The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-11-17

| " '' VI " 3 iN"e many pciSOHSj uIll
mere pigmy compared to him.
"How many will it require ?"
| "None."
"Surely you do not pretend to soy
you mean to arrest him unaided ?"
81 certainly do. What use would
your men be to me, since you yourself
sayt Trey would be afraid of him? They
would only be in the way"
ado you want to be killed ?'
"That's none of your business. Tho
question is, how shall difficult task be
performed? Everybody declines at
tempting it. l volunteer to do it,"
Very well, then," said the Superin-
tendent, once more taking part in the
conversation, 81 will give you all the
information you may require to enable
you to undertake this job--or, rather,
| go into the next room and call NJ. Law
eirarie to put you in possession of all he
knows, and to let you question Solcil
Couchant,' if you please"
At half-past five O'Clock the next
morning, Vibert with determined
step went up the staircase of the house
in the Rue Croix des Petits Champs
where Langlade lodged. After hunting
in vain for u bell-rOpe at the door which
the porter told him was Langlade's, he
boldly raped.
"Who is there?" cried voice from
the chamber.
"An agent of the secret police who
has come to arrest you," replied Vibert
"Shut up, you joker! Were you an
agent of the secret police you would not
let me know it. Theytake rather more
precautions than that before they wake
up this passenger. 1t is you, Crampin,
isn't it?"
Yes; come, open quick"
"Egads! old fellow, it is hard to tum-
bic out of bed in such cold weather ut
this early hour; but for friend / sup
pose | must, although l run the risk of
catching cold but 1 warn you l hop
back to bed again."
The key had scarcely been turned and
the bolt had hardly ceased to crate
when Vibert, who stood near the door,
showed against it with might and main,
darted into the chamber, made for the
bed, seized the revolver lying on the
table near it, and aiming at Langlade--
all which was done as quick as thought
, said, If you bulge you are Il dead
. mani 7"
"a thousand thunders !" screamed
! 4, :.@ /.
not an agent of the secret police"
Didn't | tell you so, you numskull
Come, you are caught. Surrender"
"Never!" exclaimed Langlade, foam
. ing with rage. "I'll devour you first
you mean scoundrel! You have my re-
volver, but l have hands strong as any
vice blacksmith ever saw, and teeth
sharp as steel"
"Pshaw!" quietly replied Vibert
"yOu can use neither unless you get mt
in arms reach; and you know if you
stir so much as hairs breadth I'll put
a pistol-ball through your body"
The escaped convict stood Ikea statue
half naked, foaming with rage, but
afraid to move Il step. They eyed eacl
other for an instant, one ready to lear
on the other, the other ready to fire the
revolver.
Then Nibert said, in jeering tone
~ thought you were going to eat me
up. Have you abandoned that idea
, 1t is pity; | wanted to die an original
death"
at must he confessed you arc bold
fellow to dare to come in here" eX
claimed Langlade, becoming calmer
and looking in every direction to see if
he could not discover some object which
would serve him as good weapon.
Nonsense! Folks think you much
more terrible than you really are. Come
now! come! don't be moving in thai
way, or | shall be obliged to break on,
of your legs in order to keep you quiet
What do you want? What are yol
looking for? Your slippers, eh? You
feet are cold. Here they are. O, an
good-natured fellow-l don't want yOu
to catch cold"
Vibert, holding the revolver so as t.
check any movement of Langlade, pick
ed up with his left hand a pair Of shoes
I which lay at the foot of the bed, ant
threw them to the escaped convict.
| "Thank you," said Langlade, who's
/, wonted assurance had now completely
returned. a fellow is more solid OF
. his feet when he has his shoes on"
! "To be sure he is, therefore / CAV,
you yours. Would you like to hav,
= your pantaloons, waistcOat, and frOck
coat? Don't stand on ceremony will
I me. l have them within reach"
"If you will be good enough to Civ,
them to me, shall be very glad to re
: ceive them," replied Langlade, astound
t ed by so much kindness.
: Vibert gave Langlade the desircC
: pantaloons, waistcoat, and frock-coat
taking, however, the same precaution
@ he had used when he gave him tn
shoes. While Langlade rapidly dress
ed himself, Vibert asked: :" If l al
e not indiscreet, will you tell ME whn
t you intend doing when you ar
dressed 2"
e "Keally, l don't know yet. ! hay
f been thinking over the matter, but
e cannot come to any decision. ] bcliev
% I'd leap on you and give you a taste o
:. my strength and teeth but for that COZ
| c,unla1 rn~nlN,nr N,,bi,l, - a littln /