The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-07-18

NA~O~~O
ment of the chase had been strong
enough to sustain Henri's interest. But
now? Would the expected not come at
all !? A brief consultation with the oth-
GERS. who adhered to the opinion
that he would come, and was much
more likely to make his appearance
within the next three hours than at any
time previous 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 Tor
himself, he camped on the lounge. he
had but got comfortably settled, how
ever, before resonant rap on the street
door brought him instantly to his feet.
Schooling himself TO meet the probable
crisis with quiet deliberation, he leis-
urely proceeded to the door and opened
it. From Irene's graphic description he
had no difficulty in recognizing his visi-
tor. The expected man of the cross
stood before him. His heart gave a
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. " Is
the madame at home?
"My wife is the lady to whom you
refer. T presume" said Henri. "She
is absent on a visit. Can I serve you
in anything? VIII you not step IN,
sir ?" Henri 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
dy," remarked the stranger, who after
peering in, walked in.
"I have the honor. Pray be seated. .
"I will trespass upon your hospltall-
ty but for few moments
"No trespass, assure you. Soil
| tude is not the best of companions"
Without removing his hat, the stran-
ger took the proffered chair. 81 can
tarry but short time" he said. "Pro-
babiy your wife has informed you of an
| offer she received a week ago, for
small, fanciful cornelian cross that was
in her possession !?
| "Yes: she did mention the matter to
me, and we both wondered at the
strange fancy of the man, and the ex-
cessive price he offered.
"WelI," !" replied the stranger, with
forced laugh, "the fancy cannot matter
to YOU and as for the price, if you get
it that ought to satisfy you on that
point, / am the man ; and l renew the
offer"
"Ah! No, certainly not, the fancy
| does not concern us, of course not,
and Henri eyed the stranger keenly
"But YOU know that unusual occur
rences will set the least curious of NOR
tails to surmising."
"Of course, of course" said the
stranger, with strong symptoms OF un
easiness. "People cannot help thinking
that's what brains were made for. But
to the point, if you still possess the
cross. and will exchange it for the sun
offered. that sum is yours. Your an
swer You will excuse my seeming ab
runtness: I am pressed for time, an(
cannot daily"
"I hold you perfectly excusable,
said Henri, drawing the coveted eros
from his pocket, and noting the cage
flashing of the strangers eyes, as HI
gaze fell upon it. Deciding to thrus
the probe home at once, he deliberatel.
added another reason, other thai
want of time, may exist to occasion
your abruptness, my friend; want Q
confidence"
"What sir p calculated the man
starting up in threatening, appreher
sive way. What do you mean by tha
remark?' 70
"Listen, and will tell you, " reptile
Henri. fully convinced that he was o
the right track, as his visitor lndecls1yt
ly sat down again. Listen, and L WI
tell you what mean. This cross, fC
which you have taken such an lnexpl
, cable fancy, came into my possesslo
under very peculiar circumstances, cl
, cumstances that invest it with extrao
dinary interest,"" Pausing mome1
! to note the effect of his language, He1
ri fixed his burning eyes on the stral
gers. Speaking slowly, and emphas
: zing every word, he continued
I found this cross on the Sd of Januar,
E 1849, on the Rue de Germaine, on tt
$ very spot on which three days preylo1
e the Comte de st. Armande had bee
!, brutally murdered.
During the utterance of the concl
s ding words of the above, the count
{ nance of the listening man underwent
O most appalling change, as dreadful 1
, deed, as though he had heard the Sc
!. tence for his Immediate execution pr
v nounced. The muscles of his ia
r twitched cenvulsively, his under .Ja
r fell, and his eyes rolled in their socke
/ as though following the fantastic evol
8 tons of some horrid goblin.
II The paroxysm lasted but for a m
10 ment. By superhuman effort OF t
10 will he recovered his bewildered facI
" ties. sprang to his feet, and with t
is demoniac fury of madman, dashed
s.. Henri, kissing between his teet
4 "D-ny you tho telling of chat tale
your death-knel.
Just as his muscular hand closed c
lie pressively on Henri's throat, he was
b. olentlv ierked backwards, and fou
m himself in the tenacious clutche OF {
r. two gendarmes.
lg $50 no my fine fellow" ejaculat
s. one of the officers eve are altogett
10 too deeply concerned for the future W
ne fare of your soul to permit you to per-
rs trate such a crime. You have done d
enough already to bring you to hangll
II, and that is quite sufficient for our p
{? pose"
as The foiled villain glaredsuddenly fr
as one to the other, and made no attempt
escape. ~
e, "That is right" remarked the off
m who spoke before. "Take it eas.
It's shows you to be philosopher and n
of common sense.
lis The prisoner cody folded his arms,
lr- stood silent.
ly Monsieur Cardone," continued
of officer, "as your friend seems to t
IS, kindly our interference with his III
tie plan to avoid you long resting sp
mt will you, with equal disinterestednt
90 provide us with a rope for his bene
lrl Unluckily, we came from town and
lit got to bring the professional brace
ad an unintentional oversight, 'whlc
of assure you," addressing the prison
ek "we deplore even more than you yc
lp- self can. &In fact we were rather un'
mt tain of having the pleasure of your G
me pany on our return"
ng Nor will you have that pleasul
he growled the hitherto quiescent capt
'on suddenly kicking out with his
go powerful arms, upsetting both Off
ed kicking over the table on which st
m, the light, and leaping out of the q
the into the darkness. As he vanished
or bullet Missed by either ear, but he est