Litchfield enquirer., 1861-12-05
Alistellanp.
Translated from the Courier des Etats Upis o
 [1S48

THE AMpUrArED HANbi !'4S
 About three months ago, Dr. Huberti had re turned home about II o'clock in the eyenino and was raising his hand to the knocker. whel his arm was vigorously seized, and he found thre masked men around him. The street was desert ed the Doctor was without arms and it wa useless to attempt to escape. So he was pre- pairing to yield with good grace, when the mai who held him said, 'Dr. Huberti I believe ?- It seems you know me- replied the Doctor come, then, take my purse and watch, let m, enter my house, and go about your business. Sir said the other, i've are not thieves; W. want your services You have chosen singu lar hour Any hour is good for so skilIful { surgeon As you please said the Doctor, who little more treasured, observed his clients more particularly, and saw they were dressed more like dancers than gentlemen of the road. We beg you, Doctor, to follow us immediately Let me inform my wife, Its useless; yor have your instruments that's enough only al low us to cover your eyes, But sir Less talk and more haste :; and at slight whistle carriage appeared the Doctor was put in, ant then they disappeared at full speed. Having concluded that all resistance would be useless Dr. Huberti resigned himself to this mysterou: violence.
 | oi lhO HouiS spChe lOt lO Eiil, illt their language to each other he could not under stand.
 Suddenly the carriage passes under an arch way, gate is heard to open, and the carriage stops. A door opened. Well? inquired au anxious voice. Here he s,' replied orc of the men, aiding the Doctor to descend
 They immediately ascended number of steps The fresh air made him sensible that they were ascending an outside staircase. A door opened and the Doctor perceived that they crossed g large marble paved room the vestibule, perhaps and then several other apartments thickly car peted
 At length the conductor, stopping said, Doct or, we have arrived remove your banlage.' | The Doctor, whose fears had given place to q restless curosity and vague apprehension obey ed, and found himself in small chamber, fur nlshed with remarkable luxury, and half lit by an alabaster lamp hsng from the ceiling. Tht windows were dramatically sealed, as we'll as the curtains Of an alcove at the other end of the room.
 Here the Doctor found himself alone with on; of his abductors. He Was man Of imposing height and commandiag g.air and his whole ex teiior of the most ariHocratic stamp. His blacl eyes gleamed throuehthe half mask that covered the upper part of his face, and nervous agita tion shook his colorless dips and the thick black beard that enlramed the lower.
 Doctor, said he, in an abrupt, loud voice prepare for your worll--an amputation.'
 'Who is the patient? :? asked the Doctor, tarn ing toward the alcove.
 The curtains moved slightly, and he heard g stihed sigh
 Prepare, sir, said the man convulsively But sir, 1 must see the patient
 You will see only iEe hand you are to cut off.
 The Doctor folding hi: arms and locking firm y at the other, said, Sir, you brought me here by loFce' IT you need my professional assis tance, shall do my duty without curing for that or troubling myself about your secret-but i you Wish to Commit crime, you cannot force mo to be your acccmplice.'
 Be content sir replied the ether bitterly there IS no crime in this, and leading him to the alcovc, lie drew fronl he curtain hand. It i: this you are to cut off.
 The Doctor took the hand in his the fnger trambled at his touch.
 It was lady's hand-small-- beautifully moulded and it's pure white set off by a magni ficent ruby encircle,l with diamonds. But cr ed the Doctor there is no need of amputaton nothing is
 And sir, I say thunlercd the other, if you refuse, will do it myself, and seizing hatche at the foot of the bed, he placed the hand upon the table, in the act to strike.
 The Doctor arrested him.
 Do your duty, then, doctor.'
 'Oh, but this is an atrocous act !! exclaimed the poor Doctor
 What is that to you? It must be done. wish it; madam wishes it also. If necessary she will demand it herself: Come, madam, re quest the Doctor to do you this service.'
 The Doctor. pale, nonpussed, and almost fainting under the torture of his feelings, heard from the aleove, in half expiring voice and in expressible accent of despair and resignation SIT, since you are surgeon--yes-I entrea you-let it be you--and not-oh, yes, you you in mercy
 1WelI, Doctor said the man, you or I?' The resolution of this man was so frightful and the prayer of the poor lady so full of entrea ty and despair, that the Doctor felt that ever humanity commanded him to obey his victim. He took his instruments, with last imploring look at the unknown, who only pointed to the hand and then-with sinking heart, and the sweat starting from his forehead, he attempted the act. How his hand trembled! At lengtl the blood fowed-there was cry from the al cove, followed by the silence of death-the un known stood unmoved. Nothing else Was heard but the horrid sound of the operation, till the hand and the saw fell together on the floor. The Doctor, himself livid as a corpse, looked at the mask. He takes the hand and removing ) the ring, presents it to the Doctor. Take that, Doctor, as souvenir; it will ney CT be reclaimed
 ! Then, speaking in a loud voice, C it is done.'
 Immediately the other masks enter; they again bandaged the Doctors eyes, and lead hin away.
 The same carriage deposited him at his door Raising his bandage, he saw it disappear in the indstinct light, It was five in the morning. For three months the Doctor sought in vain to unravel this terrible mystery and had it not been for the ring, he would have thought himself the victim of hallucination. However, hoping that the ring, sole proof of the terrible event would sooner or later lead to some discovery, he wore it habitually on the chain of his watch
 The day before yesterday, the Doctor was in vited to ball of the Countess of P, at her ho tel, rue de Varrenuet. All the distinguished in the fashionable world were there The great est names of France jostled the most illustrious of German nobility.
 A young man, his face extremely pale, and o most melancholy expression, had been observ ed during the evening passing occasionally through the rooms. then retiring sadly from the crowd. At length he found himself for mo ' ment opposite the Doctor, and his eyes, which at first fell mechanically upon him, sought him } continually. They were soon fixed with the most trIshtful expression upon the ring that sparkied upon the Doctors waistcoat. All al l once ne pushes thro group that separates them ana roughly strikes him with the elbow, with evi oent design The Doctor politely complains and bis rePiy only IS blow. One may imagine the stil WHICH such scene un such an occasion would make. Tomorrow the Doctor and his aporessn light, as all Paris knows, and tbe result h.