The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1868-12-01

the bolts slide into the .hasp, ana taen
suwas silent. The dungeon in which he
lay was perfectly dark and he was SO
securely bound that he could not move a
limb. He had no hope of escape. He
was in the hands of his most inveterate
enemies, and he knew he could expect no
mercy from them. They had long threat
ened him with vengeance for the injuries
be had inflicted upon them by detecting
their plots; and now that they had him
in their power, he felt sure that they
would carry out their. diabolical threat.
Though he was without hope, he was not
deserted by his courage. .,.
He was brave man, and he resolved
to meet his fate with fortitudc. Still he
cursed his folly bitterly, and was almost
though not quite--ready to swear that if
he could escape this time, he would not
look at woman again.
He had been in his cell little over an
hour when he heard noise as if part of
the floor was being moved. He listened
iuten,iy. The sound continued to be
heard, Then some one spoke his name
in whisper.
"Laromie arc you here?' asked the
voice. .
Yes" replied the detective; "but
who in the fiend's name arc you?"
The voice repeated the watchword of
the secret police, and then Earomie was
conscious of the presence Of another per
son in the cell.
"Regnard, is it you!" asked Laromic,
who recognized the voice as one Of his
fellow detectives. "Iow did you get
here Z"
Rcgnard drew back the shade Of dark
lantern, and showed Laromic a square
opening in the floor.
Through that holo," he replied
But stay Let me commence at the be-
ginning. What you said to the chief
about your little affair made him
anxious for your safety. lie set me to
watch you, so that We might assis: you if
you got into trouble. | followed you to
the opera, and rode behind the carriage
which brought you here. The name Of
the lady, which sou recollcct, YOU gave to
the chief, did not correspond with that Of
the woman who resides here. Ireported
your presence here to the chief. 1t seems
that be once used this building for Gov
eminent purposes. There's secret pas
sage from this prison chamber to the up
per parts of the house. He is well ac-
quainted with them, having used thom
years ago. The secret was never i'm
partei; to any one out of the employ Of
the State, and no one else could have
discovered it. The chief instructed NC
how to use this passage, and being still
anxious for your safety, he directed me to
gain admittauce to the house BY means Of
it, and learn what l could concerning you,
l had no idea of finding you here. Tel!
nc what is the meaning Of your BEING
here in this way"
First cut these cords and I will. said
Laromic.
He was soon freed from his bond, after
which he related all that had happened
to him: Ell.
"a plan suggests itself to me-" he
added. lie quickly explained to his
companion the design which had at that:
instant presented itself to his mind
Regnard shook his head
ut involves great risk" he added.
gravely. at may be fatal to you
"Neverthelcss," said Laroni;c. "a
shall! try it." First show me how to es-
cape from this place, in case | find such a
step necessary, and then do as ! tell you
~ Ragnard showed him how to work the
opening in the floor, and then arranged
the cords so that it would seem that La-
rOmic was still bound by them; but fixed
them in such n way that he could rid
himself at a moments warning. He left
his lantern and some matches will! Laro-
ME, and then, entering tho secret pas
sage. closed the opening after lin, and
I.aromie was alone once more. Replaced
himself over the stone, and then fell
asleep. ar a8l
The next day passed away slowly, and
the night came al last, Precisely at nine
o'clock, Laromie heard the door Of his
cell unlocked. 1t swung open, and Rou-
licr appeared, bearing u large lamp. As
he entered the room the light suddenly
went out.
"Lct us close the door and stop this
draft. and then we'll light the lamp again
| have matches" -.s
In response to this summons about
thirty men entered the room, aud the
door was closed.
"MOnsieur Laromie," exclaimed Rou-
lier, "are you here?"
ITO be sure l am" replied the detec-
tive. GLOW could sc, away!"
True" muttered the socialist. "NoI
for light"
AT this moment the lamp was dashl
from his hand BY heavy blow.
What does this mean! y He
claimed, quickly.
1T MEANS" exclaimed LaromiS
loud, clear voice, that you are
prisoners"
As he spoke the room was lit "
glare ola dozen lanterns, from
Iorl, cli1oe ,,aro drawn eul