The Murders in the Rue Morgue | Page 6

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 Muset, 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 not 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.
"-- Odenheimer, restaurateur. This witness volunteered his testimony.
Not speaking French, was examined through an interpreter. Is a native
of Amsterdam. Was passing the house at the time of the shrieks. They
lasted for several minutes - probably ten. They were long and loud -
very awful and distressing. Was one of those who entered the building.
Corroborated the previous evidence in every respect but one. Was sure

that the shrill voice was that of a man - of a Frenchman. Could not
distinguish the words uttered. They were loud and quick - unequal -
spoken apparently in fear as well as in anger. The voice was harsh - not
so much shrill as harsh. Could not call it a shrill voice. The gruff voice
said repeatedly 'sacré,' 'diable,' and once 'mon Dieu.'
"Jules Mignaud, banker, of the firm of Mignaud et Fils, Rue Deloraine.
Is the elder Mignaud. Madame L'Espanaye had some property. Had
opened an account with his banking house in the spring of the year -
(eight years previously). Made frequent deposits in small sums. Had
checked for nothing until the third day before her death, when she took
out in person the sum of 4000 francs. This sum was paid in gold, and a
clerk went home with the money.
"Adolphe Le Bon, clerk to Mignaud et Fils, deposes that on the day in
question, about noon, he accompanied Madame L'Espanaye to her
residence with the 4000 francs, put up in two bags. Upon the door
being opened, Mademoiselle L. appeared and took from his hands one
of the bags, while the old lady relieved him of the other. He then bowed
and departed. Did not see any person in the street at the time. It is a
bye-street - very lonely.
"William Bird, tailor deposes that he was one of the party who entered
the house. Is an Englishman. Has lived in Paris two years. Was one of
the first to ascend the stairs. Heard the voices in contention. The gruff
voice was that of a Frenchman. Could make out several words, but
cannot now remember all. Heard distinctly 'sacré' and 'mon Dieu.'
There was a sound at the moment as if of several persons struggling - a
scraping and scuffling sound. The