The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-29
CHAPTER y.
THE MINISTER OF POLICE.

LILLE NlNISI Fis OF ISi1LSI--
The newly appointed minister o. po-
lice was the Count de Linieres, as we
heard at the garden OF Be- Air.
He was the uncle, and until th2I
Young gentleman attained his malorl-
ty, the guardian Of the CheTaller Maui
rice de Naudrey.
Count dc Linieres was Of very old
and proud family. but the hope or DIS
tincti0n induced him to accept OF The
high Office rendered him by the king,
who honored him for his sterling
worth.
1t is shortly after his accession to
office. and before he is well acquainted
with the intricate workings OF the
vast and complicated body over which
he is the acknowledged head, that we
present him to our readers.
\ tall. portly old gentleman OF some
sixty wears OF age is he. and one who
as friend would be true. and as ali
enemy. implacable.
On this particular afternoon he has
lust dismissed several Of his Subordl-
mates, and is now giving some neces-
Sary instruction to the chief clerk.
Il DESIRE" said the count. "that
there should be no relaxation in the
severity of the police toward gambling
dens. low drinking places, and other
hauntS Of crime. Professional beggarS.
too, must be driven from the streets. ;
These orders were delivered in the
tone OF a man who, having weighed
what he is about to say. expects 10 be
obeyed.
Then number increases daily, re-
piled the clerk, with gesture EXPIRES
Sive Of humility and Difference.
The king is deSirOuS that stop be
put to the scandals that disgraced the
administration Of the police during
the preceding reign" continued De
Linieres. speaking slowly. Night
brawls went unpunished. and abduc-
tions, bringing shame and disgrace
upon many honest families, were OF
common occurrence. And aprUp2S OF
that subject, l have here a report
which needs an explanation. How IS It
possible that a young girl could be alb
Quoted in the open streets at eight
o'clock in the evening, and there
should be no one to oppose such an
outrage?"
There are scoundrels in Paris auda-
cious and dexterouS enough to do any
thing" replied the clerk, as II thdt
were sufficient excuse for the short
comingS of the detectives.
Where were the police?" asked the
count, sternly.
They have discovered the accom-
plices of the chief actor" said the
clerk trying TO evade an answer to the
chiefs very pertinent inquiry, 'and
compelled them to confess.
Three months have elapsed since
that most daring outrage. and the
really guilty ones, the instigators OF
the crime, have not been punished"
said De LiniereS, with a LOOK OF re-
proach at his subordinate.
That's due, my lord, TO certain Cir
cumStanceS. was the answer, or per
haps. we should say excuse.
what circumstances? said the
count. in evident surprise that any
circumstances should prevent the pun
iShmert of a crime where the perpe-
traitors had been discovered. TO
whom does this chateau Of Bel-Alr b@-
long,"
swereG the clerk.
''De Presles.." repeated the count.
IAN ancient and illustriouS family,
whose last scion would not hesitate to
stake all its glories on the cast OF a
die, or the thrust Of a sword in a
drunken brawl. But the girl-after
the duel. what became of her.
''She was carried otf-by-by the an
tagonist of the marQoiS," was the hes
itating answer that aroused the
counts suspicious at once, and he ask
ed, quickly, while he eyed the clerk
with distrust:
The name Of the marQuis's oppo-
nent. What is it,"
THE Chevalier Maurice de Naud-
rev. replied the clerk, with reluct-
ance.
My nephew" replied the old gen
tleman, in surprise, while an EXPIRES
sion Of pain passed over his face at the
thought that his nephew, whom he
loved so dearly, and whom he had sup
posed TO be the soul OF honor, should
be engaged in what ne supposed to be
a drunken brawl.
After moments reflection he turn
ed to the old clerk, who was regarding
his chief with look of sorrow, and
said, in voice that was singular soft
and sweet for man.
Il appreciate the sentiment that
;auSed you TO hesitate"
The clerk bowed low, and was turn
ing away. when the count stopped
him.
For the future. sir. remember that
justice is no respector of peroSons."
The chiefs voice was now as harsh
and commanding as it was before low
and soft.
Are you sure that it was the Chev-
altar de Naudrey?,,
Quite sure. We have a list Of all
who were present-both ladies and
gentlemen"
These gentlemen" said De Lin
iereS. in an angry tone. must be made
to understand that such orgies will be
to Grated no longer. 1t is not enough
to beara noble name. it must be borne
worthily: and these ladies must choose
between Salpetriere and exile"
do you wish. my lord, that that af-
fair should be entered in the secret ar
chives Of the police?H
The secret archives of the police" "
asked the count in great surprise that
there should be anything of the kind.
do such records really eXist?'
"Certainly. my lord" said the clerk,
wondering not little at the ignO-
rance Of his chief. The secret and
complete history Of every noble family
in France may be found there. You
have but to mention d name. and in
five minutes, the desired volume will
be in your hands"
The count remained in deep thought
for few moments
There had been in his house. as in
every mans, u skeleton in the closet.
and that skeleton was some secret sOr-
row that prayed upon his wife. who
was a De Faudrey.
II the old clerks words were true,
then here was an opportunity for him
TO discover what he had So long vainly
sought.
Here he could. without humbling