The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-06-19
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have ofttimes marveled," she said slow
ly, that the emperor remains blind to
the dangers that surround him."
Not altogether blind, Nine. Rigault,"
dissented the chief There are GER
tain things that for reasons of state
Therefore, as l said before. we must
proceed cautiously. Tonight, by vir-
tue Of the information you have fur
nished, will visit a part Of the city
where some disreputable allies of NJ.
I-andre make their headquarters"
Then I will bid you adieu for the
present. NJ. Claude" said Nine. Ri
gault, rising With the copies of NJ.
l-andre's Prussian correspond ence that
l obtained safe in your hands, my task
| is finished"
Accept my eternal gratitude, Nine
Rigault," returned the chief. with a
polite bow. as the little lady smiled
brightly and made her exit from the
room.
. In those days the quarter known as
the "Cite" was the rendezvous of all
the scum of Paris. Close to the walls
of the Palais de Justice there existed
labyrinth Of streets where criminals
of all kinds lurked after nightfall. 1t
was in these grewsome regions where
dark and winding alleys led to filth
encrusted stairWays that a mass of
bandits, human vermin, swarmed. It
| thoro fhot hjIno,vo oriy,,
planned and the perpetrators of the
deeds sought refuge from the officers
of the law.
The hour of midnight was close at
hand when NJ. Claude, cunningly dis
guised. and assuming the reckless air
of half drunken loafer, entered the
wine-shop of the Lapin Blanc, one of
the most notorious lairs of the Cite,
and situated in the center of the Rue
Aux Feves. The tavern consisted of
large low room furnished with eight
broad tables secured by chains to the
whitewashed walls. These tables were
lined before a bar upon which stood a
number of jugs and drinking vessels,
bound with iron. At the back of the
room door opened upon long alley
which stretched as far as the eye
could penetrate into the darkness
The three tables nearest the en-
trance were occupied by several noisy
ruflians engaged in playing cards and
drinking from the pewter measures
that stood before them At the last
table in the rear of the room, a young
girl sat alone, with her head buried
in her hands
1t was toward this solitary female
that NJ. Claude's eye wandered instant
ly. Crossing The floor with swagger-
ing strides, he seated himself beside
her and placed his hand on her
shoulder. She started and looked up,
revealing a face that had once been
beautiful, but whose features were
now indelibly stamped with the coarse
lines of dissipation, although the own
er could scarcely have passed her sew
enteenth year.
What do you want?" she queried
in hoarse. cracked voice, as she
gazed sullenly at the disturber Of her
reverie
Don't be afraid" responded NJ.
Claude, jovially. Drink with me, my
beauty, and forget your troubles. I'm
not bad sort, Nina F1eurette, as
you'll find out when you've known me
a while"
Il don't know you," returned the
girl suspiciously. Who are you and
where do you come from?'
"All in good time," replied the chief.
Here comes the wet for our throttles.
Drink and then We can talk better"
He caught up the jug of brandy that
had made its appearance In response
to his signal to the tall, bony woman
who presided at the bar, and passed it
to his companion. She no longer hest
tated, but raising the vessel took a
deep draught of its fiery contents and
set it down with a harsh laugh.
That's the stuff that makes us all
happy" she cried in discordant &C.
cents, as M. Claude grasped the jug
and carried it to his mouth.
i've something important to tell
you, Nina Fleurette." said the chief, re.
placing the Jug on the table. Bend
your head over till I whisper my
news; we want no spies to hear u.s."
The girl leaned toward him and M.
Claude muttered something in IN un.