Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-02-26

his feet Police regulations at tnat tlme
were bad, and crimes of this description
were not unfrequently perpetrated. A
little way back from the street was ruin.
Gus building, half tumbling to decay, and
inhabited by number OF people, men and
women Injured to vice ard living Dy rob-
berry.
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.. L 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 lner 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
a beautiful Nemesis than an ordinary
woman she appeared to u.s. 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
loneliness, the eye delighted to rest on the
willowy outline and gracely symmetry.
Starting up as we entered the room, she
inquired hastily, almost iercely, thought
=" Are you the detectives"
owe are" and / mentioned our names.
al 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 vet 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 is no trace as yet which can lead
to proof Of it."
"and to this end you must cooperate with
me. And now listen to what / have to say:
Tonight, at twelve o'clock precisely, do
you two visit the old building. I will be
there. Ask for the young woman who
applied at nightfall to them for shelter.
Let your object be, apparently, to arrest
| her"
| "But do not UNDERESTIMATE
"But you will. I am going there at
dusk, disguised as beggar- girl. By the
time you come my information will have
been collected" She rose to her feet as
she spoke, and now indeed she wore the
appearance of the Nemesis had likened
/ her to at first. Beautiful, but rigid as fate,
| beautiful eyes had lost their sOftened
lustre, and shone with a passionate light
almost cruel. The lips were pale, but
rigid as iron, and the beautiful nostril d.
| lated with an expression of heart consum-
ing vengeance. 81 will read the guilty
secret" she said, elf the criminal is
there, however deep in his heart he may
bury it,"
Strange as it may appear, made no at
temptt to dissuade her from her purpose.
/ | could not I felt as il the beautiful
creature exercised over me magnetic
control. And with this understanding we
took our leave, to prepare for the night
visit to the old house and it's dangerous
inhabitants.
Those acquainted with the city at that
period can form some idea of the danger
of the plot we had formed. To us it was a
matter of daily occurrence. But for the
young girl, inexperienced and tenderly
nurtured, to thrust herself into the very
house of the INSCRIPTIONS and desperate
wretches who were suspected OF this
crime, was simply appalling. 1t world
not do, however, to go to the place before
the hour appointed for our coming, for
that would defeat the object in view. 1t
was, therefore, with many misgiving,
and an uneasiness but poorly concealed,
we bided our time. But we determined
to be there at the very moment, and the
clock was on the stroke of midnight when
we knocked at the door. The outside of
the house gave no signs of life within.
The shutters were securely fastened, and
no ray Of light penetrated the darkness !;
but the muffled sound of voices reached
our ears until our knock hushed them to
a whisper. There was a mOmentary hes
itation as If of counseling together, and
then the door was opened wide. 5-H
1t was a long, low room, dusty and
brown from age About dozen persons
were seated around, but every eye was
turned to the door. Two men had risen
I to their feet and stood in an latitude,
which might mean defence, before the fire.
place; but the object that attracted our at
tention most was young girl sitting in
] the centre of the apartment. Her face
was dark as gipsy's, and the long hair
hung loose on her shoulders. Her dress
was ofpoor material, ragged and unclean
Patches and rents had almost changed its
hue and disguised it's texture. She SEEM
ed too thinly clad for that cold night, and
her slender frame shivered, as if from
cold, as the chill air from the open door
! swept in. ..,..r. 80. ,............ 49,
7 Z "What do you want ?" was the stern
question addressed to us by one of the
men at the fire.
+ Before T had time to reply, the girl
sprang to her feet and spoke instead:
ARREST these menp Her voice was low,
but the face, flashing in the light of the
fire, was that of the Nemesis l had seen
that day. r., -x.......et ..,-...,-.,r- u
There was a short fierce struggle, and
the men were in our power. The girl
then walked to a place in the floor, and
touching concealed spring, raised trap
door. She babe Mr. /. lift the box that
lay in the hiding place. The lid was
wrenched off, and in it were the old mer-
chants money, papers and pocket book.
With the money was found the bill, and
the word Canal written across it.
| Tl - L. H.,