The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-25

he settled his fare thus far; then lie went
to the stable, and ordered horse to be in
readiness for him by three o'clock in the
morning, at the same time enjoining upon
the garcon the strictest secresy with regard
to his movements.
AS soon as these arrangements were made,
Lafont retired to his room. He, of course,
knew that bis secret bad got wings, and
even in his proposed course, lie was not en-
tirely free from danger. A million francs
was large sum, and if the two Psrisian
robbers had set their hearts upon its posses
sion, he had yet some work to perform ere
he would be entirely free from them. AZ
ter revolving the thing over in his mind for
some time, new idea struck him, and OBJ
tanins number of useless papers, he neat
ly folded them in an envelope, which he
strongly scealed and bound with blue rib
bon.
At three o'clock in the morning, while it
was yet very dark, and before any one else
was stirring, Lafont quietly descended from
his room and went to the stable. The
garcon was easily aroused, and in few
moments the agent was on his way to Chau-
mont. For two hours he rode on his way,
but instead Of pursuing the high road to
Troves, he again crossed the Seine and kept
along by the banks of:thc Aube. Daylight
was just beginning to streak the eastern
heavens, when Lafont thought he heard the
sound Of horses behind him, and it was not
long ere he knew he was being pursued, and
in ten minutes, lie was assured that tho two
| robbers were after him. In a moment the
agent eaped from his saddle. and seizing a
heavy stone lie Inflicted severe bruse up-
on one of his horses fore legs. The animal
reared and plunged, but Lafont managed to
hold him, and again mounting, he drove on,
but the horse limped and staggered beneath
the effects of the blow he had received, and
in a short time the other two travellers
came up.
'Ah! good morning, gentlemen said the
agent as he reined in his lame steed, at the
same time raising his hat With afIable polite
ness. so it seems, you, loo, arc tired of
the numbering diligence
Yes replied the foremost of the two
men, the diligence did not exactly suit our
convenience so we took our horses
Are You bound to Chaumont. p asked
Lafont.
Yes-that is-probabiy.'
'On busincss?'
'Ies, important business
That is fortunate,' said Lafont, with the
utmost earnestness, 'for you may, if you see
tit, do me great favor. I, too, have i'm
portant business at Chaumont, but fear
that without assistance shall not be able to
accomplish it. have gentlemen, in my
possession, vast amount of valuable papers,
and intended to have continued on my way
in tho diligence, but at Nogeut, received
the intelligence that there was plan on
foot to rob re. Do not start, gentlemen,
for what tell you is true. And for that
reason I set off thus alone, but my horse has
met with sad mishap, and fear .thatsthe
robbers, who, I.think; are yet at Nogent,
may overtake me: Now, ifyou are going
to Chaumont, perhaps you would be willing
to take my package in your charge and de-
liver it to N. Augient at his office. ANY
one there will tell you where it is. Then if
/ am overbauled, the robbers will find moth
ing, and, Of course, you will not be suspected.
If you will thus accommodate me, you
shall be suitably rewarded. What say you,
gentlemen? 9 'T
The two exchanged significant glauces
during these remarks; and after a moments
consultation, one of them said:
You seem to be ready in trusting strau-
gers. SIR -~s5 =. r.y'<.,'. y e. ~
/ o, not at all, sir" returned Lafont, will,
q frank smile. I would much rather trust
honest travellers, than run the risk of meet
ing with robbers. You 4sse;just how I am
situated, gentlemen; and iftyou will do .ne
the favorl ask, you shall not regret it. i
Isbatl stopsa at Arcis, and Then change horse
and then follow yoa.' ,T ,T,.7 - =,
t., 'Weil'' said one Of the, men, we viii do
your wish, and meet -you,at NJ. Angient s
4 efee:'% ~. Xxx a., 5 s,ss:a .@t s..,
l Then thshk you most heartily, said
] Lafont, aud as be SPOKE he took a, closely
sealed packet from big bosom aud handed
isover. ,.In tlfis,' ehe said, there are yaIna.
i blsPapers, and trust, you Win use aIi'dIs-
cselion sin sheircate.;s Now, The robberas
oysrhaul me Is soon . they file, g.
6lsa After some further directions, given; ID
4 an honest comic ding ,nanasf, s Iaispt bsde
sa his new messesgssssg godspeed; and, are long
II sshsy we're ops of sight TIE agent 4af1ssd
Il Il stH 5horsss haad bsok towara nSSessas