PARIS APACHES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 22

PARIS APACHES

A Haunt Of Evil

There was a dramalie development in the hunt for the murderers of M. Louis Leplee. the Paris cabaret “king" —who was shot dead by four masked men—when his dark-eyed lover, Edith Gassion, underwent “third degree" at police headquarters, says a Parts paper.

After Miie. Gassion—who is known in Paris night life under the nickname of "La Mome Piaf”—had been questioned for more than two hours, the door opened and she turned to see a handsome young Algerian walking smilingly towards her between police officers. He was Henri Palette. La Mome Pint's former fiancee. The police had tracked him down and confronted her with him. because of her statements about his movements before the murder. Then followed a remarkable scene, in which the girl bitterly accused Valette of complicity in the crime Biting her lips with emotion, she described how she and Valette used to tour the streets of Montmartre, she singing and he playing a mandoline. “One day, while I sang. M. Leplee heard me, liked my voice, and made me the star singer and dancer in his cabaret at ‘Gerny’s’ night club. “I thought at first our paths would still run together, but it was not to be. I ceased to love Valette. I fell head over heels in love with M. Leplee. who bad indeed been like a father to me. “Valette became jealous. Only four days ago he made a violent scene in

M. Leplee’s flat. lie went to the night club, too, and menaced M Leplee there.” Then, stretching her hands towards Vaiette, who smiled at her sarcastically. La Mome Piaf declared in a highpitched almost hysterical voice: "Ho got three accomplices. They went with him to my Louis’s Hat, and he himself tired the shot that killed- He has already been in prison. The crime was just another crime to him. . .” The person who appeared to be least affected by the grim meaning of the girl’s words was Valette himself. When she had finished he looked iter straight in the eyes ami laughed at her. "I am no murderer." he said "Yim are talking nonsense. I have a perfect alibi You can check up where I was at the time of the murder, by calling on my employers." The confrontation ended with an impassioned declaration by the girl in which she said : ‘T pledge myself to avenge the death of M. Leplee. I owe it to him. . Meanwhile, the police are studying the dossiers of the sensational case of Oscar Dufrenne, who was murdered in the Paris theatre of which he was director, three years ago. There are certain striking points of similarity between the two crimes' There was a constant stream of former friends of the dead cabaret “king" to police headquarters for questioning Many of them are colourful figures in the night life of Montmartre and Montparnasse.