The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-07-27


proposed to lodge, and seeing no alter
native, followed the messenger to the
Office of the head of the police.
Fouche received our hero with the
utmost politeness, and after requesting
him be seated, entered Immediately on a
detail of certain matters, which made
the eyes of M. Durance grow as round as
full moons, and led the good man to
the conclusion that Fouche and the gen.
tleman in black were things synony-
NOUS.
You are M. Durance, of Bourdeaux,
the head of the extensive mercantile
house that bears your name; you have
in your portmanteau the sum of -
naming the exact number i'm specie, and
the sum of - in bills; you are about
to reside at the hotel B. near the Boule-
wards; and it is your custom to retire to
rest about eleven o'clock" These are
but few of the particulars regarding
M. Durance's situation, purposes, and
habits, which the public functionary
seemed to be aware Of The merchant
SAT III nule dSIOnlSnmenU.
M. Fouche evidently enjoyed bis Wis.,
itor's wonder, and before any reply
could be made, the police functionary
continued in these rather startling
words: "Sir, are you man of cour-
agel" We have mentioned already that
M. Durance had a good deal of spirit
about him, and he was now reused to
make the reply, 'that no one had ever
doubted his courage, and he begged to
know the cause of the question:
"Sir," answered M. Fouche, "you are
to be robbed and murdered this night.n
"Robbed and murderedl" exclaimed
the thunderstruck merchant of Bour-
deaux. "Gracious heaven can this be
| true ?"
cit is true" returned NJ. Fouche.-
+" You have seen how much of the truth
relative to your affairs, am acquainted
with, and this also is the truth. My
reason for putting a question to you,
affecting you, affecting your courage, is
this: If you have enough of that quality
you will go to your hotel and retire at
the usual hour, placing your portman-
teau, as usual, by your bedside, and
betraying no suspicion to those around
you. Only take care not to fall asleep
and leave the rest to me. 1t will be
unnecessary, and, indeed, improper, for
you to look into the closets or beneath
the bed. In short, do nothing, but go to
rest as you would do at home, and leave
the rest to me. Have you resolution to
do this ?"
M. Durance meditated little, as was
not unnatural, before giving an answer,
on which the head of the police address
ed him again. IF you do not feel
inclined to go through with this
affair, will procure one to personate
you. This would render the affair more
difficult, and its success less certain, but
it might be DONE" "No, no." exclaim-
ed our friend, "I will do it myself. 1
will act precisely as you direct, leaving
my life in your hands, "You may do
so, sir" replied M. Fouche, with per-
feet confidence"
After repetition of his instruction,
and receiving some further particulars
relative to the intended attack on him,
the worthy merchant left NJ. Fouche,
and having procured a street vehicle,
was driven to the hotel whittier he had
sent his servant and carriage. The
evening was now pretty well advanced,
and ere M. Durance had rested himself
and taken some refreshment it wanted
little more than two hours of bedtime.
The merchant felt himself incapable of
going out, and he therefore sought a
book and sat still. But with his usual
kindness of heart he did not wish to
confine others on his account. His
servant Demaray, who was Parisian,
asked to go out and call upon his friends.
"By all means, Joseph" said M. Du-
rance; Ego to see your friends, but recol-
lect to be here again by eleven" After
this, M. Durance attempted to read,
but, finding himself incapable of follow
ing the meaning of two lines together,
he laid down the book, and thought.
Joseph returned punctually at eleven,
and lighted his master to bed. On being
left alone, the courage of the merchant
almost gave way. He looked around
him. AS M. Fouche had stated, there
were two large closets in the room. The
thought that, at that instant, his intend
ed murderers might be there, came across