Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-02-16

was impossible 10 say whs. time OF The
night the robbery was committed.
Strict silence was onioined on either
side, and observed 10y the Sergeant en-.
tirely, and by Mr.. Baselton pretty we'll,
IS he only mentioned his plan TO Mr..
Chatenoux at the French stall lust by,
and 10 his neighbors, Mr.. Hynks and Mr.
Carrables. Mr. Carrables. by tho way.
was not lhero that morning; so Bsselton
told Mr.. Glisscr, Dir. Csrrables foreman,
instead, who. in becomingly sJpathi1.
/ ing tone, wished him success.
The evening came, the spies mot. and
hung about the passages o; the vast
building until deepest twilight, aud un.
til Basollon was pretty nearly tired OF
being on bis feet.
Now said Sergeant, uncouscously
dropping his voice as he spoke. I'VE will
take up our quarters. If we can only
Get there unporceiYod. have arranged
what | think on will lind pretty good
corner
'All right. returned the exhibitor. in
the same guarded tone; aud lhey stole
noislessly on. passing, once OF IwiCc 4
constable; but The presence ol the Ser.
giant OF course prevented all questioning.
Some large boxes lett. apparently by acci-
dent, at the angle Of the stall. were in
reality placed so that they formed m
almost perfect screen; and. without any
reason to suppose that they had been nc.
ticed, they slipped in and sat down.
Presently tho moon rose and as it
climbs higher, and its light grew stronger
the building became visible throughout
with light which was most unearlhly
and ghostly in its character. This inn
pressed itself very much upon Baselton.
81 had no idea, Sergeant" he whisper
ea to the officer, that the place was
such 4 strange. cemeLeryish sort OF spot
as it is. must own, | should not like
to be on duty here all night. However
have brought some little refreshments
with mo. so let us make ourselves COM
Portable" Ia silence. they ate and drank
and in silence, save for the Ginning OF
the clock, or the occasional tread Of
policeman, the hours crept on. The
policemen passed within p couple OF
yards Of tho watchers repeatedly, but
whether they knew OF theI presence or
not, Baselton could not Judge. The
length and weariness Of hours grew at
last inloleIable 10 him. and seeing that
tho Sergeant was as cool and wide awake
rs when they first entered their lair, he
whispered, IL feel terribly drowsy, Ser
gCanl always do about this time. Five
minutes nap will make me as fresh as =
daisy. Rouse me up il you hear sny-
thing before that time"
Ills companion smiled. and in the same
subducd tone, gave the promise.
Nothing did happen requiring Ar.
Baselton's presence either before or alter
the expiration of five minutes, although
the officer stsalthily looked out hundred
times during the night. AT last the
darkness lhinned away, and then, alter a
short gray twilight, dawn came. and the
Sergeant shook Baselon by the shoulder.
Yes, yes am ready" stammered
the exhibitor, then opened his eyes very
wide indeed. "Why, It's day light !
must have slepL'-
Yes, of course you have interrupted
the other. "bu, let US 90 out quietly. |
don't mind our men seeing us, OF course
bat others need know nothing OF our
watch
III think The less your men or anybody
else know about the way we kept our
watch the BETTER" said Mr. Baselion, as
they left the counter; "in fact / shall
regard it as friendly thing if you say
nothing about it,
The Sergeant smiled. but kept his own
counsel; and 1t may be limited that Bss-
elton was very libera fellow. although
some what hasty. 1t turned out that no
pifering had taken place that night. nor
did any occur for two or three nights
after. a fact which Mr. Glisser attributed
10 The influence Of Nr. Baselton's vigil
auce. He took great interest in the OK.
hibitor's plans. and paid him several com
pliments. which the latter received with
Indifferent grace, having reasons that the
other knew not ol Tor thinking but mod
estly of this same vigilance.
One morning a while after their lruit-
less watch, Mr.. Baseton was in very
bad temper, for he had sustained fresh
loss. lie was leaning against pillar.
some short distance from his counter.
,houghliully biting the end OF his pencil.
ease. when a man spoke TO him. He
looked round at the sound, ard saw
Police constable, whom he very much
disliked Tor his apathy and unbusiness.
like ways, standing close by him. He
growled out some hardly civil words,
and turned from The man, but the latter
WAS not TO be daunted.
II am afraid you have had q loss. sir,
said tho man, land hope it is not very
serious; but. at any rate, i should like a
word or two with you"
"Wbat for Pn retorted Baselton. Il
have lost q gold watch, and as have not