The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-08

quiries, the chief consulted ponderou
+ ledger, and after brief inspection declared
there was no such person in Paris.
"What is it, Laramie 2" be asked; "publit
] business, or an designation 2"
"Oh, merely little affair Of my own,
said Laromie, laughing. ~
|, "Take care, my friend, !" said chief, gravely
} "You run great risk in these little affairs
of yours. We could not afford to lose you
just now"
'Never fear" returned the detective gaily.
II always keep my wits about me.
That night Laromie was at the opera at
an early hour. He waited impatiently as
the audience came in, and he thought they
had never been so slow before He scanned
the boxes and parterre closely, but could see
the lady nowhere. As the performances be-
gan, his attention was drawn by friend,
and he turned to speak to him. As he look
ed back at the audience, when his friend
| left him, his heart gave one great bound of
delight. The lady was sitting in one of the
most retired boxes, radiant in her beauty.
She saw him and nodded smilingly. In an
incredibly short time be was seated by her
side, pouring forth his thanks for the happi-
ness she had given him.
In reply to his questions, the lady told
him she was the widow of a gentleman of
good family and great wealth. She said she
had seen Laromie at various places in the
city: and with a blush, she confessed that
she had become very much interested in him
The rest we have already told.
One of Laromie's weak points was his van
| lily, and here pretty woman could always
strike successful blow. He had become
completely fascinated with Ma dame de Noel
and while in the box his demonstrations of
admiration were so excessive that the lady
had several times to remind him that they
might be observed by some one in the audi
ence. When the performance was over, the
lady asked him if he would 60 home with
her to supper, and he, overjoyed, consented.
If any one had seen the detective during
the drive from the Opera to the lady's house
his reputation for GOODNESS and discretion
would have suffered. He did nothing but
clasp the lady around the waist and kiss her
| repeatedly, protesting between each emphat-
ic salute, ardent and undying devotion to
the fair widow. Fortunately the carriage
protected the pair from observation, and hid
the ladys bushes Madame De Noel laugh
ingly declared that she never had seen so
impulslve lover; and said she was sure no
woman could resist such eloquence as he was
using with her. Laromie's only answer was
storm of kisses, Well, it must be confess
ed very few men could have resisted the
temptation.
When they reached the residence of Mad
anne De Noel, the carriage passed into the
court yard, and they left it. They entered
dimly lighted hall and passed into stump
tuously furnished apartment, brilliantly illu-
minated. A footman received madame, and
charge of the cloak and hood which she |
laid aside. Laromie afterwards remembered |
that she looked at the man in peculiar way,
as she babe him have supper served as soon
as possible; but he though nothing of it at |
the time
Madame seated herself in a luxurious arm |
chair, and Laromie threw himself on cusl-
ION at her feet For long while neither |
spoke. A strange silence had fallen over
them. All the while however, the young
mans head rested against the arm of her
chair, and one of her hands played careless
ly with his hair.
A slight noise in the apartment caused the
detective to look up. But he could not raise
his head high enough to see anything. Mad
L
ANS hand rested on it too heavily.
bah 1t Is nothing, my dear friend" she
said, quickly.
At the same instant he felt himself borne
to the floor by an irresistible force; and be-
fore he could collect his wits, which he did
not have about him this time, he was bound
hand and foot, and left helpless on the car
pet CHANGING up, he saw the room was full
of men.
"What does this mean p, he demanded
stemly.
ut means, Monsieur Laromie," replied the
lady, smiling sweetly, shat you will not sup
with me to night"
Laromies GOODNESS returned to him now.
that it was too late.
ut seems that have been very great
fool" he said, bitterly.
II agree with you, Monsieur" laughed the
lady.
Stand aside" said one of the men, com. /
ing forward. LET me speak with him. Do
you know me, monsieur p he asked. II
Yes, replied Laromie. "You are Fred
'rick Rooulier known to the government as
he president of a socialist club, captain of
oarricade, and general promoter of disor-
ier These men, Isuppose; are your confed-
rates"
Precisely so, monsieur You have been
or long time as anxious to capture US as I
We have been to secure you. Fortune has I
avored us this time, and you are now our
prisoner. Perhaps you would like to know !
What we intend doing with you ~ If
THAT IS matter of indifference to me-" t
aid the detective. coolly.
Your courage is undoubtedly great
aid Roulier; but we shall put it to the 9
est We have decided long ago, monsieur I
hat you must die We would carry out our
lecision tonight, but all of our club are not I
present. Tomorrow night the absent ones '
will return, and then we shall proceed to in
ict our vengeance upon you. Your heart 1
7ill be cut out of your living BODY, Nav r
eaven preserve your SOUL" he added. mock
ngly; = for your earthly part is doomed - 7
"Do not be too sure of that exclaimed t
,aromie, Indignantly ~ was never born v
die by the hands of such cowardly mis- +
reants" q
The socialist leader laughed. I
All Monsieur Laromie," he said, sar v
astically; "why would you not be warned
y your friends? Women will be the death c
f you, l fear" f.
" Who IS this woman 2" asked the detec-
i've. not needing the taunt. /,
Let me answer" said Madame de Noel. | Il
Monsieur Laromie," she added, 81 am one
Tho has long owed you a debt of vengeance. a
wo years ago you arrested woman named | D
Poisson, charged with murder
lg French soldier She was tried bv O
our courts and condemned to death. That d
oman was my mother" O
Well" said Laromie, calmly. "She was p
OF executed. Il
No." said Madame de Noel, fercely; re
but owe you no thanks for that. The it
mperor banished her to Algiers, to die un.
er the burning suns of that land"
But the government subsequently par "A
oned her and gave her permission to return
France"