In the mid-summer of 1902, Hellan - an English lad of about 16 with a passion for horses - sought and found work in a stable at Gouvieux, near Chantilly.
Immediately (probably because of his nationality) he was picked on by the head lad, who bullied Hellan without mercy.
Unable to stand it no longer, Hellan appropriated a sum of money belonging to his employer with the object of returning to England.
However, he was caught fleeing and thrown in jail.
After his release and with little choice, Hellan returned to work at the stables, much to the delight of the head lad.
Again his was mercilessly tormented, but now not just by the head lad. Several older lads in the stable routinely picked on him and the climax came one evening in June.
Returning from a drinking bout, three lads set about Hellan, picking him up and ducking him in a tub of water. They then let him fall to the ground several times. Then they strapped him so that he was unable to move before throwing more buckets of water over him.
They gagged him to stifle his cries for help. They left him exposed to the night air.
Hellan was desperately ill the next morning and was rushed to the Jockeys' Hospital where, after lingering, he died on Thursday, 25 June.
The circumstances surrounding his death were relayed to the British Vice-Consul.
Two months later, three young lads went to the guillotine just outside Chantilly.
It is thought that they were Hellan's assailants.
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