River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-05-28

W. Clduu0 , even, WullS ISCCAl
flashed in brilliant smile.
1--WE learn many curious things in
the course of our profession, he said,
quietly.
las you are acquainted with the
circumstances then, you will under
stand that it would be by no means
agreeable to have them exposed in
court for the benefit of the masses, "
said the duke, anxiously.
Exactly" responded M. Claude.
"And the question of how the stones
came into your possession does not
in the least affect the fact of the
robbery by your valet, nor would l
have mentioned the circumstance had
not your grace referred to it in the
first place"
The duke gave vent to a sigh of re-
lief.
"You are a model of discretion, my
dear M Claude" he said. For the
present | will bid you adieu."
AS events proved, it would have
been vastly better for Henry Shaw,
having executed his master stroke of
plumber and revenge, had he trusted
to the assistance of some professional
thief in disposing of his booty. For
his endeavor to gain the aid and graft
| tude of the duke of Molinford recoiled
upon him in a startling fashion. The
latter, prince of the British blood
royal, waxed indignant over the pre-
sumption that he would consent to act
as rogue's confederate, and turned
don police. They, in turn, forwarded
it to the prefecture at Paris, thereby
| furnishing NJ Claude with information
which made certain the capture of
the man who had so far eluded the
vigilance of his most cunning sleuths.
In a postscript to the letter, Shaw to
whom it did not seem to have oc-
Cured that the duke of Molinford
would refuse to benefit by his SER
vices. stated that he would wait at
Boulogne until messenger arrived
from England with authority to re-
ceive the diamonds and pay him the
| reward demanded. Immediately upon
receiving the clue from the London
police M Claude started for Boulogne,
and the following day saw him seated
in the Hotel d'Angleterre in company
with Henry Shaw whose own heed
Iessness had thus delivered him into
the hands of the law.
The ex-valet's face was downcast
and sullen, and M. Claude surveyed
I, ,;4I 0f in
nant pity.
Il do not mind telling you that per-
sonally | regret in certain sense be-
ing obliged to put you under arrest, "
said the chief. "Officially, of course,
1 regard you as successful criminal.
But your story with reference to the
unfortunate Ellen Crosby leads me to
declare that your former master
richly deserves any retribution that
may overtake him."
81 might have thrust a knife in his
heart said Shaw, looking up. But
| who know him so well, knew that
the keenest agony / could inflict upon
him would be to deprive him of the
idols he worships, the bright gems for
which he sold his worthless soul to
Satan"
That" said M. Claude, gravely, "is
probably true. But in d game where
Fate deals the cards the boldest and
most skillful gambler knows not what
the end may be. And this time the
duke has won the trick"
Much to the surprise of certain peo-
pie who knew of the capture of Shaw,
the duke of Lar-1ay upon receiving
his valuables back positively refused
to prosecute the prisoner M. Claude
was one of the few who smiled wisely,
| for he was aware that it was the
dread of scandal that brought about
this determination on his grace's part.
Nay even more, the duke actually
brought such powerful influence to
J bear in high places that the charge
against the prisoner was dropped.
Prior to the release of Shaw from the
prison where he was confined pending
prosecution, the owner of the dia-
monds paid another visit to M. Claude.
Il wish to ascertain" he said to the
chief, when and to what time the
wretch who robbed me is to be re-
! stored to freedom?"
Your graces motive is no doubt
philanthropic one?" queried M.
Claude, with the ghost of a smile
lowering on his lips.
my motive is that I may take adj
ditional precautions against becoming
victim of his audacity a second
time," rejoined the duke. testify.
Il think you overestimate your dan
ger" returned NJ Claude, TRANQUILITY.
Nevertheless your grace is welcome
to the information. M. Shaw leaves
the prison at eight o'clock tomorrow
morning"
From the hour that the released
prisoner stepped across the thresh-
old of the gaol into the streets OF
Paris those who knew him saw him no
more, and 1t was generally supposed
| that he had returned to his native
land. Two weeks later the newspa-
pers contained an item to the effect
| that the eccentric duke of Lambay
was leaving Paris and would reside
for the future in Switzerland. On
the following day the chief of police
received a communication from the
nobleman in question which read as
| follows:
Monsieur Claude: Enclosed you