Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-20

that every house, rich or poor. whether in
the Champs Elysees or the slums of st.
Antoine, shall be under the charge of a
concierge who shall close the same tightly
at night, and admit the residents thereof
only upon the ringing Of bell. Further
more. each ledger, upon coming in, must, IL
the hour be early, be recognized by the
concierge, or If it be late and the concierge
In her bed so that at the summons she re-
leases the lock- of the door with the cor
dom that hangs to her hand, the ledger
must call out his name as he enters and
closes the door. The concierge system 1t
will be understood is nothing more than a
great arm of the police, an espionage, hour
by hour and day by day, of every resident
in Paris
We rang twice before the concierge walked
and pulled her Gordon. Then the lock
clicked and the little door set in the great
heavy gate that by night closed the arch
way swung open.
"Steinbruecke, madame! sang out Denis
in bass gutteral as we closed the door,
"'soir madame!' and we tiptoed softly
over the rough stones of the courtyard and
under the little arch that leads to The stair
at the right.
"Cf with your coats now" whispered
Denis. Swords ready? Pistols? Lantern
lighted, Won Altdorf? Here, wait an in
stantT'
Now. the little ARCH under which we
stood, gave not only upon the stair, but be-
yond upon the tiny alley alongside the old
Steinbruckes studio. 1t was blind alley,
closed by walls at both ends. Denis stole
out into 1t and peered upward.
Dim lights in all the rooms" said he
when he returned, "all but the kitchen.
They're taking no risks. Now, then, up the
stairs!"
We left our rain coats in a heap under
the arch and mounted slowly. with infinite
caution. But near the top, when there was
but q step or two to gain, Won AltdOrf
stumbled in the dark, and the closed Ian
tern clashed against the stair rail.
We were at the door in an instant, but
there came from the inside quick move
ment, the sound of hurrying steps, and a
voice, as that of one on watch waking
others.
Now, then!' whispered Denis, 1.-THE
door! Are you ready? One, two-gof" He
had placed himself as we had arranged,
toward it. Won Altdorf, sword hanging from
wrist, had braced his hands against Denis
shoulders, l mine against Won A.tdorf's
waist, and with little run we shot through
the fiimsy door as though 1t had been card
board.
Denis whirled as he fell forward. so that
he went upon one knee, sword ready in his
| right hand, and the glare from Won Alt
DORIS lantern streamed over his head and
along the narrow little passage till 1t met
| the white faces and staring eyes Of the pair
| of ruffians who bore down, half dressed
| but wide awake, to check us.
|, They had saberS, as Denis had predicted,
and the blade of the foremost flashed over
| his head as he charged. But when 1t fell II
| ratified harmlessly upon the floor and Its
owner lurched face downward after it.
| Denis thrust had been too quick for eye to
| follow.
| Then the second man did a curious
| thing. Blocked so that he could not strike
| by the fellow in front Of him, and now
| borne back by Denis lightning point, he
made no attempt at sword play but drop
| ped his saber suddenly and thrsw himself
| forward, headlong. seeking to catch Denis
| legs about the ankles and 30 bring him 10
the ground.