Year: 1875

in the Rue de Rivoli, Paris.


One morning l was smoking in the
colonnade, when tall, elegantly dress
ed gentleman asked permission to light
his cigar by mine. l saw at glance
that he was Frenchman, although his
English was nearly perfect.


"Haveyou heard the news?" he in
quireG.


"No."


SIS it possihle2 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
Ah, 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 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
the countess you would wonder still
more. She was beautiful-beautiful as
an angel" he added, stroking his whis-
kers with an unmistakable vanity. 81
knew her we'll


"Indeed!'


"0h, yes There are in Paris few pop
ular women unknown to me-


His manner now was decidedly con
ceited, and / felt disgusted with him
My coldness evidently repelled him, for
he soon left me. Afterward 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 oc-
currence 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 a
mark from ring he wore-the impres
sion of chariot wheel with star in the
center.


"This,' said my latest informant, may
lead to the discovery Of the murderer
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the
jewelers. shops to find ont from which
and by whom ring with the chariot
wheel device was purchased.


"Who is Jean Mosqueau ?"


"What, Monsieur! Have you not
heard of Mosqueau, our famous detect
i've? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, quiet face and delicate form, believe
that he could fight gnat."
A week later ] was on board the
steamer bound from Calais to Dover
Among the passengers l beheld one
whose face had familiar look. I was
not long in recognizing this person as
the one 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 blot on his good
Hooks.


He moved languidly hither and thith
er, now and then turning his brown
eyes admi-ingly upon the pretty lady
passengers, while stroking his whiskers
with one hand, upon the middle finger Of
which was superb diamond ring.


am of a rather suspicious nature
which combined with lively imagina
Ition, has often led me into singular er
rors. 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
a chance to glance at his ring Some
lhowthe idea had possessed me that
should discover 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 no
the one containing the ring.
/ My brain fairly reeled the mans be
havior was conviction of my suspicious


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


"Monsieur will excuse me,if he pleas
es. My other arm is lame with rheuma
tism"


He beheld me glance at the half hid
den ring, and was sure saw him star
and turn pale, while, '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, ant
Efelt ashamed Of lAy suspicion. The de