Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-04
FRENCH SPIES.

The police system Of Russia, intolerable as
1t is, is not a whit more dangerous to the
liberties of the people than the French system
under the last Napoleon was In the last
years of his reign he brought the spy corps
70 perfection Outsids Of the criminal police
the 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 ali 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 a slumbering
volcano French sentiment was drifting to-
ward liberty, and he aimed to Kill 1t. The
Russian masses are fifty years behind the
French. When the time comes they will do
just as the French did, and the car and his
spies and police VIII be helpless. Napoleon
smothered liberty by threats, insults, impris-
onmentS, confiscation and other bulldoztng
methods, but when the alarm came he was
helpless In one single hour his power and
greatness fed 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 Tpis-
sion in France. l had Travelled ali over that
country, could speak French like a native,
and President Lincoln honored me enough to
believe in my wisdom and discretion. This
mission was connected with the attitude of
France toward this republic. If Napoleon
was not personally hostile TO the United
States and he'd not plans to further no
boundless ambition, he was at least causing
great anxiety in W ashington by his hesitancy
and half-heartedness.
When landed IN Havre was surrounded
with all the safeguards one could ask for. l
had my certificate Of American citizenship,
passport, d 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
dozen officials. We had no ocean telegraph
in those days There were Frenchmen among
my fellow passengers, but ! had been very
discreet, may have been over cautious. 1t
may have been for this very reason that
was spotted" as soon as walked down the
gang plank, for spotted WIS. ! had been
engaged In detective and secret service work
long enough TO pick up a good many point
ers had Swallowed men, and ] knew how
to detect shadow on my own trail AS
walked from the plank TO hack felt that
was an object of soicitude to some one in the
crowd. / could not pick him out, but knew
he was there.
l did not purpose going to Paris for several
days drove to q hotel, registered plainly
and correctly, and went to my room. Al
most Immediately l descended again, TO find q
Il -. l.,
over the book, and heard my name men
toned The spy was slim, spare man of 80,
well dressed, black hair and eyes, and carried
q cane. / knew from his ways that he was
not O detective connected with the regular
police, and if SO be must be a political spy. l
returned to my room without being seen, and
half an hour later had a call from the man.
~ beg a thousand pardons, monsieur, but
you Just arrived by steamers' he asked.
Il did"
Il had friends, relatives, two sisters, who
were 10 sail by her from New York They
have not arrived. am very anxious. Per
haps you met themP'
What is the Manner
Dubois monsieur"
"Ah, yes Wen, have sad news for you.
They were swept overheard and drowned on
tho third day out"
He threw up his hands, uttered sort CT
Shrek and fed down the corridor. He had
simply come to make sure that / was an
American, and TO get o closer look at me.
His sisters" were myths, and ] gave him the
guy because l knew that such was the case.
We landed before noon. After dinner l
took walk about, and l hadn't gone four
squares before tumbled to the fact that l
was Swallowed My spy had changed his hat
and coat and donned a red wig, but / knew
him by his build and gait Men can dis
guise their faces and bodies and draw on
gloves to hide scars on the hands, but no man
living can long disguise his gait He may
limp, toe out, toe in, or make any other
change, but be viii unconsciously relapse
into his old gait after a few minutes gave
the fellow no attention, and after q little no
grew bold enough 10 almost walk beside me.
was out for q couple of hours, and no
Swallowed me back to the hotel That even
ing went to TIE theatre, and he had q seat
not far away.
After breakfast next morning received a
visit from the spy's superior If I remem-
Der right, be said be was chief of some d.
vision acting under orders from Paris. He
only gave him that but some letters which
seemed to open his eyes very wide
"Oh, yes-oertainl y-excuse-excuse!" he
FASTENED TO say. Monsieur is prominent
American, Of course. I am very sorry, and
hope you have not been inconvenienced-"
he went away seemingly satisfied, but when
went but for drive the spy took up my
trail again. When went out after dinner it
was on foot, and the man had now become
very bold He must have argued that /
could not remember his voice nor penetrate
bis disguise, for, as sauntered down toward
the quays, be overlook me and said in French:
well, Julius, what brings you hereT'
Il think you have made mistake" re-
piled, IN English
"Ahl 50 have; thousand pardonsI" se
exclaimed, as he lifted his hat and bowed.
You closely resemble a valued friend of
nine, and was 50 sure Sf his identity, you
know. You are English monsieur. one from
"WellT"
II Ike the English. Ny mother was an
English woman Are you seeing the sightsf"
Yes, trying to-
They are not grand. monsieur, but ii is
pleasant place. Has monsieur been long from
Loadoni"
Only few days"
"Ahi And monsieur can only speak Eng
Gsh- 1t is too bad
Yes 50 It Is"
understood that his object was TO find out
something about me, and that it did him lots
OF good to have me tacitly admit that was
an Engishman when he knew better. could
speak French and he knew IL but he eocOur-
aged me to deny It In this way be could
make me out a suspicious character. He was
with me for two hours, and we seemed TO