The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-15

peror, was taken away, together with
his iewelry.
While this search was proceeding,
Napoleon walking with Count de Las
Cases on the poop of the Belerophon,
and carefully glancing around to see
that no one was near enough to over
hear him, said, smilingly-
think it was Greek named Bias,
philosopher, who said, although he
had no lines on his back, all the fortune
he possessed he carried upon his per-
son. Open your coat and waistcoat."
Looking puzzled, NJ. de Las Cases
laughingly complied, and while he did
so the captive emperor brought from be-
meath his own wastcoat the silken
girdle. " Co." he said, " to the side
and put this on under your waistcoat.
/ find it troublesome-all / have in the
world - diamonds valued at 100000
francs are in it - take care OF them for
me-"
Las Cases often afterwards proposed
their restoration.
" Does my girdle incommode your"
asked the emperor on one occasion.
" Oh, no, sire, but"
" Nonsense, keep it. Fancy it is
some amulet or charm and forget all
about it."
In November, 1916, M. de Las Cases
was suddenly removed from st. Helena.
! He was in earnest conversation with
the emperor at Longwood when a
messenger informed him that Sir Hud-
son Lowe desired to speak with him at
| once.
Las Cases said, haughtily, that he
could not come, being engaged with his
sovereign, but Napoleon smilingly
urged him to obey.
" Go, count, 60" said he; " see what
he wants, butt" he added, significantly,
I" be sure you return to dine with me-"
The count did not return to dine, and
he never again beheld his emperor
AS he left the house he noticed it was
guarded by a party of dragons, by
which he was escorted, together with
his sick son, whom he found awaiting
him, to Plantation House, whence he
was not allowed to 90 until he en-
barked for the Cape of Good Hope, the
diamond necklace being all the while
upon his person.
There was on board the vessel an En-
glish officer with whom the count was
on friendly terms, and in whose honor
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 diamonds and in
duced him to take charge of them, and
if possible restore them to their impe-
rial owner. He promised to seek a
chance of doing so unobserved, despite
the extreme watchfulness of those spies
| tu,l,1, 7 nro
should always surround the emperor,
with such dread was the possibility Of
his again escaping then regarded. 1t
was two years before the opportunity
sought by the English officer presented
itself.
One day Napoleon, irritated and an
noyed, perchance by some new failure
of plan to escape, which it is now
known he was continually scheming
complained bitterly of one particular spy
who was always DIGGING his footsteps,
and whom he scornfully described as an
English gentleman and soldier.
declare" said he, b" that l cannot even
walk out to inhale a little fresh air with
out finding the eyes of this spy noting
every step ] take, and everything l
look ado they want to kill me with
petty annOyanceS!"
A few minutes afterwards the man
he spoke of stood before him, bowling
and respectfully requesting permission
to speak with him.
BECOME, sir, begone" exclaimed
the emperor, angrily, as he turned from
him with gesture of supreme con-
tempt. " | do nor 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 unObserved,
take it, sire, take it quickly"
With a startled look the emperor
turned back, looked at him steadily,
yet suspiciously, and then said
Go on, sir"
The officer in 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 unfor-
tunately, your majesty seemed to avoid
NE"
l 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, l shall no longer earn your
suspicious. God bless and preserve
you, sire"
Some days before the emperor died
in captivity, in April, 1921, he called to
his side General Montholon.
My dear general, my friend,n he
said, in faint, laboring voice, turning
his eyes languidly toward him, " under
my pillow is very valuable diamond
necklace; it belongs to Queen Hortense,
and should you ever escape from this ter
rible island wish you to return it to
her-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.'
50 Sire" said the general, with tears
gathering in his eyes and rolling down
his cheeks, g swear to obey your
commands -