The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-03

Iheard the sound of steps and voices, aud
bending down caught these words, spoken
in e rough toRe:-
"Well, do you see any one? Is the room
lighted?"
The man so addressed, it is easy to under
stand, could not reply. A brief silence fol-
lowed. Then the same voice impatiently
continued,
"If you are afraid, coward, let another
man take your place; but, d-n it, advance or
draw back"
"The position is not tenable, said another
voice further off cat any moment we may
be surprised. Robert, who is watching at
the entrance, says that he hears the distant
sound of approaching horses.
BY the movement below me l judged that
they were removing the body of their COM
rode. The sight of the headless trunk must
have alarmed them, for 1 keard loud cry ac-
companied by the most fearful imprecations
and threats of vengeance.
There was rush of footsteps, and distinctly
heard them retreat, having abandoned the
dead man.
At this moment the strength which in the
hour of danger had been my support failed
me, and 1 sank upon the floor insensible.
A quarter of an hour later the Count and
Countess returned. Having knocked for sd-
mission, and being unanswered, they cen
cluded that had fallen asleep, and Thomas
scaled the wall and opened the outer gate
Finding it impossible to make themselves
heard, they by their united efforts forced the
door.
The scene displayed before their eyes was
terrible indeed, and rendered all the more
ghastly by the pale light of the moon.
lay upon the floor in a death-liks swoon.
Little Alfred knelt beside me, his hands
clasped, his eyes fxed and his face ashen in
4, e. g.. i. A.. II
ing head of the bandit, with its glaring eyes
starting from their sockets and fierce grin
curling the parted lips.
That night no one in the chateau slept; we
kept strict vigil, fearing the return of the
lavless men, but no sound again disturbed
the silence. On the following day the Count
de Rocherolles reported the occurrence to the
authorities at Chsrleyille. A detachment was
at once sent to the chateau, and the officers of
justice discovered a subterranean passage
which ran from the park beneath the walls
and led direct to the Kings Chamber. A
watch was set and faithful search made.
Some weeks had elapsed when Joseph Kats,
the chief of the band of bandits together
with the forty men under his command, were
arrested in the forest of De la Hariere, the
distance of about four leagues from Sept
Fontaines.
When the wretches were tried the fearful
head was produced In Court, and helped to
convict them, and on the Both of October in
the same year they were executed at Charlie
vile in the presence of great crowd which
had assembled from all parts of the province.
The tsrrors of that dreadful night de-
velopsd in me the germ of an incurable dis
ease, and has left with me a memory no time
can efface.
In recognition of the service rendered
them in protecting their child, the Count
and Countess settled upon me a pension
which is amply sufficient to supply my few
wants. Dear friends, this little story pos
sesses at least one merit, that of being strictly
true; therefore you can afford to sympathize
with Jeanette La Croix.