The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-07-25

was getting sobered pretty fast, and al
most wished myself safe in bed in my
lodgings, but thought it best to carly out
my previous air of self possession.
GA capita. surgeon, as far as GOODNESS
is concerned" l heard whispered from one
to the other.
"Come follow as lead, and remembe betn
said that same stern whisper again, and at
the moment a strong hand took hold OF
mine.
Iarose, stepped from the boat to some
stairs, went up the steps and through a
long narrow passage, then up and through
till heartily prayed | might soon get to
the end-and all the time in a darkness
that might have been cut with knife, so
to speak, and in silence that death himself
might have been satisfied with.
At last, Wa entered an underground
place that seemed to be large crypt, as I
hastily surveyed it by the light of torch
which a masked figure held in his hand.
Three other masked figures, all in long
black gowns. or dominoes, were standing
beside him, and glance at my guide
showed him habited and masked in the
same manner. The girl was not present.
"Sir," said stern voice aloud, " swear
by your honor as gentleman, You will
never reveal aught of this nights adven~
ture--of what you have seen or shall see
of what you have heard or shall hear
of what you know or shall know
az swear never to make the slightes.
revelation while l remain in France ~ |
replied.
"Enough! Secret assassination will be
the penalty if you break your oath Now
follow U.S."
was conducted up stairs, two or three
flights, into small and elegantly >furnish-
ed apartment. in one corner of which was
bed, and on the bed young man, with
face as white as sheet, and groaning at
every breath. One ofmy mysterious con-
panions turned down the coverlet, and
showed me a leg apparently shattered at
the knee, either by pistol or musket
ball.
"Well, sir?" said an anxious voice.
"There is no help for 1.-THE leg mus,
come off, replied, by :his time com
pletely sober.
You will take il off, then"
8" have not nv implements with me-"
Here are all you can need"
A complete and beautiful set was pro-
duced.
Without another word took off my
coat, rolled up my sleeves, and proceeded
to the work, the masks assisting me. The
poor sufferer tainted under the painful op-
Grafton. When all was finished, one of
the men said to me in low, anxious
voice:
"Will he survive g'
"With careful attention and nursing,
think he will"
"Thanks. You will now write down
all necessary Instructions"
Pen, ink and paper being furnished me,
this proceeded to do. When all was
completed, a heavy purse was placed in
my hand and the mask said:
" Sir, you will not forget your oath ?''
"Not very likely to, with assassination
in prospective" said I.
EuOuSH tOue.
I followed my conductor down into the
crypt again, and then in total darkness,
was led through a succession of long, mar
row passages, alternating with stairs, the
same as before, not ending where began,
for door was at last thrown open, and |
suddenly found myself in dark, narrow
street. l heard slight click behind me,
and on looking round, was greatly sur
prised to find myself standing alone beside
a church, apd only blank wall, where |
expected to see door at least. The
stones were all alike, SO far as I could see,
and nothing to indicate an opening of any
kind. And yet had just come through
that wall or else | WAS dreaming. Was I
dreaming? 1 was not quite sure, though
the purse that had been put into my haad
felt very heavy.
"Well," thought I, " this will do for one
night, at any rate and now will 90
home and think"
1 was some distance from the Seine :;
but l soon found the river, and in less than
half an hour after, my lodgings also, which
| reached just as the day was breaking
l went to bed, went to sleep, and slept till
noon, and then got up and counted my
money-ffty Napoleons in good, hard,
heavy, yellow gold.
"Well," said I, off my last nights ad-
venture was dream, l only hope and
pray l may keep on dreaming SO every
night"
But what of all this mystery what
could it mean? Pshaw why trouble my
brain about it, since probably 1 sho'd never
know.
On taking my breakfast at the Cafe Tor
toni, l looked over the columns Of LIE
Monite,cr Universel, and soon found N.Y.
self deeply interested in the details OF the
astounding assassination of Madame -,
a we'll known favorite of the King of the
French. Her apartments had been enter.
ed by band of masked assassins, and the
lady stabbed in her bed. He- dying
screams had brought assistance, but moi
sufficientto secure the ruffians, all Of whom
had escaped, though one had been sho'
and carried off By his companions. One
hundred thousand francs GA, 4,00O) was Of
fered for the apprehension and conviction