The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-06-19


her the most fattering attentions and
when the night was far advanced and
he and his associates were we'll under
the influence Of wine, she managed to
explore the upper portion of the house
In desk in his library, opened by the
aid of one of the skeleton keys you
provided, she discovered a paper con-
tanning the minutes of the last meet
ing held by the society. Here it is
You will perceive that NJ. Claude is
named as the next victim to be
marked by the Scarlet Arrow"
She tossed folded paper on the
chiefs desk, and NJ Claude, spreading
1t out. perused the contents with eager
eyes. At the conclusion OF his examin-
alton he said:
This document establishes beyond
doubt the completely of NJ. Landre
IN the series of mysterious murders.
nine in all, that. have taken place re-
Gently. In each case one of these
tokens was attached to the victims
clothing."
Opening drawer, he produced a
miniature metal arrow painted a
bright scarlet, with a pin attachment
apparently: intended for the purpose of
allowing it to be worn as an orna-
ment
In the first two instances" resumed
the chief, where this symbol made it's
appearance, l was disposed to look
upon it as mere coincidence. But
when a third corpse was discovered.
this time in the waters of the Seine.
also bearing the scarlet arrow. I saw
that the thing possessed a sinister sig
nif1cance. Since then six more MUIR
ders have occurred. with the arrow as
sole clue to the perpetrators Within
the last month my men have succeed
ed in tracing eight of these crimes to
the so-called Society of Avengers,
which numbers among its members
over so of Europe's most desperate
and daring criminals"
Yet no arrests have been made. "
remarked Nine. Rigault.
THAT is So" returned the chief, "be
cause l held my hand, with the design
of obtaining evidence against the mas
| ter fiend who organized the society
and whose cunning enabled it to ex-
list. 10 wound a serpent's body is not
sufnclent: one must crush the head
IN order to render the reptile harmless.
1t was for that reason l required your
assistance in sharing NJ. Landre The
position he holds at court and the
| powerful political influence he exerts
made it necessary to he cautious when
dealing with him.
What possible advantage can NJ.
Landre hope to derive through his as
ISOLATION with band of depraved
criminals?" inquired Nine. Rigault,
curiously.
The advantage Of having danger
GUS instruments at his command" re-
piled the chief. THE society's ayowed
object is to avenge the betrayal of any
criminal to the law on those who have.
either unwittingly or by design, as
sisted in his capture. Each of the
nine victims so far sacrificed was a
man who had supplied information to
| the police that resulted in the appre-
| hension and punishment of some male
factor. But M. Landre is clever
| enough to know that with such evil
forces under his direction he could
also employ them to serve his person
al ends. The scarlet symbol was IN
doubtedly chosen for the purpose of
impressing the public with the exist
ence Of mysterious and deadly pow
er in its midst which it would be fatal
the creation of state of chaos that
to offend. M. Landre looks forward to
would materially assist the designs of
Prussia upon this country. With an
archy rampant in the principal city
of France, our government would be
put to serious straits in the event Of
aggression by foreign power"
These proofs should be submitted
! to the emperor at once" exclaimed
Nine. Rigault in agitated tones.
my dear lady," rejoined the chief
placidly, ''the fruit is not yet ripe for
plucking. Something more is needed
ere Louis Napoleon can be convinced
that the man whom he has loadedfwit
! benefits is a traitor most foul. M.
Landre, although possibly the most
dangerous, is not the only Prussian
spy in the Chateau, a. you are we'll
;: aware"