Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-12-04


cation, somber dramas Of which nave
known only the first two acts because
the nrinciI al personages carried the re
mainder Of the story with them intc
the tomb. These cases have caused
me much worry and trouble. and one
in particular, entered In my journal as
the "Soiree at the Rue de Prony."
We have in Paris large colony OF
6paniards from South America-Chii-
fans. Venezuelans. and others, as a
rule enormously rich They are pleas
ure-seekers, loud In their dress. noisy
IN their talk, ostentatious and vain,
scattering their money broadcast, TO
the delight " the Paris tradesmen and
restaurateurs.
The people / shall call "Dominguez'
had taken a charming little house In
the Rue de Prony. and shortly after
their arrival, gave an entertainment at
which one hundred and forty people
were present.
When Monsieur and Madame Domin-
guez went to their bedroom an I'M
pleasant surprise awaited them. The
safe In the dressing room had been
broken open. and everything in the
way of money jewelry. and valuable
documents abstracted
The next morning NJ Dominguezs
card was brought to me while | was
breakfasting. and / at once went 10
meet him. He was very excited and
began by upbraiding the police for not
LOOKING after his property; then he
became little calmer and asked me
10 accompany him to his house.
NJ Dominguez had large face
burnt by the sun, deep-set eyes. and a
way OF looking sideways a cunning
look, that did not impress me favor
ably. His brougham was at the door
and we were not long reaching the
Rue de Prony
Fortunately, nothihs nad been dis
turbed there, and We went at once to
the dressing room. where we found
Madame standing with a rueful face
before the open safe No doubt was
possible il was the work OF an artist
in tho profession. a man with a sure
hand, who had not wasted time over
the business
NJ. Dominguez was cycling me curl
ously.
We'll. NJ Goron?" he said
This was not the work OF a begin
ner," replied.
Il am clever enough to see that,
too" he remarked with laugh. Then,
after a pause:
The thief must be found NJ Goron.
do you understand? He must be found
DO not let expense stand in the way;
] am prepared to put down at once any
sum that may be required.
IL NJ Dominguez expected reply
he was disappointed. for / continued to
make careful investigation of the
room In the hope of finding a clue.
The thief. however. had not left what
the police, with us. call a visiting
oard''-some triHe that might help In
the search.
Was any one in charge OF the up.
stairs rooms during the EVENING"" /
asked Madame.
Yes, one of the maids
Please send for her"
The maid came. looking very scared.
md, after deluge Of tears. told me
that several ladies' had been In the
dressing room after supper. to put a
little powder on" but that no gen.
tleman had gone there
Were you upstairs all the even.
ingP"
NO, sir; the greater part of the
evening was helping the other sery.
ant girls get supper ready. Besides,
had no idea that-that--" and a
fresh torrent OF tears followed.
Evidently she knew nothing. and 1
sent her about her business.
Did you notice anything displaced
or disturbed when you entered the
dressing room this morning." was my
next question
No retorted Madame, no: or,
rather. yes. This porcelain cup. and
the ivory paper cutter, that are al.
ways on the safe. had been placed ON
that chair near the bed
The thief. whoever he was. had han
died these articles. and they now be-
came objects OF interest The cup did
not present any remarkable features
except that the thin coating OF dust
did not speak a well-regulated house.
hold. Then came the turn of the paper
cutter. large affair with an enormous
monogram, end there, on the white
ivory. was small pinkish stain
To an acute observer, every detail
IS OF importance. and first
asked the husband and then the
wife whether they had ever noticed
the stain They both looked at It
carefully and shook theie heads No.
they bad no recollection Of having
ever seen H. but, of course. It might
have been there before
had to be satisfied with that state
snent, and asked permission 10 take
the paper knife with me-
felt convinced that the robbery
had been committed by one of the
guests. and inquired how many people
they had entertained
zone hundred and iortytwo
kindly give me the names"
Madame went TO fetch the list. anC
handed II to me- counted the names
4 ere were sixty-three.
where are the others ?"
Madame turned red and then said
You see. NJ. Goron. we have no
been long In Paris. and ! gave m!
friends blank invitation cards, whicl
they filled up and sent 10 peopl'
among their own set.
Then you don't know cen tn