Year: 1875

A FRENCH DETECTIVES STORY.


was stopping at the Hotel Windsor
in the 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 glance that he
was Frenchman, although his English
was nearly perfect.


"Have you heard the news?" he in
quired.


"No."


els it possible? Why, all Paris is
alive with it at this moment"


"What has happened?'


"The Countess de Marville, the fairest
of the fair, was found murdered in her
bed last night, her bureau broken open,
and ten thousand francs missing from it.
All, it was terrible! There were marks
of fingers on her throat the brute who
did the deed effected his entrance through
the window of her chamber, near which
unfortunately was a tree, planted years
ago by the grandfather of the countess.
Little did he imagine the terrible use
that would be made of it,"


"This is bad news. How any man
could murder woman thus is more than
l can imagine"


"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
he countess you would wonder still
more. She was beautiful-beautiful as
an angel" he added, stroking his
whiskers with an unmistakable vanity.
u knew her WE'LL"


"Indeed p


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


His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited, and l felt disgusted with him.
My coldness evidently repelled him, for
he soon left me. Afterward l heard
from others accounts of the late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was one
that peculiarly impressed me, and which
my first informant had not spoken Of
an oversight that surprised me, as the
occurrence he had not mentioned was of
a kind which would be most apt to
strike the fancy.


Upon the throat of the countess, the
murderer, in throttling her, had left
mark from a ring he wore-the impress
sion of chariot wheel with star in the
center.


This" said my latest informant,
may lead to the discovery of the MUIR
derer. Jean Mosqueau is already visit
ing the jewelers. shops to find out from
which and by whom a ring with the
chariot wheel device was purchased"


Who is Jean Mosqueau


"What, monsieur! Have you not
heard of Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive? Although his courage is we'll
kH lzn l. 90 Ca
quiet face and delicate form, believe that
he could fight gnat"


A week later l was on board the
steamer, bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers l beheld one
whose face had familiar look. l was
not long in recognizing this person as the
one l 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 blot on his good
looks.


Hcmoved languidly hither and thither,
now and then turning his brown eyes ad-
miringly upon the pretty lady passen-
gers, while stroking mis- whiskers with
one hand, upon the middle finger of
which wasa superb diamond ring.


i am OF a rather suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively imagina-
ton, has often led me into singular
errors. Now strange impulse moved
me to advance and hold out my hand to
man whom had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in order that might have
n chance to glance at his ring. Some
how the idea had possessed me that l
should discover a chariot wheel device
upon the glittering bauble.


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


My brain fairly reeled the mans be-
havior was conviction of my suspicious.


"The ether hand, if you please"
said, in low, stern voice.


"Monsieur will excuse me, If he
pleases. My other arm is lame with
rheumatism"


He beheld me glance at the halfhid-
den ring, and was sure saw him start
and turn pale, while, at the same time,
looking much surprised. He, however,
opened his right hand, as if perfectly
willing for me to shake it If chose.
Then [ had good look at the ring, and
felt ashamed of my suspicion. The
device on it was common heart, which
certainly bore no resemblance to char
lot wheel.


After little general conversation, to
recover my selfpossession turned away,
resolving in future to have a better
opinion Of my fellow-creatures.


The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention of the ladies. One
especially modest looking little thing,
attired in black, kept directing furtive
glances at the pretty stranger. Finally
she glided 20 close to him that in turn
ing he brushed against her. An apology,
smilingly received by the little lady, a
remark about the weather on the part OF
the gentleman, and the two were soon
conversing with animation. Meanwhile
the burning cheek and bright eyes of the
fair one seemed to betokcn that she was
well pleased with her companion, whose
air was now more conceited than ever.


am afraid that VIC shall have n
Storm" she remarked. pointing toward a
dark cloud, upon which the captain of
the boat was anxiously gazing.


We may; but do not feel alarmed,
madam"


With an air of noncbalance he pulled
red cigar case from his pocket, asked
his companion if she objected t. smoke,
and being answered negatively, opened
the case. Then he started, and, quickly
returning this to his pocket, pulled forth
another ofblue color


"How many cigars do you smoke in a