Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-02-28

4
down again. "Llsten, and will tell You
what | mean. This cross, for which you
have taken such an inexpllcable fancy,
came Into my possession under very pecu-
liar circumstances es-circumstances that
Invest II with extraordinary interest"
pauslng a moment to note the effect Of
bis language, Henri fixed his burning
eyes on the Strangers. Speaking slowly
and emphasizing every word, he con.
tinued 81 found this cross on the Sd Of
January, lS49, on the Rue de Germaine,
on the very spot on which. three days
previous, the Comte de ST.. Armande had
been brutally murdered"
| Dutlng the utterance of the concluding
words of the above, the countenance of
the listening man underwent an appalling
change, and dreadful, indeed, as though
he had heard the sentence Tor bis imme-
diate execution pronounced. The mus
cles OF his face twitched convulsively, his
under jaw fell, and his ewes rolled in their
sockets as though following the fantastic
evolHtion of some horrid goblin.
The paroxysm lasted but for moment
By superhuman effort of the will he re-
covered his faculties, sprang to his fee ,
and, with the demoniac fury of a mad
man, dashed at Henri, kissing between
his teeth, ID you, the telling of that
tale is your death-krell."
just as his muscular hand closed op-
pressively on Henri's throat, he was vio-
lentlv jerked backwards, and found him.
self In the tenacious clutches of the two
| gsndarmes.
$50 no my fine fellow r' calculated
one of the officers. eve are too deeply
concerned for the future welfare of your
soul to permit you to perpetrate such a
crime. You have done bad enough
already to bring you to hanging; and that
Is quite sufficient for our purpose"
The fOiled villain glared suddenly from
one to the other, and made no attempt to
escape.
"That Is right" remarked the officer
who spoke before. "Take It easy-shows
you to be a philosopher and man of
common eense.n
The prisoner coolly folded his arms ard
stood silent.
"Monsleur Cardone," continued the
officer, "as your friend seems to take
kindly our Interference with this little
plan to avoid you long resting spell,
you will, with equal dsinterestedness
provide us with a rope for his benefit :
Unluckily, we came from town and for.
got to bring the professional bracelets
an unintentional oversight which, as.
sure you," addressing the prisoner, eve
deplOre even more than you yourself can,
In fact, we were rather uncertain of hay
ing the pleasure Of your company on oul
return"
"NOr will you have that pleasure, ,
growled the hitherto quiescent captive
suddenly striking out with his two pow
ertul arms, upsetting the OH ers, kicking
ever the table On which stood tine light
and leaping out into the darkness. A,
he vanished, bullet hissed by elthe
ear, but be escaped unhuTt.
The report OF the pistols hurried Henr
back into the room from which he hat
gone in quest of rope.
"Quick "exclaimed one of the officers
1.-THE devil has Outwitted and escapeC
) us. We must be after him at once. II 4
Leone Breme, the most reckless and fero
cious Of the many cutthrnats who infested
Paris six years ago. He most miracu
ously disappeared about the time of thu
II. Armande murder, and the departmen
had given him up for dead. We mus
not allow him to have his length for
= moment Our first move is to lodge in
formation at the three heads of the polio
department. lie is an astuie dog of inf
mite resource, and the whole force on tn
scent will hardly suffice to capture him.
Breme was eventually taken. But 81
. adroit was he that he contriyed to remall
, at large for three weeks after his escap
from Cardone's house. He was tried
! condemned, and executed for the murde
of 81. Armande, several Witnesses heln
, found who Identified him, and testified t
Z having seen fastened TO his shirl.b0sor
! on the evening Of the murder that blood
red cross.
Irene was never afterward persuaded {
j wear ii. It hung over the mantel in he
- boudoir, aud many an evening visitor ha
e been beguiled by Henri with a recital q
e the two dark episodes In its history whic
n are embodied in this story, and have di
parted shuddering at Its sanquinary hue
, Overland Monthly.