, 1886-09-10
The PRINCESS, DIAMOND NECKLACE
An Episode OF the First Em3ire-The
Partisan Police Ramed.


One evening when Napoleon l. was in
all his glory, there was a grand gala pro-
duction at the Grand opera. How many
reigning kings and princes occupied the
boxes and balconies, it is impossible for
me to estimate; the very seats usually oc-
cupied by the claqucurs were filled with
noblemen.
The Princess Borghese, the beautiful
and accomp lished Pauline, sparkled and
shoue in her box, eclipsing all around her
by the splendor OF her loveline-s, as the
sun does its satellites by the brilliancy of
its rays. On her neck she wore a neck
lace, the diamonds and massive pearls OF
which, intertwined and blendld with
transcendent art, still further enhanced
her incompatible brilliancy. When she
entered her box there WIS a murmur OF
general admiration.
The imperial box opened in its turn, and
the master Of the world appeared, saluted
by these kings and princess with a for
midable cry of "Nive l. Empereurl' II was
generally remarked That the empress
seemed unable TO take her eyes off her sis
ter-in-law, and appeared to be fasci mated,
dazz ed, like the other occupants Of the
vast auditorium, Will the marvellous brill
nancy OF the necklace. Suddenly the box
OF the Princess Borghese opened. and n
young major presented himself, wearing
the brilliant b.uc and silver uniform of
the aide-de-camps of the emporer's sten.
"Her mai .sty the empress said he. bow
ing low, .ad mires the wonderful necklace
worn by your impel ial highness, and has
expressed the livelicst desire to examine it
closer" The beautiful Pauline made n
sign to one OF her ladies OF honor, who I'M
clasped and detached the necklace from
the princess neck and placed 1t in the
hands Of the staff officer. The latter
bowed gravely and disappeared. This ep-
isodc occurred toward the middle of the
second act. The entr' acte came and
passed away The third act concluded in
Its turn. Tn fourth act came and passed.
and the entertainment concluded. yet still
the necklace was not returned.
The Princess Borghese took this for Il
characteristic freak of Marie Louise's.
Next day, however, she asked If the neck
lace had pleased the empress, and whether
she had found the setting and arrange
ment of the jewels to her taste. The EN-
press was thunderstruck, for she had not
seen it and had sent no officer for it as de-
scribed. Napoleon deigned to mix him
self up In the affair. He had the names
OF ali the staff officers on duty the prece1-
ing evening ascertained. And then one
by one, under some pretext or other, he
had them called before his sister. sac
did not recognize one of them. They sum
moned the prince of Otranto, minister Of
police. A long counsel was held. Every
thing possible was done, but in vain. The
unfortunate Fouche was ready to tear his
ha r in despair. He had set his keenest
bloodhounds at work. His best detectives
were literally worn off their legs, without
result As to their imperial master, lie
was literally bubbling over with rage and
was almost on the point of thrashing his
chief of police. But neither the necklace
(Which was worth nearly IA million), nor
the audacious thief was ever seen again.-
san Francisco News Letter.