Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-03-30
A sHREWD TRICK.

however, did not always come of with
[ fiying colors, as the following anec-
dote will show. He had been init
mately acquainted in his younger days
with a wealthy Spanish nobleman, the
/ Count de Moncade, but had lost sight
of him for many years his friend hav-
ing. for family reasons, given up his
establishment in Paris, and retired 10
his estate in the neighborhood Of Sc
vile. Lenoir was, therefore, surprised
in receiving letter from the Count,
requesting him, as special favor, 10
endeavor by every means in his pow
er 10 ascertain if the son Of the CORE
spondent, who had secretly left Spain,
accompanied by an actress OF the To
ledo Theatre, was soJourning IN
France. Il have reasons TO believe,
wrote the Count, that the silly youth
has gone so far a 10 give the girl
written promise Of marriage, and as II
would be only right to make some pro
vision for her if she consents 10 aban-
don her preposterous claim, ! leave
you to conclude what pecuniary ar
rangements you may think proper
with her, and also TO furnish my son
with the necessary funds 10 return
home" The letter ended with an ex
act description of the two fugitives
Among the Lieutenants subordi
mates was a certain Pitrot, in whose
skill for unraveling mystery he had
the greatest confidence, and who had
often proved an invaluable auxiliary
where more than ordinary tact and
acuteness was required To him Le-
noir confided the task OF inspecting
the registers of new arrivals kept by
the various innkeepers and owners of
lodging houses, as the best means of
tracing the fugitives in the possible
event of their having taken refuge in
the Capital, communicating at the
same time for his guidance the de
scription Of their persons forwarded
by the Count. Two days passed with
out any favorable report from the
agent, but on the third evening he APP
peared with the tidings that he had
succeeded in his quest.
Il followed them unobserved to
their lodging in a wretched inn called
l. Hotel de Toulouse, which ! bad
omitted to visit, and there sir, you
will find them whenever it pleases you
to Judge for Yourself "a 10 their iden-
tity.n
Immediately on the receipt OF this
intelligence Lenoir, accompanied only
by Pitrot, repaired to the hotel in
question, and, summoning the propri-
etor OF the establishment, desired TO
be shown the room occupied by a
young couple recently arrived in
Paris. The landlord at first demurred,
saying that his guests received no Wis
itors, and had expressly forbidden
him TO disturb them on any prete1t
whatever On learning, however, in
whose presence he stood, he at once
changed his tone, and preceding them
up a narrow staircase To the top floor
of the house, pointed TO garret op-
posite, and submissively retired. AT
sign from him Pitrot knocked re-
peatedly on the door, which, after
some delay, was opened, and Lenoir,
leaving the agent outside, entered
miserably furnished room, and found
himself face to face with the individ-
uals OF whom he was in search. There
was no mistaking their identity, both
corresponding exactly with the de-
scription given; the Lieutenant there
fore did not hesitate to address the
son of his old friend by his family
name, and at the same time briefly ex-
planning the motive of his coming.
To his astonishment, however, the
young man, who evidently resented
this intrusion on his privacy, curtly
replied that he was not Moncade, but
Juan Gutierrez, Il merchant Of Cadiz,
travelling with his wife for their pleas
ure, and that he had done nothing to
justify any interference on the part Of
the police. You forget said Le-
noir, that your assumption Of false
name is sufficient cause for suspicion,
and have certain proofs that you ere
not the person you pretend TO be, any
further attempt at disguise is perfect
ly useless. At the words, spoken
sternly and deliberately, the self-styled
Cadiz merchant changed color; and
glancing irresolutely at his compan-
ion, q. pretty brunette, sitting in a
corner Of the chamber, at length
owned that he was the son Of Count
de Moncade, but absolutely refused
70 return TO his father and be conse-
quently separated from Estevanilla.
You need not be uneasy on her ac-
count, " said the Lieutenant; Il am
instructed to make suitable proyis-
ion for her il she consents TO give up
the idea of becoming your wife"
He had scarcely finished speaking
when the girl, who had hitherto re-
mained silent, suddenly rose from her
seat, and in a voice broken by emo
ton, declared that her lovers future
welfare being the first consideration
she was prepared to sacrifice her own
happiness to it. Here, sir, " she con-
tinued, lis the promise / never asked
for, but was forced upon on my ac-
ceptance; will no longer be an OBJ
stacle 70 his reconciliation with his
father. Estevanilla will resume her
old position, with the consciousness
Of having done her duty" In vain