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
_Paul Dumas_, physician, deposes that he was called to view the
bodies about day-break. They were both then lying on the sacking
of the bedstead in the chamber where Mademoiselle L. was found.
The corpse of the young lady was much bruised and excoriated.
The fact that it had been thrust up the chimney would
sufficiently account for these appearances. The throat was
greatly chafed. There were several deep scratches just below the
chin, together with a series of livid spots which were evidently
the impression of fingers. The face was fearfully discolored,
and the eye-balls protruded. The tongue had been partially
bitten through. A large bruise was discovered upon the pit of
the stomach, produced apparently by the pressure of a knee. In
the opinion of M. Dumas, Mademoiselle L’Espanaye had been
throttled to death by some person or persons unknown. The corpse
of the mother was horribly mutilated. All the bones of the right
leg and arm were more or less shattered. The left tibia much
splintered, as well as all the ribs of the left side. Whole body
dreadfully bruised and discolored. It was not possible to say
how the injuries had been inflicted. A heavy club of wood, or a
broad bar of iron, a chair, any large heavy and obtuse weapon,
would have produced such results, if wielded by the hands of a
very powerful man. No woman could have inflicted the blows with
any weapon. The head of the deceased, when seen by witness, was
entirely separated from the body, and was also greatly
shattered. The throat had evidently been cut with some very
sharp instrument—probably with a razor.
_Alexandre Etienne_, surgeon, was called with M. Dumas to view
the bodies. Corroborated the testimony, and the opinions, of M.
Dumas.
Nothing farther of importance was elicited, although several
other persons were examined. A murder so mysterious, and so
perplexing in all its particulars, was never before committed in
Paris—if indeed a murder has been committed at all. The police
are entirely at fault—an unusual occurrence in affairs of this
nature. There is not, however, the shadow of a clew apparent.”
The evening edition of the paper stated that the greatest excitement
still continued in the Quartier St. Roch—that the premises in question
had been carefully re-searched, and fresh examinations of witnesses
instituted, but all to no purpose. A postscript, however, mentioned that
Adolphe Le Bon had been arrested and imprisoned—although nothing
appeared to criminate him, beyond the facts already detailed.
Dupin seemed singularly interested in the progress of this affair—at
least so I judged from his manner, for he made no comments whatever. It
was only after the announcement that Le Bon had been imprisoned, that he
asked me my opinion respecting it.
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