The disappearance of M. QUEMENEUR

Despite the statements of witnesses Seznec claims his innocence

(From our special correspondent)
Morlaix, July 26.

The day was to be decisive. It was so, as far as it is allowed to believe, when witnesses affirm:

"There's the man I saw!"

Seznec, however, until the last minute counted that his long beard would sufficiently transform the characteristic features of his face ravaged by deep burns, so that a doubt remained about his personality. Yesterday again, he gave many details about his trip to Saint-Brieuc, June 13, the day when the prosecution assured that he was in Le Havre. He quoted the mechanic he had seen in that town and, if he declared that he had forgotten the name of the hotel where he slept, at least he claimed to have spoken to Madame Bienvenu, his lawyer, who would testify to this.

To all these assertions, M. Vidal, Commissioner of General Security, nodded in
smiling his head of Nimois.

"Even so," he said, "Quemeneur reappeared in front of me, I would continue
to believe hard as iron that Seznec murdered him!

Beneath these words hid a conviction based on the personal investigation of the sleuth and his inspectors. She was to receive a resounding confirmation today.

This morning, in fact, M. Chenouard, a typewriter merchant, arrived from Havre; Miss Hernoval, his employee, and MM. Legrand and Hainaut, who witnessed the purchase of the "Royal" by Seznec and who traveled with him.

Taken to the courthouse, M. Chenouard and Mademoiselle Hernoval were ushered into the bright office of M. Campion, the judge. The clerk brought the “Royal”. The witnesses examined him:

"That's the machine we sold," they exclaimed.

And they recounted the conditions of the sale: Seznec, entering the store for the first time, discussing the prices, making his choice, offering to pay for a thousand-franc note taken from a bundle, then paying for his purchase with denominations at his second visit, when the sellers already thought the sale was compromised.

To tell the truth, the recognition of the Royal was beyond doubt. This machine from an American stock had indeed been in the hands of Mr. Chenouard. But it remained to be seen whether the buyer was Seznec.

The latter was then extracted from Creach-Joly, the prison, and brought between his two gendarmes to the Palace. He was dressed, as on June 13, in a "tobacco" suit and
wearing a green hat over the ear.

"The sellers of this machine recognized it," the judge told him.

"It's quite possible," he said. But I cannot do the same because I have never seen her and have never been to Le Havre.

"Bring in the witnesses!" Mr. Campion ordered.

M. Chenouard came in, looked at Seznec:

- You are my client, he said, I recognize your scar on the left cheek.

Mademoiselle Hernoval entered in her turn and made a similar declaration. Finally, Messrs. Legrand and de Hainaut were just as positive.

Seznec did not flinch,

"I am innocent," he cried, "and I will prove it!"

"You'll have to change your system of defense, then," concluded the judge; he is not good.

Outside, Mr. Vidal was exulting. Inside, M. Campion was rubbing his hands. Alone, impassive, M. Quemeneur's traveling companion did not blink.

"Report the accused," ordered the judge to the gendarmes.

And Seznec. casually, hands chained, buried deep in his pockets, climbed the hill and returned to prison.

Friday the witnesses of Plouarec will be heard. But already, the cause of the wood merchant of Traon-ar-Velin appears compromised,

You'll end up in prison, laughingly said to him, once upon a time, the mechanic Géstin, from Landerneau, who knew him well.

It was, then, a joke. This has become a reality.

EMMANUEL BOURCIER