Page 34 (1/2)

"Six years," McCo recorded There was a rash of unsolved killings attributed to him, but no solid evidence or eyewitness accounts only a pattern that hinted of the Roubaix touch

"A pattern?"

"Yes, all the victims were done in by injuries inflicted to the throat," said McCoulation Roubaix had turned away froreat fuss was made at the time People had a different set of e who eliminated undesirables as a community benefactor"

"I see a nu Riel's rebellion"

"Thirteen, to be exact"

"Roubaixman"

"Not really," replied McComb "Actually he was described as frail of build and rather sickly A doctor who attended him before his execution testified that Roubaix was tackled by consumption- call tuberculosis"

"Hoas it possible for such a weakling to overpower men ere trained for physical combat?"

asked Villon

"Roubaix used a garrote made from rawhide not much thicker than a wire A nasty weapon that cut halfway into his victiht them unaware, usually when they were asleep Your reputation is well known in body-building circles, Mr Villon, but I daresay your oife could choke you away if she slipped Roubaix's garrote around your neck soht in bed"

"You talk as if the garrote still exists"

"It does," said McComb "We have it on display in the criminal section of the Mountie museum, if you care to view it Like some other mass killers who cherished a favorite arrote The wooden hand grips that attach to the thong are intricately carved in the shape of timber wolvesl It's really quite a piece of craftsmanship"

"Perhaps I'll have a look at it when my schedule permits," said Villon without enthusias to make sense out of Sarveux's instructions to Danielle in the hospital It didn't add up A riddle of ciphers Villon took a flyer on another tack "If you had to describe Roubaix's case, hoould you sule sentence?"

"I'm not sure I knohat you're after," said McComb

"Let me put it another way What was Max Roubaix?"