The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-04-21

securely bound that he could not move
limb He had no hope of escape
He was in the hands Of his most iuyete.
rate enemies, and he knew that he could
expect no mercy from them. They had |
long threatened him with vengeance for
the injuries he 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 with.
out hope he was not deserted by his
courage.
lie was brave man, and he resolved
to meet his fate with fortitude, Still,
he cursed his folly bitterly, and was al
most-though not quite-ready to swear
that, if he could escape this time he
would not look at a woman again.
He had been in the cell little over
an hour, when he heard noise as if
part of the floor was being moved. He
listened intently. The sound continued
to be heard Then some one spoke his
name in whisper.
Laromic! are you here2" asked the
voice.
"Yes," replied the detective but
who in the fiend's name are you ?"
The voice repeated the watchword of
the secret police, and then Lrrome be.
came conscious ofthe presence of another
person in the cell.
Regnarl is it your" asked Laromie,
who recognized the voice as that of one
Of his fellow. detectives. l." How did
you get here p
Reguard drew back the shade of
dark lantern, and showed Laromie
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 aux.
ious for your safety. lie sent me to
watch you SO that we might assist you
if you got into trouble. followed you
to the opera, aud rode behind the car.
riage which brought you here. The
name of the lady, which you gave to the
Chief, did not correspond with that of
the woman who resides here. re.
ported 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
has never been 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 admit.
tance to it, and learn what | could
concerning you. had no idea of find.
ing you here. Tell me what is the
meaning of your being here in this
way ?"
First cut these cords and | will,
said Laromie.
He was soon freed from his bonds ;
after 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.
at involves great risk" he said,
gravely. "And may be fatal to you"
Nevertheless" said Laromie, 81
shall try it. First show me how to cs.
cape from this place, in case | find such
a step necessary, and then do as | tell
you"
Reguard showed him how to work the
opening in the floor, and then arranged
the cords so that it would seem as II
Laromie were still bound by them but
fixed them in such way that he could
free himself at moments warning.-
lie left his lantern and some matches
with Laromie, aud then, entering the
secret passage, closed the opening after
him, and Laromie was alone once more
He placed himself over the stone aud
fell asleep.
The next day passed away slowly, and
! the night came at last. Precisely al
nine o'clock, Laromie heard the door
of his cell unlocked. It swung open,
and Roulier appeared, bearing large
lamp. As he. entered the room, the
light suddenly went ont.
"Let us close the door and stop the
draft" !" said Roulier, g and then vel
light the lamp again. I have matches y
la response to this summons, about
thirty men entered the room, and the
door was closed.
:" Monsieur Laromie," exclaimed Rou,
lier, " ars you there?'