The Penn's Grove record., 1888-10-27

newly-wedded couple, their families
and yourself appearing in the witness
box at the criminal courtl And all
that for a paltry five or six thousand
dollars. / have not yet arrived at that
point, thank HeavenI So, my dear sir,
you have seen nothing, have your 1t
goes without saying that in the future
this rascal will be deprived OF shaking
my hand. l am very much obliged to
YOU"
Desroches went out of the house
completely astonished. For this
frankly-honest man such exaggerated
mercy seemed like completely. So,
after rejecting a while. he went
straight to the police office and made
his report. giving q description of the
culprit, the number Of the cab, as well
as the address indicated to the driver.
Then he went home, his conscience
much lighter.
The following day, as Leroux was
starting for an early morning ride, he
received a visit from a detective, who
presented himself armed with all the
details given by Desroches. The banker
clenched his fist and vowed the indls-
Greet librarian to all the fines; then,
becoming calm, he declared that he
would not make a complaint against
.he thief. The detective was obliged
to withdraw without even knowing the
name Of the Jeweler who had sold the
necklace. Leroux refused to give him
the empty iewel-case.
''If you do not wish to prosecute the
government will do SC on its "
account" said the detective, in retir-
ing.
This declaration made a cold perspi-
ration appear OH the Gnancier's brow.
But, Ikea strong.minded man that be
was, he soon took a decision. He got
into his carriage and was driven to the
corner of the Boulevard and the Fau-
bourg Saint.M Martin. There he sent
away his carriage and went up to the
Foubourg on foot, until he reached a
understanding house. He mounted
three flights, rang at the door, and
handed his card. Five minutes after
wards he was alone with the famous
coindart, formerly employed at the
prefecture of police, and now at the
head of the best private detective
agency in Paris.
Monsieur" he said, SIN two words
here is what happened to me. Yester-
day l married my son. Among the
guests was a certain Italian count, who
was formerly associated with me i'll
some speculations, and who has since
become n of those numerous we'll
dressed swindlers that abound in Paris.
The mans name is Calcatroni, and he
has stolen the diamond necklace that 1
gave to my daughter-in-law."
"And you want us to follow him?"
said Coindart. in taking notes.
"I want you to follow him, but.
understand, l don't want him arrested.
l want his arrest prevented, and l
must tall5,ou THAT an imbecile has put
the prefecture ton his track. My re-
quest must astonish you, but without
epte~ing--n
"Nothing astonishes me, SIR" said
the ex-policemdn. you are not the
first one who has asked me to perform
a service Of this kind. If the public
knew all 1t would be less astonished at
seeing the police fail In certain cases
But let us return to your a You
desire that no disagreeable thing happen
to himl that is understood. But do
you wish to have the necklace restored
to your"
The lnancier reflected for a moment.
That would be, perhaps, the best
thing. But for myself the monetary
question is a secondary affair. What l
wish to avoid is an arrest; I don't want
any scandal or any judicial debates. 1t
goes without saying that the necessary
credit is placed at your disposal. Above
all, don't lose any time, for the other
side is already at work."
Thereupon the two mea took leave
of each other.
That very evening" as Calcatronl
came out of the opera, he stopped to
light his cigar. A stranger stepped up
to him and very politely asked him for
a light. Taking off his hat to thank
Calcatroni for the favor, the unknown
gentleman SAID to him, monsieur CAL
catroni, do you intend to return home
this EVENING""
Leroux's former partner shrugged his
shoulders in hearing his name pro-
nounced by this stranger, but he at
recovered his self possession, aud
with the smile of a man who was very
much amused, said:
"My dear sir, this is the first time in
the last thirty years that a human
being ever troubled himself about my
habits. However, 1 don't mind telling
you that In half an hour l shall be in
my bed"
"That's where you make a mistake"
Coindart. sin less than ten
minutes you will be in a cab with two
detectives who are waiting for you at
your door. So, If you believe me, let
US turn about and sleep at my house.
BY the way, where are the diamends2"
Calcatroni remained perplexed for a
few seconds. He had the jewell. in his
pocket. He finally said, haughtIly:
This joke has gone far enough. To
begin with, who are you?"
"a fairy and a good angel, as in the
BLACK Dcmlno,' A." said Coindart. ~
am the ~con6dant Of your friend Leroux,
who does not wish a hair Of your head
to fall under the prison shears. You
don't believe me. Come with me and
l will show you in the distance the two
ready to nab you"
"Let us go to your house at once"
said the Italian. I'VE can talk better
But they had scarcely turned the
corner Of the Faubourg st. Martin
when Calcatroni had admitted his ''hal-
lucInation.''
"a debt of honor" he explained.
"Tliree thousand dollars lost at play
that l must pay to-day. 1 put the
Id pawn for that sum. lie.
roux needn't have any fear; 1 will
return themko him. That dear Lerouxl
1t is very KIND OIL his part to have
spared his old chum! You will tell him
how grateful l am."
Calcatroni did not sleep very well at
his protectors house; but, at least, the
who watched for him were
obliged to return without their prey.
From that moment 1t was an homeric
struggle between Coindart and his for
mer comrades at the prefecture; while
they tried to track their nan he
mar9avred to outwit them until he
find an opportunity to send Cal
to England. Between two