The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-08
HIS CLEVER RTSE.

Augustine Lafont was the confidential
agent of a large 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, 900 francs, for
q house in Chapmont. Much secrecy
had beer observed in the preparations
Of his journey, as the kingdom was at
that time infested by q secret organiza-
ton of thieves. Lafont had the notes
concealed in various parts of his dress,
and taking the heavy diligence as the
best mode of conveyance he 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 we'll dressed gentlemen
hailed the diligence and claimed pas
sage to Chaumont. 1t was already too
dark for the agent to distinguish the
features of the newcomers, but yet from
what little he could see he at once made
up his mind that their c~ountenances
"CtOh ot W. Iiilib, hht 10 Ii
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 countenances of the stran-
gers at the supper table he became sat
isfied that his first impressions were
correct, for one of the travellers at least
he 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 out on to the bridge,
where he remained nearly half an hour,
at the end Of which time he started back
toward the inn, and just as he arrived
at 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 see the
twosmen crouching away in an empty
stall.
With a stealthy, catlike tread he ap-
preached, and he was fortunate enough
to make out the gist of their converse
ton.
When Lafont left the stable, he knew
that the two men had left Paris for the
purpose of robbing him, and that they
intended to put their plan in execution
as oon as the diligence should have en-
tered the department of the Upper
Marine.
He returned to the inn, and after con-
siderable reflection he determined to
procure a horse and secretly continue his
journey. Having come to this conclu-
siop, he went to the driver Of the dill
gence, and under the plea Of having 70
remain in Nogent Oh 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 strictest 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
ont, and even in his proposed course
was not entirely free from danger. A
million francs was a large sun, and If
the two Partisan robbers had set their
hearts upon it's possession he had yet
some work to perform ere he would be
entirely free from them. Last Of all, .
new idea struck him, and obtaining q
number Of papers he neatly folded them
In an envelope, which he strongly sealed
and bound with q blue ribbon.
At 8 o'clock in the morning, while it
WA yet very dark and before any one
else was stirring, Lafont quietly descend.
Cd from his room and went to the stable.
The garcon was easily aroused, and in a
few moments the agent was ON his way
10 Chaumont.
For two hours he rode on his way, but
instead Of pursuing the highroad from
Treves he again crossed the Seine and
kept along by the banks of the Aube.
Daylight was inst beginning to streak
the heavens when LAfont thought he
heard the sound Of horses behind him,
and it was not long ere he knew that he
was being pursued, and in ten minutes
he was assured that the two fobbers were
after him.
In . moment the agent leaped from
TIE saddle, and seizing . heavy stone
y inflicted severe bruise upon one Of
Ms horses fore leex The animal reared
I'D plunged, but LAfont managed X
hold him. again moanssd and rode ON.
but the hase hMped md staggered BE-
II y