Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-12-06

then in trembling tones | cried "Kcno!'
and Immediately man came and CAV,
me a largo amount of gold. How long
| played | know not, for | was blmlcC
by the excitement, and knew not wheI
to stop. At last voice cried in Frcncl
that the bank was broke for the evening
and | the winnor--with a heavy bag o
gold.
| arose from the table, and was abou
leaving the ROOM when hand was laiC
upon my arm, and a voice asked:
Monsieur, may ask your name 2
turned around and beheld the pro
prictor. answered:
My name is Summers; from the
United States. What can do for You 2
You may deem it quite impcrtucnt
in me, Monsieur Summers, for asking
your name; but | thought, perhaps,
you might never be heard Of again, and
by knowing your name | might be able
to throw some light on your murder"
Murdcr." exclaimed in astonsh-
ment.
Monsieur, | presumc you are aware
that all eyes are fixed upon you, and as
they know that you are stranger in
Paris they are likely to take advantage
of your ignorance of the city and way
lay you before you are half way between
here and the hotel"
have kept this place for fifteen
years" continued he, ''and | feel bound
to protect all who enter my house. !
propose that you remain here until morn
ing, for can accommodate you with Il
room where you can sleep with safety
Take glass of Madeira with ne, It's os
the best quality"
| weighed his words carefully and de-
tcrmncd to remain all night. IT'S true
the house was in very desolatc part of
Paris. with its rear shadowing the Seine,
but his politcnds5 aud frank mannercon-
WINGED me that there was nothing to fear
We sat up until all of the guests had
departed, and, feeling the effects of the
wine, concluded to retire. AT his ur-
gent request, consented to drink anoth-
or glass of Madeira, and immediately
after | became quite dizzy and could
scarcely stand erect.
was assisted up stairs and ushcrcd
into room comfortably furnished. After
locking the door put the bag Of money
on table and began examining the
apartment. The room contained an old
oakcn bcdstead, which stood in the centre
Of the room 1t was the most singular
piece Of workmanship | had seen. as
the head and foot of the bed rose to al
equal height, both made of massive wood
at least three inches thick. If they hac
hinges Ct thought) at the ends they wou!(
meet perfectly when let down. On The
wall were hung three pictures, ono re-
presenting the execution Of Louis XVI
the CORY head, staring eyes and matted
locks, dropping into basket, with the
Gshcrwomcn seated around laughine
taking a stitch in their knitting when a
head fell into the basket
The other was the death Of Robes
pierre, the inventor of the instrument Of
mans doprayity; and the third picture,
which hung at the foot of the bed where
the light fell upon it, seemed to me like
jumping Jack, with his hand about TO
lift of his hat which had large plume
stuck IN il. | threw myself upon the
bed, thinking Of the illustrations upon
the wall of the blood-staincd past, which
conspircd to create feeling Of dread. -
| cndcayorcd to keep awake, MS now
had serious suspicion regarding the keep
er Of the house. | felt myself being
carried TO the land of dreams, and tried
to cast off the spell. | would opeu my
eyes and gaze lauguidly around, but at
last fell asleep.
How long slept | know not. ] had
faint recollection Of feeling something
giving way under me, and awaking with
a start Of terror / listened All was
! still as death. / heard the faint sound
Of bell i'll the distance strike two o'clock.
My eyes wandered to the picture on the
wall at the foot Of The bed Good hea-
ycns! the figure in the frame is moving,
the hand is lifting tho hat from its head
and | can sec the plumes novel What
can it al mean?
My attention is so absorbed in the
movements Of the figure, that notice
not the sinking of the bed | see the
foot Of the bed falling, and feel the head
almost crushing me. One hcrculean
effort, and manage to free myself and
regain the floor.
The bed by this time looks like an
immense sofa, tho bottom had fallen out,
and the cushioned sides take its place.
Lifting one Of the ends up can look
down in the dark and murkey Seine. j
turn away with an icy shnddcr, and
thank God for my narrow escape. While
mcdilating upon the means OF escape
panel in the door opens, and a hand
thrust through to unlock the door.
In moment ! have ono of the pic
lures down and snap the cord, and quick
rs lightning tie the hand TO the door
knob, taking out the key. A smothered
oath reaches my ear; but | wait no
longer; | snatch the money from the
table and jump from the side window in
TO the street. Bruised and bleeding
managed to reach the hotel
The next day, followed by several
stout geudarmes, reach the place of my
terror the night previous; but the birds
bad flown. The door had been battered
down in order TO extricate the indiyidu
ais band which | had tied so firmly.
TO this day the yividness OF the or
deal which had passed through is strong
E y