Evening journal., 1891-11-05
CALCATRONrS REVENGE.

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OF course you remember that affair
which caused SO much gossip four or five
years ago at the wedding Of Antonin Lee
roux, the bankers son, and Mile. Combe
aux Fontaines
Leroux had formerly been associated
with an Italian count named Calcatroni,
who was often numbered among the bank
er's guests. He is seen there no more,
however.
There were rumors afoat casting doubt
on the solyency Of the bank, and many
persons predicted that the marriage would
never take place, yet it did, and the pres
ents were magnificent.
Among the guests was an old friend Of
the brides family, the learned Desroches,
librarian OF the Garde Meuble, a man
whose position obliged him to cultivate two
very different qualities Il was necessary
for him 10 be at the same time the most
courteous and the most suspicious of men
to treat every reader ia the library as a
brother in science, an esteemed friend, but
a friend who must be closely watched and
whose pockets must be probed with a
glance
II know many good women aud honest
men, he often said "but there is no hui
man being on earth who is not at some
time of life tempted to walk Off with a val
able book -
To return to the wedding On leaving
the church the bridal party and guests
went TO Nine. Leronx's house, where col.
lation was served. In one OF the parlors
the presents were on exhibition, according
10 a despicable custom which forces every
guest 20 contribute with generosity often
involuntary. Among the iewelry was a
diamond necklace, the gift Of the bride
groom's father, which attracted every eve
and put TO flight all doubts as 70 the state
Of the bankers finances II cost 10 Coo
crowns at the lowest estimation.
While every one WAS busily engaged il
the dining room sudden clamor arose,
and whisper passed from one guest TO
another
The diamond necklace is stolenw
Mr. Ieroux behaved like true aristo-
crat. When the catastrophe was reported
to him he turned red in the face for an in
slant, but recovered himself Immediately
and said in tone OF calmness.
DO not excite yourself, my friends A
mere money loss is not a mortal wound. /
do not want a trining disappointment to
east gloom over a day like this Ny dear
children, may this slight and Unforeseen
shadow be the only one 10 fall across your
life's pathwayw
He is plucky dog muttered phil
osophcal guest, but all felt the situation
painful one, and most Of the guests
breathed more freely on finding themselves
outside the house
In ten minutes the rooms were empty,
and then a servant informed Mr.. Leroux
that a gentleman wished to speak to him
IN the library. Hurrying in be found Des-
roches who was evidently much excited,
Mr., LerOuX," said the old librarian,
the duties Of my profession have caused
me TO acquire the habit OF watching the
people around me. saw the diamond
necklace stolen. The thief is man OF
about fifty, tall, slim and very dark He
must be friend OF yours, for ! noticed
him shaking hands with you repeatedly in
the sacristy after the marriage. have
been following him, and was about TO
speak 20 him when were separated by the
crowd IN the street, aud he got into a cab
and escaped me. ! took the number, how
ever, and you viii have no difficulty in
tracing the fellow. OF course, ! shall he
delighted 70 testify. Shall we 60 to the
police at once?M
stood barring the door, As il he thought
Deeroches himself the thief
wait minute, please" he exclaimed.
II think / know the person you suspect
Suspect? The deucem interrupted Des.
roches. II tell you ! saw III Thanks 70 d
mirror, l distinctly saw him put the dia-
monds into his pocket. He will sleep in
jail tonight-that il, II be is sleepy. Only
we must not lose any lime y
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Desroches; the
unfortunate wretch will sleep in his own
bed. am not very intimate with him, but
We once had business relations with each
other do not choose to prosecute him.
Therefore, monsieur, you saw nothing dc
/ you UNDERESTIMATE Accept my thanks for
| your trouble
Desroches left the house in a state OF
ainazement Such magnanimity seemed TO
him To SAVIOR Of completely, and after
| thinking the matter over carefully, he re.
/ paired 70 the Office Of the project Of police
and reported the theft, giving all the de
tails possible, aud then went home with 4
lightened conscience The next day lie
roux was visited by an officer, and, on see.
ing the librarians signature, he clinched
his list ana wished his oiiici0us friend with
| the kuries- lie declared his intention 81
] making no complaint IN the matter, and
dismissed the officer. Five minutes later
he WAS in secret council with Coindart
manager Of the best detective agency il
Paris He stated the case in few words
and his listener added;
And you wish ms 10 keep watch on tn,
count
Yes replied I.eroux. "you are I,
watch, but not to arrest him; on the con
trary, you art TO prevent his being ar
rested. An idiot Of man has gone an,
put the police on his track Coindar
took notes in shorthand, and Leroux sddeC
! uHeasily.
1T probably seems strange 20 youn-
| Nothing seems strange TO me" inter
rupted the detective "and this is not thu
first time have had such charge II tn,
public knew all our secrets they would b
less astonished az the failures Of the polio
TO make arrests understand. You wisl
our gentleman TO be put TO no incon
venience whatever
Y That evening Calcatroni, on leaving tn