The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-14
A Mystery Uqraveled.

Ihad been "doing" the continent in q
rambling way and had stopped for few
days at Venice.
Here l met my old college chum, Dick
Glover.
The latter had dbecome famous doctor
within the last few years.
Having at last married rich and
handsome young widow he had con-
cluded to take short period of relaxa-
tion, and hence his presence in this dis
tant cline.
Of course he was overjoyed to see me,
and having been there long enough to
know something of the place, he volun-
teered to show ME around.
''By George!" exclaimed, suddenly,
as we stopped before the piazza San
Marco. "There's as handsome picture
as ever saw. Innocence personifed.
Ayoung and most beautiful girl stood
before us, engaged in feeding the
pigeons.
The birds were marvelously tame, and
approached her fearlessly, even lighting
on her hands.
"Did you ever see more attractive
sight" asked my friend, enthusiast
cally, as we passed on.
"Hum | don't know" was the rather
doubtful reply. "Rumor has been busy
about that ladys name of late"
"In what way?" I asked Indignantly.
"Inever saw sweeter face in all my
life"
"Well, I'll tell you the story as near
as I've heard it. The woman is Countess
Ardotti. Her husband, the count, is re-
puted to be immensely wealthy, while
the wife was but a poor peasant girl
when he married her. OF course the
general belief is that she welded him
for his wealth. This would not amount
to much were it not for the fact that she
makes no effort to show her dislike for
her husbands society. happened to
be present at large ball given here a
few weeks ago. On that occasion the
countess firted shamefully with young
Italian, the son of some nobleman. Her
conduct attracted universal attention,
but she did not seem to heed that in the
: least. Now you see why am rather
more doubtful of her innocence than you
are"
: "Stll you may be mistaken by your
, prejudice against her. retorted gaily
), We arrived home at about four o'clock
\ in the afternoon, and the doctors wife
= met us with look of horror on hel
! face.
+ Have you heard the news ~ she
gasped. ''lsn't it perfectly horrible p
! "What news, dear?" asked the doctor
7 in surprise you'll have to enlighter
c us on the subject, I'm afraid"
= ''Count Ardotti has been murdered !"
q The doctor looked grave at this intelli
=, gence, and glanced toward me. As fc
1t myself, was trembling with conflicting
emotions.
If Let me hear the particulars?
5, asked, quickly.
~ 81 will tell you all l know" replie'
;e the lady. "The count was found sittini
!, in his chair with poniard driven in hi
II II heart. He must have fallen asleep an
been attacked in that state"
k "What time did it occur?" asked tn
g doctor, briefly.
a a About three o'clock they discovere
d him, and then his body was not quit
r cold. The countess was immediatel
y suspected of the crime. She was er
ar gagged in feeding the pigeons when the
"a arrested her, and there was blood upo
10 her delicate hands,
.'You was rather mistaken in yor
.s Judgment that time" said the doctor az
al dressing me. 81 suppose you'll adm
~ it now2"
s ,ts "Never!" I replied. ut strikes n
We that there is some deep mystery at ii
ry bottom of this, and that the countess
or still innocent
of "Your legal instinct is wrong this tim
"a Pm afraid" said the Doctors wife. "Tl
nd poniard with which the deed was dol
is. belonged to the countess, and has be-
ee e9 already identified"
cir "Pooh !" l retorted; shat is pro
m positive of her innocence. Noone but
a ev fool would have left an article behiI
M that would have convicted them.'
* * 81 left the doctor, and proceeded
sn once to the police officials. Ifound the
eft in perple1ity, some of them believing
Sc Sc the innocence of the countess, and
las rest firmly believing her to be guilty.
ear had provided myself with aletter Of