The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-10-23
'Never fear" returned tho detective gai.
", ~ always keep my wits about me-"

as no oudfence came IN, anu he though
they had never been 90 slow before. u
; scanned the boxes and the parterrc closel,
, but could sec the lady nowhere. As ,h
performance began his attention was attrac
ted BY friend, and he turned to speak I
him. As he looked back to the audience
when his friend left him, his heart gave
great bound Of delight. The lady was 81,
ting in one OF the most retired boxes, rndi
an, in her beauty. She saw him, and nod
ded, smilingly. In an incredible short tim
he was seated by her, pouring forth hi
thanks for the happiness she had givel
him.
In reply tn the question. the lady tol,
him she was the widow Of gentleman o
good family and great wealth, She sale
she saw Laromie at various places.
One Of Laromie's weak points was vani
", and here pretty woman could strike q
successful blow. lie had become com.
pletely fascinated with Madame do Noel
and while he sat with her in the box, the
demonstrations Of his admirations were SC
great that the lady had several times to re.
mind him that they might be observed by
somo one In the audience. When the per-
Torrance was over, the lady asked him II
he would 30 home with her to supper and
he, oveIjoyed, consented.
When they reached the residence OF
Madame dc Noel, the carriage passed into
the courtyard aud they lef il. They en-
tered a d,mly lighted hall, and passed into
a sumPtously furnished apartment brilliant.
ly Illuminated. A footman received Mad
arpo. and took charge oftho cloak and hood
which she lail aside. Laromie afterwards
remembered thu, she looked at the man in
a peculiar way rs she hade him have sup
per served as soon rs possible but he
thought nothing Of il at the time.
Madame seated herself in luxurious arm
chnir, and Laromie threw himself on
cushion at her feet. For n long while
neither spoke. A strange silence had come
'vcr them. All the while, however, tho
young mans head rested against tho arm Of
her char, and one Of her hands played
csrelcssly with his hair.
A slight noise in the apartment caused
the detective to raise his head. hut he
could not raise il high enough to sec any
thing. Madameis hand rested on il heav-
lily.
"Bah. il is nothing my dear friend" she
said quickly.
Al the same Instant hc felt himself borne
to tho floor by an irresistible force, and be-
iorc he could collect has wits which he did
not have about him this time. he was
bound hand and foot and LETT helpless on
tho s.spSs. C.anc'as up he saw that tho
room was full Of men.
"What does this mean?" he demanded
sternly.
alt means, Monsieur Laromic." replied
the lady, smiling swectly, .rhat you will
not sup with me to night"
Laromies GOODNESS returned to him, now
that il was too late.
.It seems that have been a very great
fool" said he bitterly.
Il agree with you, monsieur" laughed
the lady.
"s,and asilc, said one OF the men. COM
ing forward. "Let me speak with him.
do you know mo, monsieurf" he ask.
ed.
EYES," replied Laroinie. "You are
Frederick Roulicr, known to the Govern
mcnt as the President Of socialist club,
captain ofa barricade, and a general pro-
moier Of disorder. These men, suppose,
arc your eonicdcrntcs ?"
"rreciscly SO, monsieur. You have been
for long time rs anxious to capture us as
we have been to secure You. Fortune has
favored us this time, ard you arc now our
prisoner. Perhaps you would like to know
what we intend doing with you?"
"That is matter Of Indifference to me"
said the detective coolly.
"Your courage Is undoubtedly great
said Roulier but we must put II to the
test. We have decided long ngo, mon
sieur, that you must die. We would car
~ out the decision tonight; hut nll Gf oul
club arc not present. To morrow night the
absent ones will return, and then We shal
proceed TO- inflict our vengeance upon YOU,
Your heart will BE- cut out Of your living
body. May heaven preserve your soul, he
added mcekingly for your earthly part is
doomed"
"Do not be too sure OF that, exclaimed
i.aromie, indignantly. was never horn
to die by the hands ofsuch cOwardly mis-
creanis."
The socialist leader laughed.
"Ah ! Monsieur Laromic, he said, sar'
cas,ieally Why would you not 10 warned
by your friends' Woman will be the
death Of you fear"
swho 10 this woman?" asked the de-
,cc,ive, not heeding the taunt.
"Let mo answer" said Madam de Noel
Monsieur Laro mie.' she addcd, al am one
who has long owed you n debt Of ven
seanee. Two years ago you arrested {
woman named Marguerite Poissiou, charg'
Cd with numbering French soldier. She
n wss.'ried by your courts, and condemned
to death. Tha, woman was my mother
4 "well, said LarOmie, calmly, she was no
executed"
"Nosaid Madame do Noel. fiercely bu,
! owe yoa no thanks for that. The Em
\ peros bsnishsd her to Algeria, to die un
dor the burning sands of,hat land"
but the Government subsequently par