Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-11-19

whisper.
"Laromie! are you here ?" asked
the voice.
"Yes," replied the detective -
"but who in the fiend's name are
you? 2"
The voice repeated the watch
word ofthe secret police, and then
Laromie became conscious Of the
presence of another person in the
cell.
"Rcghard, is it you7" asked La
romie, who recognized the voice as
that of one Of his fellow detectives.
"How did you get here?'
Regnard drew back the shade Of
a dark lantern, and showed Larom-
lie a square opening in the floor.
Through that hole," he replied.
But stay! Let me commence at
the beginning. What you said to
the Chief about your little affair,
made HIM anxious for your safety.
He sent me to watch you, so that
we might assist you if you got into
trouble, | followed you to the op.
era, and rode behind the carriage
which brought you here. The
name of the lady, which, You rec
ollect, you gave to the Chief, did
not correspond with that of the
woman who resides here. Ireport-
ed your presence here to the Chief
1t seems that he once used this
building for government purposes.
There's a secret passage from this
prison chamber to the house he is
well acquainted with it, having used
| it years ago. The secret was nev-
er impaired to any one out Of the
employ of the State, and no one
else could have discovered it. The
Chief instructed me how to use this
passage, and being still anxious for
your safety, he directed me to gain
admittance to the house by means
of it, and learn what / could con-
cerning you. / had no idea Of
finding you here. Tell me what is
the meaning of your being here in
this way?' AH>ss tk
"First cut these cords and I will, "
said. .Laromie.
He was soon freed from his
bonds alter which he related all
that had happened to him.
"a plan suggests itself to me-"
he added. He quickly explained
to his companion the design which
had at that instant presented itself
to his mind. Regnard shook his
head. ~ a -
at involves great risk he said,
gravely, "and may be fatal to
you" e.
"Ncvertheless,n said Laromie, ~
shall try it. First show me how to
escape from this place, in case ]
find such a step necessary, and then
do as tell you"
Regnard showed him how to work
the opening in the floor, and then
arranged the cords so that it wo'd
seem as if Laromie was still bound
by them; but fixed them in such
way that he could free himself at
moments warning. He left his
lantern aud some matches with
Laromie, and then, entering the Sc
Ecret passage, closed the opening
after him, and Laromie was alone
once more. eplaced himselfover
the stone and fell asleep.
The next day passed away SLOWLY,
and the night came at last. Pre-
cisely at nine o'clock, Laromie
heard the door Of his cell unlo cked.
Ttswung open, and Roulier appear
ed, bearing a large lamp. As he
entered therroom, the light suddenly
went out. afasss rs.
Let us close the door and stop
the draft" said Roulier, land then
well light the lamp again. | have
matches" 3.r
In response to this summons,
about thirty men entered the room,
and the door was closed.
"Monsieur Laromie," exclaimed
RouIier, "are you there ?"
'.To be sure l am" replied the
| detective. "How could | get
away ?" '
"True," muttered the socialist;
abut now for light"
At this moment the lamp was
dashed from his hand by heavy
blow.
''What does this mean9' he ex-
claimed quickly.
"It means,p said Laromie, in a
loud, clear voice, "that you are all
lmy prisoners"
aAs he spoke, the room was lit up
by the glare Of a dozen lanterns,
from which the dark slides we're
drawn suddenly back, and the as
ttonished socialists fould themselves
lin, the presence of forty strong,
well-armed gendarmes. The de-
nouement was so sudden and start
ling that they could net speak at
first. The police were prompt and
secured their prisoners before they
recovered from their surprise.
"Well, Monsieur Roulier," said
the detective, smiling, "the tables
ihave been turned this time"
The socialist glared at him and
muttered between his teeth:
aYou must be in league with the
idevil.n
"Perhaps / am" said Laromie,
with a alaugh. "Atall events, Mon
sieur, | was not ready to have my
heart cut out."
! The prisoners were conducted 70
the upper part Of the house, SO that
49, ~ - 49,. Aha uaorat of the