The Virginia enterprise., 1908-05-29
1LNW zHE CZzKUVCZEy OF A E1t7Z)Uy PXE7T(T OF
-P0LlCE> DURING 7zE REGIME OF 1HE SECOND
EMPIRE, ~ 7xzE~ REIGN OF N4POLEONM,,
NOW PUBLISHED FOR 7zzE FIRST 7Z.E
THE DUKE OF LAMBAY'S

Which their INSCRIPTIONS kinsman
had defrauded them,
Shaw had made a careful study of
the strong box and the arsenal de-
Tending it and watched patiently for
an opportunity when he could open
it without risking annihilation by so
doing. The Golfer containing the
diamonds was built in the wall of the
bedroom adjoining the dukes study.
AS before stated it's steel door
was equipped with a pistol battery,
and outside OF the inner defense was
a wooden door covered with drapery
Once the steel door was made fast by
the owner it was impossible for any.
one not possessing knowledge of the
secret springs to open it.
On December 7, 1868, the duke re.
moved few stones from the Golfer
for the purpose of having them reset
by a jeweler. With almost incredible
carelessness in man of his sus.
picious temperament, he forgot for
the first time to lock the inner steel
door. Shaw, who was present when
his master opened the Golfer, was
quick to note the dukes negligence,
He waited until his master had gone
out, and then taking a file he carried
in preparation for just such con.
tingency, forced the lock of the outer
door and opened the inner one. AS
the bolt of the inner lock had not been
shot into it's socket the pistol battery
was rendered harmless and the muz.
zles of the loaded weapons gaped i'm
potently in the Wallets face.
A great treasure lay before his
gioating eyes. There were diamonds
of fabulous value, jeweled decora
tions and gold in abundance. Care
fully Shaw selected the most valuable
stones. slowed them away in a leather
bag which he had provided for this
auspicious moment. and having filled
his pockets with gold, left the house
He went stranght to the railway sta
tiOn and caught the first express
train for Boulogne.
The duke returning home that even
ing missed the familiar figure of his
trusted attendant AS the hours wore
on and Shaw did not appear a ter
rible suspicion flashed across the mi
ser's mind. He rushed to his pre-
cious strong box. tore aside the silken
draperies and beheld the forced lock
Flinging open the doors a glance told
him that the most cherished gems
Of his collection had disappeared
There were missing diamonds and
money to the extent Of 100000
francs.
For few minutes the panic-stricken
duke ragged furiously, shrieking in
his high falsetto voice at the servants
whom his cries had summoned to the
spot. It is questionable whether the
approach Of death could have caused
more anguish in his avaricious heart
The contemplation of his treasures
had been the great, supreme delight
Of a nature so warped and corrupted
that naught else in life could stir tc
rapture the thin blood in his withered
veins At last he cooled down, and
with the abatement of his frenzy came
the hunger for revenge.
Messengers were at once dispatched
to the prefecture and in short time
two detectives made their appearance
Having replied to their interroga
tions the duke inquired If their chief
NJ. Claude, was in his office. On re
cefving reply in the Affirmative he
ordered his carriage and drove post
haste to the head of the police de
partment.
NJ Claude was at this time a mar
about As years of age. He was o
middle height, sinewy of frame anC
possessed of pair Of keen steel
blue eyes before whose penetrating
gaze many a habitue of the under
world had shrunk and stammereC
forth damning confession of crime
Living in the corrupt period his un
compromising honesty of purpose
shone all the clearer by contrast with
the intriguing element which sur
rounded him and rendered him as re
markable for his integrity as he was
famous for SURPRISING skill in his
profession. He was seated at his
desk. bending over a pile of CORE
spondence, when his ducal visitor en-
tered.
Il salute your grace" he said
suavely. Pray be seated"
The nobleman allowed his thin
emaciated figure to sink Imply into q
chair, and drawing a flask of perfume
from his pocket removed the stopper
and inhaled the contents before speak
ing NJ. Claude watched him coldly
and when the duke raised his head
said gravely:
Il regret to hear Of the loss your
grace has sustained. presume it is
in connection with the robbery o1
your diamonds that l am honored BY
this visit?"
Yes, yes said the duke, distract
edly. ''Bnt above all I wish to have
this affair conducted so that the de
tails Of the case will not be made pub
lic."
I'VE will endeavor to respect your
wishes in the matter, your grace,
responded the chief.
Listen, M. Claude" said the duke
in subdued tones. II know that
can trust you. Now the truth is that
l cannot afford to appear in court tc
prosecute this thief should you arrest
him. 1t is imperative that the former
history of the jewels which he has
stolen should not become a topic o1
public interest"
IF l am not mistaken" returned
M Nlnaslo X 4