Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-05-20
OUR PASSENGER.
BY w. IL. WINTERGREEN.

"'HaVe you heard the neW:' he III
quired.
"N0.n
as it possible? Why, all Paris
alive with it at this moment"
"What has happened?"
"The Countess de Marville,-th
fairest of the fair-was found murder
ed in her bed last night, her burea
broken open, and ten thousand franc
missing from it. All, it was terrible
There were marks Of fingers on he
throat The brute who did the deed ei
fected his entrance through the win
dow of the chamber, near which, un
fortunately, was a tall tree, plante,
years ago by the distinguished grand
father Of the countess. Little did b
imagine the terrible use that would b
made of it. All, monsieur, if you hat
ever seen the countess you would won
der still more. She was beautiful
as an angel,N he added, stroking hi
whiskers with an unmistakabIe air 0
vanity. II knew her well.'
"IndeedW
90, yes. There are in Paris few
popular women unknown to me-"
His manner now was decidedly con
ceited, and / felt disguised with him
My coolness evidently repelled him
for he soon left me.
Afterward l heard other accounts
Of the late tragedy. Among othel
details Of the affair was one which pc
culiarly impressed me, and which my
first informant had not spoken of--al
oversight that surprised me, as thu
occurrence which he had not mention
ed was the kind which would be mos
apt to strike the fancy.
Upon the throat of the countess, the
murderer, in throttling her, had left 9
mark from a ring he wore-the i'm
preston of a chariot wheel, with 8
star in the centre.
"This," said my latest informer
"may lead to the discovery Of
the murderer. Jean Mosqneau
is already visiting the jewellers
shops to find out from which and by
whom ring with chariot wheel de,
vice was purchased
"Who is this Jean Mosqueau?p
"What, monsieur, have you not
heard of Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair girlish face and delicate form, be-
lieve that he could fight a gnatw
A week later, l was aboard the
steamer bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers / beheld one
whose face had familiar look. ] was
not long in recognizing this person as
the same | had seen in front Of the
Hotel Windsor, and who had first
informed me of the murder of the
He was certainly very
handsome man, although his con-
ceited air was blot upon his good
looks. He moved languidly hither
and thither; now and then turning his
pretty brown eyes admiringly upon
the pretty lady passengers, while
stroking his whiskers with one white
hand, upon the middle finger cf which
was a superb diamond ring.
l am rather of a suspicious nature,
which, combined with a lively imagi-
nation, has often led me into singular
errors. Now it moved me to advance
and hold out my hand to a man whom
| had involuntarily disliked from the
first, in order that / might have a
chance to glance a. the ring! Somehow,
the idea had possessed me that |
should discovera chariot wheel device
upon the glittering bauble!
The stranger did not at first recog-
nize me. He soon did, however, and
frankly extended his left hand, which
was not the one containing the
ring!
My brain fairly reeled; the mans
behavior was conviction of my sus-
piciOns.
"The other hand, if you pleasew |
said in, in a alow,'' stern voice.
Monsieur will excuse me, if he
please. My other arm is lame with
rheumatism.n
He beheld me glancing towards the
half hidden ring, and | was sure | saw
him start and turn pale, while at the
same time looking much surprised.
He, however, opened his right hand
as if perfectly willing for me to shake
it, if | chose. Then / had a good look
at the ring, and felt ashamed of my
The device was a COM
mon heart, which certainly bore no
to chariot wheel!
After a little general conversation,
to recover my self-possession, turned
away, resolving in future to have a
better opinion of my fellow creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed
to attract the attention of many of the
ladies. One especially, a modest-look-
ing little thing attired in black, kept
directing furtive glances at the hand.
some passenger. Finally she glided
so close to him that in turning he
against her.
An apology, smilingly received by
the lady-a remark about the wealth
er, ON the part of the gentleman-and
the two were soon conversing with
Meanwhile, the blushing
cheeks and bright eyes of the fair one
seemed to betoken that she was well
pleased with her companion, whose
air was now more conceited than
ever.
lam afraid we shall have a storm, u
she remarked, pointing to wards a
dark cloud, upon which the captain Of
the boat was anXiously looking.
1--WE may, but do not feel alarmed
With an air of nonchalance he pull.
ed red cigar-case from his pocket,
asked his companion if she objected
to smoking, and being answered mega.
lively, opened the case. Then he
and quickly returning this to
his pocket, pulled forth another of a
blue color.
"How many cigars do you smoke q
day." inquired the lady, evidently
amused at the sight of the two cases
The man colored, and it struck me
that his voice faltered lightly, and
his hand trembled, as he made somt
laughing retort.
Soon the storm came pouncing dowl
upon us. We were midway in tht
channel, so that we caught the full
force of the sea gale. Both were ter
rife. The sea swept the boat, which
lay so far over that her machinery
soon was damaged so that it could no
work. The wind, screaming like {
demon, threw her over still further.
Suddenly, we observed the sailor
en1eavoring to loosen long boat OF
the davits astern. Meanwhile, ther'