Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-09-27
HIS CLEVER RUSE.

Augustine Lafont was the confidential
ngent of a largo banking house in Paris.
Early in the spring Of 1889 he set out
from Paris with bills, notes, drafts, etc,
to the amount of 1000, 600 francs, for
q house in Chaumont. Much secrecy
had been observed in the preparations
of his journey, as the kingdom was at
that time infested by a secret organiza-
ton Of thieves. Lafont had tho notes
concealed in various parts Of his dress,
and taking tho heavy diligence as tho
best mode Of conveyance ho set out ON
his mission.
Nothing worthy Of note occurred to
arrest Lafont's attention until he had
passed nearly through the department
of the Seine-et- Marine, when Just at
nightfall two well dressed gentlemen
hailed the diligence and claimed pas
sage to Chaumont. 1t was already too
dark for the agent to distinguish the
features of tho newcomers, but yet from
what little he could see he at once mado
up his mind that their c-ountenances
were not unfamiliar to him, and having
come to this conclusion he determined
to watch their movements, for a vague
suspicion that they had by some means
become possessed Of his secret business
took possession Of his mind.
The diligence crossed the Seine at No
gent and there remained for the night.
AS soon as Lafont had opportunity to
examine the c-ountenances Of the stran-
gers at the supper table he became sat-
isied that his first impressions were
correct, for Il of the travellers at least
nc had seen IN Paris on the day before
his departure, and he could not but no.
tice that they both eyed him with mark
cd interest.
After supper the agent lighted his ci-
gar and walked ont OH to the bridge,
where he remained nearly half an hour,
at tho end Of which time he started back
toward the inn, and just as he arrived
ut the door he noticed his two compan-
ions entering the stable door.
Prompted by a feeling Of curiosity, he
followed them, and as he came round
by the stable door he could just SEQ the
two men c%rouching away in m empty
stall.
With a stealthy, catlike tread be ap-
preached, and he was fortunate enough
to make out the gist Of their conversa-
ton.
When Lafont left the stable, no knew
that tho two men had left Paris for tho
purpose of robbing him, and that they
intended to put their plan in execution
as soon as the diligence should have
tered the department Of the Upper
Marine.
He returned to tho inn, and after con-
siderable reflection he determined to
procure a horse and secretly continue his
journey. Having come 10 this conclu-
sion, he went to the driver of the dill
gence, and under the plea Of having to
remain in Nogent on special business
for a day or two he settled his fare
thus far. Then he went to the stable
and ordered a horse to be in readiness
for him by 3 o'clock in the morning, at
the Same time enjoining upon the garcon
the striotest secrecy with regard to his
movements.
AS soon as these arrangements were
made Lafont retired to his room. He of
course knew that his secret had leaked
out, and even in his proposed course
was not entirely free from danger. A
million francs was a large um, and if
the two Partisan robbers had set their
hearts upon its possession he had yet
some work to perform ere ho would DO
entirely free from them. Last Of all, a
new idea struck him, and obtaining a
number of papers he neatly folded them
in an envelope, which he strongly sealed
and bound with a blue ribbon.
At 3 o'clock in the morning, while it
was yet very dark and before any one
else was stirring, Lafont quietly descend
ed from his room and went 70 the stable.
The garcon was easily aroused, and ia a
few moments the agent was ON his way
TO ChaumOnt.
For two hours he rode on his way, but
instead Of pursuing tho highroGd from
Tr9ves he again crossed the Seine and
kept along by the banks Of the Aube.
Daylight was just beginning to streak
tho heavens when Lafont thought he
heard the sound Of horses behind him,
and it was not long ere no knew that lie
was being pursued, and in ten minutes
no was assured that the two obbors We're
after him.
In a moment the agent leapod from
the saddle, and seizing a heavy stone
be inflicted "a severe bruiso upon one OF
his horses fore legs. The animal reared
and PLUNGED, but Lafont managed 20
hold him again mounted and rode on,
. but tho horse limped aud staggered be-