Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-09

until the specified week had nearly elapsed,
Henri suddenly and sagey concluded
to acquaint the project Of the police with
the story, in all its bearings, real and sup
pository. That dstute functionary proved
to be an intelligent and patient listener,
aud was only too glad to detail two subor-
dinates to further scheme that promised
to result in the capture of the criminal wins
had succeeded in Guiding the pursuit Of
justice. Ear'y in the morning, week sub
sequent TO that on which the supposed Grim
inal had called, Henri sent Irene into the
city on visit TO some friends, with the OK
| plicit understanding that she was not TO re-
turn until he came for her. Following
close upon her departure came the arrival
of two gondarmes, VINO were forthwith Sc
creted in her but recently vacated bedroom,
thereafter TO make their re-entree in the
| presence of the expected stranger or not,
as he might or might not criminate hi nself
in the Interview with Henri.
All the preliminary arrangements being
made, our artist detective took station at
| the window, and behind his closed blinds
! became a silent and intense watcher. lie
was a brave and resolute man but, never
theless, an occasional misgiving fitted
across hi- nina. The business before him
was OF an extremely hazardous nature.
Should the supposed criminal prove TO be
tue real criminal, his capture would be
| likely to be preceded by desperate en-
counter. II fatal, to whom? Henri thought
Of this, then Of Irene, and closed his eyes.
Then he thought Of the gendarmes 10 the
next room, set his jaw, and in a spirit of
| grim defiance put all iorebodings ilom
him. Morning, noon, afternoon and eve.
ming gliGed by with no result. Henri
yawned with impatient encouragement.
His allies took 10 .he bedroom floor and
cards early in tho forenoon. Hitherto the
excitement Of the chase had been quite
strong enough TO sustain Heuri's interest.
But now would the expected not come at
all? a brief cun-uitation with the officers,
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 dav,
especially if he was 4 rogue, and was not
lacking in the usual cunning, braced Hen
ri somewhat. LigGting lamp for the
self he camped on the lounge. He had got
but comfortably settled, however, before a
resonant rap on the street door brought
him Instantly to his feet. Schooling himself
to meet the probable crisis with quiet de-
lib eIation, be leisurely proceeded 10 the
door and opened it. From Irene's graphic
desc Iiption he had no difficulty in rec1g-
Nil zing The visitor. The expected man of
the cross stood before him. His heart gave
a tremen dous ;hump against his breast;
but his voice was steady and quiet as he
sa.ulod the stranger with Good evening,
sir.
Good evening, sir responded the yis-
itor scrutinizng Henii closely. ''Is the
madame at home2'
my wife is the lady to whom you refer,
presume" said Henri. "Sae is absent on
visit. Can l serve yo" in auything?
| Will you step in sir?" Henri threw the
door wide open that he might see the room
was vacant, and hence might imagine him
to be alone.
"Ah You are the husband of'the LADY,"
rr""rhT' the rtt"Hsvf, "hv, after I,crrIuS
IN, walked in.
IL have the honor. Pray be seated"
81 will tres pass upon your hospitality
! but for few moments"
"No trespass, l assure you. Solitude is
not the best Of companions"
Without removing his hat the stranger
! took the pruherod chair. II can tarry but
| short time," he said. Probably YOUR
wife has informed you OF an offer she re-
ceiyed n week ago, for Il small, flnciful cor
nolan cross that was in her possession?"
YES, she did mention the matter to me
and we both wondered at the strange fam
| cy of the man, and the excessive price he
| offered
"Wel," replied the stranger, with
forced laugh, "the fancy canno. matter 10
you and as for the price. if you get IT, that
ought to satisfy you on that point. am
the man, and renew the offer"
"Ah! No, certainly not, the fancy does
Lot concern us, of course no." and Henri
eyed the stranger kecnlv. "But you know
that unusual occurrences will set the least
curious Of m rlals to surmising."
'Of course, of course" said the stranger,
with strong symptoms ofuueasiness. "Peo-
Pile cannot help thinking; that's what
brains are made for. But to the point; If
you still possess the cross, and will exchange
it for the sam offered, that sum is yours.
Your answer? You will excuse my SEEM
ing abruptnc's; | am pressed for time and
cannot daily"
II hold you perfectly eXcusable," said
Henri dlawing the coveted cross from s
pocket and noting the eager flashing of the
strangers eyes rs his gaze fell upon it. De-
Gliding 10 thrust the probe home at once, he
deliberately added: Another reason other
than want OF time, may exist, to occasion
your abruptness, my iriend-want of con-
fdence."
"What, sir" calculated the man, start
Ing up in threat ming, apprchensive way.
"What do you mean by that remarkP"
"Listen, and l will tell you," replied
Henri, fully convinced that he was on the
right track, as his visitor indecisively sat
down again. "Lsten, and l will tell you
what mean. This cross, for which you
have taken such an inexplicable fancy,
came into my possession under very pecul-
lar observation-disclosures that in
vest it with extraordinary interest" Paus-
ing moment TO note the effect of his Lam
guagc, Henri fixed his burning eyes on the
strangers. Speaking slowly and empha-
sizing every word, he continued: ~ found
this cross on the 81 orJanuary, 1919, on the
Rue de Germane, on the very spot on
which three days previous, the Comte &c
st. Armande had been brutally murder
ed"
During the utterance OF the concluding
words Of the above, the countenance of the
listening man underwent a most appalling
ehange, and dread rnl. indeed. as ihnnrh he