The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-02-07

on the bed while he sat by me. We spoke
in whispers.
/ "Shall l reveal all?" he asked.
/ Yes, without reservation"
am conspirator."
; THAT is your mission in France at the
present time?"
Yes. 1 risk my life-but what is
such a life as mine?"
had not expected this. The revela-
ton, | own frightened me. | began to
display my uneasiness.
/ "Sir," continued NJ. d'Aubepine. 90 /
have entrusted you with my secret. As
man of honor, you must share my dan
/ ger. You must aid me"
Glow is that possiblep' l demanded:
Il also have mission here"
/ "AhI" he exclaimed. in some surprise
/ Yes. My relations with my own
country will not permit me to take such
step as you propose"
/ Your mission is private?"
Yes; in measure"
/ "Then | gave you three weeks to con-
slider But remember that ! hold you on
oath. Treachery shall meet instant
death. Bewaren'
His manner had suddenly changed:
think mine had likewise. Bitterly did |
now regret my enthusiasm of the night
before. My first impulse was to have
nothing more to do with him from that
moment. l arose very much confused,
and left the room.
never was 50 miserable in all my life
as during the rest of that day. l quilted
3 lo1,rinnl of@ar hraol -fau+
dered about the streets until after night
fall. | cursed my folly a thousand
times. A last ] came to the determine
ton that | would leave Paris the next
morning.
+ 1t was quite dark before l returned to
the Rue Metternich, and stole up stairs
quietly as a mouse. Before retiring, |
gathered up my things. ! was resolved
to fly at daybreak.
! L had not been asleep more than two
hours, when | was aroused by a loud
knocking at the door. l got up some
what perplexed, and opened it, The
landing outside was filled with soldiers,
each carrying his gun and a lantern.
"You are Mr.. Adolphus ST. Jermyn?"
asked sergeant.
II am"
You must dress and come with me-"
While | was getting ready, | saw
! through the open door three soldiers
standing on the steps apparently guard
ing some one. A second CLAN ce revealed
the features of the prisoner to be those
of NJ. d'Aubepine.
q am lost" thought |.
| will not detail how | was taken
through the streets that night, and cast
into prison until the following morning;
nor how | was agitated with fear and
wonder at my unexpected arrest; nor
how it annoyed me to find that NJ
q Aubeplne gave me no sign of recogni-
ton or encouragement; nor how | was
troubled to think of some means by
which | might be extricated from my
really perilous position. | will only say
that l was brought before the officials
the next morning, and accused of being
spy.
q demand to see your witness" was
my rejoinder. Where is he who can
prove anything against me-"
" You shall be satisfied" said the pre-
feet.
! There was a stir in the crowd, and a
man stepped forth dressed in the full
uniform of the French police. No longer
bent with years-no longer childish and
simple-no longer pleasant to see; but
erect, cold, merciless, stood confronting
me no other man than Monsieur Wolf
gang Mozart d'Aubepine!
The fact was, my secret movements,
my writings home, my singular taste for
obscure localities and people, had first
attracted to me the attention Of the de-
tectives. One of their number, a very
Nidocq in cunning and skill, was set to
become intimate with me, if possible,
and to gather what information he might
of my pursuits. The single incautious
remark that | had private mission
caused my arrest But the thought
came to me to send for member of the
English embassy, which | did, and, in an
hour or so, obtained my release.
Before leaving the office | had an OPP
portunity for word or two with the sly
rogue who got me into trouble
"What was the real reason,' | in
quired, that you never would perform
on the violin?"
Simply" said he, because 1 did not
know how"