Year: 1870

written upon it, Julie de Noel but
whether it was Madame or Mademoisle
(Nlrs. or Miss the paste board did not
state, and the detective did not care.--
lie only knew she was most beautiful
woman, and that she consented to grant
him an interview.


Who knows" muttered Laromie,
twichins his moustache absently, "what
may come of it? She is Superb.
But how the deuce did she liud out my
name ?"


"Well, it is not strange. Every one
has heard Of me-


In Paris, when one wishes to learn
anything respecting an inhabitant of
the great city he can be satisfied by
applying to the Chief of Police. TO
the Office Of his Chief Laromic now bent
his steps upon au crrand of this kind
respecting the lady he had just parted
with. In answer to his inquiries, the
Chief consulted a pondcrous ledger, and
after brief inspection, declared there
was no such person in Paris.


"What is it, Laromie ? he asked {:
"public business, or an assassination p


"Oh, merely little affair of my
own," said Laromie, laughing


Take care my friend" said the
Chief gravcly. "Yon run great risk in
those little affairs of yours, aud we
could not afford to lose you just now"


"Never fear" returned the detec-
tive gniIy, 81 always keep my wits about
me-"


That night the detective was at the
opera at an early hour. lie waited
impatiently, as the audience came in,
and he thought that they had never
been so slow before. He scanned the
boxes and parterre closely, but could
see the lady nowhere. As the perior-
nance began, his attention was attracted
by friend, and he turned to speak to
him. As he looked back to the audi
ence, when his friend left him, his
heart gave great bound of delight
There was the lady, sitting in one OF
the most retired boxes, radiant in her
beauty. In an incredibly short time,
he was seated by her side, pouring
forth his thanks for the happiness she
had given him.


In reply to question, the lady told
him that she was widow of gentle.
man of good family aud great wealth
She said that she had seen Laromie at
various places in the city aud, with a
blush, she confessed that she had be.
come very much interested in him. The
rest we have already told.


One of Laromie's weak points was
vanity, and here pretty woman could
always strike a successful blow He
had become completely fascinated with
Madame de Noel; and, while he sat
with her in the box, the demonstrations
Of his admiration we're so marked that
the lady had several times to remind
him that they might be observed by
some of the audience. When the per-
formauce was over, the lady asked him
if he would go home with her to supper
and he, overjoyed, consented.


When they reached the residence OF
Madame dc Noel, the carriag, passed
into the courtyard, aud they left it.
They entered a dimly-lighted hall, and
passed into sumptuously furnished
apartment, brilliantly illuminated. A
footman received Madame and took
charge of the cloak and hood which she
laid aside. Laromie afterward remem.
bered that she looked at the man in a
peculiar way, as she badc him have the
supper ready as soon as possible but
he thought nothing of it at the time.


Madame seated herselfin luxurious
arm chair, aud Laromie threw himself
on a cushion at her feet. For long
while neither spoke. A strange silence
had fallen over them. All the while
however, the young mans head rested
against the arm of her chair, and one OIL
her hands played carelessly with hi:
hair.


A slight noise iu the apartment
caused the detective to raise his head
But he could not raise it high enough
to see anything. Madame's hand rested
on it heavily.


Bah J 1t is nothing, my friead, ,
she said quickly.


At the same time he felt himself
borne to the qoor by an irresistible force
and before he could collect his wits
which be did not have about him this
time, he was bound hand aud foot, and
left him helpless on the carpet. Clan
cling up, he saw the room was full oI
men.