The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-05-31
A CLEVER PLOT.

On the night of November 7th, 1878,
two men were seated in wine shop in
the Rue st. Antoine, Paris. Both
were young, well dressed aud looked
like respectable clerks in some mercan-
tile house. They sat at the far end of
the room, drinking, smoking and con-
versing earnestly.
Presently tall, well-proportioned
man entered, fashionably sttired. AS
he sauntered in he glanced around
quickly at the occupants Of the various
tables. At length his eyes rested on
the two young men already described.
He advanced toward them and saluted
them with much apparent cordlality.
Having shaken hands with both, he sat
down beside them and insisted on
ordering champagne. The wine was
brought and the group conversed freely.
The newcomer was addressed as
Charles, and the others as Jacques and
Adolph respectively.
4 have lost sight Of you, Jacques
said Charles, for over a month.
Where do you put yonrself2 1 was
afraid you had been nipped,'
Not that yet,' was the reply; Il
have been spending month with a
wealthy friend.'
Jacques laughed and Adolph joined
in with apparent heartiness.
"A wealthy friend, Charles said; is
he still wealthyP"
Another laugh followed this remark,
and the three then spoke together in
low tones.
THE fact is,' said Adolph, Jacques
is on heavy lay and is patiently serv-
ing his apprenticeship to fortune.
'Ah, what is itP' Charles asked with
interest; adding; 'Our methods are
different and we are and always have
been fast friends. Why make a secret
of it2'
True; 1 can trust you above all
men, said Jacques; for you came to my
relief in that troublesome matter when
1 forgot my own name and signed
another mans and but for you might
have been shifting the breeze of the
Mediterranean at the greatest Of all
national watering places
TO wit, bfarseilles,' said Charles,
putting his finger to his nose significant
ly.
Just so, said Jacques, adding We'll,
then l will let you into my secret.
You remember sweet little Margueritep
oh, yes, very well, Charles answer
ed; where is shep'
She reformed, was the answer, with
q leer, and found employment as a
nursery governess with the family of
Callaca, the wealthy diamond broker,
who resides in theBoulevard du Temple.
/ happened to meet her one day near
the Jardin Lire, and had pleasant
talk with her. 1 met her by appoint
ment many times subsequently and
learned many interesting facts from
her, among the rest this: Monsieur
Callaca keeps his most valuable dia-
monds in a small safe in his bedroom,
inside small metal box
The three men were silent and ex-
changing glances full of meaning.
Then they touched glasses, Charles say
ing, as bis glass jingled against the
glasses of the others, 'Slccessl'
you see,' continued Jacques, our
MARGUERITE Is so good girl that she
is treated almost like one of the family,
and has repeatedly seen Monsieur
Callaca place diamonds In the box and
in the safe. All how sweetly the child
has described theml 1t has often made
my mouth water. Well 1 promised to
marry Marguerite and to reform myself,
told her how anxious 1 was to get a
decent situation in a reputable family,
the nearer to her the better. The dear
girl recommended me to her master
and l have been his valet for a month.
How much longer are you likely to
stay, Charles asked.
We have just been talking it over,'
replied Jacques. This morning Mar
guerite saw her mistress, who always
keeps the keys, examining in the box
diamonds of rare value and
He hesitated and looked toward
Adolph who said: ooh, that is good.
Tell him all. We can trust him, and
he won't offer to join us because the
job is not in his line.'
Very well,' Jacques said, then l
will go on. Tomorrow night Madame
Callaca gives party. Adolph will be
among the guests, and with my help
will leave early-with the diamonds
'Excellenti' exclaimed Charles;
wish you complete success
4 picture to myself said jacques,
the CONSERVATION of monsieur when
he discovers his loss. Marguerite says
that if he gets a hundred francs less on
a bargain than he expected, he will lay
his head in his wife's lap, and moan
and say, 20 Marie, we are ruined, we
are Iuinedl What will he say when he
misses his diamondsP'
After some further talk the man
arose and departed. At the Rue de
RIYoh they separated, Charles going to-.