Causes Célèbres. marked Paris. In it the Widow Houet stated that she had departed on a few days' journey with a friend; she forbade Jusson to mention this fact to any one. Another letter postmarked Saint-Germainen-Laye, came to a Monsieur Vincent, who lived in one of the two houses owned by the Widow Houet at Versailles. The tenor of this letter seemed to indicate that the widow intended to end her days by suicide. It was easy to see that these two letters were forgeries; the writing and style of expression were certainly not the Widow Houet's. There had, then, undoubtedly been a crime committed; but where? by whom? It was proposed to search the widow's house. Robert opposed this, saying that it was evi dent that his mother-in-law had not died in her house. On the 1st of October, however, a search was made; and they found in the widow's chamber six bank-notes, of 1,000 francs each, and 710 francs in gold and silver. It was not for the purpose of rob bery, then, that the crime, if there was one, had been committed. The suspicions of the authorities were naturally directed to the son-in-law. Robert had carried on successively the business of a wine-dealer and an engraver. He had been unfortunate in his transactions, and early in 1821 he had sold out his wine establishment for 1,800 francs, and it was known that be sides the proceeds of this sale and a house which he owned in Dannemoine, which was heavily mortgaged, he had no other resources, except an income of 168 francs belonging to his wife. At the time of the disappearance of his mother-in-law he was forced to seek work as an engraver. After the disappearance of the widow, who was still looked upon as only absent, Robert applied for an allowance of 1,500 francs from her property. This situation indicated a motive for the perpetration of the crime on Robert's part; while, as to any other person, the crime, not being followed by robbery, remained inexpli
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cable. Besides, the authorities had, in the course of their investigations, learned of other suspicious circumstances. At the hour when the Widow Houet directed her steps towards the Rue de la Harpe, Robert had been seen by several persons standing under the portecochire of his house, looking up the street as if expecting some one. After the disappear ance, instead of being disturbed and seeking for her, he had attempted to conceal from his wife, for some time, a misfortune which he appeared at once to consider irreparable. In 1822, after a further investigation, based only upon presumptions, the inferior court decided that it was impossible to ascertain the causes of the disappearance. But while the authorities were thus at fault, the ele ments for a new investigation were accumu lating around Robert. He had left Paris early in 1822, and established himself with his wife in the house at Dannemoine. In February, 1823, he returned, and with one Veron, whom he brought with him from Dannemoine, he occupied the apartments in the Rue de la Harpe, which he still re tained. At this time there passed between him and a new personage some scenes which attracted the attention, and presently aroused the suspicions, of the police. A man named Bastien came one day to receive from Veron a note for 250 francs, signed by Robert, which had been left for him by the latter. A few days later, Bastien once more appeared, declaring that he must see Robert himself. He waited until Robert returned, when the two men shut themselves up in an adjoining room. The conversation between them presently became animated; they were evidently en gaged in a bitter discussion. Loud and threatening words reached Veron's ear. Then cries of, " Robber! assassin! " in Robert's voice. Veron hastened to his friend's aid. When he entered the room, Robert and Bastien were struggling together. The former was red in the face; while Bastien, who held him by the throat, was pale and menacing. At the sight of Veron they both
