Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-07-06
replied The Countess.

to her Care for few moment, as tn
only satisfactory method Of disp ,sinI
OF the vexed question. ! will mysel
return it the instant Her Majesty give
it back into my keeping
with the greatest pleasure" rec,
the Countess, detaching the preciou
jewel forthwith, and depositing it with
out misgiving, in the outstretche'
palm Of the Imperial messenger. TIL
Countess bestowed smile and or,
cious bow Of dismissal upon He
Majesty's distinguished ambassador.
| Shortly afterward Count Ivauoff re
turned. ~ have been talking to Du
mont" be remarked, as he seated him
self. "Clever follow, Dumont. I an
not surprised at the Emperor's partial
lily for him he must find him useful
when he is in want of an idea"
"Who is DumontT inquired the
Countess, with languid interest.
"That is rather difficult question, I"
replied the Count, smiling; 'there are
several editions OF his BIOGRAPHICAL
different, probably none Of them true.
Lcok, he has just entered the EN-.
peror's box-the man in tie black coat"
els that NJ. Dumcnt?" exclaimed the
Countess, "if 30, he has been here while
you were away. He came on the part
OF the Empress, and carried off one Of
my earrings which Her Majesty wished
to compare with one Of the Countess
Woronzoffs."
"Dumontl Impossiblel I was talk
ing to him the whole time was alb
sent"
Nevertheless, dear, he has been
here, and has taken my earring. See!
t is gone"
effectively" agreed the Count;with |
grim smile; "6ut Dumcnt has not |
AIKEN it. 1t is to the last degree un-
likely that the Empress would make |
UGH request. Depend upon it, you
ave been the victim of thief made
Ip as Dumont."
"Impossible" cried the Count ess in
Ter turn. 'The affair is absolutely as
tell you. 1t was the veritab.e NJ. Du-
nont who came into this box and took
way my diamond. Only wait little,
nd be will bringit back intact" |,
ITO wait little is to lessen the
nance Of its recovery. I will 90 and
lquire Of Dumont, if can get at him,
neither he has been seized with o sud- |
en- attack of kleptomania; because the
lea OF the Empress having sent him
,aming about the theater borrowing
lady's jewels I regard as preposter-
is. All, these Partisan thievesl" i
With this the Count departed, and
10 second act was nearly at an end
sfore he returned. In the meantime
10 Countess perceived that she was
/ object OF interest to the occupants
the Imperial box. =
II was right" whispered the Count, n
entering and bending over his wife's u
all. "Dumont knows nothing Of b
'ur caring, and, needless to say, the =
npress never sent him upon such an =
'rnd. / have put the matter into
Q hands of the police, and they will
oil that is possible to recover it, o.
The Countess was duly commiserated j
sympathizing friends. but nothing n
,re was heard Of the jewel until the g
lowing day. ol
Early in the afternoon The Countess n
8 about to start for her daily drive fiji
The Bo;s. The frozen snow lay to
p upon the ground, and her sleigh, q
b it's two jet-black Russian hores
Cling their bells merrily in the frosty
stood waiting 10 the courtyard
il the Countess donned her furs.
s rvant entering announced that
officer of the police in plain clothes
ID permission to speak with Nine.
'omtesse concerning the lost dia-
ID.
Certainly" said madame, graoious-
let the officer be shown into the =
aoir." -
nto the boudoir presently came the /.
Intess, stately, beautiful. fur-clad, !.
oning her little gloves. Near the :
: stood short, wiry-looking man. :
keen, black eyes, closely cropped !
and compact, erect. military fig. {
The small man bowed profoundly :
Q he said, with the utmost respect. :
10 same time laying letter upon 3
table: 2