New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-05

Some hours later his mistress rang Tor
him, but he was not to be found on the
place. A few hours later still in the day,
as she was impatiently awaiting his return,
she was informed that a gentleman wished
to speak with her On important business,
Very much surprised she babe the servant
| admit him to her presence. He was tall
handsome man, and bore himself with an
ease and grace that impressed her favorably.
am l indebted for the honor of this visit"
MY name is Eugene Laromie, madame"
replied her visitor, bowling.
| "Well, Monsieur LarOmie, what is the
business that You consider so important p
"Itis matter that | would rather not
trouble you with, madame. First, let me
say that am one of the secret police of
| Paris"
Madame D'Encourt looked at him search
ingly. and asked haughtily:
"Well, monsieur, what have to do with
the police?"
81 will explain. 1t has become known
to the authorities That you have been guilty
of great imprudence lately" The lady
started and turned pale, "in short madame,
it is believed that you are engaged in a
conspiracy to overthrow the government,
and l have special orders from the govern
ment TO investigate the matter.o
"There is some mistake here, monsieur"
said Madame D'Encourt, energetically.
"The emperor has no more devoted sub
ject than am. What cause is there to sus-
pect me-"
al will tell you. A mysterious note has
been found in front of the residence Of the
foreign minister whose government is hos
tile to the emperor. This note has been
traced to you A short while ago you en-
ployed domestic for a service which you
did not wish to be known. You sent him
with letter to certain gentleman Of this
city" Madam D'Encourt started Vio-
lently.
The wretch! - exclaimed the lady, to
betray me-"
This letter." continued Laromie, not
| needing the interruption. was, like the
first, written in cipher. The suspicious of
the government have been very strongly
excited against You, madame, and if you can
explain the matter trust you will do so
now. Otherwise it will be my duty to ar
rest you, and need not tell you that l
should regret that exceedingly. Here is
the first letter and copy Of the second"
He laid two papers in her lap and sat
calmly waiting for her to speak.
Madame d Encourt took the papers and
glanced at them. Her face and neck grew
crimson, and faint smile lowered around
her lips.
Monsieur she added, in tone of re-
lief, " assure you these notes have no con-
nection with conspiracy. They do not
mean the government the slightest harm.
assure you l speak truly
am ready to accept your assurance,
madame said Laromie, in my private
capacity, but have the emperor's orders
to clear up the mystery, and as his servant
/ am compelled to require a satisfactory
explanation"
But, monsieur" urged the lady with
great embarrassment, :" it is very trying to
me. These notes concern a private affair
of mine. | do not wish TO make it public"
ut will not be made public, madame
said the detective. | will simply report
in such manner as to save you from an
noyance. But to do this / must understand
the whole matter. If you do not explain to
me you will have to do so in court Of
Justice
"Ah, no not that. You are cruel, mon.
sieur."
Madame, am only obeying the orders
OF the sovereign"
The lady buried her face in her hands
for a moment in extreme embarrassment,
and Laromie could see the crimson Of her
neck and face growing deeper every mo-
ment Suddenly she raised her head.
"Ah, we'll, then, monsieur" she said,
speaking with great effort, Il will explain
to you, and will rely upon your honor as
man to gave me from any unfortunate re-
suit to this most awkward affair"
lie bowed low, and she at once entered
upon her explanation, frequently pausing,
and covering her face with her hands to
hide her confusion. When she had finished,
Laromie rose.
'This is most awkward, madame" he
said calmly. II will make my report at
once, and do my best to quiet the matter,
SO that it shall trouble you no longer"
He bowed and left the house. Calling a
facre, he set off for the cabinet of the Off
cial who had set him to werk to ferret out
the plot. Upon sending in his name he
was Immediately admitted.
"Well, Monsieur Laromie,' said the Off
cial, as he ent7red, II trust you have been
successful"
81 have succeeded far better than had
expected" replied the detective quietly,
land 1 am now prepared TO lay the wheie
case before your highness."
cial was no other than a cabinet minister)
rubbing his hands. proceed, my young
Argus"
II suspected at frst,n said Laromie,
"that the paper was an appointment for an
designation, you remember"
Every fOOlishly, too" interrupted the
duke.
Well, I started out with this idea, and
at last discovered that the paper contained
the appointment for a meeting of the par
ties concerned in the affair. Further than
this, learned the locality at which the
meeting was to take place, and upon fol-
lowing up this knowledge discovered that
one Of the principal parties concerned in
the matter is wealthy and beautiful
woman residing in Paris.n
"Of course,N exclaimed the duke shrug-
/ gikg his shoulders, ''always a woman at the
bottom of every trouble.n
Having brought to light one Of the par
ties,D continued Laromie, II was of course
anxious to find the others. Fortune seem
ed to favor me. heard that the lady de-
| sired a servant and as / was unknown
to her, and there was no danger of my true
character being suspected, l at once resolv-
ed to apply for the place. did so and was
very successful"
"a very shrewd fellow / confess" said
the duke. "But 60, on monsieur, the story
interests nie.n
Il had not been in her service long, .
Laromie went on, "before she intrusted me
with letter for certain party. took Il
and promised to deliver it with prompiness
II was addressed to 3 peer Of France, my
lord duke one high in the Confidence Of tht