The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-29
THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE.

THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE.
About the middle of the seventeenth
century. Nicholas Zsmbelli, citizen of
Lucca, visited England on business, and,
pleased with the country. settled there.
His affairs prospered, and by the time he
was fifty wears of age he had accumulated
a handsome fortune, and felt desire to
end his days at Lucca, where brother
of his still resided. He wrote to his tami-
ly annoul cling his intention, and soon
after sent them another letter, dated at
Rouen, sitting that he had advanced thus
far on his journey that he had some busi-
mesa to attend TO at Paris, and might be
expected to reach Lucca in about two
months. Nearly half year elapsed, how
ever, and nothing was heard of him. His
brother, extremely anxious as to his fate,
st out for Paris in search of him. He Wis
tied every place where the missing man
was likely to have presented himself in
the course of his business and in his
search seemed. at first, TO meet with sue
cess. Many OF those he encountered stated
that they lad seen and conversed with the
missing man; he had claimed and collect
ed the amoInt due on various securities
to a considerable amount. When, how
ever, the receipts signed " Zambelli were
exhibited, the brother exclaimed at once
that they were forgeries. and il was plain
that there had been fOul play of some sort
robbery at least, if not murder. No
clue could be obtained. however, TO the
guilty parties; none OF those who had
paid their money to the false Zambelli
would undertake to describe an individual
they had seen six months b, fore, and but
for a few minutes. Investigations at ROu-
en- revealed the fact that Zambelli had ar
rived there, and had left for Paris, accom-
panied by a valet. The latter, however,
had been but little noticed, and as so long
a time had elapsed since hls departure,
no one could undertake TO identify this
single domestic of the many who in that
time had passed through this hotel, the
most frequ, nted in Rouen. 'ef'
Corne ius Zambelli thereupOn brought
the matter before the lieutenant of police,
but even his acumen, sbarpened by long
experience, was at fault. Undoubtedly
crime had been committed somewhere be
tween Ruuen and Paris, but where, when,
and bv whom? Reason was at fault, but
the lieutenant was a brilliant example OF
the Darwinian theory of the acquisition of
instincts. Long years OF contact with
crime. innumerable searches for criminals,
had engendered in him a sixth sense.
which enabled him to detect the presence
of an offender against the law where there
was no palpable evidence OF his existence.
Six or seven months before, a goldsmith
named Martel had opened shop at
ROuen, where he was entirely unknown
There was something strange, awk0 arc,
and embarrassed in his appearance and
manner: he was very reticent as TO his
anteeedents; inquisitive ntighbors, who
ventured to ask HIM any questions about
himself, We're put off with evas1ve an
swers, while his manner when thus inter-
rogated became painfully embarrassed d.
These circumstances, joined TO the fact
that his business was the same as Zam-
belli's, and bis appearance at Rouen syn
chronous with the latter's disappearance.
awakened suspicion in the lieutenant's s
mind that he was the man OF whom they
were ia search, and that official at once set
to work to obtain cOrrobOration OF his
hypothesis.
With those artful preparations to entrap
the unwary which are the characteristics
of French criminal law and police. he sent
an individual to Martel's store, who, un-
der uretense of purchasing some trinkets,
entered into conversation with the gold
smith and incidentally mentioned the
name of Zambelli. AT this Martel grew
pale and showed signs of disquietude,
looking earnestly at his questioner, who,
however, giving no sign of any ulteriOr
motive In his remark, finished his purchase
and left the shop. The lieutenant now
felt sure he was on the right track. His
next step was an ingenious one. He
counterfeited Martel's signature to bond,
and sent sergeant of police TO the sus-
pected man to demand payment of it.
Martel, of course, replied that ii was for
gerry, and refused to pay, but the officer
insisted that he must take him into Gus
toay until he had sworn to its falsity be
fore the proper officer. b~
MarIel, at first. accompanied the ser
geant with all the calmness of an innocen
man, but suddenly suspicion that al
was not right flashed upon him. Trembling
with fear, he seized the officer by the arm
and asked, with trembling lips. II The bonC
was all the police had against him; !
there was not some other accusation bacA
of il. The sergeant, well trained IN hi
part. feigned astonishment and treasures
his prisoner, so that he had quite recover
ed his calmness when brought before tn
lieutenant. The latter, however, soon pu
an end TO his doubts by thus addressing
him: This bond is indeed false bat a
YOU have betrayed fear, 1 must tell yo
that there are other things against you.
citizen of Lucca. named Zam oelh, is dead
and you are his murderer. Do not den
il, for have certain proofs. You nee
not feel any alarm, however, on this aC
count; he was a stranger here; no on
cares wha. has become of him; lev saC
rifices on your part and the whole atfai
can be hnshed up; only you must make
full and sincere confession-your life de
pends on it." -
Martel at first fell into the snare. Gla
to purchase his life with the sacrifice Q
part OF his plumber. he exclaimed that th
discovery Of his guilt must have been D.
the direct interposition of Heaven, for N
eve had seen his crime. He was ready, b
said, 20 confess all, but when the notar.
came 70 take down his Opposition, he N
covered his sslfpOssession and refused I,
say anv thing, protesting his entire limo
cence ef the crime laid 10 his charge. Al
efforts 10 extort confession were in vain
and he was remandeti TO prison. he loud
Iv protested agsinst his Incarceration, dc
ciared the falstness of the bond on whie
he was arrested. publicly accused the lieu
tenant and sergeant of forgery, and CON
mencs.d a suit against them Tor damage
The courts. however, were on he slde
the police. and Martel's proceedings wer
STAYED for three months; the suit relatly
10 the murCler of imeeIi VAS hrougi
before the the Norman Parliament, an
Mortal bip,salf transferred 10 the Coz