Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-02-08

Uncovered, and tho whole affair remains
wrapped in inpenetrable mystery. AZ
ter all these unrevealing years who shall
say that the coming together Of this man
and the cross is not the working Of a
rctrbuiive fate Too well does the
man ofincxplicable fancy know that's the
little toy he SO covets is aqusdate, If it
falls into proper hands to work the cruci-
fixlon Of a great scoundrel.
"Ugh J" shuddered Irene. "And /
haYe been wearing il all this time, and
admiring il, totally ignorant of the ter
rible thing its blood red color symbol
ICES. / can wear it no longer. Ilere"-
removing from her shrinking neck the
chain by which it was suspended-'T
can now view it with no interest but
that of horror and she threw 1t nerv-
ously into her husbands 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," replied Irene, shrink
ing from it, nevertheless, 81 am not
that foolish. But dislike it, Its inno-
cent charm is lost 10 me forever"
After weighing the matter in his mind
until the specified week had nearly elaps-
ed, Henri, suddenly and sagely cOnclu-
ded to acquaint the Prefect of police
with the story in all its bearings, real
suppository. That astute functionary
proved to be an intelligent and patient
listener, and was only too glad to detail
too Subordinates to further a scheme
that promised to result in the cap
ture of the criminal who had succeed
ed in eluding the pursuit of justice. -
Early in the morning, week subsequent
to that OH which the supposed criminal
had called, Henr; sent Irene into the
city on visit to some friends, with the
explicit understanding that she was not
to return until he came for her. Fol
lowing close upon her departure, came
the arrival Of two gendarmes, who wore
forthwith secre,ed in her but recently
vacated bedroom, thereafter to make
their re-entree i'll the presence OF the ex-
pected stranger, or not, as he might or
might not crIn;nate hins elf in tie inter-
view with Henri.
All the preliminary arrangements be-
ing made, our artist detective took his
station at the window, and behind clos
ed blinds became a silent and intense
watcher: He was brave and resolute
man; but nevertheless an occasional mis-
giving fitted across his mind. The bus
mess before him was, of an extremely
hazardous nature. fatal, fatal, to
whom Henri thought of this, then of
Irene, and then closed his eyes. Then
he thought OF the gendarmes in the next
room, set his jaw, and in spirit of grim
defiance, put all torbodings from him.
Morning noon, afternoon, aud evening
glided by, with no result. Henri yawn-
ed with impatient encouragement. His
allies took TO the bedroom-floor and
cards early i'll the forenoon. Hitherto
the excitement of the chase had been
strong enough to sustain Henri's interest.
But now Would the expected not
come, after all ? A brief consultation
with the ofiicers-who adhered to the
much more likely to make his appear
ance within the next three hours than
at any previous time during the day es-
pecially if he was rogue, and was not
lacking in their usual cunning, braced
Henri somewhat. Lighting lamp for
the quondam gamesters, and another for
himself, he encamped on the lounge
Hs had bat got comfortably settled,
however, before a resonant rap on the
street door brought him instantly TO his
feet. Schooling himself 10 meet the
probable crisis with quiet deliberation,
he leisurely proceeded to the door and
opened 1t. From Irene's graphic de-
scription he had no difficulty in recogni-
zing his visitor The expected man of
the cross stood before him. His heart
gave tremendous thump against his
breast; but his voice was steady and
quiet, as he saluted the stranger, with
"Good evening sir"
"Good evening, sir" responded the
visitor, scrutinizing Henri closely. els
the madam at home?"
"My wife is the lady to whom you re-
fer presume" said Henri. She is alb
sent on visit. Can serve you in any
thing? Will you not step in, slr." Hen
ri threw the door wide open, that the
man might see the room was vacant ;
and hence might imagine him TO be
alone.
"Ah! you are the husband of the la
lady" remarked the stranger, who after
peering in, walked in.
81 have the honor. Pray be seated"
81 will trespass upon your hospitality
but for few moments"
mo trespass, assure you. Solitude
is not the best of companions"
Without removing his hat, the strang'
err took the proffered chair. 81 can tarry
but short time," he said. "Probably
, your wife has informed you of an offer
She received, week ago, for small fan
ciful cornelian cross that was in her pos
session ?"
"Yes she did mention the matter to
me, ami we both wondered at the
strange fancy of the man, and the exces-
|. sive price he offered"
"Well," replied the stranger, with a
forced laugh, ''the fancy cannot matter
to yon; and as for the price, if you get
it, that ought to satisfy you on that
point, am the man ; and renew the
offer"
"Ah No, certainly not, the fancy
, does not concern us-of course not, and
Henri eyed the stranger keenly. "Bul
} YOU know that unusual occurrences will
set the least curious of mortals TO sur