Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1878-05-04
WHOLE NO 4S6

for whom they were looking had just
Init,ed the hotel where he had stayed
all night, and gone on board the
steamer. whirh was in ,he uct Of start
ing for the Euglish shore.
Making sure that their man was
safe, the officers FASTENED oD board,
: aud bad barely touched the deck
when the steamer started. Without
creating any disturbance. or even ex-
citing curiosity they investigated every
nook on board the vessel, and soon
satisfied themselves that the object Of
their search
WAS ::OT on EoARD.
This was very great disappoint-
Drht. but thee was nothing for it
excep, TO bear their misfortune With
fortitude. The sea was uucom monlv
smooth, and very few passengers
We're sea-Sick. There was q crowd
on the deck all the time. and it was
not difficult for the officers to search
below without beiue observed.
While they were engaged in this.
however. the captains steward was
around, but did not seem to take anv
very pal ticulsr notice of them. lie
stood in the entrance to the captains
cabin whenever the two officers ap-
preached. and it was hard for tbeu,
to get more than glimpse inside.
At lrnglh. when the voyage wa.
drawing TO a close. the officers re-
solved TO make themsclvesr known to
the captain and ask MS advice, a.
they were far from satisfied that the
man they searched for had not actu-
ally been on board. and were there
fore anxious to know by what means
he had e!udcd them.
Securing the cap, aims attention for =
short time. they made known to him
their character aud mission.
why. gentlemen" be said, in O
low tone. there is already an officer
on board on the lookout for the very
party you are in search Of"
"lOu astonish U.S." one of the de.
tecIives replied 1--WE have seen every
one on board. and certainly have re.
cognized 20 officer of the police"
The captain laughed quietly, and,
drawing them to one side, said:
The fact is, we made a nice little
arrangement. so nice that it has de-
ceived you. You have observed that
man down in my cabin. dressed a.
my steward! Well, that is the detec-
tive. lie came on board with false
beard aud dressed differently, but he
explained bis object to me and | gave
him the use Of NV cabin and pro.
cured him the clothes be wears"
THE CAPTURE.
The officers expressed some sur.
Prise. and after thanking the captain
retired. The truth flashed across
them in a moment. The supposed de-.
tec,ive was no other than the man
they were in pursuit Of! In half .
minute they were below. and in all.
other half minute the captains stew.
ard was msnscled and q prisoner.
The valise bc bad brought on board
vas discovered. aud on being opened
the money stolen from the safe on the
night Of Binqucr's murder was found.
On being taken back to Paris the
prisoner was identified as one Paul
Ricbet. a clerk formerly employed in
a warehouse where Binquer bad been
manager.
The evidence agains: the arrested
mau was SO overwhelming ss to rem.
der any defense useless. He admit.
ted bis guilt, confessing that be drop.
ped the poison int" a cup Of coffee,
having made up his miud to perpe.
trate the act some time before. As
he solemnly sverred, however, that
he did not intend TO do more than rem
der Binquer insensible for time, 10
was found guilty with extenuating
circumstances. aud on January Is
was sentenced to the bagne for life.