The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-06-30

L Ouo IuIuCu al ouccJ anu mOfCu Uu ~ .
rapid pace down the street, toward the
lliver Seine, in the direction I was walk.
ling when we met. IS
| In less than FIVE minutes we had enter
led Q wretched quarter, among narrow
lstreets, old, tottering buildings, ant
lsqualid-looking inhabitants, some ol
whom seemed to glare at us as we passef
Ialong.
MS it much fdrthsr2" inquired /, be-
ginning TO feel uneasy.
"0nly step, monsieur; it is just here.
Almost Immediately she turned into {
lowered passage, which ledin back among
Ehabitations that should never have vol
|uEtarily visited in the broad light oi
lday. A defiant lamp served to make the
lgloom visible, till she suddenly stopped
land opened door into total darkness.
'sYour hand, Monsieur le Docteur,
Ishe said, at the same time taking it and
leading me forward. -
| was tempted to draw back and refuse
Ito go any further, though I mechanically
followed her.
i We now went through long, narrow
passage, in total darkness, and, after two
or three short turnS began to descend a
flight of creaking, fetten stairs.
j aIs it possible you live in place like
lthis?" said I, secretly wishing myself safe
Tout of it
"In Paris beggars cannot be chosers, y
irepfied the girl.
"But even in Paris it is not necessary
tfer the living to take up their abode in
1sepulchresl" [ rejoined with some asper-
Iity, being vexed at myself for suffering
/ my good nature to lead me into den
from which I might never come out
laliye.
70 this my fair guide defgned no re-
lply. On reaching the foot of the stairs
she pushed open door into small, dim
| ly lighted room, and / followed her into
lit with some secret misgivings. There
was bed in one corner, and on it appear
ed to be human form lying very still.
81 have brought a doctor, mother"
said the girl, as the door closed behind
me. As there was no reply to this she
turned to me, saying:
"Will Monsieur le Docteur please to
be seated miautes I think my mother
is asleep"
81 beg madamoiselle will bear in mind
that can only spare few moments in
this case tonight, as I have another call
wish to make Immediately" returned,
feeling very anxious to depart from that
Isubterranean quarter as quick as possi-
BILE. as
"Monsieur shall not be detained long
by me" rejoined the girl, passing out Of
the room by another door.
/ I did not sit down, but walked over to
the bed, where the patieEt was lying very
still-so still, indeed, that I could not de.
tect any breathing. The woman's cap
was on the head, and the end of sheet
concealed the face. I yentured to turn
this down carefully, and beheld the eye
less sockets and grinning teeth Of hu
man SKULL
I started back in horror, and at the
same moment the door by which the girl
had left was thrown open, and in march
ed one after the other four tall human
forms in black gowns and masks. l
knew at once, then, that ! was to be rob-
bed, and probably murdered. I wore a
heavy diamond pin and ring, carried a
very valuable gold watch, and had in
money about my person some 500 francs,
but not single weapon Of any kind-re-
[sistance being, therefore, out Of the ques-
tion, I felt that my only chance-if in
deed, there was chance-was to concil-
late the rufians and buy myself off. With
q presence Of mind for which I still take
to myself considerable credit, I said at
once;
sI understand it all, gentlemen, and
you will find me very liberal person to
deal with. There is one thing value
VERY highly. because it is the. only one I
have, and | cannot replace it--that is my
life. Everything else Of mine is at your
service, even beyond what I have with
tme." 50
| They were undoubtedly surprised to
fheaf ME speak in that cool, of.handed
manner; but they marched forward and
surrounded me before they uttered q
lwo.d.
"How much have you with you, then?'
inquired one, in a.civiI way, butin low,
gruff tone.
Immediately mentioned the different
Iarticles Of value and the exact amoun. Of
money; s.all Of which F shall be pleased
1 TO present you with, if one of you will
be kind enough to escort me to the street
Eabove,n I added.
@You said you had more, monsieur"
| aYes, gentlemen, I have 10000 francs
lin the bank Of France, and I will willing
Nv add check for half that amount"
'.Checks don't answer our purpose very
twell, . said q second one.
"Then, I pledge you my honor that l
will, tomorrow, draw out 5000 francs
land pay the amount over to any person
who may approach me with this boquet
lin his hand,,' said I, holding out the
flowers had purchased Of the fair de-
coy.
aAnd have him arrested the next min
ute, suppose"
aNo; on my honor he shall depart un-
harmed and unquestioned, and no other
human being shall be informed of the
transaction for week, month, or a
year." - 81
.Let us handle what you have here, I"
said the first speaker.
I Immediately took ous my pin, took
! off my ring, drew out my watch, produc-
ed my pocket book and purse, and placed
them alIin his extended hand.