St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-06-25
PART II.-TRACKED.

Two years passed, and the night of
my strange adventure in Paris had be-
come almost like dream to me. We
left France after my husbands return
from abroad, and on his quitting the
army we took up our residence in Lon
don. l had meanwhile received sever
al letters from my brother, written from
the Cape, and in answer to one | wrote
him in reference to the robbery, he re-
piled with the most solemn assertions
of his entire ignorance of the transac-
ton. l believed him. My husband
was silent on the subject, and l felt
thankful the Cape was SO far off. We
seldom referred to the circumstances
before recorded, for l could not bear to
recall the horrors of that evening in the
dark, desolate house.
One morning, however, was startled
by my husband saying suddenly, as he
looked up from letter he was read
ing:
81 say, Madge, they think they have
found clew at last to your Partisan
exploit read that"
He passed me over an official looking
letter, and l read as follows:
"Bureau de Police, Paris.
To CAPT. BRANsCoMB
Monsieur-We believe we have in
custody the boy who acted SO promi-
nent a part in the robbery committed
on Madame, your wife, in January '69.
He is concerned in an affair which
bears close resemblance to the one in
which your lady was the victim. Will
she come herself andif she can identify
him, and thus help to clear up a matter
which has long puzzled US all ? (Signed)
C.n
The thought of proceeding in this
case was at first very distasteful to me
but so much might be brought to light
by my making the effort, that I resolv-
ed, by Ralph's advice, to face the disa-
greeable task; and accordingly we
started for Paris that night
l will not enter into the details of the
case then under examination; suffice
to say it was robbery committed on
the wife of Col. Styles, under circum-
stances closely resembling those of
which 1 was made the dupe. In this
instance, however, boy had been ar
rested on suspicion, and it was this
same boy was called on to indetify.
l had not much difficulty in the matter !;
although he had altered in the time
that had elapsed since that memorable
evening, there were still those remark
able eyes, with their long dropping
lashes, and the pale delicate face, to
bear witness to his identity, and with
out the least hesitation declared him
to be the same boy who had guided me
to the house where had been robbed
on the evening of January %, 1869.
The boy did not seem at all discon-
certed at my recognition and even smiled
in slightly supercilious manner, as
though he felt himself secure from any
discovery resulting from my identifca-
ton. The authorities had been unable,
as yet, to elicit any information from
him; he baffled all their attempts at
questioning him with skill and cum
ming almost incredible in so young an
offender. All at once | was surprised
at an exclamation from my husband,
who stood near me:
"Good heavensw he said half audibly,
81 believe 1 see through the whole
plan what a blockhead l was not to
have thought of it before! but it was
neatly planned and carried out, by
JOve it was"
He crossed the hall to where Col.
Styles was sitting, and after speaking
to him few moments in low, hurried
manner, he asked leave to call wit
ness, who he believed might throw
some light on the matter in hand. Per-
| mission having LovH Srduteu, ne salu III
"The man calling himself Jules Fet-
Ter, body servant to Col. Styles, and
present in this hall is requested to stand
forward"
For the first time since our entrance
the boys face fell, and he looked per-
picked and rather dismayed. There
was a movement in the crowd, as
though some one was trying to effect q
departure from the door but the at
tempt being promptly frustrated, l saw
them lead into the witness box the
, French servant who had accompanied
my husband abroad, but who had left
, his service on his return to England
After some time passed in making in
: quiries, and eliciting very little from
, the cautious man before US, he wai
, searched, and many letters of his pres
ent employers were found upon him
also a pOcket-book, which contained
. memoranda, proving a great dea
. |
his wife and the boy in dock before us
No one else seemed concerned in hi
= fraudulent transactions.
: On further search the whole system
of his roguery was unfolded piece b.
= piece. He would take service witt
t gentlemen about to travel, imposing Of
y their credulity with false references
and gaining their confidence by hi
e well-trained demeanor and intelligen
f conversation. Once safely out of til
l country, he would commence his nefa
d riOus schemes, and with the aid of hi
S clever wife and child, carry them on
y successfully. Nothing was ever forgot
Y ten that could lead to the desired enc
L No fraud was ever started until the de
n tails had been thoroughly mastered b
y his accomplices, and the plan well ma
y tured. 1t is impossible to say ho
e many people he had defrauded in diffel