A PLASTER HAND.

Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 37, 14 February 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

A PLASTER HAND.

'During the reign of Louis Napuloon I was engaged on the detective forco, and by several very lucky operations found mysolf one of the vory best mouehardn in Paris, and whon Baron Vincent desired one of tho most acuto men I was detailed for the purpose. I was much surprised to bo recoivod by tho Baronesß- Vincent instead of his , highness. That, howover, was oxplainod, and in a few moments I was in : csueßßion of the fncts of the case. Simplo onough, and yot withal terribly perplexing. 'A magnificont emerald necklace was missing two days ago,' tho lady informed me, 'and some time this morning it was discovered that a priceless diamond set was also stolen.' The baroness had taken the diamonds in her hands while hunting for tho emerald necklace, she declared; since which time she had soon nothing of them. I mado a thorough examination, but discovered nothing upon which to base a clue. I could not oven satisfy myself as to whothor the valuables had been taken by professionals from the outside or by some one inside. I I bowed myself out of the distinguished lady's presence, and went home to study the case. 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. In tho questioning I was obliged to detain the titled dame for the 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 that Her eldest daughter, Mademoiselle Olga, was soon to bo married to a Marquis Tardieu, a Mexican gentleman of exceoding wealth, of middle age, very dark complexion, and the blackest of eyes and hair. Whon at last I could no longer delay my departure, I roße to leave, and, passing into a second saloon, I stopped suddenly before a plaster hand fastened against a mat of purple velvet hung on the wall. It was such an odd thing that my in^uisitiveness was aroused. I exclaimed — 'At the risk of being rude, Baroness Vincent, may I ask if there is any special significance in this — is it simply a new feature of the bric-a-brac craze ?' ' Yes,' she answered, smiling. ' I presume, it is. It is considered vory fashionable for dear friends to exchange a model of this sort instead of pictures. It is quite en regie to have the hand or the foot moulded.' ' Ah !' I answered, smiliqgin turn. 'You people of wealth have many ways of using your money. I presume this is the hand of your husband ?' ' Ah, no ! 'tis not the baron's, but a cast of the Marquis Tardieu's hand, which he presented to his intended She liftod it from the nail and passed it to me for examination. In my timo I have dabbled in all tho ologies, and among them had interested myself in psalmistry, therefore I looked at the mould with considerable care. I became deeply interested as I turned it over. It was remarkable for the development of the palm on the side of tho little finger, and the exceeding length of the thumb. Desbarolles, the acknowledged -authority on palmistry, states that this enlarged development indicates the instincts of an assassin; the length of the thumb, inflexible will ; while the line of life encircling the base of the thumb, which was 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 rascals, and had more than ordinary belief in the indications. I handed it back to the noble dame, with the remark that it was a very peculiar hand. I am sure she road something of the distrust I felt for the owner of such a palm, for she remarked — ' The marquis is doubtless a charming gentleman, but I must own that neither I nor my daughter is so enraptured as the baron. There now,' smiling again, 'you will think me exceedingly 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 freSuented a noted gambling-house in le Eve de Marat; therefore I made it my business to visit it frequently. He never visited the place alone : he was always accompanied by a gray-haired old man, named De Lisle. The saloon was kept by a Spanish woman, whose reputation was none of the best, although tho place was one of tho most fashionable in Paris. One night I found play vory hot and furious. A young man opposite the marquis had been winning largely. Other players crowded around, with the Spanish woman and De Lisle watching the game. I saw tho marquis draw a card from his Bleeve with which he replaced ono in his hand. Luck began to turn, and the young man began to pass over his cash to his unscrupulous antagonist. This continued until tho young fellow placed the whole of his money on the table. Among other accomplishments I am a ventriloquist. When, therefore, I saw tho marquis about to play a king taken from his sleeve, I cried, in a voice which appeared to proceed from under his foot — 'You are a thief, Marquis Tardieu!' This charge, breaking tho deathly stillness which had prevailed but a moment 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 to all that tho Marquis was a rascal, and great confusion ensued. De Lisle took advantage of the diversion and dropped double cards into the pocket of the young man. The marquis, recovering himself and aware of De Lisle's operation, insisted that both he and victim should be searched, when it would be easily proved who was the real swindler The cards were found upon the young man. From what I had now seen I was satisfied that in some way Marquis Tardieu had managed to steal the precious stones.

I called upon the buronoss tho next day, and, by dint of questioning, connected tho marquis with the stolen jewollory, although I did not arouso any suspicion. Ho had beon so far above above suspicion as the intendod husband of Olga Vincent that it never occurrod to me to inquire into his opportunities. I was not yet prepared to denounce him, for I wished to recover tho gems, and contented myself by remarking to my agreeable client; — 'I agree with you m distrusting tho marquis. I beg of you to cancel tho ongagoment with your daughter at once, boforo Paris iv ringing with tho oscapadea of tho Marquis Tardieu !' Before sho could question me moro closely I withdrew. The marquis, I felt convinced, was far too wise to attempt the sale of the stolon goms in Paris. I did not want to alarm him by eoarching his baggago, and, besides, I folt tolorably sure that tho stones would bo concealed in some very peculiar way. It was possible, indeed, that they wore 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. After the scene in the gambling-room, the most expert shadows were placed upon the marquis and his grey-haired accomplice. Confident that the marquis would scent danger 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 to summon me upon the first sign of a journey, and the word was not long delayed. 'Ah, 1 I said to myself, as I saw the two take a cab, and observed that De Lisle was about to travel, 'so my grey-haired 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 minutea came outside, where they bade each other good-bye. I observed De Lisle was very careful with a leather travelling-bag. Leaving one of my men to keep De 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 in the same carriage with De Lisle. In due time I obtained his satchel and left mine. I had the jowols, but when he 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 had lost his valuable plunder.