Litchfield enquirer., 1861-02-14

LlICHE HE'LL
 sat down and thought seriously, laying ou my plans as l grasped each point of tn case then arose to act. -f-5zEat 5,s IHis @ l Dressing myself in the very height of fashion 1 hired a carriage and drove to the house of tn Hon. MT. F-, found him at home, and stat ing my vocation and purpose, was invited int the library. V
 "l fear you have assumed fruitless task Nil Brandon" he said, when we were seated
 expressed my conviction of success.
 "I remarked that should be governed by cir cumstances, but desired full list, or as near a possible, of all of the guests on the evening o the ball. He went out for few moments, an, handed me complete list, which he had obtain ed from his lady. ran my eye down the col umn with eager interest many of the persons knew, either personally or by reputation; the, were principally married men and their fam impression on my miud. l had never heard O her. and-though it was a hazardous move-] yentured to ask whe she was
 :" Oh," said Mir. F-, Madame Delauney- she IS an cid friend of mine.7 knew her bus band. M. Delauney, when I was Consul at Pa rls. He was second Intendent of Police, ana died during my term. She is an American by birth, whom he fell in love with while on visi, to Paris, with her father, Boston merchant She is very beautiful and amiable" This disarmed me, for 1 knew another aues- ton would give ofense, and his report was per feetly satisfactory l next asked the names of few persons who had lost jewelry. He mark ed their names on piece of paper, took my leave With many expressions of good will, and hopes of success, from the honorable gentleman
 AfV next y;cit was to fho rocidano, of on, of the ladies who had been victim of the myste- rious pickpocket. Mrs. R, with whom I was acquainted, received me kindly and eagerly and gave nae all the information in her power Tier loss was large diamond breast pin, of which she gave me concise description also a gold locket, taken from her eldest daughter, contain ing portrait of her deceased husband By her kindness was introduced to several others, who had lost articles, in the way of brooches, ear rings, necklaces, &c. Some of these had been lost at the Academy, others at Grace Church.
 Having obtained all this information, I sat down to consider, and found myself about as wise as when 1 commenced. One of the ladies had lost bracelet at the first mentioned ball and had loaned me the fellow to it. This being almost the only clue, resolved to work on it.
 Taking a list of all the pawnbrokers in the city, l visited each one, and made a thorough inven- tory of their recent jewelry receipts, but could ind nothing to match my bracelet, nor accord with my description of the other articles lost- What was to be done next?
 asked myself this question as I was seated in the office, after my long and fruitless search In moment l was in the carriage again. and off to Mrs. R-'s.
 What have you gained clue already? she exclaimed, as entered hastily.
 "Net yet" I replied but all is not lost that's missing. Tell me-" added who gives the next grand conversations in your circle ?"
 Mrs. Johnson"
 When 2"
 "Te-morrow evening""
 Cant you get ne diAetdentse?" ----
 Certainly
 "Then procure it immediately for Mir. J.e Chair, a Louisiana planter of your acquaintance. If Miss Belle, your daughter would allow me to play her chaperone, it would be better for our scheme"
 Miss Belle R., gay rollicking girl of eighteen, with black eyes, and merry, laughing mouth, was especially fond of adventure and being let :nto the secret gave her ready assent to accept my protection-for that evening only as the play bills say.
 The next evening I received special card of inyititation to attend Mrs. Johnsons sos, ee in Thirteenth street.
 At the proper time handed Miss Belle R., from the carriage in front of the house, and led her into the grand reception room.
 had got myself up in tremendous style. was supposed to be determined to make hit whether did it or not, will appear in time. I am afraid that if asked, could not have told the use of the jewelry wore. Certain it was, that had plenty of it-rings in abundance-not exactly in taste-but like my watch chain belt ed across my vest, and large seal dangling from my fob-all spurious-they were my baits, which l had thrown out as an angler throws out sin gle line with dozen hooks at the end of it. That was my cash capital, upon which would win my fortune of success If there was pick pocket there, I was determined that he should have fair chance at it, though, like the angler referred to, if he bit at the bait, he would find hook in it, for every article was fastened with 8 secret steel chain. .-s. .-.s.! +.,sss l,a...- +
 The pleasures of the evening proceeded. I was introduced to several interesting ladies and gentlemen of congenial temperament, and, as I conversed, apparently unconscious of any pur- pose, scanned carefully the face of each individ- ual of the company. ts
 "Belle?" in a whisper * +l-e
 #" What, Mir. LeClair?" a e1. zs1
 Who is that singular looking lady in the cen ter of the group by the window?" ....4..-- E
 Why do you call her singular looking ?" ask ed Belle R., in tone of curious surprise. 3 Because she is so," replied. i" Her face is pale almost to ghastliness, except the one little spot where she paints; while her black eyes dance about like meteors, and her raven hair seems like an ebonyscoffin revealing dead face. She is dressed in mourning and yet she is the most gay and fascinating woman in the room"
 Belle almost held her breath as I gave this description, and with hes hand on my arm, and blank expression on her face, she said
 :" You don't think" =. ss.. .-sea ... a-..st-
 "Who is she?" I repeated quickly. a ii
 Madam Delauney, of Paris" >.
 "Madam Delauneyp' murmured to myself the friend of Hon. Mr. F--, widow of the Assistant Iatendent of the French Police Umph !"
 ?" Yes, as a volatized de Medicis Introduce me-" s3 b4ls sd s1&i sa7 tAg sahsI@
 Something in my manner must have impressed my fair companion with the idea of an adven- ture, for the introduction was made with evident embarrassment on her part, and she fingered close by gazing in the faces of Madame and my. self with an air of puzzled embarrassment. As my inquiring glance met that of Madam Delauney, I thought detected something like q start--scarcely pereeptible--a mere shrinking o the pupil of the eye, double palpitation of the | Il, ,,I ko, =