Louisiana capitolian., 1880-02-07

caused tho strange explosion, think
ing it possibly might lead M some
thing that came in my line Of bust
ness"
The supposed fragments Of tho box
were shown to him. He examined
them carefully, then said:
"T'hey are undoubtedly parts Of
some ''infernal machines" and this
unfortunate fellow, by stealing it from
my office, has possibly saved mo from
the fate that has overtaken him.
However, I shall know all about the
affair from Mrs. Harris, my landlady,
when get to my rooms," added he.
After taking careful look at the
dead man, the detective took his de-
parture and hastened towards his
office. lie felt u little uneasy rs his
thoughts dwelt upon this evident at.
tempt upon his life, and while he
was determined to use every means
in his power to discover the miscre-
ants, he felt likewise that he must be
wary in his movements until they
were captured and placed beyOud the
power to do mischief.
Who the parties were was beyond
his conjecture; once he thought 1t
might be Dol,sou, the koniackcr, per-
haps escaped from prison. Then
again, he Thought it probable that
Horace Mansfield had escaped, or
been pardoned, aud came over to
have his revenge. Then in review
came the different persons whose lib
erty had been cnrtailed through his
means, and from among the whole he
was unable tosettle upon any one who
would resort to 80 ticndish mode Of
revenge, perhaps Dorvillc, the Fred
erick City "mystcrious burglar"
whose term of imprisonment had pro-
badly expired. When he reached his
rooms he ut once questioned Mrs.
Harris concerning the box.
"Oh, Mr.. Varnoe," cried she, great
ly agitatcd, 81 fear ] am much to
blame to leave tho room while that
man was here"
1t was evident that she supposed
he knew about the box being stolen,
and was about to give her Il round
lecture tor her carelessncss. But she
was agrceably affected when she in
tcrruutnd her ly SWING:
"Never mind about that, Mrs. lIar-
ri,. Only answer the questions !
shall ask you. Who brought the box7"
"A small, gcntccl-looKing gentle
man," replied she.
"lIave you seen him beforc?"
"Not to my knowledge"
"But would you know him If you
were to sec him again ?"
81 am sure ] would" she replied
with animation, "I would know him
by his eyes even If he wore the most
complete disguise, for one cannot
generally disguise eyes, unless one
concealed them behind green Cog.
glcs."
"What popularity were about
his eyes 7"
"Thcy were tho blackcst, brightest
and most restless eyes ever behcld," 7"
said she. They seemed to see every
thing In the room ut one sweeping
glance"
"Pc,c Iram, as / live" exclaimed
the detective; then he asked, "Was
he alone 7"
"Alonc here" was the reply ; but !
watched his departure from behind
the window shade, and at the corner
he was joined by a tall, elderly man,
and they walked together"
"NIanstield in disguise, no doubt"
Varnoc thought, as he left the lady's
presence aud entered his office to
study the matter over. He had seat
ed himself when tap was heard at
the inner door, and his landlady en-
tered, saying, as she handed him Il
letter. "rhis came with the box, sir,
and | was to let no one see it or handle
it but yourself"
He took the letter, and when alone
once more opened it ut once. A
small key dropped out Of the envol-
om; after curiously examining it, he
placed it in his pocket, then read the
precious epistlc. 1t ran thus:
"This key will open the box, the
contents of which are intended solely
for my friend Valnoc, as he has richly
earned them.
Signed-"An unknown, but appre-
ciative friend"
lie at once recognized the chirog-
raphy of Horace Mansfield. There
was no attempt at Disgusting the
hand, and it suddenly occurred to
him that Mansfield knew him only as
Varnoe, and had probably not the
slightest suspicion that he was the
man he had so deeply injured in Eng
land or he would have hcsitated in
writing this letter, knowing that the
writing would be recognized by AL
fred Peters.
"This blow, then, was intended as
Il revenge on the detective, who had
captured his wife, sister and her hus-
band, as well as himself, in the midst
Of their triumph" thought he. every
good. But, my fine fellow, | shall
treat you to another dose of "Varnoe''
before many days, if YOU have the
tcmerity to remain in the city forty
eight hours longer"
Adopting a deep disguise, he rep
resented well to-do traveller of past
middle age,andhe at once enteredupon
the task he had planned out for him
self. He first went to the Girard
House and registered himself by an
assumed name, then took a seat in
the reading-room and buried himself,
seemingly, in the perusal of an even
ing paper, but covertly watched every
man who entered the apartment.
The evening passed, but he did not
see the two villains he was seeking
He remained until after breakfast
uavt moruinr then went to another