The Empire County argus., 1854-09-16

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the door, discovered the body of Col. Bellcyillc
This tragedy excited an unusual sensation Even
he emperor heard of it and, from his private
purse, provided large sum of money to be paid
a reward TO the dscoyerer of the perpetrator OF
this fearful crime.
Not many days after this occurrence, and while
it yet remained shrouded IN mystery, another mur-
der reused the excitabe population of Paris to
frenzy Of anxiety and horror. An army commits
sary, named Captain Eugene Descartes, was found
dead in his lodgings in the Rue Rchelicu. with the
same fatal purple mark on the left temple.
Yet third murder was perpetrated-- in the Bou-
levard des Italiens A banker named Monval,
was in this instance, the victim. HIS left temple
bore the fatal discoloration of the size Of five
franc piece. but. although he had large sum of
money his person. and wore costly watch and
many valuable trnkets and though articles of high
price abounded in his sumptuousy furnished apart
ment not an article, as his steward testified, was
missing.
On the morning of the announcement of this
last crime, in the Moniteur, the minister Of police
received summons from the emperor to attend
him. He found him in his private cabinet pacing
to and fro, in high excitement. His face was more
colorless than ever, except that an angry hectic
spot burned upon each cheek. AS the minister en-
tered the emperor turned upon him, and e1-
claimed:
'Fouche, what is the meaning of all this! Is
this Paris and are we living in the nineteenth CEN
tury? 1t appears that there is security for life
in our capital. Mr. Fouche, if such crimes can be
committed with impunty there is an end Of all
things; and if you cannot ferret out the perpetra-
tors of such atrocities these it is time for ycu to
vacate your position. | must appoint new min
lister of police
Sire" replied the minister 'how much time will
you give me to discover the assassin ~
'One week replied the emperor.
Il thank your majesty" replied the minister
bowling. "n week you shall have the assas-
sins head, my resignation"
Good" said the emperor land to stimulate the
activity Of your people, hereby authorize you to
offer reward of twenty thousand francs, Tor the
detection Of the assassin Of the Rue La larpe, the
Rue Richelieu, and the Boulevard if it prove, as |
imagine, that one individual perpetrated these
crimes, or FIVE thousand francs each, if there were
have report Of your doings without delay"
The secret of Mr.. Pouches confident promise to
detect the assassin was the reliance he placed in
the activity, daring and intelligence Of Pierre La
cour. He sent for him and related his converse
ton with the emperor, enlarging on the munlfcent
reward promised by Napoleon
Il am poor said lacour, but higher motives
than hopes OF reward stimulate me to perform this
duty Yet, should be successful sum of money
like this would enable me to we'd one, who, though
| voluntarily offered to release her from her en-
gagement, has loved me as well in my nistUrtunes
us in happier days. In week, therefore Mr..
Fouche, will enable you to redeem your pledge
to the emperor
Four days passed away. and yet the minister Of
police heard nothing from Lacour. Yet the young
man had not been inactive and once or twice he
had obtained, what he consdercd traces Of the
person calling himself Belmont, the supposed as
sassn of the Rue La Harpe and by presumption OF
the other murders, but these traces led to no
result
v neither in search of diversion, that vague
hope whispered to him that he might obtain some
intelligence by so doing, Lacour the fifth night
after his interview with the minister, went to a
masked ball at the grand opera house, in the cos
,ume of an officer Of the fusilier Guard, which
chance led him to select Weary Of the noise and
confusion, sad and discouraged he had withdrawn
from the crowded circles of dancers, when some
one touched him on the shoulder.
Captain Lasselle" said sweet musical voice
you are known though the uniform you wear is
not that Of your corps
Lacour turned with the intention of correcting
the mistake, when secret impulse restrained the
dsavowal. The person who addressed him q
slight, young man, fashonably dressed with no
other disguise than halfmask of black velvet
which did not conceal his light hair
Il perceive you know me" said Lacour, favoring
the mistake; though you have the advantage OF
me. cannot possibly conjecture whom am ed.
dressing
The masked laughed lightly
>. "Perhaps it would be Of no use for me 10 uu-
mask was the reply; but if tell you that
have something of Importance to communicate to
you, something in reference to your application to
the emperor for preferment, you may be disposed
! to listen to me-
With all my heart"
81 see your are tired of this noisy scene" said
the mask, ''and so in faith am |. Besides, this is