The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-02-27
A Young Nemesis.

DETECTIVES stories are rarely devoid
of interest, and when truthfulness is
prominent element of their matter, they
acquire positive Importance in the eyes Of
the general reader. The one told by the
officer, in the New Orleans PicdyuRe, and
printed below, is no exception to the rule.
As a record of facts, giving prominence to
the keenness and courage Of woman, it
will be found worthy of perusal
In 1S4S, circumstance occurred in New
Orleans which, at the time, created an ex-
element which affected the entire popula-
ton. An old merchant, highly connected,
wealthy, and of distinguished social posi-
tion, one night mysteriously disappeared.
His family were in infinite distress, and his
business in consequent disorder. He left
his store at late hour, oBtensibly to 60
home but before going, contrary to his
usual practice he put in his pocket
large sum Of money. Ills way led along
Peters street, on the bank Of the river, far
down in the Third district of the city.
His life may have been sacrificed, and his
body thrown into the flood that rolled at
his feet. Police regulations at that time
were bad and crimes Of this description
were not unfrequently perpettated. A
little way back from the street was a ruin
ous building, half tumbling to decay, and
inhabited by number of people, men and
women Injured to vice and living by roE-
berry.
Among the notes Mr.. Conlay was
known to possess was one for $500, with
the word Canal written on the back.
The rest were of various denominations
and without peculiar Identity.
Mr.. + and myself visited the resi-
dence of the missing man, at the request
of his wife, and by her we were charged
with the duty of tracing out and bringing
to Justice his supposed murderers She
was a tall, elegant looking lady, of COM
manding presence and great culture. The
wealth Of her rich beauty and fine mind
were inherited by her daughter, young
girl scarcely twenty. The terrible be.
reayement had paralyzed the senses Of the
mother, but had aroused the energy and
fire of the young girls nature. More like
beautiful Nemesis than an ordinary
woman she appeared to us. AS we en-
tered the room she was in the act of con.
soling her mother. The long black hair
had escaped from its confinement and
almost enVeloped her person in its ebon
tresses. The great, luminous eyes were
fearful, but flashing and full of fire The
face was dark with the blood Of her Span
ish race, but the figure was queenly, slen.
| der, and faultless as a model. The glorious
beauty of this young girl fascinated while
it beWildered you. Rare in its exquisite
! loyeliness, the eye delighted TO rest on the
willowy outline and gracely symmetry,
Starting up as we entered the room, she
! inquired hastily, almost fercely, thought
-"Are you the detectiVes2"
"We are" and / mentioned our names.
"I must speak to you in private" she
said, and led the way to an adjoining
apartment
"What do you think of the matter ~
she asked, when out of hearing of her
mother.
GAS yet an opinion would be mere
guess.work," " | replied.
{" Nevertheless, | have come to one.
have no doubt he has been murdered, and
that the deed was committed somewhere
near that old ruinous building by the
river"
"Some such idea has crossed my mind
but there isno trace as yet which can lead
to proof of it."
"We will find it, rest assured" she said
"snd to this end you must cooperate with
me. And now listen to what have to say
Tonight, attwelYe o'clock precisely, dc
you two visit the old building. will bC
there Ask for the young woman who
applied at nightfall to them for shelter
Let your object be, apparently, to arres
her.
uppt 7 do ,,,L undorstand 20
"But you will. ! am going there a
dusk, disguised as q beggar-girl. By th'
time you come my information will haV,
been collected" She rose to her feet a
she spoke, and now indeed she wore tht
appearance Of the Nemesis / had HkeneC
her to at first Beautiful, but rigid as fate
looked that set, determined face. Th
beautiful eyes had lost their softeneC
| lustre, and shone with passionate ligh
almost cruel The lips were pale, bu
rigid as iron, and the beautiful nostril d
lated with an expression of heartconsum
} ing vengeance. II will read the guilt,
secret she said, "if the criminal |
} there, however deep in his heart he ma.
! bury it,
Strange as 1t may appear, ! made no al
| tempt to dissuade her from her purpose
/ | could not. / felt as ii the beautiful
i creature exercised over me a magneti
\ control. And with this understanding w
. took our leave, to prepare for the nigh
/. visit to the old house and its dangerou
inhabitants.
r Those acquainted with the city at tha
! period can form some idea of the DANCE
J. Of theiplot we had formed. To us it was
q matter of daily occurrence, But for tn
young girl, inexperienced and tenderl
!, nurtufed, TO thrust herself into the yer
house Of the unscrupulous and desperat
9 wrstohes who were suspected Of thi
Q crime, was simply appalling, It woul
. not do, however, to 40 TO tho place betoy
! tha haiY annnlniAa tar nhE nnlalnR. "a