, 1863-06-25
A Surgeons Adventure.

II O'CLOCK IN the evening, having Just lett CoL
LAtour, whose quarters were very near mine, when
all at once, as was turning the corner Of street.
two unknown individuals threw q thick mantle
over my head and shoulders, which efectually sti.
fed my cries, although l cried like whipped
dog, and transported me with rapid dexterity to
u carriage which was standing close by. As soon
as the vehicle was in motion the mantle was re-
moved from my head and q female voice whis
pered in my ear, in very Indifferent French, "If
you cry out, or make the slightest sign or attempt
to escape, the individual before you will thrust
poniard into your heart. Keep quiet therefore,
and will tell you the reason Of your abduction.
Stretch out your hand toward me, and you will
feel between us your box Of instruments Shich
we got from your lodgings on the pretense that
you had sent for them you will require them, as
you are wanted to assist lady who Is about to
be confined without her husbands knowledge I;
for although be Is passionately attached to her
and seldom leaves her, she has been able to con-
ceal from him the fact that she is to become q
mother, and be imagines that she Is simply IN:
well. The dangers 6f attending her at this criti-
cal moment do not affect you; only obey. us, other
wise her friend who sits opposite to you, and who
does not understand word Of French, will stab
you on the slightest indiscreti0h.n
"And What are you! :" asked, feeling for her
hand.
"I am Madam's maid, and we will cheerfnlly
reward you il you will assist US at this trying
moment"
Willingly" I answered, finding that I was
embarked in dangerous adventure.
We continued our conversation until Ne DR.
rived at the door Of garden, when the woman
bound her handkerchief round ny eyes, and
heard kew turn gently in a lock. Holding me
by the hand, the maid led to the house, where
she paused an instant to say, Be silent, and look
well after your own safetyl Don't lose one Of
my signs, iOf shall not be able to speak to you
without danger to both Of us, and it Is at this
moment question Of saving your life. The Sig
nora Is in chamber on the ground floor, and to
reach IT, II will be necessary TO pass through her
husbands bedroom and beside the bed on which
he is lying, therefore step lightly, and do not make
the slightest sound"
Here the lover interrupted her directions by Q
low growl, as IL impatient at the delay: The
maid was silent; heard door opened, and the
tered room and creeping cautiously along with
out the least noise-for ii seems the maid had ar
ranged q carpet to walk upon-I was suddenly
stopped, the bandage was removed from my eyes,
and saw that was 10 q large room dimly lighted
by smoky lamp. The window was open, but
could see the bars Of iron which the jealous hus-
band had caused to be placed across tie opening
and as looked about me, felt very much as II
had been shot out Of q sack. My attention was
instantly directed to woman lying on q rug, evil
IDENTIFY in great suffering, but who prevented her
self from uttering the slightest sound by holding
handkerchief rolled up in ball between her
teeth. Her face was covered with vail, and
then noticed that both the man and woman who
had brought me there were masked. The suffer
in6s Of the lady were fearful, and but for my as
sistance she must have died. Eventually, how
ever, she was delivered Of child which was dead.
On hearing from the woman that this was the
case, the man with the mask shuddered from head
to foot.
While he was endeavoring to Judge Of the con-
dition Of his mistress-for such presume her to
have been-the maid directed my attention to
two glasses Of lemonade which stood on the table,
and made Q sign to me not to touch them, from
which l inferred that they were poisoned. was
still engaged in my professional labors, when my
patient suddenly raised her hand and pointed TO-
wards the other room; Of us four she alone, not.
withstanding the pain she was suffering, had heard
her husband move in bis bed. We were SPELL
bound for an instant, but so expressive were the
glaDCes which the man and woman directed To-
ward each other that could read the question,
q" Shall we kill himi" In their eyes as plainly as
IL they had uttered the words. was 30 excited
that nv mouth was parched with thirst, and
stretched out my hand toward the lemonade, for
Retful at the moment Of the caution had re-
ceived but the mau laid his dagger across the
glasses, and made sign to me to drink from his
glass. The movement was so evidently dictated
by o sentiment Of gratitude that pardOned him
the atrocious design be bad formed Of poisoning
me, and thus preventing me from revealing their
secret.
When all was over, the maid assisted me in lay
ing her mistress in bed The body Of the infant
was envelOped in towels, and the unknown, who
il seems had prepared for flight by packing up
some jewels, thrust the parcels which contained
them into my pocket. whispered to the maid
the instructions necessary TO enable her to pay
proper attention TO her mistress and then prepared
TO decamp. The maid remained beside her mis-
tress, which disquieted me somewhat, but kept
myself on guard against o sudden attack. The
unknown bid the bundle under his mantle and
made sign to me to take hold Of it, and in this
way was led through the room through which
had entered, and soon found myself in the open
air. When / stepped into the garden felt as L
q weight had been removed from MY breast.
kept at q respectful distance from my guide and
closely watched his every movement Arrived at
the little door bywhich we had entered the garden,
he took me by the hand and pressed my lips with
signet ring which be wore on his little finger.
I signed to him that understood him. There
were two horses standing in the street close By,
upon which we mounted. the Spaniard taking my
horses bride in his hand and urging them along
at gallop The speed at which we went pre-
vented me taking the least notice Of the objects
we passed, with view to recognizing the place
at any future time. At the break Of day, found
myself close to my own door, the SpaEhard pro
ceedng at unabated speed in the direction Of the
gate Of Atocba.
"And 20 you saw nothing which could enable
you to identity the wonaEti whom you had to deal
with 7" asked one Of the officers.
."Only one thing" he replied. remarked
that she had q mole on her arm, sufrotDied with
brown hairs" lie had hardly uttered the words
when he became deadly pale. The eyes q all
present were fixed upon him. They followed the
direction Of his glance, and then observed that Q
spaniard wrapped 10 . mantle was standing near,
| The moment Be saw be was observed. he disap.
! peared among the shrubs. A French captain i'm