Terre Haute Evening Gazette, Volume 6, Number 150, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 4 December 1875 — Page 6

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The Little Lady Alice.

No dew distills On Georgia,s hills, Nor yet Circassian valleys, That leaves a pearl, My lilly girl,

As pure as Lady Alice. My daisy—pet! My violet!

My heliotrope, my mignonette, My little Lady Alice!

Aa rare as riso Through Southern skies, Aurora Boreales— Rare as the rose On Northern snows,

Or heart's ease in a palace— Is she, my sprite, My brownie bright, The Queen of Fairy Land's delight,

My little Lady Alice!

The wise old Greek His fate might seek, And bear his foes no malice— And so might I Consent to' die

If you but bore tfee chaliice!

Philosopher— Be he who'er— ts naught to me, »fy bright Hebe,

Until his lost drop vollies To pledge with me In three times thre!)

My little Lady Alice! My star of night. My heart's delight, My perfect little chrysolite,

My fiarlinj Lady Alice!

THE

Parisian Detective

OB,

A DESPERATE DEED.

ERSKINE BOYD,

Author of "The Stolen Child," "Drivjj* "From Home," &c., &c-

CHAPTER X.

OLD CORKSCREW LISTENS TO A DISCLOSURE.

When Noel., aiid Daddy Tab a ret were oeated facing- one onother in the barrister's private room, and when the door had been carefully locked for fear of intrusion, the latter remarked uneasily to the youngman that perhaps his mother might require his presence, and feel hurt at his absence. "If Madame Gerdy rings the bell," was the cold reply, made in a short, dry lone, "the servants will answer it."

The indifference of his manner, the icy disdain of his voice, astounded Daddy Tabaret, accustomed as lie had to the affectionate relations that had hitherto existed between mother and son. "For pity's sake, Noel," he said, "b: calm, and don't allow yourself to Ik led away by any momentary irritation. I see you ara annoyed with your mother by to-morrow you will have forgotten the cause of that annoyance. In the meanTime, drop the icy tone you have adopted in speakro.T of her—it doesn't please me: and why Shis a'lVctntion in calling her JUadanie Gerdy?1' "Why?'' echoed the barrister, in a hollow voice,—"why?"

He rose as he spoke, paced the room for a few seconds in an absent, uncertain sort of way, and then, returning, stood dos- 1 vi.ie the old man. •Bwause, Monsieur Tabaret, Madame -hj not my mother!" ili words fell like the blow of a heavy (upon the head of Daddy Tabaret.

K&.3 stunned, and for some moments staring at his young friend, as one •ftlvziul. Oil!" said he at last, in an expostulat»way, as if the words he had last heard •were beyond all possibility of belief "reflect upon what you are saying, my dear boy! Think how improbable it is—how utterly incredible!" "Yes I own it is incredible," answered Noel, speaking with a certain emphasis, And dwelling on each word in a manner which was familiar to him. "It may seem improbable, yet it is true. For thirtythree years—from the day of my birth, in fact—Madame Gerdy has been playing a wonderful comedy—ought I not to call it a tragedy?—to my detriment, and to the •profit of her oicn son—for she has a son, SB I am about to prove to you." "My dear boy, you may speak to me unreservedly," began Daddy Tabaret-, who, in the dim distance, caught a more distinct glimpse of the phantom of the Widow Lerouge.

But Noel was not listening—indeed, seemed hardly in a condition to listen. This young man, ordinarily so severe and cold, so walled round with an icy reserve of manner, appeared to have entirely lost his self-command. The sound of his own words seemed to lash him into frenzy, as the ring of his harness-bells fires the blood of a spirited horse. "Was there ever a man this world more cruelly deceived than I have been— more miserably or more shamefully duped?"

He spoke with a growing excitement, pacing the room with hasty strides, not glancing at the queer, attentive face that was looking at him so steadily. "To think," he continued, "that her perfidy dates from the moment she took me on her knees, kissing my baby forehead its she callecl me 'her son!' Her love for me—her love, so cunningly professed, was hypocrisy, her devotion to my welfare a serpent's cunning, assumed the better to betray!" "But what end had she in view? What were her motives of action?" asked Daddy Tabaret. "No one acts in the way you describe without a motive, and that a powerful one."

Noel clenched both his hands tightly together, with a bitter laugh. "Her motive was that her own son might enjoy what rightly belonged to me." "Her own son?" echoed his listener.

4tThat,

This is what he thought. What he said ts as follows:—"A serious accusation,ray dear boy, a very serious accusation! And to believe if, one must give Madame Ger

dy credit for a mingled audacity and cunning rarely combined in one and the sama person. To have conceived, and to have successfully carried out, such^ a scheme as the one you charge her with, she must have been advised, directed, and held in check by some more powerful intelligence than her own. She must have had accomplices—and able ones, too. Its impossible that she could have acted alone! Why, even her husband "Her husband?" interrupted the young barrister, with another derisive laugh. "And you believe in her pathetic story of along widowhood—of weeds and tears weeping willows, marble tombs, grassgrown graves—and all the paraphernalia which makes up what society calls a respectable death! Her husband has ceased to exist—simply because he never existed!"

Noel paused. He seemed annihilated by the tempest of his own passion, as under the strong breast of the hurricane the turbulent sea assumes for a moment a terrible calm.

He looked at Daddy Tabaret as expecting some outburst of feeling on his part but the old man's eyes wore bent upon the ground, and his long, sinewy hands clasped his knees.

He was meditating profoundly. There was no perceptible emotion of any kind in his face when, after a few minutes pause, he raised his calm eyes and fixed them on the bloodshot ones ot his young friend. "Don't let us wander from the subject. You are young youth is impulsive. on ask my advice. Well, without any undue boasting, you might ask the same thing of many, and would get worse but when aiming at a target, the skillful marksman strikes the bull's eye at once."^

Here the old man moved his chair forward, and darted rather than spoke his words. "Mav I ask how you've gathered all this curious information? By what means have you obtained possession of this most extraordinary knowledge? Hearsay is not evidence. Suspicion is often but :i foolish nightmare which tortures while it deceives. Have you proofs? If you haven't, I refuse to listen to such charges against one whom I have always respected. If you have proofs, then I have a right, considering the position in which you have placed me, to demand them." "I have proofs." "Since when?" "I've known all I've told you for the last three weeks." "How did you obtain your proofs?" "By accident. I have enough to make any unprejudiced mind morally certain of the truth of what I state. They are but moral proofs, I know but a word—one word only of the Widow Lerouge would have turned the scale, and before the world, even with the most skeptical, have made those proofs decisive." "Which word," commented Daddy Tabaret, "the respectable lady in question cannot, under the circumstances, pronounce." "Because, those that dreaded she would do so, have killed her!" cried Noel, passionately. "They have killed her in order to shut her mouth for ever} and now

Jadame Gerdy will deny all. I know her! Were her head upon the block, and the axe within an inch of her neck, she would deny all—all! My father, also, without doubt, will refuse to own me! I have papers—substantial evidence— here, under my hand, when this woinan's murder scatters my hopes to the winds, and nullities them all!"

Daddy Tabaret shook his head, and mused for a moment. "You talk of proofs, proofs, proofs! What are these proofs? Two hoad* are better than one but before I give you advice, I must know everything you have to communicate." "You shall."

Noel paused, glancetl at the windows and door, drew his chair nearer to that of his old .friend, and spoke in a distinct tone, though still in a whisper.

CHAPTER XI.

WHAT WAS FOL'UD BEHIND PANEL.

P'"In

unsuspected, he should assume a

great name—a very great name! My name, Monsieur Tabaret, with a fortune to maintain it—an immense fortune! A glorious fortune! My fortune! Yes!— high name!—great wealth!—grand position! This perfidious woman has robbed ^e of all!" "Ha!" thought Daddv Tabaret, in whom spirit of the detective began to be exid, and whose subtle nose already scentsome great secret,—"ha! The cork is ginning to move at last!"

THE SECRET

"Three weeks ago," continued Noel, I was in want of some papers of importance, which I had placed in the old bureau, Madame Gerdy's room. Missing the kev, I had to resort to forcing the lock. While doin"-so, a random blow of the hammer caused the chisel I was using to slide from the place where it was inserted, and strike with much violence against a neighboring part of the bureau. To my astonishment, the blow moved a small panel, which 1 had supposed to be backed by the. solid wood. I examined it, inserted the edge ot the chisel in

the

crack or crevice so sud

denly discovered, and pushed aside the little panel without much difficulty. The recess was tilled with papers so crammed, in fact, that they fell out, and re at re

An instinct, a mere mechanical instinct, impossible for me

explain, led me to

take up one of the letters—for they were letters—and, it being unsealed, to open and glance at its contents,"

Old Corkscrew shook his head. '*ou were wrong," he murmured, looking at his young friend gravely "wrong—very wrong!" "Granted but what is done cannot-be undone. 1 read the letter,and before I had mastered six lines of it, I \JKs aware that the letter was written by my father—my father, of whom Madame Gerdy, despite

prayers and entreaties, had refused to let me know even the name." Here the young man paused, and looked appealingly in his listener's face. "You must not blame me you can hardly realize the hunger, nay, the an guish of curiosity that possessed me. closed the secret panel, gathered up the letters, and hurried away to my room to read them, one Vy one." "A curiosity which has already been cruelly punished, my poor boy," said Daddv Tabaret, surveying the working face ot the other with a sadness that was full of

my place, who could' have resisted such a temptation? It was those very letters that gave me the proofs I spoke to you about just now."

"You

have the letters, of course? I "Safely you may be sure. You re my only friend. I've no secrets trovii you* You shall see

them—nay,

you must read

them!" if. The young barrister opened one ot the drawers of his desk, touched a secret spring, and drew from a recess ft small packet of letters, which lie handed to Old Corkscrew.

Now, giving way to his natural and ardent curiosity, and placing his wonderfully "detective-looking" spectacles^ Upon his queer nose, the Daddy settled himself comfortably in his chair, and unfastened the string that was around the papers.

He took up the iirst letter that came to his hand, and in obedience tc a gesture of Noel's, began to read. "My Darling Valerie

tweon his teeth, "is th^ name ot Madame Gerdy!" "I know—I know!—pray don't interrupt me!" said the old man. "I will read each letter in my own way, and we can comment upon the whole afterwards."

The reading of the first letter concluded, the Daddy stroked his chin for some moments before he spoke.* "'l^his letter," he murmured to himself, and not addressing his anxious listener, as he folded it carefully, and placed it aside —"this letter expresses, in burning words, the writer's deep love for the beautiful Valerie."

"Valerie Gerd\ "I'm not speaking to yon. I'm only

Gerdys]eaki..

making notes—notes on my own account. With your permission, I'll read 1 the letters through, and we'll postpone our de-i'i.-.i in (ill (he reading is over."

Then, with a methodical calmness, very irritating to tho nerves of the impatient .Monsieur Tabaret read letter after letter, now and then pausing to make a ]..M!cil note of something that had particulailv struck him, till the last one was con-i-ltii'icd and placed with the others. "A strange story," he muttered—"a very strange story—a romantic and a sad :ine." •'And what do you advise?" 'v'linp a bit, my impetuous young friend —ju.-t stop a bit, and let me run over the simple facts. If you think I've got them clearly, why, then we'll proceed to discuss them."

Half closing his eyes, but very keenly watchful, nevertheless, Daddy Tabaret, leant back in his chair, crossed one leg over the other, then clasped his thin, restless hands over his knees, and spoke as follows Noel listening with a nervous yet absorbed attention, hanging, as it were, upon the words that fell from the old man's lips.

CHAPTER XII.

THE TRUE HEIR.

"These, then, are the facts—the simple facts," commenced his friend, "as far as I can glean them from the pile of letters I've just perused and if you'll allow me, I'll repeat them to you in 'sensation' paragraphs, after the fashion of some of our favorite novelists. Your father, the possessor of a great name—I surmise this— though the letters are without signature —and an immense fortune, while yet a very young man, devotedly loved a young girl. "The young girl was far beneath him in birth and worldly position. Unable to marry hei without'the consent of his parents, the love of the young people took a wrong turn. "Valerie Gerdy, yielding to a fatal impulse, lived with your father as his wife, though without the right to that sacred title. "Diplomatic relations took him to Italy, and there, in the absence of Valerie, who remained alone in France, notwithstanding his most ardent desire that she should accompany him, one of those grand marriages was formed by his aristocratic family," which consists in simply bringing two great names and an unlimited quantity of land together, utterly irrespective of any of the nobler feelings of the heart. "To judge by the tone of the letters it proved a most unhappy union, bringing in its train sorrow, sin, shame and death."

Old Corkscrew paused for a moment, as if searching for anew point-to start from in his story. "What were your father's motives," he asked, breaking silence at last, "for his lengthened stay abroad?" "My father," answered the young barrister. "notwithstanding his ag was an intimate friend of Charles the 'lentli, and had undertaken for him a secret mi ^ion in Italy. My father is the Count Lionel de Valcourt."

Daddy Tabaret started. The name pronounced by Noel was one of the most ancient in France, and had, hitherto, been handed down without blemish orstnin from father to son until the present time.

Yes," continued the young man, in a low voice, taking up one of the letters, and glancing at its date, "it was at Naples, in the middle of the month of May, 1829, that my father, a man in the full possession of his intellect—a statesman, celebrated for his wily policy—a gentleman of high birth and education, led away by an absorbing passion, committed to paper a scheme as monstrous as it was unjust! "Stop a bit—stop a bit!" again said Daddy Tabaret. Let's stick to the bare and simple facts, which are as follows Two children were bom in the same month of the same year. One the child of the poor girl called Valerie the other of the Countess de Valcourt.

At the instigation of the Count Lionel de Valcourt, the children were changed, and the real heir to his name and estates was consigned to the care of Valerie, whilst her child was brought up as the future Count.

The accomplices in this scheme were Germain, the Count's valet a wet nurse, named Claudine Lerouge the Count himself and, of course, Valerie. "The manner in which the plan was executed was simple and effective.

The two children, a few days after their respective births, were sent in the care of two wet-nurses into Normandy,, where the De Valcourt estates are situated. "These women were, of course, unknown to each other. "An accident on the road, previously arranged by Germain, the yalet, who accompanied the nurse who had taken charge of the

Countess'little

Am I right so far asked Daddy Tab-

Noel bent his head in token of acquiescence. "Andnow," said Old Corkscrew, suddenly sitting bolt upright in hi3 chair, and fixing his piercing eyes on the pale face of his young friend,44 inhere are your proofsT

Noel took back the packet of letters, replaced them* in his desk, and then looked steadily into the sharp countenance that was peering into bis own.

Suppose," he said, slowly, and in measured accents, "that all the proofs I possess in the world stop here. What then

Daddy Tabaret took some minutes before he answered this question. He was weighing the strength of the circumstantial evidence contained in the e"s the Count de Valcourt.

Speaking from my own impression, he said, at last," I'm convinced that you re not the son of Madame Gerdy."

Noel seized his hand, and shook it warmly.

"Valerie," remarked the barrister, be-

Thank-you—thank you!" he burst out, with a joyful energy- "You were never more right in your life, and I'm sure the

world will be on my side when it is made acquainted with my sad story." Daddy Tabaret watched him as he commenced pacing the room, talking the while in a quick, excited way, and waited for further information. "Of course you may guess," he said, "that I sought out Claudine Lerouge. She loved me, poor thing! She had suckled me, and my life, as^ it were had become apart of hers. She knew the injustice of which I had been the innocent victim, and her honest heart bled for me. Need I tell you that the thought of her complicity in the nefarious scheme weighed heavily upon her conscience Remorse, like a viper, was gnawing at her vitals—the burden laid upon her in her old age was too heavy for her to bear. When I questioned her, she was deeply moved, and confessed to me— whom she so devotedly loved—the whole plot. Three days after my birth, the end they had in view was attained, and I—I. a poor helpless infant, was deprived of my bii'thright, of a mother's love, and a father's care. Poor Claudine Lerouge! poor, faithful nurse! she, at least, remained my friend, and promised to come forward as a witness whenever I wished to assert my rights." "And she is dead and her secret buried with her!" groaned the old man, covering his face with his hands.

But still." argued Noel, eagerly and anxiously,441 may have a chance left, you know. I won't throw up the sponge as yet." "Quite right—quite right!" murmured his listener. I like a brave heart—I like courage and perseverance."

The widow," pursued the other, possessed letters of importance—foolish, imprudent, compromising letters some written by my father, some by Madame Gerdy. I know this to be a fact, l'or I've had them in my-hands. I've read them. CkuuHns even wished to place them in my keeping. Fool! fool that I was to refuse them!"

Alas! there was no chance left in that quarter. Nobody was better aware of it than Daddy Tabaret.

These letters, of course, had been the motive of the murder at the village of La Jonchere.

The assassin had found and had burned them, with the rest of the widow's papers, in the little stove already described in the first chapters of this story.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE TEAR-STAINED LETTER.

The old volunteer detective was once more on the trail. Still there was a flaw in the evidence he was collecting in his own mind. "It appears to me," he said, after a pause, "that, knowing your hard struggles to gain an honest independence, your father scarcely kept his word as to the dazzling promises he made to Madame Gerdy about your future."

He never kept his word at all!" answered the other, shaking his head sadly. "Well, I never!" cried Daddy Tabaret, indignantly.

If I don't think he has be

haved worse than all the rest!" "Spare my father!" said Noel, quickly.

Remember that he befriended Madame Gerdy for many years afterwards."

Did you ever see him?" interrupted his friend. "Yes. I can still remember being visited when at college by a tall man, with a handsome face, and cold, haughty manners, who could have been no other than the Count Lionel de Valcourt. But ths day came at last when he broke off all correspondence with the once adored and beautiful Valerie." "Oh, of course!—of course!" sneered Daddy Tabaret. "A man in his position —one of the old nobility, yon know—he could afford to do a dirty action!"

Stop," interrupted the barrister, with dignity, "before you judge him too hasiily, and you will see that he was not so much to blame."

So saying, he handed another letter to Old Corkscrew. This letter was more crumpled.and worn than the rest, and the writing appeared blotted in many places, as with tears.

Its folds were nearly divided from much, use, as though it had been read and reread many and many a weary time.

It intimated, in a few lines, that the Count had become cognizant of the fact that Valerie was on the point of accepting proposals of marriage from a rich tradesman in her neighborhood and that in consequence of this, she must consider that in future all further relations whatsoever between them were at- an end.

In her replies, the unfortunate woman indignantly denied the insinuation, but her letters were returned unopened. She tried to obtain an interview with the Count, but in vain, and was at last, informed by his solicitor that an income of £150 a year would be settled upon her, on condition that she ceased all further claims upon his client.

So you see, old friend," commented Noel, as the faded, sad-looking letter joined its companions in misfortune in the pack.—44 so you see, Valerie's son has taken my place, and my hopes are destroyed for ever—"

He was interrupted by some one knocking at the door. Who's there he asked, without rising from his seat.

son, caused

the two women to pass the night in the same room at a wayside inn, where the change was effected. ,7'•:*.

A munificent reward for her services had been given to Claudine Lerouge, the wife of an- honest but poor sailor, who carefully kept. the secret, and tenderly nursed the child of Valerie, wh was thus brought up as the future heir of the Count and Countess.

Oh, if you please, sir," said the voice of, the servant outside,44 do come Poor missus has been asking for you this'alfliour but I told her you was engaged. She's been asking for you again!"

The barrister turned very red, and then very pale—half rose from his seat, then sunk back again, as if irresolute what course to pursue.

Go to her!—go to her at once, my boy!" said Daddy Tabaret, energetically. "Don't be unkfed and unforgiving! Leave those unpleasant feelings to bigots and narrowminded people. It's a privilege that belongs to them."

Noel rose with an evident reluctance and repugnance then, placing his hand over his heart, as if to still its painful throbbing, went into Madame Gerdy's rooms.

CHAPTER XIV.

OLD CORKSCREW POCKETS A LETTER. .1

His young friend had hardly left the room, before Daddy Tabaret had risen to his feet, and commenced pacing the little study. i" Poor fellow!" thought the old man.

What a sad discovery! Such a finehearted chap, too! He's so generous, so candid, he hasn't the meanness to suspect anybody! But, thank goodness! I'm to the fore. I'll find out all about it. I partly guess who has done it but how has it been led up to?" There's the rub! He'll tell me more, presently, vathout suspecting the interest I take in his words."

Here Daddy Tabaret stopped studdenly in his pedestrian tour round and round the room.

His eyes had again alighted on 'the packet of letters which Noel had left behind him on the table.

Ah!" he sighed, "if I could only have one of those letters just for twenty-foui

JO.*

hours! Of course, he knows the exact number, and if I asked him for one, it might lead, in some way, to a betrayal of my connection with the police."

Old Corkscrew took another turn, and stopped again in front of the letters.

Yes I'll take one. Out of evil cometh good. I shall now be able to compare the handwriting at my leisure."

Daddy Tabaret had hardly succeeded in thrusting one of the letters into his ca

pacious

pocket when the barrister re-ap-

peared. He was one of those men, the hinges of whose character, so to speak, have been so well oiled that they bend but never break.

He was a complete master of his emotions, having exercised himself in hiding his thoughts and feelings from others to such an extent that dissimulation came to him as second nature. In short, he was convinced, and perhaps, after all, he was right, that dissimulation is the indispensable armor of an ambitious man.

Nothing, therefore, in his manner, as he entered the room, betrayed what had passed between him and his reputed mother.

His face was calm, his voice steady, and his whole demeanor as unruffled as if he had but just returned

from

give up

a common

place consultation with one of his clients. "Well," asked Daddy Tabaret, anxiously, "how is she?" "Worse!" answered Noel—"much worse! She is delirious now, and doesn't know what she is saying. She loads me with the most dreadful reproaches, and treats me as though I were a monster not fit to approach her. I'm positive she's going mad!" "It's not to be wondered at!" murmured the old man. "Poor thing—poor thing!" Then he added, "I hope you've sent for a doctor." "I've just done so, and expect his arrival each moment."

As he spoke, he sat down before his study table, and commenced putting his letters in order, arranging each according to its date, and in separate packets, without. discovering the missing one appropriated by Daddy Tabaret. This done, he placed them in the secret drawer of his desk, and, having carefully locked it, roscv and began pacing- the room, as if by continual movement he thought to calm the internal fever that seemed bubbling in Ins veins. "Yes, she thought to impose upon me— to trick me! As if she could succeed with such proofs as I hold!" "She has probably warned the Count, and plaoed him on his guard," said Daddy Tabaret, still pursuing his detective hobby. "It's very likely but she can't have succeeded.* The 'Count is away from home, and won't return till the end of the week." "How do you know that?" "Because wished to see my father—to speak to him!" "You?" "And why not? Do you think I'm going to

the fight before it has liardly

commenced? Do you think that, robbed, despoiled, and betrayed, I will not raise my voice in protest? What delicacy of sentiment should hold me back? Why shouldn't I speak?" "Of course!—of course!" assented Old Corkscrew, trying to soothe lrim down. "It's all right—it's only human nature— so you can't be far out. So you called on the" Count, then?" "Yes after weeks of irresolution—we:'ks of mental anguish and torture—I decided upon seeing my father. Oh, how I suffered during that short, time! I gave up work, pwetending to my elinuts that I was ill. In the day I took walks ol twn'y to thirty miles, helping in this way to r-'-ii. some rest in the long, weary lii-r'nts in vain! IJrom tho time those letters jv.i into my hands, I have never slop: an hour at a time!"

Daddy Tabaret was getting ros'loss. From time to time he drew his watch secretly from his pocket, and fidget-ted about in his chair. "Lor'! lor'!" he thought "how these young people do talk? I shall miss the magistrate he'll ha in Vied by the time I got away!" And lie suppressed a groan of'*impatience as he prepared to listen for "further particulars" on the part of his excited friend. "At last, one morning," continued Noel, "after a night of deep thought and misery, I made up my mind 1 Mit for a cab, and a iv to

The old volunteer detcv: h-o g.iva a sigh of satisfaction and relief. At last he was coming to the point. "When I arrived," went on Noel, "a footman, in orimson and gold, opened the door, who, in answer to my demand, informed me that the Count Lionel de Valcourt was in the country, but that the Viscount, his son, was at home. This rather upset the programme I intd iid down for myself but having gon nus far, I did not feel inclined to recede. I insisted, in default of the father upon seeing the son. After having been ws id on to several other servants, was .\- fided to the care of a valet, who beg r-d me to follow him into the presence of hi." master." "At last," murmured Old Corkscrew, with another sigh of relief, and politely suppressing a contemplated yawn. "I was now conducted," Noel continued, "into a small and simply furnished room, whose only adornment consisted in old armor and arms of every kind and sort.,1 don't think in all my life I've seen sueh a variety. Guns, pistols, swords, d.iggn-s, and foils of all shapes and qu liti 's were scattered about—in yliort, I should have thought myself in the arsenal of a fencing master."

The arm that had been used by the assassin of the Widow Lerouge flashed across the memory of the old detective. "The Viscount," said Noel, "was half seated, or rather half lying, on the sofa. He's a good-looking fellow, with dignified yet easy manners, and carries well the name which by right lelongs to me. He's about my height, with brown hair and eyes like myself, and there's a strong resemblance between us —stronger, perhaps, if he didn't wear a beard ana moustache. He looks much younger than I do, by the way, and that's not to be wondered at. I've worked,suffered, and struggled,whilst he has had nothing to do but eat, drink, and sleep." fp

44You

must have felt horribly nervous

and queer," put in Daddy Tabaret. "Not the least in the world. I felt less than I do now. Ten days of mental anguish and sleepless nights prepare a fellow for the worst. The moment I entered I broke the ice at once.

4Sir,'

4The

I said, 'I'm

a perfect stranger to you but my personality is a mere trifle compared with the importance of the mission with which I am charged.'" "He rose at once, and placing the cigarette he was smoking on the mantlepiece, stood leaning^ against its marble shelf.

mission I have come upon is sad

'and serious, and one that deeply

4If

concerns

the honor of the name you bear.' "He seemed hardly to understand me, and with atone of haughty impertinence, asked me

I thought I should be long?'

^4Yes,'_I replied shortly." Daddy Tabaret bad become very attentive.

Jo tinuedon Third Page.

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S5©2 M16WIBE, House,Si&,u ana Ornamental A I N E kittle Red Front, corner of Eighth acd

Main streets, Terre Haute, lud.

UENJASUK ROGEKS,

ARCHITK OT.

Plans and Specifications on both pnblie and private buildings furnished in the best style, on short notice.

Office. No. 7 Beach's Block.

Dr. JLeon J. Willien,

OFFICE AND RESIDENCE,*

Eagle street, bet. Sixth and Seventh,

Fourth bones from Seventh.

E. M. HALE & SUNEFIELD,

The new firm of

Orpenters and Builders,

Give special attention to

REPAIRING AND JOB WORK. Shop—Seventeenth and Eagle streets.

EAST END SALOON. The new drinKing house of

©ATI® PMILLIPS rs replete with all modern cor*:^niences. The best of treatment, the best liquors and a pleasant hospitality can always be had at this place. NORTHEAST COR. NINTH AND MAIN ,-

JESSBE KOBEBTSON.

A Large Assortment and Low Prices, at

G. HEIM'S North Fourth St.. roofed building

BARBEK SHOP.

CALEB J. THOKPE,

Successor to Rod ems Brothers, on Foartb street, between Main and Ohio. He soliits a share of the pnbiic patronage.

JOH1V GRIXSRSOtf,

PAINTER.

•LI HOUSE

seMi

V-SWSttjjJS*

A. J.

WATSON

EOBERTSOH & WATSON

Contractors for Job Rrick Work Plastering, Cistern Building and Calcimining.

All work guaranteed. Address, Robertou & Watson, P. O. Box 1,231, Terre Haute, Ind.

NEW STOVE STORE. ST0YE8 OF ALL STYLES. Parlor, Cook

—AND-

OJPFIOJE ^TOYES

ANI) SIGN PAINTING,

Graining,- GlaxlBg, and all branches of a painter's business will be attended to with promptness and dispatch. Ninth street near Chestnut.

PETER KVZER fc CO.

•_ Make a Specialty of

HORSE SHOEING!

They will guarantee to cure by shoeing, corns, bruised heels, quarter cracks, hoofbound, contraction of the heel, over-reach-

ed, forging and Interfering, branches of genuine

If BLACKSMITHING

properly and promptly attended to._

side ol Third South of Walnut

street.

JOSEPH RICHARDSON, M. D.

Office on Ohio St.,

bet

ROBERT VAN YALZAH, DENTIST,

OFFICE 1ST OPEBA HOUSE, TEBBE HAUTE, INDIANA.

LOUIS DREUSICKE*

Iti (Successor to Gelger A Dreuelcke)

Locksmith, Bell-Hanger and Stencil Cutter.

N. B. Special attention paid to puttlns np Speaking Tubes. The sai wholesale and retail to tinners.

The same sold at

Keys wholesale and retail. promptly attended to.

Repairing

G.W. BALLEW,

E N I S

Office, 119 Main Street Over Sage's old confectionery stand.

llfllflMlMll'llllWllillllliWlll»lWlhl*lMIII'MttSIIilWllNllllrlllMfllllllitilWlifliWi"ill""M"''l'MrnTffii'

IICE 5 CFNTS

Hante where

ST AIL! ontiniied warm opening

RES

r.,

ldren

iiS

lilding. These

land in this*

here to make

"-,3

•3

f-Goods

Jr Goods all fresh

•BMialy salesmen or not.

'ERA

come

ISjrElV for This Week

ece» of handsome 19 (new dark shades) at orth $2.50. plecea of magnificent 24 inch, Lyons Faille foil evening tints, at orth |2.50. pieces of extra, drain Silk, new dark worth |2.25 to $2.50. ecea of regular make id'

double-raced Black rits, worth OOcents. ecea, same make, in I qualities, at 50 cents, ?t pieces of Extra Dlaforkish Brilliantines, warranted, at 65 eta, jk Cashmeres, which or color, qnality and

ig anything in these to their interest to exspecial bargains. 'Wpectfully,

RES &

col

:.s,

All other

Third and Fcurtb

TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

Ac 37 7

hinton Street,

Brkpous. ir Trimmings just re-

HENRY CLIFF.

son, ..

aft^turera of

,*'1

ailonarj and Sarin*

jL.ES KS,

AND CYLINDER,

mokeStackg, Sheet Work, fte.

jet, between Walnut and erre Hante, Ind. done In the most subat short notice, and-as any establishment In tbe ielted and punctually at-

E SALOON

lly, proprietor.

between Ohio and Falnat.

.. ,,

VV:..-

.V'. .,r.

ot Cigars and Tobacco, Viass^Xiqnors and JSeer iea. iJ&VL -..V

Hhfratt 9 to 12 A. M.

at two! thousand hogs tcted with tbe Davis tablia£ment, waiting e,weather is too warm