Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-03-19
ruE SEVERED HAND.

- t'' cached his door, and had raised
9 IaNtoncker. about to give warning to
tio maid ms in attendance Of his arrival,
l1 ~ vigorous arm stopped his own
VIZ !Tf nav. and at the same time three
A'.,,od figures surrounded the aston
Id doctor. The street was deserted,
-. ,r doctor had no arms by him, and,
~ .uI Judging that resistance would
We nnavailing, he sought to escape
,vr the hands of the bantitti by the
.,srrifce of his purse, when the man
s~ held his arm addressed him very
politely, saying:
"" You seem to be acquainted with
NY person." replied the doctor Take,
hen, my purse and watch-trouble me
net longer, but get yen gone to more
honest work"
Sir said the man, haughtily. I'VE
are no thieves, but only come to ask
nom YOU a favor"
You have CHOSEN a strange way and
sonnusual hour for such a purpose"
aid the doctor mistrustfully."
Every hour is good for SO clever a
yrgeGn as yourself to perform an oper-
atom"
"Eh?' said the doctor, who, little
yassured, stood examining his three
clients more closely, and perceived
hat thew were dressed mole like gem
aemen going to ball than like high
way robbers.
I'VE request, doctor, that you follow
rs Immediately"
Permit me at least to warn my lady
ofmy absence"
"No-there is no need for it. Yoa
have your implements with you; that
will do. You must submit, however,
10 having your eyes bandaged."
But, sir"
Come, come. by George" said one
Of the men. "If you have so many
words about it, we shall never proceed. ="
He then sounded shrill whistle, and q
carriage coming from narrow street
in the neighborhoo1 made its appear
ance. The three men led the doctor
to it, helped him up, and then got in
after him. The horses galloped away
at rapid pace.
DR.. Lisfranc did not even think of
0fering resistance, which must prove
lseless, but submitted with a good grace
10 the mysterious violence exercised
upon his person.
For two hours time not wold was
eYchanged between him and his travel
ing companions, who spoke among
themselves in a language he could not
Understand.
At length the carriage rolled beneath
aportico--the noise OF an opening gate
vas heard, creaking on It's hinges-the
arriage stopped.
The door was opened and the steps
! ID down.
'Well'' inquired an anxious voice.
"4e is here" replied one Of the men
1.-THE carriage, and, taking the doctor
BY the hand assisted him to alight.
They then caused him to ascend several
steps
By the cold air that struck upon his
face the doctor perceived that he was
nthe steps ofan outer portico. A door
vas opened, and the doctor fancied they
made him cross large hall; he was
then led through suite of apartments
covered with soft carpeting. At last
the Doctors guide paused, and said
I'VE have reached our destination,
doctor-remoye your bandage."
The doctor, whose terror had changed
toan uneasy curiosity and vague ap-
prdhansion, obeyed the strangers voice
and found himself in a small room,
uxuriously furnished, and but half lit
by an alabaster lamp which hung IN
the middle OF the room. The window
G1.tains were closely shut, as we'll as
nose of the alcove, which occupied the
lurther end of the apartment. In this
room the doctor found himself, along
with one of the three individuals who
had made him an unwilling captive.
The stranger was tall and ofimposing
MEN, He was dl essed with truly
Arstocratc precision; his black eyes
entered through the half mask that
covered his upper features, while n
nervous twitch agitated his uncovered
Aps and the thick beard that surround
td the lower part Of his face.
Doctor" said the stranger in dry
ana broken voice, prepare your in
ATNments-you have to perform an am
putation.H
Where is the patient?' inquired Lis
Iianc; saying which he turned toward
Te alcove, and moved a step forward.
me curtains waved gently, and a stihed
ssn was heard coming from that direc-
Prepare for the operation. sir"
'epeated the stranger, convulsively.
But said the doctor, at is i'm
HoTtant that ! should see the pa
lent"
bN-.
hod can only see the hand which
you are required to cut off"
1Qe doctor thep oroSsod his arms and