The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-15

till she suddenly stopped and opened
door into total darkness. g,
Your hand, Monsieur le Doc.
teur," she said, at the same time
taking it and leading me forward. q
! was tempted to draw back and
refuse to go any further, though I
mechanically followed her. 49,. ~.
We now went through long,
narrow passage, in total darkness,
and after two or three short turns,
began to ascend flight of breaking,
rotten stairs. ="
"Is it possible you live in place
like this?" said I, secretly wishing
myself out of it.
elm Paris, beggars cannot be
choosers," replied the girl.
"But even in Paris it is not neces-
sary for the living to take up their
abode in sepulchres!" / rejoined
with asperity, being vexed at myself
for suffering my good nature to lead
me into O den from which l might
never come out alive.
To this my fair guide deigned no
reply. On reaching the foot of the
stairs, she pushed open a door
into small, dimly-lighted room,
and I followed her into it with some
secret misgivings. There was bed
in one corner, and on it appeared to
be human form, lying very still.
II have brought doctor, mother"
said the girl, as she closed the door
behind me. As there was no reply
to this, she turned to me, saying:
"Wil Monsieur le Docteur please
be seated a minute? I think my
mother is asleep"
"I beg mademoiselle will bear in
mind that I eau only spare few
moments in this case tonight, as
have another call I wish to make
immediately" I returned, feeling
very anxious to depart from that
subterranean quarter as quick as pos
sible.
"Monsieur shall not be detained
long by me-" rejoined the girl, pass
ing out of the room by another door.
1 did not sit down, but walked
over to the bed, where the patient
was lying very still-so still, indeed,
that ]. could detect no breathing.
The woman's cap was on the head,
and the end of sheet concealed the
face. L ventured to turn this down
carefully, and beheld the eyeless
sockets and grinning teeth of o
human skull!
started back in horror, and at
the same time, the door by which
the girl had left was thrown open,
and in marched, one after the other,
four tall human forms, in black gowns
and masks. 1 knew at once, then,
that was to be robbed, and proba-
bly, murdered. / wore a heavy dia-
mond pin and ring, carried O very
valuable gold watch, and had in
money about my person some 500
francs, but not a single weapon of
any kind-resistance being, there
fore, out of the question, felt that
my only chance was to conciliate
the ruffians and buy myself off,
With presence of mind for which
still take to myself considerable
credit, I said at once:
''I understand it all, gentlemen,
and you will find me very liberal
person to deal with. There is one
thing I value very highly, because it
is the only one I have, and I cannot
replace it-that is, my life. Every
thing else of mine is at your service,
even beyond what I have with me-"
They were undoubtedly surprised
to hear me speak in that cool, off
handed manner; but they marched
forward and surrounded me before
either returned word.
Glow much have you with you,
then?" inquired one, in O civil way,
but in low, gruff tone.
I Immediately mentioned the diff
ferent articles Of value and the exact
amount of money; call of which
shall be pleased to present you with,
if you will be kind enough to escort
me to the street above" added.
"You said you had more, mon
sieur."
"Yes, gentlemen, I have 10000
francs in the Bank of France, and
will willingly add d check for half of
that amount"
"Checks don't answer our purposes
very we'll, said second voice.
"Then | pledge you my honor
that L will, tomorrow, draw out
5000 francs and pay the amount
over to any person who may ap-
proach me with this bouquet in his
hand" said I, holding out the flowers
Il Il Il r II