Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-10-01
FRENCH SPIES.

Il is. Is not a whit more dangerous to the
liberties OF tho people than the French system
UNDER the last Napoleon was In the last
years OF bis reign be brought the spy corps
70 perfection. Outside Of the criminal police
tho emperor had thousands Of political spies
in his pay. No work was too degrading for
these men. They had the contempt Of the
regular police and the hatred Of all honest
men, but Napoleon increased their number
and encouraged them IN their high handed
measures. He feared investigation, revolu-
ton, assassination; he believed, or pretended
10 believe, that he lived over sIumbering
volcano. French sentiment was drifting To-
ward liberty, and he aimed to kill II The
Russian masses are fifty years behind the
French. When the time comes they win do
just as the French did, and the car and bis
spies and police win DO helpless. Napoleon
slnothered liberty by threats, insults, impris-
onments, confscation and other bulldozing
methods but when the alarm came be was
helpless. In one single hour his power and
greatness fled away, his numberless spies
turned traitor or bid themselves. and the
people threw of the yoke forever.
In the early days OF the war was selected
by our government to perform certain mis-
sion in Franco | had Travelled all over that
country, could speak French like q native,
believe In my wisdom and discretion. This
mission was connected with the attitude Of
France toward this republic II Napoleon
was not personally hostile to the United
States, and had not plans 70 further no
boundless ambition, he was ct least causing
great anxiety in Washington by his hesitancy
and half-heartedness
When landed Ia Havre ! was surrounded
with all the safeguards one could ask for.
had my certificate of American citizenship, q
passport, letter to the American minister,
and my movements were to be controlled
from bis headquarters My departure from
Washington was known to less than half q
dozen officials We had no ocean telegraph
IN those days. There were Frenchmen among
my fellow passengers, but l had been very
discreet, may have been over cautious IL
may have been for this very reason that
was spotted" as soon as ] walked down the
gang plank, for spotted was | had been
engaged In detective and secret service work
long enough 10 pick up 9 good many point
ers. / had Swallowed men, and knew how
70 detect o shadow on my own trail AZ ]
walked from the plank TO a hack felt that I
was an object Of solicitude to some one In the
crowd could not pick him out. but knew
he was there.
did not purpose going to Paris for several
dnyR drove to hotel, registered plainly
and correctly, and went to my room Al
most Immediately descended again. to find
spy and the clerk with their heads together
over the book, and heard my name mem
toned The spy was q slim, spare man Of 50,
well dressed, black hair and eyes, and carried
o cane knew from his ways that he was
not detective connected with the regular
police, and II 50 be must DO political spy.
returned to my room without being seen, and
half on hour later had call from the man.
~ beg thousand pardons, monsieur, but
you just arrived by steamerip he asked.
II did,
II had frieuds relatives, two sisters who
were to sail by her from New York They
have not arrived am very anxious Per
haps you met themF'
"What is the Manner
dubois, monsieur"
'sAh, yes Well, have sad news for you.
They were swept overheard and drowned ON
tho third day out
He threw up his hands, uttered sort Of
shrek and fled down the corridor He had
simply come TO make sure that | was an
American, and to get a closer look at me.
Ills sisters were myths, and gave him the
guy because knew that such was the casa
We landed before noon. After dinner
took q walk about, and | hadn't gone four
squares before tumbled to the fact that |
was Swallowed. My spy had changed his has
and coat and donned q red wig, but | knew
him by his build and gait Men cnn dis
guise their faces and bodies and draw on
gloves to hide scars On the hands, but 90 man
living can long disguise bis gait Re may
limp, toe out, toe in, or make any other
change, but he win unconsciously relapse
into bis old gait after q few minutes gave