"But whatever force still appear suggestion of Le Commerciel, much diminished when we take into consideration the hour at which the girl went abroad ' streets were full of people,' says Le Commerciel, 'that she went out ' But not so at nine o'clock morning Now at nine o'clock of every morning week, exception of Sunday_, the streets city are, true, thronged with people At nine on Sunday, the populace are chiefly within doors preparing for church No observing person failed to notice the peculiarly deserted air town, from about eight until ten morning of every Sabbath Between ten and eleven the streets are thronged, but not at so early period designated

" another point at which there seems deficiency of observation of Le Commerciel 'A piece,' it says, 'of unfortunate girl's petticoats, two feet long, and one foot wide, was torn out and tied under her chin, and around the back of her head, probably screams This , by fellows who had no pocket-handkerchiefs ' Whether this idea is, or well founded, endeavor hereafter; but by 'fellows no pocket-handkerchiefs' the editor intends the lowest class of ruffians These, however, are the very description of people always be found handkerchiefs even when destitute of shirts had occasion to observe how absolutely indispensable, of late years, thorough blackguard, has become the pocket-handkerchief "

"And we ," I asked, " article in Le Soleil ? "

" vast pity its inditer was not born parrot - he the most illustrious parrot race He has merely repeated the individual items already published opinion; collecting them, with laudable industry, paper and 'The things had all evidently been there,' ,' , three or four weeks, and there spot appalling outrage discovered ' The facts here re-stated by Le Soleil, are very far indeed from removing my own doubts subject, and examine them more particularly hereafter in connexion with another division theme

"At present occupy ourselves with other investigations fail remarked the extreme laxity examination corpse , the question of identity was readily determined, or ; but there were other points ascertained Had the body been in any respect despoiled ? Had the deceased any articles of jewelry about her person upon leaving home ? , had she any when found ? These are important questions utterly untouched evidence; and others of equal moment, met with no attention endeavor to satisfy ourselves by personal inquiry The case of St Eustache re-examined no suspicion person; but proceed methodically ascertain beyond doubt the validity affidavits in regard whereabouts Sunday Affidavits character are readily made matter of mystification Should there be nothing wrong here, however, dismiss St Eustache investigations His suicide, however corroborative of suspicion, were there found deceit affidavits, is, without such deceit, in no respect an unaccountable circumstance, or one which need cause us to deflect line of ordinary analysis

" which I now propose, discard the interior points tragedy, and concentrate our attention upon its outskirts Not the least usual error, in investigations such , limiting of inquiry immediate, with total disregard collateral or circumstantial events mal-practice courts to confine evidence and discussion bounds of apparent relevancy Yet experience has shown, and true philosophy will always show, that vast, perhaps the larger portion of truth, arises seemingly irrelevant spirit principle, precisely letter, that modern science has resolved to calculate unforeseen But perhaps comprehend me The history of human knowledge has so uninterruptedly shown that to collateral, or incidental, or accidental events indebted most numerous and most valuable discoveries, has become necessary, in any prospective view of improvement, large, but the largest allowances for inventions that shall arise by chance, and quite range of ordinary expectation no longer philosophical to base, upon , vision of what Accident is admitted as portion substructure chance matter of absolute calculation We subject the unlooked for and unimagined, mathematical formulae schools

"I repeat no more than fact, larger portion of all truth has sprung collateral; and but in accordance spirit principle involved fact, that divert inquiry, present case, trodden and hitherto unfruitful ground event itself, contemporary circumstances which surround it While you ascertain the validity affidavits, examine the newspapers more generally than done , only reconnoitred the field of investigation; but strange indeed if comprehensive survey, such as I propose, public prints, will not afford us some minute points which shall establish direction for inquiry "

In pursuance of Dupin's suggestion, scrupulous examination affair affidavits The result was firm conviction validity, and consequent innocence of St Eustache mean time my friend occupied himself, with what seemed minuteness altogether objectless, in scrutiny various newspaper files end of week he placed before me the following extracts:

"About three years and half ago, disturbance very similar present, was caused disappearance same Marie Rogt, parfumerie of Monsieur Le Blanc, Palais Royal end of week, however, she re-appeared at her customary comptoir, as ever, exception of slight paleness not altogether usual given out by Monsieur Le Blanc and her mother, that she had merely been on visit to some friend country; affair was speedily hushed up We presume present absence is freak same nature, , expiration of week, or perhaps of month, her among us again " - Evening Paper - Monday June 23 {*17}

"An evening journal of yesterday, refers to former mysterious disappearance of Mademoiselle Rogt well known that, during the week of her absence from Le Blanc's parfumerie, she was company of young naval officer, much noted debaucheries quarrel, supposed, providentially led to her return home the name Lothario , , at present, stationed in Paris, but, for obvious reasons, forbear it public " - Le Mercurie - Tuesday Morning, June 24 {*18}

"An outrage most atrocious character was perpetrated near this city the day before yesterday gentleman, wife and daughter, engaged, about dusk, the services of six young men, who were idly rowing boat to and fro near the banks Seine, to convey him across the river Upon reaching the opposite shore, the three passengers stepped out, and had proceeded be beyond the view boat, daughter discovered that she had left her parasol She returned , was seized gang, carried out stream, gagged, brutally treated, and finally taken shore at point not far at which she had originally entered the boat with her parents The villains have escaped , but the police are upon their trail, and will soon be taken " - Morning Paper - June 25 {*19}

" received communications, the object of to fasten the crime late atrocity upon Mennais; {*20} but gentleman fully exonerated by loyal inquiry, and arguments several correspondents appear more zealous than profound, it advisable them public " - Morning Paper - June 28 {*21}