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Helene Jegado's past was inquired into, and a strange and dreadful Odyssey the last twenty years of her life proved to be. It was an Odyssey of death. Sixteen years later one of those aunts, Helene Liscouet, took Helene with her into service with M. Conan, cure at Seglien, and it was here that Helene Jegado's evil ways would appear first to become manifest.
``Ai but I'm so unhappy! Helene grieved. ``Where-ever I go Seglien, Guern, Bubry, Veuve Laboucher's people die! She had cause for grief, sure enough. In less than eighteen months thirteen persons with whom she had been closely associated had died of violent sickness. But more were to follow. In May of 1835 Helene was in service with the Dame Toussaint, of Locmine. Four more people died.
THE PRESIDENT. And the white powder did it also come from Seglien? Never have I seen arsenic! Never has anyone spoken to me of arsenic!
Upon this the President rightly reminded her that she had said only that morning that her aunt had talked to her of arsenic at Seglien, and had warned her of its lethal qualities. ``You deny the existence of that white powder, said the President, ``because you know it was poison. You put it away from you with horror! The accused several times tried to answer this charge, but failed.
When I had fever I took the powders given me by the doctor, but I did not know what they were! THE PRESIDENT. Why did you say yesterday that nothing was ever found in your luggage? HELENE. I didn't remember. THE PRESIDENT. What were you doing with the saffron? Wasn't it in your possession during the time you were in Seglien? HELENE. I was taking it for my blood.
This evidence of the arsenic at Seglien was brought forward on the second day of the trial, when witnesses began to be heard. Before pursuing the point of where the accused might have obtained the poison I should like to quote, as typical of the hypocritical piety exhibited by Helene, one of her answers on the first day.
This, with variations, was her constant answer. ``Qu'est-ce que c'est l'arsenic? Je n'en ai jamais vu d'arsenic, moi! The President had occasion later to take her up on these denials. The curate of Seglien came to give evidence. He had been curate during the time of M. Conan, in whose service Helene had been at that time.
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