The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-24
SOME MISDIRECTED LETTERS.
CHAPTER IV-(CoNTINUED.)

ANOt Ihoh tilCl htOhbiSdit hO
swered, with much urbaneness, II am
French. ] expect | am rather Italian
in my accent and complexion. Several
people have made the same mistake.N l
expect that we natives of the South of
France have much that is apparently
italian about U.S."
"I believe, Monsieur Bertrand, that l
have letter in my pocket belonging to
you, but addressed to another person.
Your interesting conversation about
poisons called it to my recollection. 1t
was addressed to young woman who
answers to the name of Louisa, and
threatened, | am sure quite playfully, to
use poison in case she returned to
England"
watched the face narrowly. He did
shis best to preserve an impression of per-
feet impassibility. But those mobile
features were incapable of preserving an
entire reserve. At last he stammered
out, not without shame and hesitation,
letting an italian expression pass him
in his agitation:
"I think, signor, for once you are
altogether under mistake"
pardon me, there is no mistake. l
am the more sure of this as myself have
seen you with a young lady named Lou
lisa, which is really the same as Louise,
when l was guest of Lord Bullingford
at the Castle, and you were then the
chef of his kitchen" a
From red to white, from white to red
the red becoming fiery red, the white
a livid, fabby white-the usual trans
itions of detected villains face. Before
he had time to utter renewed denial,
which | was sure was coming, went
on:
II suppose you do not wish me to step
forward before the company and de-
nounce you as liar and a cheat? If
not you will sit down quietly and answer
my questions in way so as to avoid OBJ
servalion."
Watched the man fixedly. He couched
as quietly as lamb.
II could give you in charge of the po-
lice for cheating the insurance company
by means of forged documents"
II never got any money from the in
surance Company"
I passed over that virtual admission
involved in these words, and added:
"By tire law Of England the attempt
to do so is pretty nearly the same as if
1t had actually done it." S..
'It is very stupid law"
EXACTLY. We English are very
stupid people. But what want to know
is whether you have added murder to
your other accomplishment"
II have not committed any murder"
Perhaps you would like to do 50, mon
sieur. Perhaps that wonderful ring of
yours is not so secured that you could
not use it in case. of an emergency
against friend or an enemyW
Il wish l could press it against your
heart"
f, There was something so wolfsh and
murderous in the mans expression that
am convinced that he would have tried
the chance Of life to life if we had been
alone upon the deserted heath outside.
But looked at the four fine gentlemen
at table, who were languidly slipping
their wine and lazily conversing, and
knew that they would prove trusty
bodyguard, who would save me from the
inconvenience of ferocious encounter.
"There is no use talking, Monsieur
Bertrand, or Monsieur Benz, or Signor
Mirobalante-whatever you are pleased
to call yourself. You will be good
enough to answer one or two questions,
or l will have to give you in charge"
"And if satisfy your demands, you
will make nofurther disturbancew
"That depends on how I am satisfied
with your answers"
"And you will not say anything to
these gentlemenY'
II shall certainly tell my friend Mr..
Dunno the sort OF man whom he has for
a neighbor. But will not do so for the
next six weeks, and you will have time
to clear out of the country"
The unhappy man made shrug of
despair.
flhat will not make any real difference
to you, Monsieur Bertrand. I wonder
why you want to keep up the imposition
of being country gentleman"
Because, sir, l am gentleman, and /
like to be with gentlemen, and the Eng
lish are the best gentlemen anywhere. I
am an artist--as much of an artist as
the President in your Royal Academy.
have composed dinners for Lord Lister
there, though he has not known it; and
they have not been as good dinners as l
have given you under my humble roof
tonight. And when / make my money
like an artist, / like to spend it like
lord. like to have stake and seat
in the country, where can retire in the,
interval Of professional work"
listened with intent interest to the
avowal made by. this singular being. I
could not help saying:
"And suppose that. all this fine talk
Is what you have picked upin the houses
of the people where you have beenw
"Yes; and few of the painters CT pic
( lures and writer's of books know as much
about them as / know"
"But, Monsieur le Chef, the time is
short. I have some questions to put,
and some of them are looking this way.
Is your Lady Louise alive?"
siVn,, x.y;1i not ~; x,< 49,. Z. l.