Year: 1874

wac csoPBihS ~ 49,
on Rue de Rivoli, Paris.


One morning ! was smoking in the
colonnade, when tall elegantly dressed
gentleman asked permission to light his
cigar by mine. saw at once that he
was a Frenchman, although his Eng
lish" was nearly perfect.


"Have you heard the newst' he in
quired.


mo.


"Is it possible! Why all Paris is alive
with it at this moment.


What has happened p


"The Countess de Narville, the fairest
of the fair, was found Hurdered in her
bed lest night. her buIN'u broken open
and ten thousand francs missing from it.
1t was terrible! The brute who did the
deed effected his entrance through the
window of her chamber, near which, un
fortunately, was tall tree, planted by
the distinguished grandfather of the
Countess years ago Little did he mag
inc what terrible use would be made of
il.


"This is bad news. How any man
could harm a woman thus in cold blood
is more than | can imagine.


"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
the Countess you would wonder still
more. She was beautiful-beautiful as
an angel" be added, stroking his
whiskers with an unmistakable air of var-
ity "a knew her well. "


Indeed "


"Oh, yes. There are in Paris few
popular women unknown to me.


His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited and / felt disguised My GOODNESS
evidently repelled him. for he soon left
me.


Afterwards / heard from others ae
counts of the late tragedy.


Among the details ofthe affair was one
that peculiarly impressed me-and OF
which my first informant had not spoken
An oversight which surprised me, as
the occurrence he had not mentioned was
of that kind which would be most apt to
strike the fancy.


Upon the throat of the Countess the
murderer, in lhrottling her, had left a
mark from ring he wore-the impress
sion of a chariot wheel with a star in the
centre


"This," said my latest informant
may lead to the discovery Of the mur-
derer. Jean Mosqueau is already visit
itng the jewellers shops to find out which
and by whom ring with chariot wheel
device was purchased. "


"Who is Jean Mosqueau ?"


"What, Jean Mosqueau, our famous
detective? Although his courage is
well known, you would not, to look at
his fair delicate face and form, believe
that he could fight gnat


A week later | was aboard the steamer
bound from Calais to Dover.


Among the passengers | beheld one
not long in recognizing this person as the
same had seen in front of the Hotel
Windsor, and who had first informed me
of the murder of the Countess.


He was certainly a very handsome
man, although his conceited air was a
bolt above his good looks.


He moved languidly hither and thther,
turning bis brown eyes admiringly upon
the pretty lady passengers, while strok
ing his whiskers with one white hand,
upcn II the middle finger Of which was a
superb diamond ring.


am rather ofa suspicious nature,
which combined with lively imagination
has often led me into singular errors.


Now, a strange impulse moved me to
advance and held out my hand to the man
whom had involuntarily dislikcd from
the first, in order that | might have a
chance to glance at his ring Somehow
the idea possessed me that should dis.
cover chariot wheel device upon the
glittering baublc.


The stranger did not at first recognize
me He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, which was not the
one containing the ring.


My brain fairly reelsd /; the mans be
aay:or was a confirmation Of my suspic.
ions.


"The other hand, ifyou please, " |
said, IN a low, stern voice.


Monsieur will please excuse mo; my
other arm is lame with rheumatism. "


He behcd me glance towards the half.
hidden ring, and | was sure l saw him
start and turn pale, at the same time
looking much surprised He, however
opened his right hand as if perfectly
willing for me to shake it if chose to


Then | had good look at the ring,
and felt ashamed of my suspicious. The
device was common heart, which GER
tainly bore no resemblance to a chariot
wheel,


After general conversation to recov.
er my self possession, turned away, re-
solved in the future to have a better
opinion Of my fellow-creatures


The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention of a good many Of
the ladies. One, especially, modest
looking little thing attired in black, kept
furtive glances at the handsome stranger
Finally she gided so close to him that in
turning he brushed against her.


An apology, smilingly received by the
little lady, remark about the weather
on the part of the gentleman, and the two
were soon eonversing with animation.
Meanwhile the Dlushing checks and bright
eyes Of the fair one seemed to bctoken
that she was well pleased with her com
panion, whose air was more conceted
than ever.


81 am afraid we shall have q storm,
she remarked, pointing towards n dark
cloud upon which the captain Of the boat