River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-01-31

of the hapless Comte in his dying strug
gle. Naturally enough, it fell to the
ground, where | found it. To this day
in spite. OF thesuperhuman efforts OF, q, 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 inn
penetrable mystery. After ali these un.
revealing years who shall say that the
coming together Of this man and the cross
is notthe workingsof. q retributiverfate {
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 crucifxion of a great Sound
rel.
"Ugh p shuddered Irene, "And
have been wearing 1t all this time, and
admiring il, 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 nervously into her husbands
lap.
"Why, you little fool p said Henri, in
a joccse tone, care you going to faint ?
Are you afraid of it ? 1t is Just as harm.
less as it has been, and Just as beautiful
Al do not fear it," replied irene,
shrinking from it, nevertheless. Il 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 pTefect of Police with the
story In all its bearings, real, and suppos-
tory. That astute functionary proved to
be an intelligent and patien: listener, and
was only too glad to detail two subordi.
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, a 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
5ecreted in her hut recently vacated bed.
roOm thereafter to make their re.entree
in the presence of the expected stranger,
or not, as he might or might not criminate
himself in the interview with Henri.
All the preliminary arrangements beng
made, our artist detective took his
station at the window, and behind closed
blinds became silent and intens watch
er. lie was brave and resolute man !;
but nevertheless 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-
perdte encounter. If fatal, fatal to
whom Henri thought of this, then of
Irene, and closed his eyes. Then he
thought Of the gendarmes in the next room
set his Jaw, aud in spirit of grim defiance,
put all fogbodiugs from him. Morning,
noon, afternoon, and evening, glided by,
with no result. Henri yawned with
impatient Encouragement. His allies took
to the bedrooh-tloor 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 7? A brief
consultation with the oficers-who adher-
ed to the opinion that he would come
and was much more likely to make his
appearance within the next three hours
than at any previous time during the day
especially if he was a rogue, and was not
lacking in their usual cunning, braced
Henri somewhat. Lighting lamp for the
quondam gamesters, and another for him.
self, he camped on the lounge. He had
but got comfortably settled, however,
before a resonant rap on the street door
brought him instantly to his feet. School
ing himself to meet the probable crisis
with quiet elaboration, he leisurely pro.
ceeded to the door and opened it. From
lrene's graphic descrip.lo ION he had no diff.
ficulty in recognizing his visitor 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 ssluted the stran-
ger with, "Geod evening sir.p
"Good evening, sir,' responded the Wis.
thur, serutiniziug Henri closely. ais the
madam at home ?"
"My wife is the lady to whom you refer,
Ipresumen said Henri. "She is abse at
on a visit. Can serve you in anything?
Will 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.
"Aa! you are the husband Of the lady,"
remarked the stranger, who after peering
in, walked in.
~ have ire honor. Pray be seated"
+" will trespass upon your hospitality
but for few moments
No trespass, | assure you, Solitude
not the best OF com panions."
Without removing his hat, the stranger
took the preferred chair. 81 can larry but
a short time,n he said. Probably your
wife has informed VOC of an offer she