The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-10-31


proper hands, to work the crucifx-
ion of a great scoundrel."
"Ugh!" shuddered Irene. "And
have been wearing it all this time and
admiring it, totally ignorant of the
terrible thing its blood-red color sig
nifes. can wear it no longer
] lHere"-removing from her shrink
ing neck the chain by which it was
suspended-"I can now view it with
no interest but that of horror" and
she threw it nervously into her hus-
bands lap.
"Why, you little fool, "said Henri
in a jocose tone, "are you going to
faint? Are you afraid of it? 1t is
just as harmless as it has been, and
just as beautiful"
81 do not fear it." shrinking from
it nevertheless. 81 am not that fool
ish. But 1 dislike it. Its innocent
charm is lost to me forever"
After weighing the matter in his
mind until the specified week had
NEARLY elapsed, Henri suddenly and
eagerly concluded to acqusint the
Ipolice with the story, in all its bear
Iings, real and s1ppository. That as
tute functionary, proved to be an in,
telligent listener, and was only too
lglad to detail two subordinates to
further a scheme that promised to re-
suit in the capture of criminal who
had succeeded in eluding the pursuit
of justice. Early in the morning a
week subsequent to that on which
the supposed criminal had called,
Henri sent Irene to the city on vi
sit to some friends, with the explicit
understanding that she was not to
return until he came for her. Fol
lowing close upon her departure was
the arrival of two gendarmes, who
were forthwith secreted in her but
recently vacated bedroom, thereafter
to make their rentree in the presence
of the expected stranger or not,a he
might or might not criminate him
self in the interview with Henri.
All the preliminary arrangements
being made our artist detective took
a station at the window, and behind
his closed blinds became q silent and
intense watcher. He was a brave
and resolute man; but, nevertheless,
an occasional misgiving fitted across
his mind. The business before him
was of an extremely hazardous ma
ture. Should the supposed criminal
prove to be the real criminal, his cap
ture would be likely to be preluded
by q desperate encounter. If fatal,
fatal to whom? Henri thought of
this, then of Irene, and then closed
his eyes, Then he thought of the
lgendarmes in the next room, set bis
jaw, and in a spirit of grim defiance
Iput all forebodings from him. Nor
ming, noon, afternoon and evening,
Iglided by with no result. Henri
yawned with impatient discourage
ment. His allies took to the bed
room floor and cards early in the
forenoon. Hitherto, the excitement
of the chase had been quite strong
enough to sustain Henri's interest.
But now, would the expected not
come at all? A brief consultation
with the officers, who adhered to the
lopinion that he would come, and was
much more likely to make his ap-
Ipearance within the next three hours
than at any time previous during the
the day, especially if he was rogue.
and was not lacking in the usual Gun
ming, braced Henri somewhat. Light
ling lamp for the quondam game
sters, and another for himself, ne
camped on the lounge. He had got
but comfortably settled, however, be-
fore a resonant rap on the street door
brought him instantly to his feet.
lSchooling himself to meet the prob
able crisis with quiet deliberation,
he leisureIy proceeded to the door
and opened it. From trends graph
ic description, he had no difficulty
in recognizing his visitor. The ex-
Ipected man Of the cross stood before
| him. His heart gave q tremendous
thump against his breost; but his
voice was steady and quiet as he sa-
lluted the stranger with
"Good evening, sir.
"Good evening, sir" responded
ltCe stranger, scrutinizing Henri
closely. 'Is the madam at home~
"My wife is the lady to whom you
refer, 1 presume" said Henri. "She
is absent on a visit. Can serve you
in anything? viii you not step in,
sir?"
Henri threw the door open, that
the man might see the roam was va
cant, and hence might imagine him
to be alone.
"Ah! you are the husband of the
lady" remarked the stranger, who,
after peering in, walked in.
81 have the honor. Pray be seat
ed"
81 will trespass upon your hospi-
tality for few moments"
No trespass, l assure you. Soil
tude is not the best companion"
Without removing his hat the
stranger took the profered chair.
81 can tarry but short time," he
said. "Probably your wife has in
formed you of an offer she received
week ago for a small, fanciful cor
nelian cross that was in her possess
lion?'
eyes, she did mention the matter
to me, and we both wondered st the
strange fancy Of the man, and the ex
cessiye price he offered"
"Well," replied the stranger with
a forced laugh, "the fancy cannot
matter to you; and as for the price,
lif you get it that ought to satisfy
Ivou on that point. l am the man
and l renew the offer"
"Ahl No, certainly not, the fancy
docs not concern us, of course not,
and Henri eyed the stranger keenly
l"But you know unusual occurrences
will set the least curious of mOrtals
Ito surmising."
"Of course, of course" said the
stranger, with strong symptoms o.
uneasi1ess. "People cannot helI
thinking that's what brains were
made for. But to the point: if yor
possess the cross and will exchange
lit for the sum offered that sum l: