Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-08-20

carried a very valuable gold watch, and
had in money about my person, some five
hundred francs but not single weapon
of any kind resistance being therefore
out of the question, felt that my only
chance If indeed there was a chance was
TO counciliate the ruffians and buy myself
off With a presence Of mind, for which /
will take TO myself considerable credit, /
said at once.
II understand it all, gentlemen, and you
will find me liberal person to deal. There
is one thing Ivalue very highly, because it
is the only one have, and can not re-
place it-that is my life Everything else
of mine is at your service, even beyond
what have with me-" .'...t.tfl b
They were undoubtedly surprised to
hear me speak in that cool, of-handed
manner; but they marched forward and
surrounded me before they returned a
word .l .llI trI
'How much have you with you2" in
auired one, in civil way, but in low,
gruff tone.
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
lyon said you had more, Monsieur"
Eyes, gentlemen, | have ten thousand
francs in the Bank of France, and 1 will
willingly add a check for half that
amount.
"Checks don't answer our purpose very
well, said a second voice.
"Then pledge you my honor that l will,
tomorrow, draw out five thousand francs
and pay the amount over to any person who
may approach me with this bouquet in his
hand, said |, holding ont the flowers l
had purchased of the fair decoy.
''And have him arrested the next minute,
l suppose.
mo; on my honor he shall depart un-
harmed and unquestioned, and no other
human being shall be informed of the
transactions for week, month, or a
year. .... ..-..s-....
''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
pocket book and purse, and placed them
all in his extended hand.
"You make us present of these, now2"
he said. OIL. ...t.
"Yes, on condition that one of you will
forthwith conduct me to the street above, y
1 replied.
Monsieur is very liberal gentleman in-
deed?" was the response. ..;..
They then drew off together, scrutinized
/ the articles by the light of a smoky lamp,
and conversed together in low tones. |
felt that they were holding consultation
that involved my life. To speak the honest
truth, ii seemed as if every nerve in me
7 quivered, and it was with difficulty that
could stand.
At length the principal spokesman turn
ed to me and said in cool and methodical
manner:
"Monsieur has acted more like gentle
man than any we ever had dealings with,
and if we could consistent with our bust
ness, oblige him we would be happy to do
so; put unfortunately we are governed by
q 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. We will,
however, in consideration of Monsieur's
gentlemanly behavior, be as mild and len
lent as possible in doing our duty, and give
Monsieur five minutes for prayers"
"You have then resolved to murder meY
gasped |.
monsieur uses a very hard term, but we
will let that pass. You have five minutes
yet to live by this watch. ." .H
This villain then held my watch to the
light, and felt indeed that my minutes
were numbered, and secretly began topray
for the salvation of my soul, believing that
l could not save my body.
A death-like silence reigned i'll that
gloomy apartment for some time, and then
one of the ruffians bent down and lifted a
trap door, and from the dark pit below is
sued o nauseous smell, as it might be of
putrid bodies. 1 beheld my intended grave
and shuddered like an aspen. .-
"But why stand there and die like dog
without a single attempt at escape" At
the worst it could be but death, and there
was bare possibility that | might get away.
l fixed my eye on the door which opened
on the stairway. and with single sudden
bound reached it, but found it fast and
locked Then, as the hands ofthe rufians
seized me with murderous intent, l ut
tered a wild shrek, the door was burst in
with loud crash, and in moment the
room was filed with gendarmes. l saw
that was saved, and tainted and fell.
The four masks, the fair decoy, and some
two OF three others concerned in thatmur
derous den, were well secured that nipht,
and subsequently had the pleasure OF CIV
ing in my evidence against them, and see
ing them all condemned 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 ascertaining
whittier she had conducted me, had hasten-
ed to bring body Of gendarmes to the
the place. The delay of the rufians in their
murderous design had been just sufficient
to save me. 1 scarcely need add that l
never again volunteered to accompany a
distressed damsel on a secret adventure
while remained in Paris.