Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-08
THE EVENING STAR.
THE PEnILs OF AN EARLDosI.


THE PERILS OF AN EARLDON.
arrived in Paris perfect stranger, and
took lodgings n Marrice's famous English
hotel. Having been shown 70 my apartments
made some change in my toilet and went ous
for short stroll in that great and magnificent
cisy-She heart, as itTere, OF the world had
some letters o. Introduction: but, as had not
yet presented them, believed myself wholly
unknown 70 living soul in that metropolis.
except, il might be, to the officers who had read
my passport at the gates, and the clerk who had
seen me register my name; and that either
should have fixed that name in their reco,le,
'son was something tina. my Inodssty had rot
permitted me to take into consideration.
Judge OF my surprise, therefore. when had
gone but few steps from aTaurice's, 4a Rue
Rivoi. toward the beautiful palace gardens
nearly opposite, to hear myself addressed as fol-
lows:
"Wil Monsieur Henry Neville have the
kindness to answer me few important q es.
Icns IL
turned TO the speaker, and saw at glance
he was total stranger TO ne-that had never,
70 my knowledge, looked upon his face be-
lore
He was middle aaed man, OF rather pre-
possessing appearance, with gray hair, eye
hrows and moustache, and was dressed rs
plain, substantial citizen.
81 will do myself the pleasure TO ohlige
you," replied in polite and courteous tone.
sPermit me first to remark, however, that You
have a little the advantage Of me in that you
already know my name.''
"Edonsieur will please know me as Eugene
st. Aedard.''
Ibid we ever meet before T.
altis Monsieur THAI has now become the
queStioner," rejoined the FreDchman, with a
peculiar smile and a kind of formal bow, half
digniEed, half polite, as if he wouid have said
the questions Were only to come from hi.
side.
the look and tone, and remarked, little
coldly:
II take it for granted one has the same right
70 interrCgafe as the other.''
The features of the stranger grew grave. as
one who tselS g little annoyed, ana his reply
was impressive. without being exactly stern.
III Monsieur viii be kind enough TO waiye
his right in this instance, he said, sit will save
us both some time and trouble
scarcely knew why-perhaps something in
The look. tone aud .manner-but the idea now
suddenly occurred to me that was speaking
toa man in Authority; and ! said, respect
fully:
aProceed. nsiel- St Medard"
"ThanK You, Monsieur. You are an Eng
lishmann'
81 am
lyon are distantly related TO the Earl Of
$50 distasay that his ioEsship could never
get near enough 70 know OFF faE,ily," replied
pleasantly, not a little surprised that French
stranger should know so much shout me, and
wondering all the while to what results his
questions might be tending.
Yon were al only child l.
Your parents are deadn'
You were left small inheritance, which
you have lately con yerted ipio money and
brought with you, thinking 1t not unlikely
that you might take fancy to settle on the
ccntipent!'
Gan true, Monsieur; but your intimate
kpowledge Of ME and my private affairs aston.
skies NEIL
aLet that pass. The family of his lordship
the Earl OF Malvern, has been unfortuna:e-no
near OF kin remain TO him 20
1.-TWO profiigata sons Of deceased sister are
the nearest, believe
They are beth dead, Monsieur
"Dead"' exclaimed ], with start; for this
"OBe died Of heart disease in Germany-the
other was stabbed TO death in Rome"
"Are you sure p
"Good heavens. This astonishes me siill
more. had not heard OF this"
II know it,
cit seems to me You know every thing, said
/, with q stare of wonder.
Monsieur ST. Medard smiled. and then con-
unued:
"You are now the heir presumptive, Mon
sieur."
: Ii what you tell me is true, 1 amc' ex-
claimed IL, almost startled AT the thought Of
being so near 10 earldoIn-for the then lord
was old and feeble, and might drop of at any
minute
"Do you know who is next OF kim after
ierrogator
Byerly."
fright. DO you know him -
s'Semething by report"
personally -
mo"
Ibid report speak favorably of him ~
Il am sorry 10 say il did not.''
IRON what You heard do You consider him
an honest man !"
II dc not.'
AS Won alone now stand be tween him and
an earldom, after the death of the present lord
would you consider your lie safe is his
hands ~
Before l answer this question, will you
permit me TO ask you some two or three -
said ].
Proceed, Monsieur
'Are you William Byerly "
Are you rela'edt him ;"
.Are you q friend OF his -
ado you intend to use my reply IN legal
way"
"Is your objectin these questions friendly 10
me p
ayes
oThen will venture TO say that should not
Like, under present circumstances. TO trust nv
4ife in the hands of William Byerly, provided
there was a single chance of his escaping detec.
ton in case OF wilifui murder"
Very we'll. May l now proceed -
Eyes, Monsieur"
"You will please answer to each statement
of mine as il a question Were directly put On
your way TO Dover. a fellow traveller made
your acqcantancen'
"Yes''
ssYou first saw him at Tunbridge -
.Yes.;,
lyon noticed him while you Were taking
some refreshments a. a restaurant
.Yes.'
He came up alongside of you, having a car
pet-ba" in his hand, and made some common
place remark about the weather -
"Yes,' continued to ans wer, growing more
and more astonished every minute
81 rt Of
my life been noted And for what purpose
My strange interrogator proceeded:
This stranger was. dressed in blue coat
with bright metal buttons, nankeen trousers a
buff vest, part-coiored neckerchiet white
hat and black boots ~
ayes"
ale bad reddish hair, reddish whiskers
ford complexion, and wore green patch over
ms left eye -
ayes"