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First circumstantial declaration of the Duke de Praslin as to the murder of the Duchess.

Quote, Madame de Praslin and myself arrived at Paris at a quarter past eight in the evening by the

Corbell Railway. Madame de Praslin entered a Hackney cab with my sons and their tutor, and I entered

another with my daughters and youngest son, and we arrived at my hotel at a quarter past ten after having both of us made visits in Paris.

Madame de Prasland must have made several. I went with my daughters to see their former

governess, Mademoiselle de Luzzi. I did not see the Duchess on arriving at my hotel.

She had already entered her apartments.

I, on my part, immediately entered my bedroom after having conducted my daughters to their apartment,

situated on the second story of the hotel.

I went to bed, and immediately after fell asleep,

without having required the assistance of a valet,

which I am not accustomed to employ.

This morning, at an hour I cannot indicate, but when the day was beginning to break,

I was awakened by confused cries, but as cries are often heard in the Champy-Lise,

I was not frightened, and I even did not get up immediately. A moment after I heard steps of going and coming in the garden, I then left my

bed, put on my dressing gown, and went towards the chamber of Madame de Praslin. On arriving at the third door of my chamber,

which is at the bottom of the steps of the little corridor which precedes it, I heard confused cries.

I believed there was a cry of murder, and without going further, I reascended to my chamber,

I entered my study and took from my table a loaded pistol.

I then descended to the chamber of Madame de Prasland, which I entered after traversing her dressing

room. Obscurity and profound silence pervaded. I called her by the name of Fanny, but she did not

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