New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-14
IT, BLANC And THE NAIL IN TIE WALL.
From LYNDON SOcietN.

From London Society
Among the visitors at liomburg in the year pre-
ceding my arrival al Spa was Il certain Count H.,
whose right to the title borne 10y Ii III was, accord
ing 10 all accounts. to say the least contestaOle;
and who having lost at roulette what little cash ne
originally possessed. at an early period oil the
season literally without sou. scheme occurring
to him by which he proposed to Ieplenish his
Golfers he repaired one evening to Banc's private
abode and inquired of the servant in attendance az
what hour IN the morning he could see his master.
" Not before 10 o'clock, was the reply; "mOnslenr
is not an early riser" That Will be too late an.
swered the Count; a. am leaving by the first
tram. and must sse him, as | have news for him
which he will be glad to hear SO. AZ the matter
presses" he continued slipping five louis which
he had borrowed for the occasion INTO the valet
hand, shall count upon your showing me INTO
his bedroom when come"
This being agreed on after some hesitation on tho
servants part, the Count withdrew, and as 5
O'clock struck OH the following morning was ush-
cred into the luxurously furnished chamber where
NJ. Blanc was TeposlDR. Carefully closing the door
and boiling 1t. the Count advanced toward the
bed, the occupant of which, aroused by his en-
trance started up IN surprise. and recognizing his
visitor, asked what he wanted.
My dear Blame said E cOmposedly seating
himself at the foot of the bed, :" want ten
thousand francs. and naturally come To you Tor
them"
"But." stammered the other still half asleep.
you are aware, Count. that | am not at liberty TO
dispose of our funds without consulting my COL
leagues. Wait till this evening. and
Not an hour" interrupted the mi ruder; you
have only 10 open your safe. and hand me the
money. Will you do i'll yes or moi" lmpOs
sbe!' "Nory good; then must take my mesS
ures accordingly"
b. With these words no rose from his seat, drew
from his pocket "a strong nail aad hammer anu
began TO drive the former into The WALL rs II sooa'
to hang up picture Blanc stared IN utter amaho-
ment. "What are you dongP he gasped. sIre'en.
ing out his hand toward the beli-rope Ias ;.
care cried f.; If you touch the bell. as sure 1
Won are lying there. will strange you Deio"
they have time to break open the door" -.
Blanc glanced at the tall and powerfully khl'
figure before him, aud shuddered / don't unuer
stand" he murmured. -.
"Dont your ironically rctorted she Conus
You see this nail Well, | have rope IN TX
pocket, and l an going to hang you. Now, VIZ.
YOU give me the money! MOI very good =; ana ng
went on hammerIng until the nail vas hrmly nheu
IN its place. Then, turning toward his victim WV
vas sitting upright in the bed trembling IN ever
limb. he cooly remarked that, before procee1lhs W
ext remities no would give hin one more chanoyc,
Blanc. perceiving that matters began 70 IovA
serious, thought IL best to comply WITH the Hu.Sa
cious demand; and, opening the saio eiu i $50 "a
from 1t u roll of bank-noies. which no nsnara W
tho Count warning hir ut the same time tha' ~ ~
remained another hour 1T Homburg IL would Do ~
his peril. -. -. - "a.
q You may be perfectly easy on that score. "a
piled f., who had already pocketed the notes san. s
was on the point Of quitting tho room. noT ,
our little affair is seile have nothing 70 I,L
me here. Adeu. papa Blanc wheh tno
train starts 20 with it," And 30 he did. p,.ns
Somehow or other tho story oozcd OUT ana p,s '%
was terribly chaied by his colleagues cVu,s
have recoucIled myself to tho loss OF the money, Vi
said long afterward but cannot and never sasN
yet over tho nail in the wsuP