“Madame L’Espanaye disappeared; but a search was made in the chimney, and the corpse of the daughter was dragged therefrom[26]. The body was quite warm. Upon the face were many severe scratches, and, upon the throat, dark bruises, and deep indentations of finger nails, as if the victim was throttled to death[27].
“After a thorough investigation of every portion of the house, the party came into a small paved yard in, 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.
“To this horrible mystery there is not as yet, we believe, the slightest clue.”
The next day’s paper had these additional particulars.
“The Tragedy in the Rue Morgue.
Many individuals were examined in relation to this most extraordinary and frightful affair, but nothing threw light upon it.
“Pauline Dubourg[28], laundress, deposes that she knew both the deceased for three years, washed for them during that period. The old lady and her daughter were very affectionate towards each other. She could not say anything in regard to their mode or means of living. She believed that Madame L. was a fortune-teller. She never met any persons in the house when she came for the clothes or took them home. She is sure that they had no servant.