Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-01-30

in spite Of the superhuman efforts of by
no means obtuse police, and the incentive
of fab ulous reward by st. Armande's rel
atives, the murderer is undiscovered, and
the whole affair remains wrapped in i'm
penetrable mystery. After all these I'M
revealing years who shall say that the
coming together o. this man and the cross
is not the working Of a retributive fatef
Too we'll does the man of inexplicable
fancy that the little toy he SO covets is
is adequate, if it falls into proper hands
to work the cruciixon of great Sound
rel.
"Ugh p shuddered Irene, "And !
have been wearing 1t all this time, and
admiring it, totally ignorant of the terri
bic thing its blood red color symbolizes.
! can wear it no longer. Here"-remov-
ing from her shrinking neck the chain by
which it was SUSPENDED" can now view
it with no interest but that of horror and
she thu ew it neryously into her husbands
lap.
"Why, you little fool !" said Henri, in
q jocose tone, care you going to faint?
Are you afraid of it II is just as harm
less as it has been, and Just as beautiful.
Il do not fear it," replied Irene,
shrinking from it, nevertheless. am
not that foolish But | dislike it. Its
innocent charm is lost to me forever"
After weighing the matter in his mind
until the specified week Lad nearly elaps-
ed, Henri suddenly and sagely concluded
to acquaint tho Project Of Police with the
story In all its bearings, real, and suppos-
TORY. That astute functionary proved to
be an intelligent and patient listener, and
was only too glad to detail two suoordi
mates to further scheme that promised to
result in the capture of the criminal who
had succeeded in eluding the pursuit of
Justice. Early in the morning, week
subsequent to that on which the supposed
criminal had called, ii ,nri 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. Following
close upon her departure, came the arriv.
al oftwo gendarmes, who were forthwith
secreted in her but recently vacated bed
room, thereafter to make their re entree
In the presence of the expected stranger
or not, as he might or mi ! hit not eliminate
himself in the interview with Henri
All tho preliminary arrangements beng
made, our artist detective took his
station at the window, and behind closed
blinds became o silent and intens watch
er. lie was brave and resolute man
but ne veriheless an occasional misgiving
fitted across his mind The business
before him was of an extremely hazard
GUS nature. Should the supposed criminal
prove to be the real criminal. his capture
would-be likely to be preluded by des-
perlte encounter. If fatal fatal to
whom. Henri thought of this, then of
Irene, and closed his eyes Then he
thought oe the gendarmcs in the next room
set his Jaw, and in aspirit of grim defiance,
put all forbodlugs from him. Morning,
noon, afternoon, and evening, glided by,
with no result, Henri yawned with
impatient encouragement His allies took
to the bedroom and cards early in
the forenoon. Hitherto the excitement of
the chase Ind been strong enough to sus-
tain Henri's interest. But now Would
the expected not come, after all A brief
consultation with the oiicers-who adher-
ed to the opinion that he would come
and was much more likely to make his
appearance withiu the next three hours
than at any previous time during the day
especially if he was rogue, and was not
lacking in their usual cunning, braced
Henri somewhat. Lighting a lamp for the
quondam gamesters, and another for him.
self, he camped on the lounge. He had
but got comfortably settled, however,
before resonant rap on the street door
hr1 l., IN "a Fec, np1
ing himself to meet the probable crisis
with quiet elaboration, he leisurely pro.
ceeded to the door and opened it. From
lrenes graphic description he had no diff
hculty in recognizing 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 stran-
ger with, Good evening sir"
"Good evening, SIR responded the Wis.
thur, scrutiniziug Henri closely. as the
madam at home 2?
"My wife is the lady to whom you refer,
presume said Henri. "She is absent
on visit. Can serve YOU in anything?
VIII you not step in, sir" Henri threw
the door wide open, that the man might |
see the room vas vacant 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.
Il have tire honor. Pray be seated"
q will trespass upon your hospitality
but for n few moments --.'
'No trespass, ! assure you, Solitude
not the best OF companions"
Without removing his hat, the stranger
took the proffered chair. Il can larry but
a short time,o he said Probably your
wife has informed yoE of an offer she
received, a week age, for a small, fancitul
corncHan cross that was in her posses
sion?i