Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-08-29

and, being a man Of prominence, had been
interviewed by q journalistic friend. In
talking about his summer at Mount Desert
he had inadvertently mentioned the fact Of
seeing some strange woman there who
strongly resembled the Princess Natalie
Radziwill.
s'Of course, he added, laughingly, sit was
only a resemblance"
Nevertheless, a journalist Is often at his
wits end for news, especially when it must
be furnished at regular periods; and this
especial journalist. at that particular time,
CHANGED to be in that predicament. Thus
it happened that his weekly letter to a Lon
don society paper contained, among others,
this little item:
"a woman bearing a strong resemblance
to the Princess Natalie Radziwill Is at Bar
Harbor, n OF our fashionable Atlantic
watering-places. If she be the renowned
beauty, she has chosen to conceal her
identity under the nom de plume of Miss
Rochefort.n
A random arrow often hits where a we'll
directed shot fails. "A certain man drew a
bow at a venture and smote the King be-
tween the joints Of his harness." And this
bow, drawn at a venture, sped its arrow
straight to the mark, which was Louyait
and Leroi.
Those two worthless, in their eagerness to
get information relative to the mysterious
case, were in the habi of perusing all the
prominent dailies. They both read the fore
going item, and Immediately arrived at the
conclusion that it furnished the long-desired,
genuine clue.
Putting this and that together, they made
keen and untiring researches, and each
separately arrived at the second conclusion
that M fhp0rV U-aS az ron Snn a h1n ne the ona
that Louvait, about a month previously, had
written out and sent in to the head of the
police department of the governmental
theory that Leroi by dint of patient toll had
evolved some time later. To Louvait it had
come as IN inspiration. But whatever the
manner in which it arrived, conviction re-
manned with both. Each knew that he pos
sessed the right clue, and an angel from
Heaven could not nave persuaded him to the
contrary.
A steamer was to sail from Havre the
very next day, Louvait resolved to risk all
and to take passage upon her. His assistant
was given sole charge of affairs during his
masters absence.
Louvait went to the steamship agent, and
was about to enter a fictitious name upon
the passenger list, when his attention was
attracted by the previous name-"Jacques
AdI no kiiSid4ty 1SCOSulZCuI AS ualo
writing, disguised as it was. 1t was the
alias of his rival, Jean Leroi, who, in thus
getting ahead of him, had s'bitten of his
w nose"
Louvait looked up reflectively, apparently
debating the pros and cons Of some question
in his mind, butin reality carefully scanning
all the passengers.
Not twenty feet from him stood q tall,
muscular individual observing him in an
apparently nonchalant manner. He was
smoking a cigarette and carelessly leaning
against a pile of baggage. Louvait instant
ly recognized Leroi in an exceedingly clever
disguise. He saw, too, that the latter had
penetrated his own disguise. CHANGING back
at the sheet Of paper before him, he reflect
ed, but only for a moment.
A steamer of the White Star line was ad-
| vertised to leave Liverpool late the follow
ing afternoon. She was known as one of
| the feetest of Atlantic boats, and, even If a
| day later in her start, would undoubtedly
| overtake and pass the French vessel.
Laying the pen down, he asked, in a voice
lowered apparently that none should hear
| him, yet so distinct that the keen ear Of LIE
roi could not fail to catch it:
when does your next steamer go?'
sNext Saturday.
81 will go then, instead of to-day. Here is
the money for my passage"
Forthwith he proceeded to register his
name in the list of Saturdays passen-
gers.
With an absolutely expressionless face,
| and softly whistling to himself, he went out,
casting a seemingly careless glance at LIE
roi. That individual was deceived and could
scarcely restrain a look of triumph.
An hour later the steame sailed, and the
| deceived Leroi had the satisfaction Of see.
| ing his great rival, Jean Louvait, left be-
hind upon the docks-just as that guileless
creature took good care that he should.
Now for Liverpool Just twenty six
hours behind the Vile de Brest, the Ger.
manic steamed out Of Liverpool harbor with
Monsieur Jean Louvait among her passen'
gers.
While these events had been going on
Mr.. Nebbitt was on the alert. Contrary te
his expectations, Fairfax had actually alb
Quoted the Princess. Now hat his youne
friend had been so successful in the be
ginning of his hair-brained scheme, he was
, anxious that the denouement should be fully
as successful. Furthermore, his own IN.
furnished reputation was at stake.
He knew well that both Louvait and Leroi
suspected him of completely in the affair,
Both men had been imprudent enough te
visit him in their official capacity with re-
gard to the matter. And he knew them to be
men Of immense resources, energy and dis
elimination, and, accordingly, he took care
to post himself as much as possible upon
their doings.
Latterly they had both been unusually
quiet. Nebbitt suspected mischief.
One morning he came across a paragraph
in a London paper nearly eight days old. Il
1000 Az .tara frnT, fha n- aF tIn vna~,pp
correspondent. He read it, and knew i'm
mediately what 1t meant. 1t meant that LIE
roi and Louvait were already on their way
to America.
Putting himself III instant communication
with the police authorities at st. Malo and a
st. Brieux, he learned from the former tina
Louvait was s'absent, and might not be bacl
for weeks" From st. Brieux came a SINH
lar esponse as regards Leroi.
This, then, explains the fact Of Leroi ant
Louvait being on their way to New York
and also of Mr.. Nebbitt's sudden and imper
alive telegram to his captain.
Let us hear the adventures of these two
e~nterprising Frenchmen.
The Germanic arrived in New York har
Dor early one afternoon. As she was steam
ing up the bay another vessel, flying thu
French flag, followed a short distance be
hind her. Louvait scanned the vesse
carefully through a pair of powerful field
glasses. 1t was the Vile de Brest, ant
among her passengers he distinguished tn,
form Of his rival, Leroi.
All! said he grimly to himself, s.you ar,
clever, my friend, but I have beaten you hi
time"
Nevertheless, he was too cautious to pre-
sumo upon Leroi's ignorance of his presenc,
in America. Jean Leroi invariably tool
every conceivable p~recaution to ensure sue
cess, and none better than fear Louvai
knew this.
He studied the Railway Guide Book. Thi
told him that the only proper route to Ba
Harbor was ria the Fall River line from
New York to Boston; thence by way o
either the Eastern or Western Division o
the Boston G. Maine railroad to Portland
Me-. where he would be transferred to tn
Maine Central railroad, which route wouli
lead him directly to Bar Harbor.
One of the Fall River steamers left Ney
Fork at $50 p. M, another at 6:15 p. N
Leroi's extreme caution he knew woul
lead that mar to sail by the former. Coul
he himself only take the latter, there woul
be Just time to run down to the dock wher
the ..Namovna'' was moored, and Their
make a few investigations.
Again he inspected the Railway Guide
Passengers by the first boat were due
Boston at $50 the next morning; those b
the second at 900 a. Must fifteen mir
utes before the famous "Vestibule'' trai
left for Bar Harbor.
swell, let Leroi take the first boat, If b