The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-16
muttered the Count, turning

"Nol" muttered the Count, turning
away.
Il hope it is no great lossl" ohimed
the Marquis.
mo great lossl" thundered the Count.
is lOO, 600 francs nothing?"
"dood heavensl what's that-what do
you say-what?"
Eyes, Marquis, 100000 francs. I
Know they've been stolen. Villaini-
nell rascal. whoever he bel" shouted
apartment.
why, you thunder.strike mer' said
the Marquis, dropping into seat.
"Officer, away, and obey NV orde,a,n
SAID the Count, authoritatively.
The detective bowed and retired cast.
ing suspicious look at the Maronis.
who was sitting thunder struck. y" as he
said. in the chair.
NOV, Marquis, do you know any.
thing about this?" said the Count. stand. !.
ing with his arms folded.
MEL! and the Marquis sprang from
his chair. while indignation flashed from
his eye. "Count, what do you mean
ihat is the second time you've asked me
eyes, it is." and the Count looked
narrowly at the Marquis.
Good heavensl-Why, Count, surely
My dear Sir, you've got better re-.
spect for -than-than to imagine
that 1 would cried the MARQUIS, in
credulously.
"Steal 100. 900 francs" coolly said the
Count.
The Marquis gave him a dignified.
naughty look, and casting his body into
q. martial attitude-''Sir Conpt, you
throw opprobium on my name-for what
reason I know not; but there are certain
Qualifications to be made in such cases,
end hope you will give me those same
said satisfactions." With this he caught
up his hat and stick and was stalking
from the room. when the Count threw
himself in his path.
"Forgive me, Marquis-forgive mel
vegation has angered mel know not
what l do; and really, I am sorry I said
SO to you; but-but-passion overcame
me-" said the generous Count.
Slr, allow me to pass. Tomorrow
your anger may be quenohed, and you
will know how to treat friend"
The Marquis opened the door and
went out. The Connt was really sorry
to cast aspersions on his friend, but he
he
The news spread rapidly through
Paris that Count DO had been rob
bed OF two bank notes Of $4,000 francs
each. Like all stories floating about
large cities. they grow into terrific di-
menslons; certain sundry adjeotives and
facts are affixed by the glowing elo-
quence OF a narrator, and before the
next mig ght lad fallen over the city it was
NJ
daring thief had been OF course puzzled
all, when even the police, with all their
active agency, we're baffled. or course
the notes would be of no advantage to
the delinquent, for the banks had re-
ceived sufficient preliminary warning.
If he had dared to show them at the
counter, there would have been but too
many hands to seize him.
Those who were suspected first be-
longed to the Counts hotel, but search.
threat, bribe, produced not vestige of
a note. The Count, in his fierce anger.
vowed death to the villain who had dared
to rob him Of his legacy; for no loss
grieves the spirit so as that which was
already in our grasp-that which we had
tasted with exultation. Again and again
the project OF police had private inter.
view with the Count.
"Who was the last person with you
on that unfortunate night?" said the pre-.
feet.
"The Marquis D.. But" replied
the Count.
"Ahl" echoed the cunningaat of men.
"You start! What is it?" interrogated
the Count
''Is he rich-well OFF,"
''NO, he's rather down."
The project took his hat. "Good
morning, monsieur"
"Sir-sir-what are you going to do?"
"a little business. Au reuoir, Mon
sienr le Count
mind you do not-stay -stay!"
But the detective wae gone. He
thought he had seized the silken clue
which led from the labyrinths Of Minos.
Alas! he was no Theseus.
When the Marquis D. came home
ut night, he was seized and searched.
Nothing was found on him. To the
oaths and curses he uttered, the project
only replied: EXCUSE me. monsieur,
l. L.