Middletown transcript., 1868-08-22

gining to feel uneasy.
| "Only step, monsieur; it is just here.
Almost Immediately she turned into ;
covered passage, which led in back among
habitations that | should never have vol
unfairly visited in the broad light of day
A distant light served to make the gloon
visible, till she suddenly stopped and open.
ed door into total darkness.
''Your hand, Monster lie Docteur," she
said, at the same time taking it and lead
ing me forward
was tempted to draw back and refuse
to go any farther, thought mechanically
followed her.
We now went through a long narrow
passage, in total darkness, and after two
or three short turns, began to descend a
flight of creaking, rotten stairs.
"ls it possible you live in place like
this 7" said 1, secretly wishing myself safe
ly out of it.
Gin Paris beggars cannot be choosers, :"
replied the girl.
"But even in Paris it is not necessary
for the living to take up their abode in Sc
.pulchers| l rejoinod with some asperi-
ty, being vexed at myself for suffering my
good nature to lead me into den from
which | might never come out alive.
10 this my fair guide deigned no reply.
On reaching the foot of the stairs she
pushed open door into a small room, and
L followed her in with some secret misriv
lngs. There was bed in one corner, and
upon it appeared to be a human form lying
very still.
81 have brought doctor, mother"
said the girl as she closed behind me. As
there was no reply to this she turned to
me saying:
"Will Monsieur lc Docteur please to be
seated a minute ? I think my mother is
asleep"
u beg that mademoiscllo will bear in
mind that l can only spare few moments
IN this case tonight, as 1 have another
call l wish. to make Immediately" re-
turned feeling very anxious to depart from
that subterranean quarter as quick as pos
Monsieur shall not be detained long by
me-" rejoined the girl, passing out of the
room by another door.
L did not sit down, but walked over to
the bed where the patient was living very
still-so still indeed that could not de-
tect any breathing. A woman's cap was
on the head, and the end of sheet con-
cealed the face. [ vcntured to turn this
down carefully, and bcheld the eyeless
sockets and grinning teeth of human
skull
L started back in horror, and ut the same
moment the door by which the girl had
left was thrown open, and in marched one
after the other four tall human forms in
black gowns and masks. knew at once,
then, that was to be robbed, and proba-
bly, murdered. wore heavy diamond
pin and ring, carried very valuable gold
watch, and had in money about my person
some live hundred francs, but not a single
weapon of any kind-resistance being
therefore out of the question, | felt that
my only chanoe-if, indeed, there were a
chance-was to conciliato the ruffians and
buy myself off With presence ofmind,
Tor I, winch still take to myself eonsidera-
BILE credit, | said at once:
81 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 cannot replace it--that is my
life. Everything else of mine is at your
service, even beyond what 1 have with |
me-"
They were undoubtedly surprised to
hear me speak in that cool oA-hand man
ner ; but they marched forward and sur
rounded me before either returned word.
"How much have you with you then ?" |
inquired one in a civil way, but in a low.
gruff tone.
Immediately mentioned the different
articles of value and exact amount ofmon-
ey, call ofwhich will be pleased to present
you with, if one of you will be kind enough
to escort me to the street above" added. |
:" You said you had more Monsieur"
, " Yes, gentlemen, 1 have ten thousand
francs in the Bank of France, and will
add check for one half that
amount"
"Checks don't answer our purpose very
well, /" said the second voice.
.'Then / pledge you my; honor, that I
will tomorrow, draw out five thousand
francs and pay the amount over to any per-
son who may approach with this bouquet
in his hand, I, holding out the flow
ers had purchased of the fair decoy.
"And have him arrested the next min
ute, | suppose"
'No; on my shonor he shall depart un-
harmed and unquestioned, and no other
human being shall be informed of the tran
saction for week, month, or year."
''Let us handle what you have here"
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 in the extended hand.
"You make US present of these now ?"
he said,
.' Yes, on condition that one of you
will forthwith conduct me to the street
above, I replied.
Monsieur is very libcsaI gentleman
indeedl" was the RESPONSE.