The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-02-01
HIS CLEVER RUSE.

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 100000 francs, for
a house in Chaumont. Much secrecy
had been observed In the preparations
of his journey, as the kingdom was at
that time infested by secret organiza-
tion 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 ct Marne, 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 countenances
were not unfamiliar to him, and having
come to this conclusion he determined
to watch their movements, for 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
ed 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 feeling of curiosity, he
followed them, and as he came round
by the stable door he could just see the
two men 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 oonversa-
tion.
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 soon as the diligence should have en-
tered the department of the Upper
Marne.
He returned to the inn, and after con-
siderable reflection he determined to
procure horse and secretly continue his
journey. Having come to this conclu-
sion, he went to the driver of the dill
gence. and under the plea of having to
remain i'll Nogent on special business
for day or two he settled his fare
thus far. Then he went to the stable
and ordered horse to be in readiness
for him by o'clock in the morning, at
the same time enjoining upon the garcon
the strictest secrecy with regard to his
movements.
AS GOOu no OlCoO WCAO
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 large sum, and If
the two Partisan robbers had set their
hearts upon its 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 o
number of papers he neatly folded them
in an envelope, which he strongly sealed
and bound with 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 to the stable.
The garcon was easily aroused, and in
few moments the agent was on his way
to 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 just 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 robbers were
after him.
In moment the agent leaped from
the saddle. and seizing heavy stone
he inflicted severe bruise upon one of
his horses fore legs. The animal reared
and plunged, but Lafont managed to
hold him. again mounted and rode on.
but the horse limped and staggered be-