A PLASTER HAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 91, 28 February 1885, Page 5

A PLASTER HAND.

During the reign of Louis Napoleon, I was engaged on the detective force, and by several very lucky operations, found myswlf oiie of the very beat mouchards in Paris, and when Baron Vincent desired one of the most acute men, I was detailed for the purpose. I was much surprised to be received by the Baroness Vincent instead of his highness. That, however, was explained, and in a few moments I was in possession of the facts of the case. Simple enough, and yet withal terribly perplexing. '• A magnificent emerald necklace was missing two days ago," the l&iy informed me, '• and some time this morning it was discovered that a priceless diamond set was also stolen." The baroneaß had taken the diamonds in her hands while hunting tor the emerald necklace, she declared ; since which time she had seen nothing o them. I made a thorough examination, but discovered nothing upon which to base a clue. I could not even satisfy mysolf as to whether the valuables had been taken by professionals from the outside, or by some one within. 1 bowed myself out of the distinguished lady's "presence, and .vent home to study the ca«e. You may imagine my surprise, the very next day, to learn that another and almost equally valuable diamond bracelet had disappeared in an equally mysterious manner. Jn the questioning I was obliged to detain the titled dame for tho best part of an hour. We of course became wonderfully friendly, that is, considering the difference of our stations in life, and in course of conversation the baroness told me her eldest daughter. Mademoiselle °lga, was sonn to bo married to Marquis Tardieu, a Mexican gentleman of exceeding wealth, of middle age, very dark complexion, and the blackest of eyes and hair. When at last I could no longer delay my departure, I rose to leave, and passing into a second salon, I stopped suddenly befure a plaster hand fastened against a mat of purple velvet hung on the wall. It was such an odd thing that my inquisitiveness was aroused. I exclaimed — "At the risk of being rude, Baroness Vincent, may I as>k is their any special significance in this— is it simply a new feature of the brio a-brnc craze ?" "Yes," she answered smiling, "I presume it is. It is considered very fashionable for dear friends to exchange a model of this S'trt instead of pictures. It is quito en regie to have the hand or foot moulded " "Ah !" I answered, amiling in turn. " You people of wealth have many ways of using your money. I presume this is the hand of your husuand?" " Ah, no ! 'ris not tho baron's, but a ca«t of the Marquis I'ardieu's hand, which he presented to his intondel bride, Mado moselle Olga." She lifted ifi from the nail and passed it to mo for examination. In my time I have dribbled in all the ologi^g, and among them hud interested myself in palmistry, there fore, I looked at the mould with consider able care. I became deeply interested as I turned it over. It was remarkable for the development of the palm on tho sido of the little finger, and the exceeding length of the thumb Uesbarolles, tho acknowledged authority on palmistry, states that this enlarged de% r elopmeut indicates the instincts ot an a^&as-un ; the length of tho thumb, in flexible will ; while the line of life encircling the base of the thumb, which wan deep and wide, proclaims a thief, and when joined with the other peculiarities, spoke again of murder. I had examined the hands of a great many ra?calf, and hud moro than ordinary belief in the indications. I handed it back to the noble dame, with tho remark that it was a very peculiar hand. 1 am sure she read something of the distrust I felt for the owner of rrnch a p ihn, for she remarked — " The Marquis is doubtless a charming 1 gentleman, but I must own that neither 1 nor my daughter is so enraptured as the baron. There now," smil'ng again, "you will think me exceedi lgly indiscreet." The remark was strange, and I could not but wonder at the singular speech of the lady and the rapidity of our intimacy. I wanted to know more of this marquis, and found that he frequented a noted gambling house in the Rue de Marat; therefore I made it my business to visit it frequently. He never visited the place alone; lu< was always accompanied by a grey haired old man named De Lisle The saloon was kept by a Spanish woman, who*e reputation was none of the best, although the place was one of the most fashionable in Paris. One night I tound play very hot and furious. A young man opposite the mar guis had been winning largely. Other players rrowded around, with the Spanish woman and De Lisle watching the game I caw the marquis draw a card from his sleeve, with which he replaced one in his hand. Luck began to turn, and the young man began to pass over his cash to his unscrupulous antagonist. This continued until the you' q fellow placed the whole of his money on the table. Among other accomplishments J am a ventriloquist. When, therefore, I saw the | marquis about to play a king taken from his sleeve, I cried, in a voice which appeared to proceed from under his feet — ♦' You are a thief, Marquis Tardieu !" This charge breaking the deathly stillness which had prevailed but a moment I before, startled the house. The marquis, unaware of the real speaker, lost his self possession, and pushing back his chair, left two kings of hearts upon the board. It was plain that the marquis was a rascal, and great confusion followed. De Lisle took advantage of the diversion and dropped both double cards into the pocket of the young man. Tho marquis, recovering himself, and aware of De Lusle'p operation, insisted that both he and his victim should be searched, when it would be easily proved who was the real swindler. The cards wero found upon the young man. Vrom what I had now seen I was satisfied that in some way Marquis Tardieu had managed to steal tho precious .stones. I called upon the baroness the next day. and, by dint of questioning, connected the marquis with the stolen jewellery, although I did not arouse any suspicion. He had i^een so far above suspicion as the intended husband of Olga incent that it never oc curred to me to inquire into his opportunities. I was not yet prepared to denounce him, fox I wished to" recover the gems, and contented) myself by remarking to my agreeable client — "I agree with you in mistrusting the marquis. I beg of you to cancel the engagement with your daughter at once, before Paris is ringing with tho escapades of the Marquis Tardieu !" Befoi^e she could question me more closely I withdrew. Ihe marquis, I felt convinced, was far too wise to attempt the sale of the stolen gem* in Paris. I dW not want to alarm him by searching hia baggage ; and besides, I felt tolerably sure that stones would be conoealed in some very peculiar -way.

Tt waa possible, indeed, that they were placed in some safe deposit company's vault, out of which it would be next to impossible to rescue them, since we had no legal proof of Tardieu's connection with them. To fasten the crime securely upon him it became necessary to discover the gems on his person. Aftor the soenein the gambling-room, the most expert shadow* were placed upon the marquis and his grey-haired accomplice. Confident that the marquis would scent ranger from the action of Baron Vincent in cancelling the marriage contract, and that his next move would be to get the stolen jewels out of France, I instructed the | shadows to renewed vigilance, with orders j to summon tr-e upon the first sign of a journey, and the word was not long delayed. "Ah," I said to myself, as I saw the two take a cab, and observed that De Li3le was evidently about to travel, "so, my greyhaired friend, you expect to take those jewels out of Paris ? Not if I can prevent it." They repaired to the Safe Deposit Company of Paris, and in ten minutes came outside, where they bade each other good-bye. I observed De Lisle was veiy careful with a leather travellingbag. Leaving one of my men to keop IJe Lisle in view, I searched several stores until I obtained the exact counterpart of the article. I reached the station in time to board the train, and by seeing the guard, got into the same carriage with De Lisle. In due time I obtained his satchel and loft mine. I had the jewels, but when he j opened my satchel he would find my card, to be handed with my compliments to Marquis Tardieu. We may imagine his astonishment on discovering the trick by which he lost his valuable plunder.