Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-15
Il. Bia"c aai The Nail in tho Wall.

Among the visitors at Homburg in
the year preceding my arrival at the Spa
was certain Count E., whose right to
the title borne by him was, according to
all accounts, to say the least, conte5ta.
Bile; and who, having lost at roulet
what little cash he originally possessed,
was at an early period of the season
without sou. A scheme occurring to
him by which he proposed to replenish
his Golfers. he repaired one evening to
Dlanc's private abode, and inquired o.
the servant in attendance at what hour
IN the morning he could see his master.
"Not before ten o Clock" was the reply;
"Mcnsieur is not an early riser" "That
VIII be too late," answered the Count;
Il am leaving by the fiiSt train, and
must see him, as have news for him
which he will be glad to hear. So, as
the matter presses" he continued, Slip
ping five louis which he had borrowed
for the occasion into the Wallets hand,
81 shall count upon your showing me
into his bedroom when come"
This being agreed on after some hesi-
ta'iol on the servants part, the Count
withtie~. ID as eight o'cloct strlck
on the follo'Finr morning WAS uShcred
into the lux lrit tusly-furnl>hed cht,:,ber
where NJ. Biarc was rcposin,. { ire
fully clo'in;: the door and 5,l ing it, the
Count advanced toward the b d the
occupant oi which, aroused hy hi en-
'r19'', s. lred up in sufpri-e, and,
''':' " :ia., his visitor, ASA, / what he
wanted.
"My dear Blanc," said l. com ,osed-
ly seating himself at the foot of the bed,
81 want ten thousand francs, and natu-
rally come to you for them"
"But," stammered the other, still
half asleep, "you are aware, Count, that
| am rot at liberty to dispose of our
funds without consulting my colleagues.
Wait I'LL this evening, and"
"N't one hour" interrupted tho in
truder; ''you have only to open your
safe aid hand me the money. Will you
doit? Yes or nop" "Impossiblei" |" "Verv
good; then must take my measures
accordingly"
With these words he roso from his
seat. draw from his pocket q strong
nail and hammer, and began to drive
the former into the wall as if about to
hang up picture. Blanc stared in
utter am,zemcnt. "What are you do
ing?" hs gasped, stretching out his
hand toward the bell-rope. take
care" cred L; s'if you touch the bell,
as sure a' yon nre lying there. will
stranglo YOU before they have time to
break open the door"
Blanc glanced at the tall and power
fullv-knit figure before him and shud-
dered. 81 don't understand" he
murmured.
"Don't youe" ironically retorted the
Count. "You see this nail? Well, l
have rope in my pocket. and l am
going to hang You. Now, will you give
me the money! Mop very good;" and
he went on hammering until the nail
WAS firmly fixed in its place. Then
turning toward his victim, who was
sitting upright in the bed. trembling in
every limb, ho coolly remarked that
before proceeding to extremities he
would give him one moro chance.
Blame, perceiving that matters began to
look serious. thought it best to comply
with the audacious demand; and, OPEN
ing the safe, extracted from it roll of
bank-note5, which he handed to the
Count, warning him at the same time
that If he remained another hour at
Homburg it would be at his peril.
"You may be perfectly easy upon
that score" replied E., who had already
pockcted the notes and was on the point
of quitting the room. snow that our
little affair Is settled, have nothing to
detain ma here. Adieu, Papa Blanc;
when the 9 o'clock train starts | 60 with
it," and so he did.
Somehow or other the story Oozed
ont, and Blanc was terribly chafed by
his c)lleagues. :" could have recon-
cied myself to the loss of the money!"
he said long afterward; "but | can not
and never shall get over the nail in the
wall. ."-Lonclon Society.