Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-12-16

one after the other, four stalWart forms
in black gowns and masks. at once
then knew that | WAS - 4e robhed and
probably murdered. wore a heavy
diamond pin and ring, ctrried very
valuable gold watch, and had in money
about my person some five hundred
francs, but not single weapon of any
kind. Resistance being therefore out of
the question, | felt tina, my only chance
if indeed there wae-a chance-was to
conciiate the rulfians and buy myself oft:
With :. presence Of mind for Which
still take to myself considerable credit,
said ct once,
81 understand it all, gentlemen, and
you will find me liberal person to deal
with. There is one thing valua very
highly, because it is the only one have,
and / cannot replace t-that is my life.
Everything else of mine is at your ser.
vice, even beyond what ! have with
me.''
They were undoubtedly surprised to
hear me speak in that cool, otf-handed
manner, but they marched forward and
surrounded me before they returned
word.
How much have you with you2"
inquired one, in o civil way, but in low,
grutf tone.
Immediately mentioned the different
articles of value and the exact amount of
money; sail of which shall be pleased
to present you with, if one of you will
be kind enough 10 escort me to the street
above" | added.
"You said you-had more, Monseur?"
"Yes, gentlemen, have ten thousand
francs in the Bank of France, and ! will
willingly add a check for half that
amount"
"Checks don't answer our purposes
very WE'LL" said second voice. =.
"Then I pledge you my honor that |
will tomorrow draw out five thousand
francs and pay the amount over to any
person who may approach me with this
bouquet in his hand" said !, holding out
the flowers. had purchased Of the fair
decoy.
aAnd have him arrested the next min
ute, Supposed"
sNo: on my honor he shall depart
unharmed and unquestioncd, andno other
human being shall be informed of the
transaction for week, o month, or q
j year"
"Let US handle what you have," said
the first speaker.
Immediately took out my pin, took
off my ring, drew out my watch, pro
duced my pocketbook and purse, and
placed them all in his extended hand.
aYou make us present of these now"
4 he said. q
"Ycs, on condition that one of you
will forthwith conduct me to the street
above" replied.
"Monsieur is very liberal gentle
man, indeed!" was the response.
They then drew off together, scruti.
nized the articles by the light Of q smoky
lamp. and conversed together in low
tones. | felt that they were holding
conversation that involved my life To
speak The honest truth, it seemed as if
every nerve in me quivered, and it was
with difficulty that could stand.
At length the principal spokee.nan
/, .urned to me and said ina cool and me-
thodical manner:
Monsieur has acted more like a
gentleman than any we ever had deal
inps with, and if we could, consis-
tent with our business, oblige him, we
would be happy to do so; but unfortu-
nately wearcgoyerned by q rule which is
law with us, that dead men tell no tales,
and we think it will not do to make any
exception in this case. We will, how
ever, in consideration of Monsieurs gen.
tlemanly behaviour. be as mild and leni-
ent as possible in doing our duty, and
give you five minutes for prayers
You have then resolved to murder
me-" gasped /.
Monsieur uses very hard term, but
we let that pass. You have five minutes
yet to live, by this watch"
This villain then held my watch to the
light, and4 felt indeed that my minutes,
were numbered, and secretly began to
pray for the salvation of my soul, believ-
ing that could not save my body.
A death-like silence reigned in that
gloomy apartment for some time, and
then one of the rufians bent down and
lifted trap.door, and from the dark pit
below issued nauseous smell, as it might
be of putrid bodies. beheld my in
tended grave, and shuddcred like an aspen.
But why stand there and die like
dog, without single attempt at escape?
At the worst it could be but DEATH and
there was a bare possibility that | might
get away. fixed my eyes on the door
which opened on the stairway, and with
single sudden bound reached it, but found
it fast and locked. Then, as the hands
Of the ruffians seized me with a murder
Gus intent, | uttered wild Shrek, the
door was burst in in with loud crash,
and in a moment the room was, filled
with gems d'armes. | saw | was saved,
and tainted and fell.
The four masks, tho fair decoy, and
some two or three others concerned in
that murderous den, were well secured
that night, and subsequently had the
pleasure of giving in my evidence against
them, and seeing them all condemned to
the galleys for life.
The place had for some time been sus.
pected, and the decoy marked. On that
night detective had secretly followed
the girl and myself, and after ascertaining
whittier she had conducted me, hastened
to bring body of gems d'armes to the
place. The delay of the rufians in their
murderous design had been lust sufficient