St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-09-09
AS he left the mousse he noticed that

awaiting MIN, TO HlanCatlOu mousse,
whence he was not allowed to go until
he embarked for the Cape of Good
Hope, the diamond necklace being all
the while upon his person.
There was on board the vessel an
English officer with whom the count
was on friendly terms, and in whose
honor he had the greatest confidence.
He was there to bid farewell and wish
him a safe and comfortable voyage.
While alone with this officer, Las
Cases told him the story of the dia-
monds and induced him to take charge
of them, and if possible restore them
to their imperial owner. He promised
to seek chance of doing so unObserv-
ed, despite the extreme watchfulness
of those spies whom Sir Hudson Lowe
took care should always surround the
the emperor, with such dread was the
possibility of his again escaping them
regarded. 1t was two years before the
opportunity sought by the English of
ficer presented itself.
One day, Napoleon, irritated and an
nOyed, perchance by some new failure
of plan to escape, which 1T is now
known he was continually scheming,
complained bitterly of one particular
spy who was always DIGGING his foot
steps. and whom he scOrnfully de-
scribed as an English gentlemen and
soldier. 81 declare" said he, "that
cannot even walk out to inhale little
fresh air without finding the eyes of
this spy noting every step take, and
everything look ado they want to
kill me with petty annOyances Z"
A few minutes afterwards the man
he spoke of stood before him, bowling
and respectfully requesting permission
to speak with him.
"Begone, sir, begone !" exclaimed the
emperor, angriIy, as he turned from
him with a gesture of supreme con-
tempt. 'T do not converse with spies
there can be no communication be-
tween us-tell your employer so-be-
gone, sir, begOne ="
"You mistake, SIRE" said the officer.
"Count de Las Cases, my friend, gave
me for you, this - the necklace of
Queen HOrtense-we are quite unOb-
served, take it, sire, take it quickly"
With a startled look the emperor
turned back and looked at him steadi-
ly, yet suspiciously, and then said:
"GO on, sir"
The officer in a low, quick voice,
said:
81 have had it for two years, and
have been watching you almost daily
THE emperor laughed with the hope
of getting this chance, but most I'M
fortunately, your majesty seemed to
avoid me"
81 did," said the emperor, with an
air of being amused. "Well, well,
have you the necklace now with you "
81 have, sire ; remove your hat and
as l pass, it shall be dropped into it.
And now, that l have at last fulfilled
my mission, | shall no longer earn
your suspicious. God bless and pre-
serve you, sire"
Some days before the emperor died
in captivity in April 1921, he called to
his side Gen. MOnthOlon.
sMy dear general, my FRIEND" he
said, in faint, laboring voice, turning
his eyes languidly toward him, ''under
my pillow is a very valuable diamond
necklace, it belongs to Queen Hor-
tense, and should you ever escape from
this terrible island, | wish you to re-
turn it to her-if-if she should be
alive-but they say she is dying, dying
of grief, heart-brOken for Napoleon
and France. If when you leave here
she is no mOre--it must be given to
her children-poOr things-they will
need it,"
"Sire," said the general, with tears
gathering in his eyes and rolling down
his cheeks, 81 swear to obey your COM
mands."
'Be with me to the last" was the
next request, "don't leave me-"
And by that historic death bed, like
a watchful sentinel, the old soldier re-
NAMED and when the last gasp was
given, the last breath gone, as DIR.
Antomarchi's solemn voice was heard
in the mOurnful words, Giles gone
all is over !" the necklace was quickly
taken from beneath the dead mans
pillow and transferred to the generals
pocket.
Montholon carried it with him care
fully concealed over the seas into
America, and over many other lands,
amidst scenes of excitement and dan
gers of many kinds, before he once
more trOd the soil of his beloved cOun
try, and then, after visiting his aged
mother the first place he next visited
was Arenemberg, where the ex-Queen
HOrtense was residing. TO her charge
he once more cOnfided q relic which,
with it's many heart stirring assOcia-
tions, had acquired an almost sacred
character.
1t cost her a pang of heartfelt an
guish and many tears when stern, I'M
avoidable necessity compelled her to
part with the necklace, which was pur-
chased by the king of Bavaria for a
life annuity of 30OOfr. Two years af-
forwards Queen Hortense died, and
thus diamond necklace worth $780,
OOOfr. was purchased for 60O0fr.
Napoleon III. it was once said, made
efforts to recover the necklace, but
whether he did so or not is at present
more than the writer can tell.