Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-04-01

his home at eleven o'clock at night. He
had reached the door and had raised the
knockcr, about 20 give warning TO the
maid in attendance Of his arrival, when
q vigorous arm stopped his own half way,
and az the same time three masked hg-
ureS surrounded the astoniShed doctor.
The street was deserted, the doctor had
no arms bv him. and, wisely Judging that
resistance would prove unavailng, he
sought TO escape from the hands of the
bandi,ti bv the sacrifice of his purse, when
the man who held his arm addressed him
very politely, saving:
IL believe YOU are DR.. Listranc' ,
''You seem TO be acquainted with my
person, replied the doctor Take my
purse and watch, trouble me no longer,
but get YOU gone TO more honest work.
Sir, said the man haughtily, "wc
are no thieves, bu, only come to ask from
YOU a favor.
"Iou have chosen a strange way and
an unusual hour for such purpose ~ said
the doctor. miStrustfully.
Every hour is good for 50 clever a
surgeon as yourself 10 perform an opera
ton.
En-" said the doctor, who, little
rcassurcd: stood examining his three eli
ents more closely. and perceived that they
were dressed more as gentlemen going 20
a ball than Ike highway robbers.
I'VE request that YOU follow Us I'M
mcdia,ely'
''Pcrmi, me. a; least, TO warn my lady
OF my absence.
no. there is no need of it. You
have Your implements with you-that
VIII do. You mus, submit, however. TO
having your eyes bandascd.
But, sir
Come, come, by George sand one OF
the men, If We have SO many words
abou, il we shall never proceed.
He then sounded Shrill whistle. and
a carriage coming from = narrow street IN
the nciShborhood made It's appearance.
The men led the doctor to 1t, helped HIM
up, and then got IN after him. The
horses gallopcd away at a rapid pace.
Dr. Lisfranc did not even think of
offering a resistance which must prove
useless, but submitted with good grace
70 the mysterious violence exercised upon
his person.
For two hours time not a word was
exchanged between him and his travelling
companions. who spoke among tnem-
,clyc, In a language he could not under
stand.
Az length the carriage rolled beneath
d nor,ico-,he noise of an opening gate
was heard crcaking on is hinges-the
carriage >topped.
The door was opened and the steps let
down.
Well" inquired an anxious voice.
He is here. replied one of the men
in the carriage, and. taking the doctor by
the hand, assisted him 10 alght. They
then caused him TO ascend several steps.
By the cold air that struck upon his
face. the doctor perceived that ne was ON
the steps Of an outer portico. A door
was opened and the doctor fancied that
they made him cross a large hall. He
was then led through q suite of apart
men,s, covered with soft carpeting. At
last the doctors guide paused and said
I'VE have reached our destination, doc
tor: remove your bandage."
The doctor, whose terror had now
changed to an uneasy curiosity and
vague apprehension, obeyed the stranger
voice, and found himself IN small room
luxuriously furnished, and but half ut 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 alcoye, which occupied the farther
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 tail and Of imposing
mien. He was dressed with truly aris-
tocratic precision; ms black eyes glttered
through the halt mask that covered hl>
upper features. while a nervous twlteh
agitated MS uncovered hps and the tmch