Leroy bade Xavier and Germaine sit down in one corner of the room, and Boissier and me in the opposite one. : “You will,” he began, “witness some extraordinary manifestations. Some of the phenomena may even be of a startling nature, for I am the first man who has succeeded in making persons communicate direct with departed spirits without passing through the hands of a medium. The experiment is a difficult one, and its success depends on the relations that have existed between the questioner and the spirit evoked.” Addressing me, he continued; “Monsieur, I shall begin with you. Please think of a departed person with whom you wish to speak." ‘1 have thought of one,” I replied. The professor laid one hand on my right shoulder, and, raising the other in the air, uttered a few words in a weird-sounding tongue. We waited a minute, but no response came. The same experiment was tried with Xavier and Boissier, but with no better results. “I do not know how to account for this,” said the professor, in a vexed tone. “I have never yet seen the spirits so hostile. I shall now ask mademoiselle to recall some one with whom she would like to converse.” “I have done so,” said Germaine. The professor then laid his hand on her shoulder; but the moment he lifted the other, a noise burst upon us as if all Bedlam had been let loose. It lasted only a few seconds, but it made our very bones leap. “Good heavens! what was that?” asked Xavier. “I don't know,” said the professor; “this is quite new to me. We shall soon see.” He again touched Germaine, and once more the deafening din arose, worse than before. Xavier and Germaine, looking very scared, rose from' their seats, when the professor stopped them. “Sit down,” he shouted. “Hark, the spirits are there; I can hear them!” After a silence that seemed oppressive, we heard a low moan in the distance, which grew louder as it came nearer. When it had reached our room, it stopped. There was another nfinute of suspense, and then a voice, very far off, called out: “Lily! Lily!” Germaine started. She was deathly pale. Again the voice was heard, but much nearer: t “Lily! Lily! Why have you done this?’’.

Germaine was shaking so I thought she would drop. Then she cried: “Forgive me! Forgive .me, Germaine! I promise to atone!” Boissier jumped up to go toward her. I seized his wrist, and whispered in his ear: "I am not Martin; my name is Goron. If you make a move or utter a sound, you are lost!” The seance broke up in a state of excitement. Xavier conducted the halffainting Germaine to the drawingroom. I went to her and said: “Mademoiselle, I suppose you would like to speak to us now?” "Yes,” she replied; “call your friend Xavier; but not Boissier." She shuddered as sbe mentioned the name. I returned to the dining-room. “Professor,” I said, “keep close to that fellow Boissier till I come back. If he tries any nonsense clap the handcuffs on him.” "11l look after him, sir,” laughed the professor. Germaine was sitting In an easychair, with her eyes closed, the while Xavier walked about excitedly. "What does it all —■" “Hush!” I interrupted him. "You will hear the truth now.” "I have deceived you! Forgive me!” . Suddenly Gefmaine went on her knees before Xavier, and seizing one of his hands, exclaimed: Beckoning Xavier to remain silent, I raised the girl from the floor, and said: “Whom is he to forgive? Is it Germaine, or —” “No,” she shrieked in a paroxysm of grief. "Don’t speak* I 'will tell everything!” f And in broken sentences, mingled with sobs, she poured out her story: "My name is Lily Bradley, and I am the daughter of the farmers who took charge of Germaine when her parents died. My father and mother were very good to her; but Germaine was sickly, and the doctor said she could not live long. Then came the letter of M. E in Toulouse, proposing to adopt his niece; and my parents, being poor, decided to let me take her place. I begged them not to do this; but I was only thirteen, and they pressed me so hard that I consented. Two years later Germaine died, and —” “Your parents committed a second frand by burying her under your name,” I said. "How on earth, Goron, do you—” "Keep quiet, Xavier. Please go on, Miss Lily.” “Some time after that my parents died, too, when one day I received a visit/from that man, Boissier. My far ther knew him, and I remember his saying the fellow was a scoundrel. Somehow Boissier had got hold of the secret, and he threatened to denounce me unless I consented, to assist him in a plot , : : ' ~ ■' • ' “He had become intimate with M. Xavier; and tbe plan was that I should marry if- Xavier, and afterward pay Boissier a large sum of money. ’He Is rich,' be .said, ‘and I want some of his money.' If M. Xavier bad not

- - • - - - -\¥T7f. t V' s ” gone in for spiritualism, this conspiracy would never have been started. Several times I have felt tempted to write hind an anonymous letter warning him against theplot; but Boissier terrorized me, and I dared not risk ft. I have also—* She stopped and an expression of* intense pain came over her face. I saw she was really 111; and as, for several reasons I did not want-bar to go back to where she was staying, 1 sent for a jcab and aaked the house*, keeper to .take my card, and’convey the girl to a home managed by one of my friends, who would look after her. 1 Boissier .was sitting motionless U* the dining-room by the side tff-fcfiV “profesßor,” who was reading a mors* ing paper. . “Take him to the . prefecture, Leroy,” I said. “I will sCe ttm tonight or tomorrow morning.”. ';. . “Yes, sir. Come along, my hoy, you and I will look at a few more ghosts.” And he led away Boissier, who shivered with fright and had not the strength to utter a syllable. “Well, Xavier,” I ekclaimed, when we were alone. "What do you think of our seance? Rather stormy, was tfe not?” “Goron, I am too much ashamed of myself to dare even to thank you. I feel in & dream, But how did you ferret it all out? What clue did you have?” “Oh, I bad a clue. But there In your sister, worrying herself to death. Go at once to her, and tell her she need not trouble to order a wedding cake for you. One word more. Ask your sister to tell her butler to bring up a bottle of Mouton Rothschild. I promised to dine with her and you—if all went well.” It was one of the pleasantest dinners I can remember. The Mouton Rothschild had been religiously emptied. We were smoking cigarettes, when Xavier said: “And now tell us what gave you the clue to the affair.” “My dear Xavier, you will see It Is all very simple. If people would believe only half the things told them in the course of their lives there would be only half the number of crimes committed. You need not loSk uncomfortable; others have been taken in like you. “Your case is divided into two parts. The first, which concerns you specially, is of childish simplicity. It was all’ a fake. The voices you heard, calling upon you to marry that girt, did not emanate from spirits. Candidly, I am surprised man of your Intellect should have fallen into such a vulgar trap. As to these wonderful soothsayers in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, they were all members of the same gang. It was Boissier who gave you the addresses of those sibyls, and Clementine; warned by Bossier, sent one of her staff to the place to-receive you. 1 “The second part of your case, relating more particularly to the girl, was more subtle, and, I own, gave me some trouble She, I felt, was the pivot of the affair, and on her I centered my attention. Her hands were my first; ylue. In a suspicions case I suspect everything. “Here was a girl, the daughter of French parents, with a pair of American hands! I have been to the United States and have noticed the peculiarities of the bands in that country, ae elsewhere. Her hands haunted me; I began to fancy they did not belong to her. And that was my starting point. "I went to Toulouse; saw M. E • and Madame E , who had adopted their niece, and had a profitable talk with them. They showed me the portraits of Germaine’s parents, true tires of the Latin race; and I learned from them that the Bradley’s, the fanners who at one time took charge of Germaine, also had a little daughter. On my return to Paris I communicated by cable with the American authorities, and with admirable courtesy they replied the eecond day that Lily Bradley and her parents. were dead. "The conviction then stole upon me that your fiancee was not Germaine, but the farmer’s child; my only way to test the truth was to organize s seance, and—without play upon words —turn the tables upon those who used spiritualism to swindle you. Yon saw what happened. Leroy is one of my men. His father was a low comedian, who taught his son ventriloquism. “As to that terrible noise yon heard, it is produced by smearing two little planks with rosin, and rubbing them violently against one another.” I Xavier and I had a violent dispute about the wretched Boissier. Early the next morning my friend called on me, and told me that this matter could not go further, on account of th* “scandal.” How I hate that word? How many crimes have, within my knowledge, remained unpunished, because the victims, belonging to the higher classes, dreaded what they termed the “scandal.” Madame A , too, came to the rescue, and, to my sorrow, I had to let the fellow go. For all that, vengeance overtook Boissier. When he returned home. Mi found the man Riviere had broken open his trunk, stolen all bis money, and disappeared. Two years later I recognized Bossier among a tot of vagabonds the police had found huddled together in a % shed near the Central markets. He had became a horrible wreck. M E and his wife took^barge of Idly Bradley. As they told me afterward, the girl had sinned, but had also been sinned against:, Having once befriended her, they tttilgtl throw her upon the wed*. s <