Louisiana capitolian., 1880-03-27
the powGr Of his art that he could
penetrate everywhere.
eyes, sire, everywhere!'' replied the


penetrate everywhere.
eyes, sire, everywhere!" replied the
conjurer, with modest assurance.
"What !" exclaimed the Car, "could
you penetrate even into this palace,
were | to order all the doors to Ike
closed and guarded'"
"lnto this palace, sire, or even into
the apartment Of your majesty, quite
as easily as should enter iDto my
own house," said Pirnetti.
"Well. then," said the Car, "at
midday tomorrow shall have ready
in my closet the price Of this evenings
amusements- one thousand rubles.
Come and get them. But / forewarn
you that the doors shall be closed and
carefully guarded"
"To-mmrow at midday, / shall
have the honor Of presenting myself
before your majesty" replied Pirnetti,
who bowed and withdrew.
The gentlemen ofthe household fol
lowed the conjurer to make sure that
he quilted the palace; they accompa-
MED him to his lodgings, and a num-
Der of police surrounded the dwelling
from the moment lie enter it. The
palace was instantly closed, with posi-
tive orders not to suffer, under any
pretext whatever, any one to enter,
were he prince or valet, until the Gar
himself should command tho doors tu
be opened.
These orders were strictly enforced
confidential persons having watched
their execution. The exterior open
ings to the palace were guarded by
the @ldiery. All the approaches to
the imperial apartments were protect
ed by high dignitaries, whom u simple
professor of the art Of legerdemain
possessed no means Of bribing. III
sho,t, for greater security, all the keys
had been carried into the imperial
cabinet. A few moments previous to
the hour fixed for Pirnetti's interview
with the Car, the chamberlain on ser.
vice brought to his majesty d despatch
which q messenger had handed him
through an opening in the door. II
was - report from the minister of po.
| lice that Pirnetti had not left home.
"Aha he has found out the under.
taking is impracticable. and he lla'
abandoned it, "obscrved tho Car, will
q smile.
Twelve o'clock sounded. While tht
last stroke yet reverberated, the door
which communicated from the bed.
room Of the Car to the cabinet opened
and Pirnctti appeared. The Gar drew
back u couple of PAGES, his brow dark
ened, and after II mOmentary silence
he said:
care you aware that you may be-
come very dangerous individual ?
ayes, sire" he replied; "bnt | am
only an humble conjurer, with no am
bition save that Of amusing your ma
.icsty."
"IIere," said the Car. "arc the thou
sand rubles for last night, and II thou
sand for this days visit"
Pirnetti, in Offering his thanks, wa'
interrupted by the Gar, who, with ;
thoughtful air, inquired Of him, "Dc
you count on yet remaining some time
in st. petcrsburg!"
"sire," he replied, 81 intend settinl
off this week, unleSyour majesty or
ders u prolongation of my sojourn."
"No," hastily observed the Car; "i
is not my intention to detain you; and
moreover" continued he with smile
81 should vaiuly endeavor to keep yo,
against your will. You know how t,
leave St. Petersburg as easily as yo,
have foundyour way into this palace.
81 could do so, sire" said Pirnctti
"but far from wishing to quit St. Pc
tersburg stcalthily and mysteriously
l nm desirous Of qnjttipg it in th'
most public manner possible, by Civ
ing to the inhabitants of your capita
n striking example Of my magic'
powers"
Pirnetti could not leave like an or
dlnary mortal !; it was necessary tia
he should crown his success in TIN
Russian capital by something surpass
ing his previous efforts; therefore, Of
the evening preceding the day fixe,
for his departure, he announced tina
he should leave St. Petersburg the fol
lowing day at ten o'clock in the morn
ing, aud that he should quit by al
the city gates at the same moment
Public curiosity was excited to tn
highest degree by this announcement
St. Petersburg at that time had tfteel
gates, which were cncOmpassed by
multitude eager to witness this mar
vclous departure.
Interpretations atthcse various gate
all declared that at ten o'clock, pre-
cisely, Pirnetti, whom they all pei
fectly recognized, passed through
"He walked at q slow pace and wit
head erect, in order to be the bette
scen," they said; "and he babe II
adieu in u clear and audible voice.
These unanimous testimonies wer
confirmed by the written declaratio
of the officers placed at every gate t.
inspect the passports of travellers
The inscription of Pirnctti's passport
were inscribed in the fifteen registers
Where is the wizard, whether comm
from the North orSOuth, who could /
these degenerate days perform so as
tonishipg an exploit
1t is said that not single Germa
Republican paper in the country sup
ports Grant for the Presidency, M
4