New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
THE PRISONERS.
A STORY OF THE DAYS OF THE GRAND
MONARCH

those TWO Ola ndBS whose polSoH NIdIS Hh1
pa; to sleep many scores of announcement
husbands unloved wives and Fostering mis-
trtsses But if the stake was now cool and
inert. waiting silently and patiently for new
victims to devour Paris had not yet forgotten
the sensational story OF those poison sellers.
Had not their customers included some OF the
greatest In the land? Did not their trial bring
to light in all its sckly terror the whole hide
BUSINESS Of this poisoning mania that was ram
pant throughout the length and breadth OF falr
France?
And as though to keep the horror Of their
names and their history still fresher in the
public mind Mile Moliere had caused them to
be placed in "A play, La Deyincresse, the joint
work of Thomas Corneile and Devise.
Already for three nights the theatre in the
Rue Mazarine had been crowded to excess to
see this play The well-timed idea Of Moliere's
widow was raining livres into the treasury with
"a merry jingle that made the Comediens du
Ro belaud her enterprise and wisdom in I'M
measured terms. on the third night of the pro
duction the King had come with the president
of the Chambre Ardente in his train-tha. same
Chambre Ardente which His Majesty had en-
dowed with such extraordinary powers for the
detection and punishment of those guilty OF the
practice Of slow poisoning.
Il like the play" Louis XIV graciousy
avowed To Mile. Moliere in the course of the
evening. And who knows but what II may
do something to stay this ghoulish mania which
Seems to run riot among my people,"
"Or IT may wipe out the Troupe Royale,
murmured the Councillor Of State, who hated
the players and envied the favors the King
showered upon them. These prisoners as
know full well are revengeful hends; and they
will not like your play. madame"
The King looked dispeased at the remark
Louis was in mortal fear Of himself being vic
tim Of the mania. AT the English Court il was a
favorite Joke that the King of France would not
eat fish because it was poisson
Perhaps then. we ourselves are in danger OF
their revenge for daring to punish them" he
cried. You brighten madame. monsieur and do
yourself no credit by raising such fears
NJ. le President vert trifie pale, and paler
urOmutlN
him.
But Mile Moliere's nature was too light and
frivolous to be impressed by the gloomy fore
holdings Of the Councillor and she returned to
her dressing room so nightly pleased with the
Kings kindness that she speedily forgot all
about them.
The next evening she walked from her house
to the theatre eisurely and alone. The night
was dark but fine. and the air braced and fresh
ened her At the threshold Of the theatre as
she reached out t. open the private door leading
to the stage, a man suddenly stepped out OF the
shadow and thrust a note into her hand
Mile MOere," he said. and made to hurry
away. but the hit of his sword caught III her
cloak and as some one within flung open the
door the light fell for an instant full on his face
A pale. repusive face. with deep scar on the
left cheek-that was how il struck her he
hastily snatchcd himself free and disappeared
into the night
In her dressing room she opened the letter and
read
IF La Devineresse be played for two more
nights Lavosin will be revenged There are
these who will see that her name is no longer re-
viled The King burnt her at the stake and
now you place her on the stage to withstand the
fires Of the mob's derison. Beware! This is no
light warning. In two nights you must have a
new play, Mile. MOlierc, Or
The actress blanched a moment and convul-
sivcy grasped the arm Of her chair; then she
shrugged her shoulders and laughed lightly and
scornfully.
"Freycinet" she said little later. after scrb-
bling note and inclosng with it the threaten
ing mssive, take this at once, Freycinet, to the
Chambre Ardente"
As the door closed upon the departing messen-
ger tiny sigh Of relief escaped her. and she pro-
ceeded to make the toilet her part demanded.
With that sigh her fears had vanished She
slept SOundly and pcaceably that iIght as
she had ever slept. She trusted implicitly to
the dark and tOr;uous machinery Of the Cham
bre Ardcnte to protect her. and after she had
DISPATCHED the letter gave the matter not mo-
ncnts further thought.
Thus ii that she leaped to her feet with an
exclamation of surprise the next afternoon when
a servant announced "A gentleman from the
Chambre Ardente. The new play Of Pradon $
which she had been reading tossed aside.
His name" she asked.
IN Dupin"
"Hc il WithOut?'
Yes madame
Il will see him at once. certainly"
A moment later a tall. lean man. attred neatly
IN the sobcrcst 90 coors. stepped into the room.
lie bowed ana waited until the servant had re
tired Mile. Moliere spoke first
you have come from the Chambrc, monsieur,
about the letter sent"
II have, madame"
Am / being played with, think you, or is it a
grave matter, NJ. Dupin|'
He smiled somewhat sarcasticay.
There is no hoax about il, | can assure you.
II is meant earnestly enough Of that there can
be no doubt. But how the revenge Will be at
tempted We know not 1t may be that servant
will be bribed 10 drop some deadly cordial into