und dead in the studio of
the ceramic painter, Jacques Dollon. The young painter, rendered
completely helpless by a soporific, lay stretched out beside her when
the crime was discovered. We say 'crime' designedly, because, when the
preliminary medical examination was completed, it was clear that the
death of the Baroness de Vibray was due to the absorption of some
poison.

The painter, Jacques Dollon, whom the enlightened attentions of Doctor
Mayran had drawn from his condition of torpor, underwent a short
examination from the superintendent of police, in the course of which he
made remarks of so suspicious a nature that the examining magistrate put
him under arrest then and there. At police headquarters they are
absolutely dumb regarding this strange affair. Nevertheless, the
personal investigation undertaken by us throws a little light on what is
already called: _The Drama of the Rue Norvins_.

_The Discovery of the Crime_

This morning, about seven o'clock, Madame Beju, a housekeeper in the
service of the painter, Jacques Dollon, who, with his sister,
Mademoiselle Elizabeth Dollon, occupied lodge number six, in the Close
of the rue Norvins, was on the ground-floor of the house, attending to
her customary duties. She had been on the premises about half an hour,
and, so far, had not noticed anything abnormal; however, astonished at
not hearing any movements on the floor above, for the painter generally
rose pretty early, Madame Beju decided to go upstairs and wake her
master, who would be vexed at having let himself sleep so late. She had
to pass through the studio to reach Monsieur Jacques Dollon's bedroom.
No sooner had she raised the door curtain of the studio than she
recoiled, horrorstruck!

Disorder reigned in the studio: a startling disorder!

Pieces of furniture displaced, some of them overturned, showed that
something extraordinary had happened there. In the middle of the room,
on the floor, lay the inanimate form of a person whom Madame Beju knew
well, for she had seen her at the painter's house many a time--the
Baroness de Vibray. Not far from her, buried in a large arm-chair,
motionless, giving no sign of life, was Monsieur Jacques Dollon!

When the good woman saw the rigid attitude of these two persons, she
realised that she was in the presence of a tragedy.

Stirred to the depths, she redescended the stairs, calling for help:
shortly afterwards, the entire Close was in a