Graham's Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, April 1841Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, April 1841
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Many other persons, neighbors, gave evidence to the same effect.
No one was spoken of as frequenting the house. It was not known
whether there were any living connexions of Madame L. and her
daughter. The shutters of the front windows were seldom opened.
Those in the rear were always closed, with the exception of the
large back room, fourth story. The house was a good house—not
very old.
_Isidore Musèt_, gendarme, deposes that he was called to the
house about three o’clock in the morning, and found some twenty
or thirty persons at the gateway, endeavoring to gain
admittance. Forced it open, at length with a bayonet—not with a
crowbar. Had but little difficulty in getting it open, on
account of its being a double or folding gate, and bolted
neither at bottom nor top. The shrieks were continued until the
gate was forced—and then suddenly ceased. They seemed to be
screams of some person (or persons) in great agony—were loud
and drawn out, not short and quick. Witness led the way up
stairs. Upon reaching the first landing heard two voices in loud
and angry contention—the one a gruff voice, the other much
shriller—a very strange voice. Could distinguish some words of
the former, which was that of a Frenchman. Was positive that it
was not a woman’s voice. Could distinguish the words ‘_sacré_’
and ‘_diable_.’ The shrill voice was that of a foreigner. Could
not be sure whether it was the voice of a man or of a woman.
Could not make out what was said, but believed the language to
be Spanish. The state of the room and of the bodies was
described by this witness as we described them yesterday.
_Henri Duval_, a neighbor, and by trade a silver-smith, deposes
that he was one of the party who first entered the house.
Corroborates the testimony of Musèt in general. As soon as they
forced an entrance, they reclosed the door to keep out the
crowd, which collected very fast, notwithstanding the lateness
of the hour. The shrill voice, this witness thinks, was that of
an Italian. Was certain it was not French. Could not be sure
that it was a man’s voice. It might have been a woman’s. Was not
acquainted with the Italian language. Could not distinguish the
words, but was convinced by the intonation that the speaker was
an Italian. Knew Madame L. and her daughter. Had conversed with
both frequently. Was sure that the shrill voice was not that of
either of the deceased.
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