The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-02-08
THE SEVERED HAND.

HE Sc ERED HAND.
About the end Of January, more than
twenty years since, Doctor Lisfranc. a
celebrated surgeon OF Paris, was return
ing to his house at eleven o'clock at
night. He had reached his door, and
had raised the knocker, about to give
warning to the maid in attendance of
ms arrival, when q vigorous arm stopped
his own half way, and at the same time
three masked figures surrounded the
astonished doctor. The street was de-
serted, the doctor had no arms by him,
and wisely judging resistance would
prove unayaiiing, he sought to escape
from the hands Of the banditti by the
sacrifice OF his purse, when the men who
held his arm addressed him very polite
ly, saying:
Z" believe you are Doctor Lisfranc?''
9 You seem to be acquainted with nv
person" replied the doctor "Take,
then, my purse and Watch-trouble nae
no longer, but get you gone to more hon
est work"
"Sir," said the man haughtily, " we
are no thieves, but only come to ask
from you favor"
You have chosen d strange way and
an unusual hour for such a purpose, y
said the doctor, mistrustfully.
Every hour IS good for SO clever a
surgeon as yourself to perform an opera
ton"
"Eh?" said the doctor, who, little
treasured, stood examining his three
clients more closely, aud perceived that
they were dressed more like gentlemen
going to ball than highway robbers.
" We request, doctor, that you follow
us Immediately"
" Permit me, at least, TO warn my lady
of my absence"
"No-there is DO need for it. You
have your implements with you; that
will do. You must submit, however, to
having your eyes bandaged."
"But, sir"
Come, come, by George" said one of
the mem, IF you have so many words
about it, We shall never proceed" He
then sounded shrill whistle, and a car
riage coming from a narrow street in
the neighborhoOd made its appearance.
The three men led the doctor to it,
helped him up, and then got in after
him. The horses galloped away at a
rapid pace.
Doctor Lisfranc did not even think of
offering a resistance, which must prove
useless, but submitted with good grace
to the mysterious violence exercised up
on his person.
Is For two hours time not a word was
exchanged between him and his travel
ing companions, who spoke among them
selves in q language he could not under
stand.
At length the carriage rolled beneath
portico-the noise of an opening gate
was heard, creaking on its hinges-the
carriage stopped.
The door was opened and the steps let
down
% Well|' inquired an anxious voice.
i" He is here" replied one of the men
in the carriage, and, taking the doctor
by the hand, assisted him TO alight
They then caused him to ascend several
steps.
Be- the cold air that struck upon his
face the doctor perceived that he was on
the steps of an outer portico. 4 door
was opened, and the doctor fancied that
they made him cross a large hall he was
then led through a suite of apartments.
covered with soft carpeting. At last the
doctors guide paused, and said:
" We have reached our destination,
doctor-remoye your bandage."
The doctor whose terror had changed
10 an uneasy curiosity and vague APP
prehensiOn, 0beved the strangers voice
and found himself in a small room, lux
uri0usly furnished, and but half lit by
an alabaster lamp which hung in the
middle of the room. The window cur
tains were closely shut, as well as those
of the alcove, which occupied the further
end OF the apartment. In this room
the doctor found himself alone with one
of the three individuals who had made
him an unwilling captive.
The stranger was tall and of imposing
mien. He was dressed with 3 truly
aristocratic precision; his black eyes
glittered through the half mask that
covered his upper features, whild nerv-
Gus twitch agitated his uncovered lips
and the thick beard that surrounded the
lower part of his face.
" Doctor" said the stranger, IN a dry
and broken voice, prepare your imple-
ments-you have to perform an amputa-
ton
Where is the patient?" inquired
Lisfrano. Saying which he turned to-
ward the alcove, and moved a step for
ward. The curtains waved gently, and
a stihed sigh was heard coming from
that direction.
I" Prepare for the operation, sir, re-
peated the stranger, convulsiyely.
But" said the doctor, 'it is impor-
tant that should see the patient"
"You can see only the hand which
you are required 10 cut off. :"
The doctor then crossed his arms, and,
looking earnestly at his interlocutor, re-
Piled
sir, there has been violence used in
bringing me here; if it be true, however,
that some one stands in need Of my ser
vices, without looking into your secrets
-unmindful of the way l have been