The Froler case. A novel

Front matter

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Part First. A Mysterious Assassination

* Monsieur cle Vergennes, the chief of Police in Paris, was entering the Hotel de le Prefecture about one o’clock in the morning on his return from the Opera, where he had accompanied his wife and daughter. When about to conduct the ladies to their rooms, he saw his confidential clerk hastening towards him. The young man seemed a prey to such strong emotion that Monsieur de Vergennes, struck by the agitation displayed in his features, rapidly descended the

THE FROLER CASE.

few steps which he had already mounted, saying:

“ Well, Sylvan, what has happened ?”

“ An awful affair. Monsieur,” replied the young man hurriedly. “ Jacques Froler, the chief of the Detective Service, has been assassinated in his private office not five minutes ago. The police agent who gave the alarm has gone for the doctor. I had just time to order that no one should be allowed to leave the building and come in search of you.”

“ And the murderer?”

“ Is being searched for in every corner of the hotel, and we are certain to secure him, for he has no possible means of escape.”

An extraordinary excitement which, like a swell of the ocean, seemed to increase each • instant, was soon heard on all sides ; at that moment the police agent, Bousquet, who had been the first to give the alarm, returned with Doctor Bourdon, one of the doctors attached to the Prefecture. Monsieur de Vergennes ran up to them, followed by his secretary, and the whole four silently mounted to the unfortunate Froler’s office, which was situated on the second Story of the building.

JACQUES LAURENT RECEIVES HIS VISITORS .— raH I.

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