The Grange advance., 1876-04-05
Huron tracked him 50 hotly as to ex-
change pistol-shots with him. by which

Huron tracked him 50 hotly as to ex-
change pistol-shots with him. by which
CartOuche was said to have been Sc
riously wounded. 1t is certain that,
either. to escape this persevering foe
or to recover from his alleged hurts,
he disappeared for three entire months
from criminal history, and the police
exultingly assured the public that he
was driven from the capital. They
were soon made painfully aware of his
return.
A very large reward was now set on
his head, and Huron and Pepin again
devoted themselves to their task. The
zeal of both these officers proved fatal
to them. The former had one evening
tracked Cartouche to Il notorious rob-
ber haunt. Finding themselves likely
to be surrounded, the band, like wolves
at bay, turned suddenly upon Huron
and his followers. The officer receiving
several pistol-shots, and was then cut
down by Cartouche himself. 4 few
days later the robber chief, while TAX
ing a quiet stroll with Madeleine Beau
lieu, a woman belonging to the gang,
perceived Pepin at his heels. Turning
suddenly upon their pursuer, Made
leine attacked him with large stones,
while Cartouche ran him through the
body.
A regular organized attempt was
next made, under the direction of an
Aide-Major Of the Gardes-Francaise
(Pekom), who selected ninety of his
best men and sent them in various dis
guises, but we'll armed. in quest of the
single robber chief. At this critical
period of his fortunes occurred what
was known as the affair of the Hotel
Desmarets. Nicolas Desmarets, nephew
Of the great Colbert, died on the 9th of
May at his hotel in the Rue des Petits
Augustins. This wealthy residence Car
touche resolved should be thoroughly
pillaged. \ chosen band, commanded
by their chief in person, forced all ell
trance and were busily at work in the
rich saloons when one of their lookouts
announced the approach of an absolute
army Of police. The danger signal had
hardly been given before the enemy
appeared. \ fierce fight commenced
from room to room, from stair to stair.
The robbers fought stoutly, but their
ammunition failed, and they were over
borne by numbers. Sauve qui peut be-
came the order Of the day. Cartouche
escaped by a chimney, gained the roof,
and descended at some distance in the
garret of a good-natured mechanic, to
whom he represented himself as a man
pursued by his merciless creditors.
His host sympathized with him, provi-
ded him with disguise, and he once
more broke through the tolls.
The Regent now doubled the reward
and offered free pardon to any one,
no matter how guilty, who should be-
tray his chief. Distrust now spread
through the band, and two murders of
suspected traitors quickly followed.
But the hour OF retribution was at
hand. One Duehatelet---next to Car
touche the most ferocious of human IT,
gers---acknowledged to himself thatth
game was nearly up: Plunged, as he
was, in the deepest and deadliest crime.
he saw but one chance OF safety, and
that was to denounce his chief. He
made a bargain with Pekom, the Aide
Major of the Gardes-Francaises. pro-
cured a promise of pardon from the
Regent, and then conducted picked
body of men to the robbers lair. Car
touch was taken SO completely by sur
prise that he WAS secured almost with
out a struggle, although he had six
loaded pistols ready to his hand. He
was conducted to the Cartelet. and the
process advanced quickly. Duchatelet,
certain Of reprieve, confessed without
hesitation to certain burglaries and
murders, in which Cartouche had taken
part. Notwithstanding this, the latter
stoutly protested his innocence. and
denied his identity, calling himself one
Sean Bourguignon. Il collntryman.
Meanwhile he was well cared for,
he received crowds of distinguished
visitors. and fashionable ladies atten-
ded his levees. The most distin.
guished of these was the Marechale de
Bouff1ers, widow of the gallant general
who lost the battle of Malplaquet.
One warm summer night in July, l721,
just as the lady had retired to bed,
leaving her window a little open for
air, she drew the curtain aside, and to
her horror saw a mans face close to
her own. She made a snatch for the
bell-cords. but the intruder seized her
hands, opened his blouse, displaying a
rich but faded costume, with COM
plete armory of silver-mounted pistols
and knives, and introduced himself as
Louis Dominique Cartouche. He had
narrowly escaped the watchful eyes
Of the police, then in hot pursuit of
him, by climbing the balcony; no one,
he said, would dream of looking for
him there, and he proposed to remain.
He was hungry and tired, however, and
wanted supper and bed. Quaking
with fear, the Marechale rang the bell,
ordered her astonished servants to