Smyrna times., 1873-12-03
.MiSceLLU 10 e o as.
The Little Lady.


One morning was smoking in the colon
made, when TALL elegantly dressed gentleman
asked permission to light his cigar by mine
| saw at once that he was FrenchmaD, al
though his English was nearly perfect.
"No."
ia 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 ten thou
sand francs missing from it. 1t was terrible.
The brute who did the deed effected his en-
trance through the window of her chamber,
near which, unfortunately, was a tall tree
planted by the distinguished grandfather OF
the countess years ago. Little did he imagine
what a terrible 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. She
ded, stroking his whiskers with an unmistaka
BILE air of vanity; 81 knew her well.
| "Indsed?"
"Oh, yes There are 10 Paris few popular
women unknown to me.
| His manner now was decidedly conceited and
felt disgusted. My coldness evidently repel-
led him, for he soon left me.
Afterwards heard from others accounts OF
the late tragedy.
Among the details Of the affair was one
which peculiarly impressed me-and which my
first informant had not spoken of-an over
sight which surprised me, as the occurrence
be had not mentioned was of that kind which
would be most apt to strike the fancy.
| Upon the throat of the countess the mur
derer, in throttling her, had left mark from
ring he wore-the impression OF a chariot
with a star in the center.
This" said my latest informant, may lead
to the discovery of the murderer. Jean Mos
queau is already visiting the jewellers shops to
find out from which and by whom ring with
chariot-wheel device was purchased"
Who is Jean Mosqueau?"
What, Mosqueau, our famous detective
Although his courage is well known, you
would not, to look at his fair delicate face and
form, believe that he could fight gnat II
A week later | was aboard the steamer
bound from Calais TO Dover.
Among the passengers beheld one whose
face looked familiar to me. L was not long il
recognizing this person as the same | had seer
: in front of the Hotel Windsor, and who haC
first informed me of the murder of the coun
. tess.
: He was certainly very handsome man, al
r though his conceited air was blot upon hi
j. good looks.
9 He moved languidly hither and thither
tur Ing his brown eyes admiringly upon tn
r pretty lady passengers, while stroking hi
) whiskers with one white hand, upon the mid
die finger of which was a superb diamond ring
am rather of a suspicious nature, which
combined with lively imagination, had otte
led me into singular errors.
p Now a strange impulse moved me to advanc
and hold out nay hand to the man whom ha
involuntarily dislked from the frst in orde
70 that might have a chance to glance at b
'; ring. Somehow the idea possessed me that
. should discover chariot wheel device upo
=. the glittering bauble.
The stranger did not at first recognize m
He soon did, however, and frankly extende
his left hand, which was not the one contain
@ ing the ring.
My brain fairly reeled the mans behavi
os was confirmation OF my suspicious.
80 "The other hand, If you please" l sal
er in q low, stern voice.
be Monster will please excuse me: my 9th
n arm is lame with the rheumatism"
w. He beheld me glance toward the half hi
den ring, and was sure / saw him start al
turn pale, at the same time looking much 81
N. prised. He, however, opened his right han
as if perfectly willing for me to shake it if
chose to.
60 Then had good look at the ring, and &
n. ashamed of my suspicious. The device wa:
its common heart, which certainly bore no resen
at lance TO chariot wheel.
nd. After general conversation TO recover
@ ss self.possession, l turned away, resolved in I
''' future to have better opinion of my fell
|. creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed to attr
the attention of q good many of the ladi
'' One especially, q modest looking little thi
- attired in black, kept directing furtive CLAN
at the handsome passenger. Finally she gliC
80 close to him that in turning be brusl
against her.
nas An apology, smilingly received by the Ii
lady, remark about the weather on the .
OF the gentleman, and the two we're soon G
versing with animation. Meanwhile the blu
ing cheek and bright eyes of the fair one see
!. ed to betoken that che was well pleased v
, her companion, whose air was more concei
sion than ever.
, 10. 81 am afraid we shall have storm"
remarked, pointing toward o dark cloud u
which the captain of the boat was gazing O
iously.
We may, but do not be alarmed, madam
ana With an air OF nonchalance he pulled
s'"e cigar-csse from his pocket and asked his G
panion If she objected to q smoke. Their
started, aud quickly returning the red on,
a. his pocket pulled forth another of blue &C
"How many cigars do you smoke in q da
inquired the lady, evidently amused at
Del. sight OF two cases. .yt -<tal .er q.
.-. The other colored, and it struck me that
srsx voice slightly faltered and bis had tremble
be. made some laughing reply. !.
Soon the storm came pouncing down U
us. We were midway in the channel, 30
we caught the full force of the sea and
-. Both were terrific.
IT The sea swept the boat, which lay SO
liz over that her machinery was soon damage
- that it would not work. Tho wind, screal
like demon, threw her over still farther.
Suddenly we observed the sailors sndes
ing to Loosen o long boat on the davits at
q stern. Meanwhile there was an ominous ~
- ing, smashing noise under the counter.
truth could not be concealed we were sinl
sly The ladies screamed the handsome pa
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