New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-06-30
IS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1872

UAEs as 4 Sal Nv AAAy VISA VIII eAI
before me, for loved to gaze upon it, the
servant entered the room and handed me
card upon which was printed the name OF
Jean Antony, jeweler, Paris
IShaw him ND jackson" neglected to
sav that Jackson was eolored boy belong
ing to nv landlady, and was one of the ten
thousand Of that name who reJoIced In
being called after the hero Of New Orleans.
Jean Antony was man about forty years
of age, medium height, with strong, muscu-
lar frame, dark hair, and deep, penetrating
ewes. and a nose to be admired. 1t is
long nose, made up of the Roman the
Grecian, and the Jewish order OF aoses.
Now it was the man 8 nose which more par
tieularly attracted my attention.
l doubted him on sight-bUt when he
handed me a letter of introduction from
my friend Seymour, / began to doubt my
knowledge of the science OF physlognomy.
The letter introduced Jean Antony as one
Of the best lapidaries in the country. A
dealer and Judge of rare gems, he made
that of diamonds specially, and, as Sey-
mour went on to say, "he had partly nego-
tiated with him for the sale of the diamond,
$4,000.
Here was a fair business transaction,
brought before me, in what seemed BUSH
ness-like manner. I was fully authorized
to close the sale, at the price named.
"Have you the diamond hereE" he asked.
eyes"
should observe here that when jackson
knocked at my door-an observance | had
particularly impressed upon him had
placed the diamond in it's temporary casket.
Taking it out, placed it before him. l
watched him closely. His dark eyes spark
led in their deep sockets; his face presented
but one expression, and that was consterna-
ton.
This is, indeed, Observation-Disclosures "
he exclaimed, as he held it up. at is gem
uine-a real briliant-it is a shigh price,
though. Is that the price he fixed before
he left the city,"
'No; he thought if he took it to Europe,
he could sell it for much more"
"a mistake, sir. Nearly all the nobility
of England have what they call family
diamonds, and the sprigs of aristOcracy do
not invest their money IN this way. No,
sir. IF purchase this diamond pay the
full European price"
This was spoken in an off-hand manner
so perfectly business-like that all my sus-
piciOns were lulled 1t was, however, for
moment only. His eyes were fixed upon
me- and, like the Basilisk, he would charm
me. He seemed to measure my height, and
calculate my strength, in case he made
direct attack on me. Seeing that his
chances, in a personal encounter, were
rather doubtful, his whole manner im1ne-
diately changed, and gazing upon the dia-
mOnd, he said:
''You, certainly, do not keep this valuable
gem in your room
"Where else should 1 keep it2 1t is per-
fectly safe here. / lock it in that casket
every night, and in shat strong recess ward
robe, consider it just as safe as if it we're
in bank"
He cast his eyes toward the wardrobe. In
that look read the whole man. He was
swindler-the letter was a forgery, and by
some means, either on the steamboat up the
Red river, or at Shreveport, he had learned
from my friend the whole history of the
diamond. This was my theory, as l fixed
my eyes upon the man before me. By some
means he had got possession of some papers
belonging to Seymour, and initiated his
hand most admirably.
Our interview now ended, and the next
day was fixed upon for the contamination
of the sale.
"Not that way, sir! 1 shouted out, as
he was making toward the door leading out
on to the balcony.
"Ah l see," he said, as he returned and
passed down the stairway leading to the
main entrance.
$50" 1 said to myself, "this is your game;
well, you shall play it out, and to the ex-
tent of my ability, my ingenious friend, l
will assist you"
''To-night-yes, this very night will the
game commence. He has made himself ac
quainted with the locality of every turn and
passage in this house, the back entrance,
and the balcOny-sO, so, shall see"
The quartz was placed in the casket,
the easket was placed in the wardrobe, and
the African diamond in its original place of
safety.
1t seemed a long time before the night
set in, and as the dark shades passed before
my window, the streaks of the setting sun
looked like the passing away of life from
the body. Such, l thought, was life; how
buoyant, how happy in the broad glare of
healthful life; everything looks bright and
beautiful; but when the shade of death
comes slowly along, and gathers his dark
wings around US, we go out like the day,
but never again, like that day, return
Such, in part, were my reflections, as 1 ar
ranged my programme for the coming
event. For, come it would, felt Just as
assured as if / saw him stealthily enter my
room in the dead hour of the night.
The quartz was placed in its (substitute)
casket, and this safely locked in the ward
robe. So far l felt secure even for that
valueless mineral. 1t seemed long while
before night came, but it did come. This
evening / ordered my supper from the res
taurant. Then it seemed long time before
the great Cathedral bell sounded nv usual
hour for retiring, which was ten o'clock.
The deep tones came booming on the air
and then died away, leaving the city as
silent as the grave.
l now arranged my gaslight for the night;
then went to bed-but not to sleep. Sleep
was no part of the evenings entertainment;
it was not on the programme. The Cathe- |
dral bell struck the hour of eleven. Naught |
was heard but the barking of dog in the
distance, the occasional tread of a police
man as he made his angel-like visits-few
and far betWeen-then the wall of some
lover of the feline race. These
were the only sounds that reached me
while lay awaiting my midnight visitor. |
Ny readers may consider this whole pro-
practical point of view, l admit, but, from
a theoretical one, perfectly in accordance
with that science. / had established in nv
mind theory of the whole affair could
see as distinctly through my mental glass
every movement of Jean Antony up to the
time l expected him, as if the whole scene
was then in progress before me.
AS lay fully satisfied that the drama. or
tragedy, as it might turn out, was likely to
commence, heard creak-a movement as
If caused by the raising OF a sash. Through
the dim light saw man enter the balcony
from window the outside of which was lit
orally covered with vines. Between the
balcony and the main room there was a
large glass door. Through this he passed.
This door was never locked.
All! what do / see? He stops, turns to-
ward the window through which he had en-
tered and beekons to some one. By heav-
ems! he has a comrade! This was not in nv
This was new scene in the drama, for
which | must prepare myself. As he turned
his head the light brought his face before
me. Yes, it was the self-same nose-tbe
rose that | had admired so much, as form