The Murders in the Rue Morgue | Page 5

part of the house. As the second landing was reached, these sounds,
also, had ceased and everything remained perfectly quiet. The party
spread themselves and hurried from room to room. Upon arriving at a
large back chamber in the fourth story, (the door of which, being found
locked, with the key inside, was forced open,) a spectacle presented
itself which struck every one present not less with horror than with
astonishment.
"The apartment was in the wildest disorder - the furniture broken and
thrown about in all directions. There was only one bedstead; and from
this the bed had been removed, and thrown into the middle of the floor.

On a chair lay a razor, besmeared with blood. On the hearth were two
or three long and thick tresses of grey human hair, also dabbled in
blood, and seeming to have been pulled out by the roots. Upon the floor
were found four Napoleons, an ear-ring of topaz, three large silver
spoons, three smaller of métal d'Alger, and two bags, containing nearly
four thousand francs in gold. The drawers of a bureau, which stood in
one corner were open, and had been, apparently, rifled, although many
articles still remained in them. A small iron safe was discovered under
the bed (not under the bedstead). It was open, with the key still in the
door. It had no contents beyond a few old letters, and other papers of
little consequence.
"Of Madame L'Espanaye no traces were here seen; but an unusual
quantity of soot being observed in the fire-place, a search was made in
the chimney, and (horrible to relate!) the; corpse of the daughter, head
downward, was dragged therefrom; it having been thus forced up the
narrow aperture for a considerable distance. The body was quite warm.
Upon examining it, many excoriations were perceived, no doubt
occasioned by the violence with which it had been thrust up and
disengaged. Upon the face were many severe scratches, and, upon the
throat, dark bruises, and deep indentations of finger nails, as if the
deceased had been throttled to death.
"After a thorough investigation of every portion of the house, without
farther discovery, the party made its way into a small paved yard in the
rear of the building, where lay the corpse of the old lady, with her
throat so entirely cut that, upon an attempt to raise her, the head fell off.
The body, as well as the head, was fearfully mutilated - the former so
much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity.
"To this horrible mystery there is not as yet, we believe, the slightest
clew."
The next day's paper had these additional particulars.
"The Tragedy in the Rue Morgue. Many individuals have been
examined in relation to this most extraordinary and frightful affair.
[The word 'affaire' has not yet, in France, that levity of import which it

conveys with us,] "but nothing whatever has transpired to throw light
upon it. We give below all the material testimony elicited.
"Pauline Dubourg, laundress, deposes that she has known both the
deceased for three years, having washed for them during that period.
The old lady and her daughter seemed on good terms - very
affectionate towards each other. They were excellent pay. Could not
speak in regard to their mode or means of living. Believed that
Madame L. told fortunes for a living. Was reputed to have money put
by. Never met any persons in the house when she called for the clothes
or took them home. Was sure that they had no servant in employ. There
appeared to be no furniture in any part of the building except in the
fourth story.
"Pierre Moreau, tobacconist, deposes that he has been in the habit of
selling small quantities of tobacco and snuff to Madame L'Espanaye for
nearly four years. Was born in the neighborhood, and has always
resided there. The deceased and her daughter had occupied the house in
which the corpses were found, for more than six years. It was formerly
occupied by a jeweller, who under-let the upper rooms to various
persons. The house was the property of Madame L. She became
dissatisfied with the abuse of the premises by her tenant, and moved
into them herself, refusing to let any portion. The old lady was childish.
Witness had seen the daughter some five or six times during the six
years. The two lived an exceedingly retired life - were reputed to have
money. Had heard it said among the neighbors that Madame L. told
fortunes - did not believe it. Had never seen any person enter the door
except the old lady and her daughter, a porter once or twice, and a
physician some eight or ten times.
"Many other persons, neighbors, gave evidence to the same effect.