A Romance of Reality

by a French Detective

I had some renown as a successful rogue character, and I had some experience, too. My field of operations, as a usual thing, lay within the confines of the Department of the Lower Alps, and though I served under the Sub-Prefect of the third Arondissement, yet the Prefect of the Department 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 missive came through the office of our Sub-Prefect, so that I had nothing to do but get ready and start, I took an early dinner, assumed the dress of a peasant, browned my face and hands and set forth. I reached Dinge just at night fall, and as soon as it was dark. I waited on the Prefect. He seemed to be relieved when he saw me, and took me to his private closet.  

“Now,” said I, “have you got work for me?” 

“Yes,” he replied, “sit down and listen.” 

We sat down and he proceeded:—“Within a few months past, there have been some of the most mysterious murders committed in this Department and in the Department of War, that have ever come under my notice. They are done mostly on the road from Castellane to [Alps]. The first victim, was a Marseilles merchant, who had come up to Castellane to purchase preserved fruits. His body was found by the roadside, near the line, between the two Departments; and at first it was supposed that he must have fallen there in a fit, as no marks of violence could be found upon him. His pockets had been rifled, however. The next one was found near Annot, and under the same circumstances. He was a merchant also, and from Nice. Since then, five or six… Read More