Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-11-07
THE LITTLE LADY.

WAS stopping at the Hotel Windsor,
at Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
One morning was smoking in the
colonnade, when tall, elegantly y-dressed
gentleman asked permission to light his
cigar by mine. | saw at once that he was
Frenchman, although his English"
was nearly perfect.
"Have you heard the news; )" he inquir-
ed.
ono"
''Is it possible! Why, all Paris is alive
with it at this moment"
"What has happened?"
"The Countess de Marville, the fairest
of the fair, was found murdered in her
bed last night, her bureau broken open
and 10000 francs missing from it. 1t was
terrible! The brute who did the deed
effected his entrance through the window
OF her chamber, near which, unfortunate
ly, was tall tree planted by the distin-
guished grandfather of the Countess years
ago. Little did he imagine what terri
BILE use 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 wonder still more.
be added, striking his whiskers with an
unmistakable air of vanity; Il knew her
we'll"
"Indeed."
ooh, yes. There are in Paris few popu-
lar women unknown to me''
His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited, and felt disgusted. My coldness
evidently repelled him, for he soon LETT
me.
Afterward heard other accounts ofthe
late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was one
which peculiarly impressed me-and
which my first informant had not spoken
of-an oversight which surprised me, as
the occurrence 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 airing he wore-the impression
of chariot-wheel with a star in the cen
ter.
"This," said my latest informant, "may
lead to the discovery of the murderer.
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the
jewelers. shops to find out from which
and by whom ring with chariot-Wheel
device was purchased"
What, Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, delicate face and form, believe that
he could fight a gnat!" Aa
A week later was aboard the steamer,
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers | beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. 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 Countess.
He was certainly very handsome man,
although his conceited air was blot
upon his good looks.
He moved languidly hither and thither,
turning his brown eyes admiringly upon
the pretty lady passengers, while stroking
his whiskers with one white hand, upon
the middle finger of which was a superb
diamond ring.
am rather of suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively imagina-
ton, had often led me into singular
errors.
Now, a strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the man
whom had involuntarily disliked from
the first, in order that | might have a
chance to glance at his ring. Somehow
the idea possessed me that should dis
cover a chariot-wheel device upon the
glittering bauble. '4
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his lefthand, which was not the
one containing the ring.
My brain fairly replied; the mans be-
havior was a confirmation of my suspi-
cions.
"The other hand, if you please" l said,
in low, stern voice.
"Monsieur, will you please excuse me !;
my other hand is lame with the rheuma-
tism"
He beheld me glance toward the half
hidden ring, and was sure | saw him
start and turn pale, at the same time
looking much surprised. He, however,
opened his right hand, as if perfectly
willing for me to shake it if I chose to.
Then had q good look at the ring, and
telt ashamed of my suspicious. The de-
vice was a common heart which GER
tainly bore no resemblance to chariot
wheel. .ata3
After general conversation to recover
my selfpossession, turned away, resoly-
ing in the future to have better opinion
of my fellow-creatures. ~ sss
The strangers good looks seemed to at.
tract the attention of good many Of the
ladies. One especially, a understanding
little thing, attired in black, kept direct
ing furtive glances at the handsome pas
senger Finally she glided. so close to
him that in turning he brushed against
her.