The National tribune., 1895-06-20

1
entrance.
The curtains of the window of the vehicle
next TO the tbeater were slightly drawn,
and the strangely contrasting faces of Mime.
Sunflower and Col-de-Cocon (the Cocoon
were pressed against the glass. Their eyes
saw everybody who alIglned from the
stylish equipages.
Suddenly the occupants of the facre
uttered a startling cry of unison.
g" 1t IL she" exclaimed the Cocoon.
| " That is tie mani" cried Nine Sun1ower.
/ The handsome and well-dressed couple who
| had betn the cause of these exclamatiOns
| entered the opera house and the fiacre was
Immediately driven away. Collide Cocoon had
| recognized The lady who had given him the
note for the detective, and Nine. Sunfower
had picked ont La Belle Prune's dis
guished-looking lover.
That night lie Ferret and Monsieur lie
| Docteur had a merry time over several bot
ties of green seal.
| Make no mistake" said Corcassin. One
| will ruin you. You are nearly at the top round
| of the ladder"
| 81 know" smiled Topin. al don't propose
| TO drop 10 the foot by blunder Madame
is one of the beauties Of Paris, and Monsieur
| is u candidate for the Chamber OF Deputies.
Both have choice blood in their veins. Mad
| anne was once favorite i'll Venetian society.
| What is the matter, Doctor? You'll have
| another glass, won't you?"
| Dr. Corcass MS hand shook as he raised the
| glass 10 his lips.
| You know l don't like the Venetians,"
| said he, with smile THE three women
| poisoned in the gondolas and the detective
| killed at the palace settled me with the
Italian people. / wouldn't go hack to the
city of the Doges for all its wealth and
| spendor."
Not if you knew the secret poisoner was
in Paris?"
The Doctor shuddered and drained his
glass.
Gods, then I'd quit Psris!" he exclaim-
ed. "But you don't tell meH-
81 tell you nothing" broke in Tobin.
"Wait and see," and buttoning his coat to
the chm lie walk ed from the cafe, leaving
Corcassin to wonder what his strange words
meant.
1t WAS precisely three o'clock the following
day when a well-dresSed and good-looking
gentleman WIS admitted to one of the swell
hotels of Paris. Every body knew it was
occupied by M. Girardin and his beautiful
wife, who, near DO, did not look past %.
The couple had the entree to the most dis
tinguished circles Of Paris aud were fie-
qneners of the rather gay Republican court,
just then in the first flush of It's existence.
Monsieuer was wholly French, while
Madame had that peculiar beauty of the
ari.tocratic Italians, which is the distin-
gushing mark of the women of that country.
The caller whose card had conveyed to
Nine. Adele the name of NJ Auguste, pur-
chaser of brc-a-btacso for the elite, was shown
into the handsome parlGr, where he was re-
ceiyed by the fascinating mistress of the
house. In short time he was on pleasant
terms with Nine. GraIdin, who rather sud-
denly proposed 10 show her visitor some of
the rarest wine in Paris.
Her eyes seemed to sparkle anew, and when
the wine was brought in she opened the bottle
with her own hands and filled NJ. Augustes
goblet. A moment later Madame excused
herself for a time, and the buyer of bric-a-
brac was alone
Will Monsieur step this way and inspect
my purchase? % said a woman's voice at the
door, and The visitor saw the pretty face of
Madames maid. Madame Will not return
for a minute, and my chamber is near at
handn
Nj. Aupuste left his untasted wine and
Joined the girl. She showed him a unique
specimen of pottery on her mantel, got his
him back to the parlor-
As he seated himself Madame came in.
She looked more beautiful than ever The |
next moment, with sang-froid that was
startling in its very coldness, M. Auguste !
drew an empty phial from an inner pocket |
and began TO empty his wine into il. The |
eyes of NJ. Girardn,s wife seemed ready to |
start from her head. She became the color |
Of marble.
"In Gods name, what are you going TO do |
with your wine, Monsieur" she exclaimed. |
The brio a-brac purchaser smiled coolly.
Pm going TO let my friend DIR. Coreassin |
examine it," was the reply.
Mime. Adele gave another Mortified look |
and sprang to her feet
"Let me explain, Madame continued NJ. |
Auguste, rising and clutching her wrist. |
You know me. You recognized me the |
moment ] entered your presence. / am
Monsieur Topin, of the secret police want |
the poisoner of La Belle Prune, your hus-
bands last yjctim-to say nothing of the
three women and the detective of Venice.
You dared me to find you out by sending
Col-de-Cocon to me with information OF your
last crime. | took the dare, Madsme and |
that is why am here. You have mingled
the subtle Italian poison with my wine l |
heard your step as left the parlor to inspect |
Susetteis vase-a shrewd thought of yours.
The wine to DIR. Corcassin, yourself to La
Roquette. How do you like the prospeet?"
She stoodlmotionless and quiet before the
Ferret of Paris.
a am the fool of the edrama," she suddenly
exclaimed. "My mistake has been in under
rating your abilities. have dealt with the
Venetian police. They are nothing. To La
Roquette, NJ. lie Ferret. If La Belle Prune
had had a thousand lives would have taken
them ALL" ,cs
The gay city could not sleep that night for
discussing the arrest of the beautiful Nine.
Girardin for murder, As her history come
out bit by bit to her husbands astonishment
she became a new BPrgia whose career of
secret death. born, under italian skies, had
just begun to flourish in Paris.
The trial was sensational and eventful.
Paris saw Nine. Sun10wer and Collide Cocoon
side by side IN court. - 1t heard the confes-
sion of NJ. Girardin, who expressed no sorrow
for the death of Jeanette Belle Prune and
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