The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-08

breathing. A woman's cap was on the head
and the end OF the sheet concealed the face
| ventured to turn this down carefully, an,
beheld the eyeless sockets and grinning teetl
Of human skull
started back in horror, and at the sam
moment the door by which the girl had lei
was thrown open, and in marched, one afte
the other, four stalwart forms in black gownl
and masks | at once, tnen, knew / was Il
be robbed, and probably murdered. wor,
a heavy diamond pin and ring, carried
very valuable gold watch, and had in money
about my person, some Ave hundred francs
bnt not single weapon of any kind-resst
anc4, Scing therefore, out ~ the question,
felt that lHy only chance-il indeed thers
was a chance-was to coucllial the ruffianl
and buy myself off. With P, .sence o.
n I'd, for which | take to myself consider.
cradle credit, said at once:
II understand il all, gentlemen, and you
will find ne liberal person to deal with
There is one thing value very highly, be-
cause ii is the only one have, and cannot
replace it-that is my life. Everything else
Of mine is at your service, even beyond what
| have with mes
They were undoubtedly surprised to hear
me speak in that cool, off-handed manner
lat they marched forward and surrounded
me before they returned word
"How much have you with you z" inqurr-
cd one, in civil way, but il low, grufi
tone.
4 | Immediately mentioned the Indifferent
articles OF value and exact amount of money;
''all Of which shall be pleased TO present
you with, if one Of you will be kind enough
to escort me to the street above" added.
4 "fou said you had more, Monsieur"
"Yes, gentlemen, | have ten thousand
francs in the bank OF France, aad will vii
lingly add check for half that amount"
4 "Chechs don't answer our purpose very
well said second voice.
"Then pledge you my honor that will,
tomorrow, draw out five thousand francs
aud pay the amount over to any person who
may approach me with this boquet Ia his
hand said |, holding out the flowers had
purcE"Sed Of the fair decoy.
"AnC have him arrested the next minute.
| suppose"
''No; on my honor he shall depart un-
harmed and unquestioned, and no other hu-
man being shall be Informed OF the transac-
tons for week month, or a year."
LET us handle what you have," said the
first speaker"
Immediately took out my pin, took off
my ring, drew out my watch. produced my
rocket book and purse, and placed them III
ia his extended hand.
"You make US present Of these, now q"
re said.
"yes. on condition that one of you will
forthwith conduct me to the street above" |
replied.
Monsieur is q very liberal gentleman in
deed p was the response.
They then drew of together, scrutinized
the articles by the light Of smoky lamp,
and conversed together in low tones. | felt
that they were holding a consultation that
involved my life. To speak the honest truth,
it seemed as il every nerve in me quivered,
and it was with difficulty tina. could stand.
At length the principal spokesman turned
to me, and said in cool and methodical
manner:
monsieur has acted more like gentle
man than any we ever had dealings with,
and il we could, consistent with our business,
obIige you, we would be happy to do 50; but
unfortunately we are governed by a rule
which is law with US, tina. dead men tell no
tales, and we think it viii not do to make an
exception in this case. We will however,
IN consideration Of Monsieur's gentlemanly
behavior, be as mild and leuient rs poSs Bile
in doing our duty, and give Monsieur FIVE
minutes for prayers"
"You have then resolved to murder me ?"
gasped I.
"MoDsieur uses very hard term, but we
will let that pass. You have five minutes
yet to live, by this watch"
This villain then held my watch to the
light, and felt indeed that my minutes
we're numbered, and secretly began to pray
for the salvation of my soul, believing that |
could not save my body.
A death-lke silence reigned ia that
gloomy apartment for some time, and then
one Of the ruffians bent down and lifted
trap door, and from the dark pit below issued
a nauseous smell, as 1t might be of putrid
bodies. | beheld my intended grave and
shudlered Ike 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
bare possibility that might get away. ]
fixed my eye on the door which opened on
the stairway, and " !th a single sudden
bound reached it, but found it fast and lock-
ed. Tten, as the hands OF the ruffians seiz-
ed me with murderous intent, | uttered
wild shrek, the door was burst in with
loud crash, and in a moment the room was
filled with gendarmes. saw that was
saved, and tainted and fell
The four masks, the fair decoy, and some
two or three others concerned in that mur-
dc. 1us den, were well secured that night,
and subsequently had the pleasure of CIV
ing in my evidence against them, and seeing
them all condemned to the galleys for life.
The place had for some time been sus pect-
ed, asd the decsy marked. On that 4 ight
detective had secretly follow1d the girl ana
myself, aEd after ascertaining whittier she
had conducted me, had hastened TO bring
body Of gendarmes to the place. The delay
Of the ruffiaps in their murder Us design had
been just sufficient to save me. need
scarcely add that ! never again volunteered
to accompany distressed damsel on secret
adventure while remained ia Paris.