The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-23 00:00:00

ITITR nAY, FEB. 23, 1884,

rm. mown ass
A CRIME IN AN OMNIBUS.

A STORY OF PARISIAN LIFE.

BY FORTUNE DU BOMGOBEY

Translated from the French.

CHAPTER VIII
FERMIS:B understood her motive, and eat himself
to examine the orchestra stalls. His eyes soon
tested upon a man standmg leaning his back against
the partition separating the pit from the hinder-
most row

" .
Thie-man would not hair(' arrested his attention,
although he was standing while the neighbours sat,
but for thelact that he was looking in the direction
of the box in front of which sat M. Paulet and his
'daughter. ' The artist's glance encountered this
'9ectator's, and in a second he recognised him. It
watthe man whom he had pushed on the staircase
After having obtained his ticket, and who resembled
the passenger outside the omnibus. Freneuse could
'flow examine him at his leisure, for his face was
tlined towards him in full light, so he profited by
the opportunp—
by, while Mdlle. Marguerite amused
Lhereelf criticising the actors and their dresses through
-cm gum. •
Se greatwas his interest in this living problem,
that even- Marguerite's attractions did not prevent
Min working to solve it. He-taxed his memory to
the utmost to recall the features of the man he had
seen in the omnibus, and succeeded in bringing them
Pretty clearly before his mind's eye, again noticing
the strong likeness ; certain identification was impos-
sible, however. Paris abounds with men, wearing
moustaches and whiskers out level with the ear.
The man's height was about the same, and so was
the breadth of the shoulders, and a certain quickness
'of movement. He now and then made rapid ges-
tures, and nodded occasionally to some one, not
surely to those occupying the box with Freneuse
for neither father nor daughter noticed the insigni-
ficant person thus observing them from a distance.
But this proved nothing, and Freneuse, less zea-
lous than Binos, was about to give up his scrutiny,
When he saw the suspected person stoop to speak to
a female seated beside him.
The action was in itself quite natural. Never-
iheless, the artist had an intuition that this woman
Was the creature whom Binos suspected of using the
poisoned pin. A bazar lous conjecture, truly, and
impossible to verify, for the neighbour of the dead
girl had not once shown her face during the tourney
from the Boulevard Saint Germain to the Rue de
Laval. -

nowever, the man had scarcely spoken to her
When she turned round sharply, and raised her head
-so as to look at the box, to which no doubt he had
called her attention.
The full blaze of the chandelier fell upon her face,
9nd Freneuse perceived she had large features, regu-
lar' but too pronounced, and a pimpled shin; but on
the whole an appearance that was not displeasing,
,nor yet lacking in style. She must have been
between thirty-five and forty years of age.
M. Paulet himself did not seem much interested
in the exploits of Jack Shepherd at the sign of the
Blind Magpie. He had assumed an attitude of
triumph—leaning back against the partition ex-
hibiting the great gold chain that hung across his
Waistcoat, and the diamond studs that sparkled in his
Shirt. He was searching the theatre for the face of
any acquaintances below, and at last observed the '
couple in the stalls.
The woman at once turned her face to the stage;
'hut the man saluted the capitalist—not with the
hand as one would salute a friend, but by a respect-
ful bow, a politeness which at that distance appeared
ridiculous. M. Paulet acknowledged the bow by a
Stiff movement of the head; and the man, satisfied
apparently that he had been seen, at once sat down,
and chatted with his companion. " Parbleu ! "
thought Freneuse. "I shall now be able to find out
who he is."
Mdlle. Marguerite anticipated the question he was
going to ask her father. She had just laid aside
her glass and observed the interchange of saluta-
- tics) s.
"Who-.', is the person that bowed to you, my
father? Do you know him? Ido not remember to
have met him."
"Yes, I know him," replied M. Paulet, indignantly.
1-10 sometimes comes to my office, but never into
the house. I should hardly care to present him
•to,you. Ile is a private agent."
What is a private agent?" enquired Marguerite.
143' dear child, it would take me long to
-"Plain, and would hardly interest you. These
gentlemen—l mean these persons—are paid to look
after other people's interests—they unravel difficult
affairs-arrange monetary matters; in fact their
trade is in. mystery!'
That is a word I scarcely understand," said
Marguerite.
Because you are ignorant of business terms.
'True, you will never require such knowledge. I can undertake, as long as I live, to look after your in-
lerest. At my death the care will fall upon your
husband, who, I trust, will be an industrious and
..areful man. But as to the fellow who had the
impertinence to bow just now across the theatre, I
nail request him to be less demonstrative in future.
Itte is clever, and I believe honest; but that is no
reason why he should pretend to my acquaintance
before fifteen hundred people. I suppose he thought
that saluting a person of my wealth would be a res
ees,ransendation to a poor devil such he is. I esnploy
"nu when I 'require his services; but I shall not
tolerate familiarities."
"You sayhe is skilful in his profession ?" enquired
the artist.
"Yes. Ito has the character cf being so. One of
toy friends, a merchant, recommended him to me,
aud I have lately employed him in making certain
enquiries of a delicate nature, but have hardly had
time as yet to judge the results. He is said to be
Unequalled in obtaining information." •
"Then, sir, I shall be greatly obliged by an intro-
-di:Lotion. I have a debt to recover, and my debtor
has disappeared. ,If your agent could—"
"Very well; when I see him, and that will be
''s°on, I will tell him to call upon you."
" Oh, I need not trouble you so far. If you will
tindlY give use his name and address, I will write to
ssasos to call upon me."
" His name ? His name ? Ah! I forget it for the
Moment. You know we can hardly retain the names
1.431 Such persons in the mind. But I have his card at
uorae, and you ',llan know to-morrow where he lives.'
ior" Tbauk had You," said Freneuse, slightly disappointed.
flattered himself he would astonish 'Milos
"With a piece of precise information concerning
an individual who strongly resembled the omnibus
iaesenger and now he would have to wait for the
ulfilment'of M. Paulet's promise—always supposing
he recollected it.
• "ROW rim," said the capitalist; "they are drop-
Ping the curtain again. The acts nowadays are
ridiculously short. One has very little for one's
Money.),
"'I fancy, father, that it is only the end of a
-acme," Mdlle. Marguerite. "Yes, there are
three knocks, and every one is keeping in his place."
"Never mind, we can chat a few minutes.
Nothing annoys me so much as being compelled to
,svhisper for fear of disturbing the audience," said M.
ieaulet, who was fond of displaying the sonorouS
'rchness of his voice. He had a deep bass—the voice
of the legendary M. Prudhomme.
"Eo,my dear Freneuse, as you have debtors, of
Course you are puttting by money. That's well!
--7erY well at your ago; better have debtors than
`creditors. lam not deceived in you. You live like
a gentleman, and yet you econonlis. It is true you
ust be in receipt of very considerable sums.
ictures are in dernanl, and you are in fashion. Is
it a rude question to ask how much a yLar YOU
realize F"
"It would be difficult to reply precisely," stam-
mered Freneuse, reddening a little. "It deL.c:l-13 on
80 many things__."
Come, now, can you not say somewhere about
kao figure
" Last year I paid fifty thousand franca intr, the
bank," answered the young man; "and if I painted
Portraits
"You would earn ever so much more. You mu:A
tip 80, my friend, you mast do so. There is no
v,better profession just now thanyours ; and an e- pelt
i_jl°ra i know assure me it will soon be even more
uerative. The Americans are beginning to buy,
'and
liPThe boxlseeper cut short M. Paulet's enthusiastic
PreFiation. She entered respectfully, and address-
lng him, said: "A gentleman wishes to se you for
a moment, sir. He has brought a telegram."
" A telegram !" exclaimed M. Paulet. "Non-
I have not told a soul I was coming to the
s orte Saint Martin and how could A telegram find
tie here ? " .
"-But,
fatlicr, 3:onr servant knows:you are said Mdllo. Pau'ldt.
"True-.j did not think of that. He knows, too,
that I am expecting itiipo*int news. Will you
Permit me, my.sleax; Freneuse, to leaVe yoti forii fiw
mirttisss ? Maiguerite will tallev4ith you about pic-
tures; she knosts more of them than I do." •
M. P.aulet followed'the bnx-kseper haffily, and the
donr,.closediAthind him. It -was the first time VS-A
Freneuse`had been alone with Mdlle. Paulet. Tete-
a-tete arerartrin the great world. ss3;few,wosds en-
at-the piano, or 41 turning‘saver the.leaves
irrt'shuni Whilst- a Icing lady's 'white hbasissE
pozifidg out a-Sup often, are about the only, oppor-
tunities of conversing apart afforded in society now-
'YlaYs. So the present was an opportunity for soar-
ing beyond the commonplaces of conventional inter-
which Freneuse was loth to waste; and Mar.
r!esit° hersel eyiT,l:9ed a desire for more intimate
i.nverse, for 'she coinnienced upon a personal sub.
nt% "I fear my father somewhat shocked you
t,Y;•Bl9ng so plainly the amount of your income," she
s
Zu in the softest of voices. He cannot help
is'slsvi
.origus a much greater regard for money than I
L, but it is fortny sake. He adores mssarsd can-
_rlt, believe that I could be happy without a large
oilnne, whereas I assure you I place my happinesi
th quite a different footing. I should not regret
!that '1137 husband was rich, but above all things I
ould insist on his being a man I could care
zor
too, Mademoiselle would wilhinlv marry a gir
without a sou if only I loved her."

"Wel, then we understand each other," said
Mdlle. Marguerite gaily; "let us see if we also
agree on the rest of the programme. What style
pleases you the most? You are a painter. You
must have an ideal,

"I have found mine realised."
"May one enquire where ?"
"Do you ever go in to the Louvre Picture Gal-
lery F"
"Not often; my father only cares for modern
pictures; and there are times when I am of the
same mind."

" Beg him to take you to the long gallery, and
look in the fifth compartment for a portrait by
Rubens. The artist died ages ago, but the
woman :whose features he has recorded lives and
breathes now. You know her, and there will be no
need to tell you her name when you have seen her
on that wonderful canvas. The likeness is strik-
ing. You will know then what is my ideal."
"But, if I mistake not, Rubens only painted
Flemish women, and the Flemish are fair."
"Well, my ideal is fair."
"How strange! You paint only brunettes."
"Because the ordinary run of models are all dark;
one has no choice; fair women are as rare as fine
pearls."
"You mean that Italy cannot supply them P Now,
suppose I consented to sit to you i"
"I should only be too happy, Mademoiselle."
"But one would have to go every day to your
studio."

"Would not your father accompany you ?"
"Oh, he would like nothing better, only-'
" What ?"

"I should like to be certain of meeting no one
else there—above all no Italian brunettes. I have
not the same reason as my father for hating them;
but I own to one great defect—l am horribly
jealous."
This was certainly a kind of declaration, and the
artist, understanding the full significance of her lan-
guage, was about to answer in the same strain, when
M. Paulet re-entered hastily, looking much agitated.
"My dear friend," said he, " I trust you will
excuse me; my daughter and I are forced to leave
you. The dispatch I have just received informs me
that mybrotber died to-day at three o'clock.
"Believe me, sir, I heartily sympathise with you
in your trouble," stammered Freneuse.
"The telegram states that lam disinherited. All
that 1 feared has happened; my brother leaves his
fortune to some low stranger; but, although I have
no reason to reverence his memory, it would be
indecent to remain at the theatre. Come, Marguerite,
our man has called a carriage, and we must finish
out our evening at home."
Freneuse, surprised and a little annoyed by this
news, had risen, and was standing in front of the
box.

Marguerite had also risen, and her countenance
expressed very profound vexation. She was evidently
less affected by the death of an uncle whom she had
never seen than by the necessity for leaving a com-
panion who greatly pleased her.
M. Paulet seemed shocked, but assuredly it was
not at the loss of his brother. He had hardly known
him and possessed no love for him. But even a
millionaire is disturbed at the loss of a considerable
addition to his fortune.

i