Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-06-27
COLUMBUS O., SATURDAY MORNING, j

but not a single weapon of any kind
resistance being therefore, out of the
question. I felt that my only chance
if, indeed, there was chance-was to
conciliate the rufians and buy myself
off. With a presence of mind for
which | still taxa to myself considera-
BILE credit, at once said rs
II 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
have. and I cannot replace it-that is
my life. Everything else of mine is at
your service, even beyond what I have
with me-" - Aina' y '.l
They were undoubtedly surprised to
hear me speak in that cool, off-handed
manner; but they marched forward and
surrounded me before either returned a
word. -.,,.t -, e....f
Glow much have you with you, then2''
inquired one in a civil way, bu. in low,
gruf tone. ~. -
I Immediately mentioned the different
articles of value and the exact amount
of money; call of which I shall be
pleased to present you with, if you will
be kind enough to escort me to the street
above" added. .s1s.'i g7Hasssl3- Ells
=" You said you had more, Monsieur !"
" Yes, gentlemen, / have 10000 francs
in the bank of France, and I will will
ingly add check for that amount"
| Checks don't answer our purpose
very WELL" said second voice.
Then I pledge you my honor that I
will, tomorrow, draw out 5000 francs
and pay the amount over to any person
who may approach me with this boquet
in his hand" said /, holding out the
flowers 1 had purchased of the fair de-
coy.
"And have him arrested the next min
ute, suppose"
mo; on my honor he shall depart
unharmed and unquestioned, and no 9TH
er human being shall be informed of the
transaction for week, month or a
year." @ .60 .. r.,a.e. ta
Let us handle what you have here,'
said the first speaker.
Immediately took out my pin, took
off my ring, drew out my watch, pro-
duced my pocket-book and purse, and
placed them all in his extended hand. !.
"You make US a present of these,
now" he said. -
eyes, on condition that one of you
will forthwith conduct me to the street
above" I replied. s,-
"Monsieuris very liberal gentleman
indeed!" was the response. .,o.
Then they drew off together, scrutin-
lied the articles by the light of smoky
lamp, and conversed together in low
tones. I felt that they were holding a
consultation that involved my life, and,
to speak the honest truth, it seemed as
if every nerve in me quivered and it
was with difficulty could stand. ,
At length the principal spokes man
turned to me and said, in a cool and
methodical manner:
monsieur has acted more like a gen.
tleman than any person we ever had
dealings with, and if we could, consis-
tently with our business, oblige him, we
would be happy to do so; but, unfortu-
nately, we are governed by rule, which
is law with us, that dead men tell no
tales, and we think it will not do to make
an exception in this case. 1--WE will, how
ever, in consideration of monsieur's gen.
tlemanly behavior, be as mild and lenient
as possible in doing our duty, and grant
monsieur five minutes for saying his
prayers. s.
"You have then resolved to murder
me?" gasped I.
Monsieur uses very hard term, but
we will let that pass. You have five
minutes yet to live by this watch"
The villain then held my watch to
the light, and felt indeed that my min
utes were numbered, and secretly began
to pray for the salvation of my soul, be-
lieving that could not save my body.
A death-like silence now reigned in
the gloomy apartment for some time,
and then one of the rufians bent down
and lifted trap door, and from the dark
pit below issued noisome smell, as it
might be, of putrid bodies. l beheld my
intended grave, and shuddered and look
ed aspen.
But why stand here and die like a
dog, without single attempt at escape?
At the worst it could be but death, and
there was bare possibility I might get
away. I fixed my eye on the door
which opened on the stairway, and with
a single sudden bound reached it, but
found it fast locked. Then, as the hands
of the ruAians seized me with murder
Gus intent, uttered wild shrek, the
door was burst in with loud crash, and
in moment the room was filled with
gen Garmes. ] saw that I was saved,
and tainted and fell.
The four masks, the fair decoy, and
some two or three others concerned in
that murderous den, were all secured
that night, and subsequently had the
pleasure of giving in my evidence
against them, and seeing them all con-
demed 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 ascertain
ing whittier she had conducted me- had
hastened to bring body of gen darmes
to the place. The delay of the rufiians
in their murderous designs had been just
sufficient to save me. | scarcely need
add that l never again volunteered to
accompany a distressed damsel on a
secret expedition while 1 remained in
Paris.
The Cobra Poison.