Sequel to "The Murders Rue Morgue "

by Edgar Allan Poe

Es giebt eine Reihe idealischer Begebenheiten, die der Wirklichkeit parallel lauft Selten fallen sie zusammen Menschen und zufalle modifieiren gewohulich die idealische Begebenheit, so dass sie unvollkommen erscheint, und ihre Folgen gleichfalls unvollkommen sind So bei der Reformation; statt des Protestantismus kam das Lutherthum hervor

ideal series of events which run parallel real ones They rarely coincide Men and circumstances generally modify the ideal train of events, so seems imperfect, and its consequences are equally imperfect Thus Reformation; instead of Protestantism came Lutheranism

- Novalis {*2} Moral Ansichten

few persons, even calmest thinkers, occasionally been startled into vague yet thrilling half-credence supernatural, by coincidences of so seemingly marvellous character that, as mere coincidences, the intellect unable to receive them Such sentiments - half-credences I speak have never the full force of thought - such sentiments are seldom thoroughly stifled unless by reference doctrine of chance, or, technically termed, the Calculus of Probabilities Now this Calculus is, in its essence, purely mathematical; and thus the anomaly most rigidly exact in science applied shadow and spirituality most intangible in speculation

The extraordinary details which now called upon public, found , as regards sequence , the primary branch of series of scarcely intelligible coincidences, whose secondary or concluding branch recognized by all readers late murder of Mary Cecila Rogers, at New York

When, in an article entitled "The Murders Rue Morgue," I endeavored, about year ago, to depict some very remarkable features mental character friend, the Chevalier C Auguste Dupin, it occur that ever resume the subject This depicting of character constituted my design; and this design was thoroughly fulfilled wild train of circumstances brought to instance Dupin's idiosyncrasy adduced other examples, but proven no more Late events, however, in their surprising development, have startled me into some farther details, which will carry the air of extorted confession Hearing what lately heard, it indeed strange should I remain silent in regard to what I both heard and saw so

winding up tragedy involved deaths of Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter, the Chevalier dismissed the affair at once attention, and relapsed into his old habits of moody reverie Prone, at all times, to abstraction, I readily fell in humor; and, continuing to occupy our chambers Faubourg Saint Germain, we gave the Future winds, and slumbered tranquilly Present, weaving the dull world around us into dreams

But these dreams altogether uninterrupted It may readily be supposed part played by my friend, drama Rue Morgue, failed impression fancies Parisian police With its emissaries, the name of Dupin had grown into household word The simple character inductions he had disentangled the mystery never having been explained even Prefect, or to individual than myself, not surprising affair was regarded as little miraculous, or Chevalier's analytical abilities acquired for him the credit of intuition His frankness led him to disabuse every inquirer prejudice; but his indolent humor forbade all farther agitation of topic whose interest to himself had long ceased It thus happened that himself the cynosure policial eyes; cases few attempt to engage his services Prefecture remarkable instances murder of young girl named Marie Rogt

This event occurred about two years atrocity Rue Morgue Marie, whose Christian and family name will at once arrest attention from their resemblance unfortunate "cigar- girl," only daughter widow Estelle Rogt The father had died during the child's infancy, and period death, until within eighteen months assassination which forms the subject narrative, the mother and daughter had dwelt together Rue Pave Saint Andre; {*3} Madame there keeping pension, assisted by Marie Affairs went on thus until the latter had attained her twenty-second year, when her great beauty attracted the notice of perfumer, who occupied shops basement Palais Royal, and whose custom lay chiefly desperate adventurers infesting that neighborhood Monsieur Le Blanc {*4} was not unaware advantages derived attendance fair Marie perfumery; liberal proposals were accepted eagerly girl, although with somewhat more of hesitation by Madame

The anticipations shopkeeper were realized, rooms soon became notorious charms sprightly grisette She employ about year, when her admirers were thrown info confusion by her sudden disappearance shop Monsieur Le Blanc was unable to account for her absence, and Madame Rogt was distracted with anxiety and terror The public papers immediately took up the theme, police were point of making serious investigations, when, one fine morning, lapse of week, Marie, in good health, but with somewhat saddened air, made her re-appearance at her usual counter perfumery All inquiry, except that of private character, was immediately hushed Monsieur Le Blanc professed total ignorance, as before Marie, with Madame, replied to all questions, last week spent house of relation country Thus the affair died away, and was generally forgotten; girl, ostensibly to relieve herself impertinence of curiosity, soon bade final adieu perfumer, and sought the shelter of her mother's residence Rue Pave Saint Andre

about five months return home, that her friends were alarmed by her sudden disappearance second time Three days elapsed, and nothing was heard of her fourth her corpse was found floating Seine, * near the shore opposite the Quartier Rue Saint Andree, and at point not very far distant secluded neighborhood Barrire du Roule {*6}

The atrocity murder, (for at once evident that murder committed,) the youth and beauty victim, and, above all, her previous notoriety, conspired intense excitement minds sensitive Parisians call to mind no similar occurrence producing so general and so intense an effect For several weeks, discussion of absorbing theme, even the momentous political topics day were forgotten The Prefect made unusual exertions; powers whole Parisian police were, , tasked utmost extent

first discovery corpse, not supposed murderer to elude, for more than very brief period, the inquisition immediately set on foot not until the expiration of week deemed necessary to offer reward; and even then this reward was limited to thousand francs mean time the investigation proceeded with vigor, always with judgment, and numerous individuals were examined to no purpose; while, owing continual absence of all clue mystery, the popular excitement greatly increased end tenth day thought advisable to double the sum originally proposed; and, , the second week having elapsed without leading to any discoveries, prejudice which always exists in Paris against the Police having given vent to itself in several serious meutes, the Prefect took it upon himself to offer the sum of twenty thousand francs " conviction assassin," or, if more than one should prove implicated, " conviction of assassins " proclamation setting forth this reward, full pardon was promised to any accomplice come forward in evidence against his fellow; and whole was appended, wherever it appeared, the private placard of committee of citizens, offering ten thousand francs, amount proposed Prefecture The entire reward thus stood at no thirty thousand francs, which regarded as an extraordinary sum when we consider the humble condition girl, great frequency, in large cities, atrocities one described

No one doubted now mystery murder immediately brought to light But although, in instances, arrests were made which promised elucidation, yet nothing was elicited which could implicate the parties suspected; were discharged forthwith Strange as it may appear, the third week discovery body had passed, and passed without any light being thrown , before even rumor events which had so agitated the public mind, reached the ears of Dupin and myself Engaged in researches which absorbed our whole attention, it nearly month since either of us had gone abroad, or received visiter, or more than glanced leading political articles in daily papers The first intelligence murder was brought us by G ----, in person upon us early afternoon thirteenth of July, 18--, and remained until late night He piqued failure of all his endeavors to ferret out the assassins His reputation - so with peculiarly Parisian air - was at stake Even his honor was concerned The eyes public were upon him; and really no sacrifice which willing development mystery He concluded somewhat droll speech with compliment upon what pleased to term the tact of Dupin, and made him direct, and certainly liberal proposition, the precise nature feel myself at liberty to disclose, but no bearing proper subject narrative