The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-30

low, anu prODaply me among the rest.
For my part, l suspected nobody.
Knew too well how all the arrests had
been brought about. AS a result Of our
deliberations, II was resolved that still
another effort was to be made to strike
terror into the official world Of Paris, in
the hope Of saving the condemned mans
life. The Bureau of Public Safety. the
headquarters OF the detective depart
ment, was to be the object of attack.
If an explosion levelled those offices 20
the ground, the anarchist cause would
be in fair way of triumphng.
Further, to guard eftectually against the
suspected treachery. our committee
unanimously agreed to leave all ar
rangements In the hands Of Stahl as to
the time and manner of carrying out
the scheme, and the men TO be intrust-
ed with the dangerous task. 1t was
three in the morning before our conclave
broke up. BY five o'clock l was on my
way to Paris.
had an hour to walt in Newhaven
ere the tide permitted the Dieppe boat
to sail. 1t was a raw. cold morning.
and the draughty waltlng-room any
thing but pleasant. solaced myself,
however with the thought how won-
derfully well had carried out the on
erous and dangerous mission that had
been intrusted to my hitherto untried
hands. And this homeward journey !
was now engaged in making was to be
the seal Of my successful work, the
one effective countercheck to the last
scheme of Stahl and his brother plot
ters, whatever 1t might prove to be.
Henceforth my future was assured. only
l felt 1t would be Discreet to keep at a
respectful distance from any OF my late
associates. l was indulglng in a day.
dream of my assured rise in my profess
sion, when | felt a light touch on my
arm. l am nothing If not gallant, so
when | tell my readers that II was a
lady who was invoking my assistance,
they viii understand that for the mo-
ment | forgot all about the anarchists
and their wicked plots and consplracies.
And the more so as my fair unknown
was young, eighteen or nineteen sum-
mers at most, and very beautiful. She
was pale, and her large dark eyes show.
ed signs Of recent tears.
Monsieur Is going to Paris ?" she ask
ed me, in perfect French
yes. mademoselle. Can be Of any
service to you?"
She looked so gratefully at me before
replying. that her lustrous eyes made
my heart throb, and felt myself as IL
failing in love. and at first sight. Well.
there was no reason why l shouldn't.
for was not my future already assured?
II am in such trouble" she went on:
my brother was to come from Brighton
to meet me here, and the train has just
come In without him."
Perhaps he will come by the next"
But ii will be too late. We were
going to Paris together"
II shall be delighted mademoiselle.
to fill your brothers place, If you will
allow me so much happiness"
You are very good. monsieur, am
sure; but should only be sent back
from Dieppe-arrested, perhaps who
knows for my brother has the pass
port for us both. And / must be in
Paris to-night-my mother Is dying.
How stupid of Adolphe to miss his
train and all this trouble upon us. oh,
dear! whatever shall l do?"
She hid her face in her camprlc hand
kerchlef, and sObbed convulslvely. I
had heard that pity was akin to love;
now l began to realize how true the ad-
age might be, after all. While l was
still hesitating as to what / should say
to comfort my fair companion in her
manifest grief, the steamers bell rang
loudly--a signal for all intending pass
engers to get on board at once. Sud-
denly, though with an evident effort,
the lady rose from her half-crouching
position hurriedly dried her tears and
picked Up small black bag that lay be-
side her, My own baggage was booked
through to Paris direct.
ALLOW me, mademolselle," I said.
1T IS very heavy, monsieur, for its
size" she said, as | took it; 'it belongs
to my brother, and contains some OF his
etchings on copper. They are very
valuable, and I dare not trust them 10
the baggage car. Perhaps monsieur has
heard Of him, Eugene Guerin?"
had frequent5d the Partisan studios
before definitely coming to a decision
on my own career, and Guerins name
was familiar to me as that of a very
promising young artist. BY the time I
had told Mademoiselle Guern this, we
were seated on board OF the Greta, and
the sailors were already beginning to
cast off.
Our voyage across was one of the
plcasantest il has been my fortune to
experience. A balmy morning in early
spring, the sea smooth as glass, and a
chatty, agreeable companion TO while
away the time all that, and the fact
that ] was returning 70 my native
country after a long absence, and after
arduous and dangerous work In her SER
vice, contributed to sum of enjoyment
that falls but rarely to ones lot.
Mademolselle was occasionally lost in
thought as was natural considering
her mothers illness. We exchanged
many condolences with each other, and
though l was careful not to inform her
exactly as TO my profession. she was de-
lighted to learn that l was in the SER
vice of the State.
You Will call upon us In Paris, cher
Monsieur Marquin"-it was thus she
pronounced my name. II am sure my
brother will be delighted"
And any one else?" l ventured to
ask.
"Ah, there you want to know too
much. / will tell you when we meet;
but oh. dear, we are close upon Dieppe.
and how am I to get past all these
hOrrld detectives? They won't imprison
me, will they?"
II hope not, mademoiselle, but they