The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-08-22
HE STORY-TELLER.
OUR PASSENGER.

/ was stopping at the Hotel Windsor,
on the Rue Rivoli, Paris. One morning
1 sat smoking on the front veranda,
when tall, elegantly dressed gentleman
asked permission to light his cigar by
mine.
1 saw at glance that he was Il
Frenchman, although his " English" was
nearly perfect.
"Have you heard the news?" he in
quired.
"No."
els it possible? Why, all Paris is
alive with it at this moment"
What has happened ?
"The Countess de Marville-the fair
est of the fair-was found murdered in
her bed last night, her bureau broken
open, and ten thousand francs missing
from it. All it was terrible There
were marks of fingers on her throat; the
brute who did the deed effected his en-
trance through the window of her cham
Der, near which, unfortunately was a
tall tree, planted years ago by the dis
tinguished grandfather OF the countess.
Little did he imagine the terrible use
that would be made of it."
"This is bad news. How any man
could harm woman thus, in cold blood,
is more than can imagine"
"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
the countess you would marvel still
more. She was beautiful-beautiful as
an angel" he added, stroking his whisk-
ers with an unmistakable air of vanity.
"I knew her WE'LL.
"Indeed."
"Oh, yes. There are in Paris few
popular women unknown to me-"
His manner, now, was decidedly con-
ceited, and 1 felt disgusted with him.
My GOODNESS evidently repelled hip, for
he soon left me.
Afterward I heard from other ac-
counts of the late tragedy. Among the
details of the affair was one which pecu-
Garly impressed me, and which my first
informant had not spoken of-an over
sight that surprised me, as the occur
renee he had not mentioned was of that
kind which would be most apt to strike
the fancy.
Upon the throat of the countess the
murderer, in throttling her, had left a
mark from a ring he wore-the impress
sion of chariot wheel, with a star in
the centre
"This," said my latest informant
"may lead to the discovery of the muir
derer Jean Mosqueau is already visit
ing the jewellers shops, to find out from
which, and by whom, ring with the
chariot wheel device was purchased"
"Who is Jean Mosqueau 7"
"ParJleu! 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 gnat !"
A week later was aboard the steam
er, 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 at the Hotel Windsor, and who
had first informed me of the murder OF
the countess.
He moved languidly hither and thith-
er, now and then turning his brown eyes
admiringly upon the pretty lady passen-
gers, while stroking his whiskers with
one white hand, upon the middle finger
of which was superb diamond ring.
am of rather suspicious nature
WHICH, COmDllleu Will u
nation, has often led me into singular
errors.
Now, a strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to man
whom had involuntarily disliked from
the first, in order that l might have q
chance to glance at his ring Somehow,
the idea had possessed me that l would
discover Il chariot deoice upon the glitter
ing bauble!
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, which was not
the one containing the ringl
Ny brain fairly reeled the mans be-
hayior was conviction of my suspicious
"The other hand, if you pleaseP 1 said
in low, stern voice.
"Monsieur will excuse, if he pleases
NV other arm is lame with the rheuma'
tism !" .,
He beheld me glance toward the hal
hidden ring, and was sure I saw hin
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 1 chose. Then had a good looh
at the ring, and felt ashamed OF my sus
picions. The device was common
heart, which certainly bore no resem
blance to chariot wheel