River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-06-04
ADROITLY FOILED.
Cincinnati Inquirer.

wife acted as though demenbed Wnen
she learned that her husband had passed
away, and her intense grief and pro-
longed hysteria gave rise to the belief
that tho unfortunate woman would her
self soon follow the husband whose loss
she seemed to feel such poignant grief
for. When Senior La Barriers will was
probated it was found that he had be-
queathed his entire fortune to his wife,
and as no one disputed the testament,
the young wife decided to turn the for
tune left her into ready cash and leave
ST. Thomas.
Shortly after senora's departure, the
servant who had been employed in the
family of Senior La Barrier informed
the chief of police that he had occasion
to believe tnat his late master had been
poisoned. and that no less parsonage
than La Barriers wife had committed
the crime. He handed the chief vial
of prussic acid, which he said he saw
drop from senora's pocket, wrapped in
a handkerchief, couple of nights be-
fore his masters death, and though
doctors certificate declared that death
was occasioned by peritonitis, he was
morally certain that the man had been
poisoned The body of La Barrier was
subsequently exumed, and post NOR
tenn revealed the fact that death was
occasioned by prussic. acid.
Suspicion pointed to the wife as tbs
murderess, and steps were at once ia
stituted by the murdered mans sister
in-law to discover the whereabouts of
Sonora La Barrier.
"Black Pedro" the detective, was at
the time we speak of probably better
known to the criminal class of Cuba
and Mexico than any other man living.
To him was intrusted the finding of
Sonora La Barrier, and it was under
peculiar difficulties that the officer start
ed out to find the woman. His ability
in such cases was never doubted, and
his daring and bravery were bywords
with every one.
BLACK Pedro" had reached Vera
Cruz in his search for the missing
woman, and one day he impaired the
object of his visit to fellow officer.
After explaining all the circumstances
which had come to his knowledge con-
corning the young and beautiful widow,
he said that there was no doubt in his
mind whatever but that she had muir
dered her husband and fled to place
of safety with all his wealth. The
friend became silent for a few moments,
and then frightening up said he
thought he could put his friend on the
track of the party he was in search
of. That evening the two visited the
theatre, and seated IN a box, resplen-
dent in Jewels, and silks, sat woman
whom "Black Pedro" recognized by the
description and portraits given him, as
the party he was in search of. When
"Black Pedro" and his friend parted
that night, the latter said:
BE careful, Pedro, or that hand
some creature will trick you and make
her escape"
On the following morning Pedro
stood in an ante-room adjoining the ele-
CANT apartments of Senorita Lapuerta,
awaiting that ladys presence. As she
appeared in answer to his card the de-
tective quietly said
"Senora, 1t is my duty to arrest you'll"
"You dare not!"
The woman's lips were white with
passion, rather than fear, and she stood
before the detective like honess at
bay.
He himself could not help but note
the striking beauty of the woman. Tall
and slender, eyes black and flashing,
almost lurid Mt the time, the spectacle
she presented standing there in the mid
die of the room was more the appear
ance of queen than a hunted crimi-
nal.
II must, replied BLACK Pedro, II
do not doubt your innocence. Looking
in your face, it is strange that any one
could couple it with guilt. But j am
constrained to do my duty, sonora, how
ever unpleasant it may be to my feel
ings."
Twill you allow me to change my
dress ?" she said, in a tone almost pleas
ant. The hard lines around the mouth
had relaxed and the passionate glow on
the face gave way to pleasant smile.
Certainly. l will wait for you
here"
81 also wish to send messenger for
a friend. Will you permit HIM to pass?"
Certainly
AS the woman left the room "Black
Pedro" stepped to the window and said
to his mate, who was waiting at the
street door
"Senora desires to send messenger
for friend; permit him to pass"
Almost the same instant the door of
the apartment that sonora had entered,
opened, and youth-apparently a
mulatto boy-came out and passed hur
riedly through the room into the hall,
and from thence into the street. 1t was
no doubt the messenger, Pedro thought
and he picked up book and began
reading.
Nearly an hour passed, and still seno-
ra did not make her appearance, nor
did the boy return. The friend she had
sent for must have lived at some dis
lance. "Black Pedro" thought, or Sc
nora was unusually careful about her
toilet. and so another hour went by.
At last the detective grew impatient,
and knocked at the door.
"Senora / can wait no longer"
There was no reply. He knocked re-
peatedly, and ut last determined to eff
feet an entrance Strange fear harassed
him; he began to suspect he knew not
what 1t took but moment to drive
in the door, and, once in the apartment,
the mystery was revealed. Senoras
robes lay upon the floor, and scattered
over the room were suits of boys wear
ing apparel, similar to the one worn
by the mulatto boy. On table was
cosmetic that would stain the skin to
light delicate brown. BLACK Pedro"
was fooled for certainty.
Sonora had escaped in the guise OF
messenger. Why had he not detected
the ruse? He felt Inundated and de
termined to redress his error. He
knew sue would not remain in the city
an instant longer than she could help.
He hurried to her bankers, but found
that she had drawn the amount due her
an hour before.
"Who presented the check?" asked
the detective.
"A mulatto boy-it was made paya-
bic to bearer"
There was yet a chance. A steamer
left within an hour for America; it was
possible she would seek that means of
escape "Black Pedro" jumped into
carriage and arrived at the wharf ten
minutes before the vessel left-iust in
time TO assist an aged and decrepit
gentleman into the cabin. There were
few passengers; none of them answered
the description of the person the detec-
-: hit He ctood IN fha wharf