New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-05
AN OFFICIAL BLUNDER.
BY JAMES meade, gR.

Shortly after the establishment OF the
empire Of his gracious majesty, Napoleon
III, it became necessary for the government
to be on its gual d, to thwart the plots which
the Socialists were organizing against it in
every part of the country. Those arch enc
mics Of order and established government
worked their affairs well, however, and
gave the officials no little trouble. AS fast
as one plot was detected and foiled another
was organized, and for a time the danger
seemed to increase daily.
One morning Eugene Laromie, who had
been told by his chief few days before to
hold himself in readiness to obey sum
mons from the government, received a
message to attend certain high official
without delay. Upon repairing to the
presence OF thai parsonage he was received
politely. Monsieur LaTomie," said the
official, the chief OF the secret police has
designated you as the person most deserving
the confidence Of the government in con-
ducting certain matters of importance. A
conspiracy against the state is known to be
in existence. You are desired to unravel
it, and I am authorized to say that if you
do so to the satisfaction of the emperor you
will be handsomely rewarded. At present
we know nothing Of the parties concerned
in it. Our suspicious have been reused by
this paper, which was found on the street
in front Of Che residence of Count -, the
ambassador of -- You must put
US in possession Of the remaining facts of
the CASE
As he spoke be handed the young man a
small periumed sheet of note paper, con-
tanning only the sentence, "RiVoli. As. 10.
6.53"
"May not this be merely an assiguation
instead Of the evidence of conspiracy y
asked Laromie, smiling.
Monsieur Laromie," replied the official,
Struggling his shoulders; tine government
has an especial reason for believing itself
to be right in this matter. 1t can give you
no clue but this paper. 1t relies upon
your sagacity to discover the rest. 1 have
the honor to bid you good morning, mon
sieur. May success attend you
Taking the hint so politely given, Laro.
ME left the official to his duties, and started
out to think over the task assigned him.
It certainly promised to be very difficult.
He had only an unintelligible paper to
work upon and the government expected
him TO discover the whole matter. Laro-
ME was shrewd man, and now he felt
that his reputation was at stake he resolved
to exert himself to the utmost to succeed.
The paper was Iound in front OF line
residence of Inc ambassador from -.
whose government WAS known to be hostile
to the empire. Remembering this, Laro-
ME proceeded to the Office of his chief, and
procured complete list of the entire lega,
zion from the minister himself down to the
humblest attache. He studied this and
watched the mansion for a couple of DAYS
but without being any the wiser for bis
trouble.
''Why shouldn't it be an designation aftei
all2" be asked himself, going back to hil
original idea. "Why shouldn't Rivoli stand
for Rue Rivoli, and forty eight for the mum
Der Of house on that street? Hal hay,
itW sudden inspiration flashing through
his mind. "Ten stands for the tenth of th,
month, six for the sixth month, which i
June, and ffty-three fer the year. There
have the whole sentence-forty eight, Ru,
Rivnli, tenth Of June, 1853. Why it's a
PlaiR as the nose on mans face. IT'S al
designation beyond a doubt, and the min
listers arc worrying themselves ever ar
effort directed at nothing but the peace of :
pretty woman. I'll stake my reputation OF
It that am correct. New to see what sorl
Of place is number forty-eight."
Acting upon the impulse which had pos
sessed him, and which was one Of thos,
sudden inspirations that so often befaI
men trained in his profession, Laromie Sc
Of for the Rue Riyoli. The more h,
thought Of it, the more he felt convince,
that be was right. No conspirator wonl,
have made use Of so simple cipher, an,
the perfumed note paper, and the delicat
hand in which the sentence was written
made it plain that woman was coneernel
in the matter. Reasoning thus In bis mind
he entered the Rae Rivoli, and soon cam
opposite the mysterious number forty
eight.
The house was large, handsome, privat
residence. Il was evidently the dwellln
OF some person Of wealth, and upon Ii
curing Of gendarnls qbo stood near b,
Laromie learned that tie house was Ii
property Of Monsieur D'EncOurt. a wealth
banker. Being Of very commnnicaiiy
nature, the geadarne added that Monsleu
DEusOurt was happy man, inasmueh a
he was the husband Of the most beaufifD
woman 10 Paris. He had MARKED her ouI
9 yeaf before, when abe had been Is
roiening iAyogite at the Theatre Comianl
"Ah, there she Is nov" he exclaimed. 4
. carriage drew mp before the house.
Laromle was all attention. and place
NlmsaI 70 as to command full view
he lady os abe alighied from her sarriazl
n!e deserved Ell that th4l her humble a
mixer lad said Of her. she was RECALL
NeaAtllqh ehe passed into the house g
most inNedlnieiy, and Laromie, alll
leiteElnS shout for Short while longe