FRENCH “BLUEBEARD”

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 5

FRENCH “BLUEBEARD”

LONG DUEL WITH THE JUDGE PRISONER HOLDS HIS OWN By Telegraph—PreM Association— Oopyrlsht (Rec. November 9, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, November 8. The Judge’s interrogation of Landru, which is expected to last a week, has commenced. The Judge, after recalling the fact that Landru was educated at a Christian Brothers’ school, where he was an altar boy forte long time and subsequently sub-deacpn, questioned him regarding the women. Landru replied that he wanted to buy furniture as a speculation, believing there would be a boom after the destruction during the war. He got in touch with women by inserting offers of marriage in the papers. The scheme proved entirely successful. His notebook was that of a good business man, but the police were obsessed with the idea that he was responsible for the disappearance of all the women who could not bo traced. ■lf they had not found the notebook, he said, the police would never have accused him of committing eleven murders. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the correspondent, who was present at tho .trial, says that throughout the long duel with tho Judge the prisoner not only held his own. but occasionally scored heavily. As the hours went by the Judge was unable to trap the man and showed signs of temper, while, on the contrary, the vivacity of the prisoner increased. He evidently realised that he was on most dangerous ground, but he continfied to fight like an animal at bay. Under the glare of the electric light Landru presented a striking figure, with his bald head, sharp-cut sallow features, full beard, and eyes hidden by deep lashes. To some he seemed a semi-brute, while others thought him a man who had been severely buffeted in life and had suffered 1 for his sins—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.