The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-05 00:00:00

A FRENCH MYSTERY IN THE LIST CENTURY.

Viscount Wall was one of the bravest of men. One
day he desired his valet-de-chambre to put up the
articles of dress and toilet necessary for a short absence
from Paris, and to order his carriage for an early hour
next morning. At the time indicated, the post-chaise
was at the door. He told his wife that he should be
absent only a day or two, and stepping
.into the chaise
desired the postillion to drive to Fountainbleau. Hav-
ing arrived at Fountainbleau, he repaired to the Hotel
de Turenne, where he was well known, ordered dinner,
and taking his sword in his hand said he would stroll
into the forest, but would be back ine,n hour or two.
It was then about four o'clock. He did not return to
dinner, nor that night, a circumstance which caused the
proprietor of the hotel, who loved and respected him,
much alarm, and induced him next morning to acquaint
the authorities` of the town with the facts. He also
apprised some friends of Wall, officers of the garrison,
of his disappearance. A large party in consequence set
off for the forest in the direction that Wall had taken,
and there dispersed. For a considerable time their
search was fruitless, but at length in a remote and un-
frequented part of the forest they found the dead body
of Wall, nearly covered by a drift of fallen leaves. He
had been run through the body. His sword lay by his
side ; his purse filled with money was in his pocket •
his watch in his fob. The body was removed to the
hotel, and thence to Paris. This melancholy affair be-
came the topic of conversation at court, in the salons,
and other assemblies of high life. In one of them ;,
friend of Wall, an Irishman of distinction, repelled the
idea that he had fallen in a duel. " Wall," he said,
was not surpassed as a swordsman ; he could not have
met a superior. He was basely murdered." Next
morning this person received a letter by the petite
poste, couched in these terms :---" You stated last niht
that Wall was assassinated. It is false. If you are
a man of honour, and willing to have satisfaction for this

imputation on your veracity, and at the same time
avenge your friend, repair, alone, on Monday next, be-
tween the hours of two and four o'clock, to the Forest
of Fontainbleau, route (naming it.) You will at a cer-
tain point (indicating it) find a person in a blue surtout,
who on your approach will take out a pocket handker-
chief and put it to his face for a moment and will then
strike into a path leading to a fit and proper spot for the
decision of our quarrel." 'This letter was signed, "He
by whose hand Wall fell." In England probably no
notice would have been taken of a challenge of this kind,
coming as it did anonymously; but at' the period of
which I speak, persons observant of the code of honour
were more fastidious. The challenged person,' con-
tinued Cousin Robin, sent immediately for a friend,
the gallant unfortunate Theobald Dillon.' " You can-
not refuse this cartel" said Dillon, " but I do not like
the look of it. Why require you to be unaccompanied
by a friend ? It suggests strongly the idea of an ambush.
You must keep the rendezvous, however, but I shall be
at hand to aid you, should (as I fear) foul play be in-
tended and offered to you." On the day appointed,
Dillon and his principal repaired to Fontainbleau.
When the hour fixed drew near they walked into the forest
in the direction of the point named for the meeting. On
their arrival near to a turning which led immediately to
it, Dillon stopped. " I can go no farther," said he, "but
if you perceive anything suspicious in the manner or
conduct of your antagonist, call out and I shall
be with you in a few seconds." After shaking hands,
the friends separated. Dillon retired, and the challenged
party proceeded. On turning the corner, before arriving
at which Dillon had stopped, he perceived at a distance
a man standing in the middle of the road, towards whom
he walked directly. When he had come within forty or'
fifty yards of him, the stranger took out his handker-
chief, raised his hand and pointed to a path at one side,
into which he struck at a quick pace. His adversary
followed. Another turn was made by the leader, and
another path was chosen. This was also abandoned for
another, more intricate end scarcely marked. It led to
the Rocher Brul6, one of the most deserted parts of the
forest. The leader made another sharp -turn. The
Irishman, now nearly at his heels, made a similar move-
ment. He had not, however, advanced three steps in
this new direction, when he found his collar seized by a
vigorous hand. He turned to regard the assailant—it
was Dillon. An exclamation escaped him. This induced
his enemy to look back, who, seeing how matters stood,
shook his head, waved his hand, and disappeared' in the
forest. " Why did you interrupt me ?" asked the Irish-
man of Dillon. "To save yon from the fate of Wall.
This man is obviously an assassin. Your character
hitherto will secure you from any reflection on your
courage. Moreover, lam living to testify to it. This
affair must go no further."—Reminiscences of an Emi-
grant Milesian.