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 The Sainte Croix-De Brinvilliers Case. a single package addressed to M. Penautier which should be given him." The packages were opened, and found to contain poisons of various kinds. There

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The authorities now became aware of the fact that great crimes had been committed, though even with all this evidence at hand it was deemed best to proceed with great cau-

THE QUESTION EXTRAORDINARY.

were also some thirty-six letters written to the deceased by the Marquise, together with two bonds, one of Madame de Brinvilliers, the other of the Sieur de Penautier. The first was for thirty thousand, the second for ten thousand livres. One corresponded in date to the death of d'Aubray, the other to that of Saint Laurent.

tion. Both Penautier and Madame de Brin villiers were of too high a rank to be lightly attacked. This objection, however, did not apply to La Chaussee. The widow of the Civil Lieutenant was a woman of great force of character. She had been greatly attached to her husband, and, convinced that there had been foul play, was