Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-05-18

was nothing unusual about the appear
ance Of the room. Tt was very much
such a bed-chamber as might be met
with in aimost every village mn. Never
Iheless, resolved to pot no faith in APP
pearahees, and immediaieIy eonmsn-
ced s systematic examination. search |
ed vervwhere-under the bed, in the
closet, and behind the window curtains
but my search revealed nothing. II
was certain that no one was concealed ir
the room, and there as certainly seem
ed no place for ingress, save the door
was beginning to become anxious
reflected that Tie danger nigh, come
upon me unexpectedly and from an IN
expected source. / sat Gown, and for
half an hour waitedAwaited in resi-.
less expectancy for the appearance OF
the assassin, but still waited in vain
Looking at my watch, perceived tia,
twas nearly midnight. MY unaecustou-
ed vigil bad weared me, and placing nv
pistols beneath the pillow, lay down
on the bed without removing my clothes.
was not long in discovering that this
bed was of somewhat singular construc-
tion--the formation of the top being
rather concave than otherwise, and so
adjusted that the occupant could not pos
sibly rest in il many other way than
upon his back, in the middle.
Upon he's 6dckg That seemed rather
a singular discovery to make just at that
moment. Had not every one of the
murdered men been stabbed through the
back /? Yes--and each of them must
have received his death wound while
!, lying in this very bed, just as T.
}. Chck-C Cliek-- Cicki
Three sharp, distinct sounds, apparent
ly near at hand, interrupted my refiec-
: tions. knew their meaning in an in
stant-those sounds needed no interpre-
ter | rose quickly and silently, and
grasping my pistol, awaited the next
! movement of the unseen assassins.-
: Click-elick. That noise again, and
e now like the creaking of a hinge. Next
t there was a shuflling sound which made
! me aware that there was a man beneath
the bed-and the next instant | saw the
!, blade Of dagger driven through the
e thin mattrass, in The very place where !
E had been lyingl gave low groan,
D which was answered by a chuckle from
e beneath the bed
AN easy death! Now for the spoils,
S | heard the same voice say. And at the
/. same instant the head and shoulders oI
e the innkeeper were thrust out from the
: bed-hangings. Covering him with the
muzzIe of one ofmy pistols, said
: Come forth, sir, and deliver yourself
IS up! Your innocent guest is no othet
than detective officer Doa't try Il
e eseape--I shall certainly fire if you do
+ But he did try, and speedily sent
ri pistol ball after him. The report wa
r succeeded by deep groan. and Instant.
n, Nj. Berret and his assistants rushed in
A hasty search was sufficient TO diseoye
sr the landlord under the bed, weltering il
= his blood, and the hosiler was seized bs
fore be had an opportunity to close tn
nj secret panel in the wall through whie
he endeayored to escape.
In This panel. as a short search disclose
to US, opened directly into hollow par
r. tition, which communicated with lowe
IS, room. BY means Of this strange cor
ly trivanees the assassias had aIwaws bee
We able to enter this particular chamber !
lis any time--and once through the pans
10 without having disturbed the unsuspec
ing sleeper, their work was easily don
! The bed was, as have said. eonssructe
ne in such a manner that a sleeper eeul
TO maintain only one position 10 liza hoi
OF bad been worn for the passage Of the da.
I'D ger, and q single. powerful thrust ha
i'll been IN every instance enough 10 transit
nd the heart Of the vieslp. Alter rifir
nis the body of everything valuable, the ma
We derers were accustomed 20 carry ito
IN the darkness Of The night and lsave
Ise on one Of the public streets Of the tow
- And 50 adroitly bad this game be.
d. played that no shadow Of suspicion ha
lch attached 10 ihe'real criminals. The in
on keeper recovered from the wound y hh
ith | gave bin, bnt il was only. sageih
ON with his partner in guilt---ibe hossiaE,
ht, to receive one Of a much more serio
'ou character from the hands Of the pab
70 execationer. And wben ! next came
'ay ST. Ives, ] occupied the same chant
and lhe same bed Al The Inn. With a sen
ro- Of the most peFfect seearity, andistarb
- By any remembrance ol my fosmsr :
ut- .,...4s.~a