The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-03-25
AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY.
AUGUSTINE LAFoNT was the

1Y1e confidential agent OF heavy bank
ing house in Paris. Early in the spring of
1882 he set out from Paris with bills, notes,
drafts, e., to the amount of over million
of francs, for a house in Chaumont, and
much secrecy had been observed in the
preparation Of his journey, as the kingdom
was, at that time, infested by secret Or
ganization of thieves. Lafont had the notes
concealed in various parts Of his dress, and
taking the heavy diligence as the best
mode of conveyance, he set out on his mis-
sion. A Ii.H l.N
Nothing worthy of note occurred to ar
rest Lafont's attention, until he had passed
nearly through the department of the Seine
and Marne, when, just at nightfall, two
well-dressed gentlemen hailed the diligence,
and claimed passage to Chaumont. 1t was
already too dark for the agent to clearly
distinguish the features of the new comers,
but yet from what little he could see he
at once made up his mind that their count
enances were not unfamiliar to him, and
having come to this conclusion, he determ-
ined to watch their movements, for a vague
suspicion that they had by some means be-
came possessed Of the secret of his busi-
ness, took possession of his mind.
The diligence crossed the Seine at
Nogent, and there remained for the night
AS soon as Lafont had an opportunity to
examine the countenances of the strangers
at the supper table, he became satisfied
that his first impressions were correct, for
one of the travellers, at least, he had seen
in Paris on the day before his departure,
and he could not but notice that they both
eyed him with marked interest. After
supper, the agent lighted his cigar, and
walked out on to the bridge, where he re-
manned nearly half an hour, at the end OF
that time, he started back towarlss the inn,
and just as he arrived at the door, he
noticed his two travelling companions
entering the stable. A feeling of curiosity
prompted him to follow them, and as he
came round by the stable door, he could
just see the two men crouching away in an
empty stall. With a stealthy, cat-like
tread, the agent crept as near as possible
to the stall, and he was fortunate enough
to make out the gist of their conversation
When Lafont left the stable, he knew
that the two men had left Paris for the
purpose of robbing him, and that they de
termined to put their plan into execution
as soon as the diligence should have enter
ed the department of Upper Marne. A
first, the agent thought of calling upon th'
gendse arms and have the two men arrested
but then the evidence might not be sufIic
lent to warrant such proceeding, and be
sides, he would thereby give the secret o
Anight be equally as ready to rob him. IL
returned to the inn, and after considerabl
reflection he determined to procure Z
horse, and secretly pursue his journey
Having come to this conclusion he went +
the driver of the diligence, and under th
plea Of having to remain in Nogent o
special business for day or two, he settle
his fare thus far; then he went to the stabl
/ anu OIucIcu tliO hoioo W oS III ASNNii'oH
for him by three o'clock in the morning, Q
the same time enjoining upon the garco
the strictest secrecy with regard to HI
: movements. etr
AS soon as the arrangements were mad'
, Lafont retired to his room. He, of cours'
/. knew that his secret had got wings, an
Q even in his proposed course he was NJ
3 entirely free from danger. A million franc
! was . large sum; and if tho two Parisis
robbers had set their hearts upon its po
session, be had some work TO perform O.
/ he would be entirely free from them. Aft
revolving the thing over in his mind f
some time, new idea struck him, al
obtaining a number Of uselessspapers,
neatly folded them in an enyelop, which
d strongly sealed and bound with q bl
i ribbon.