The Cairo bulletin., 1911-02-03
srs-s1isss-V ~ : : ---..-- ..--es y
POLICE OF PARIS,
Their Methods Effective Even If
Sometimes Dramatic.
TESTING A MAN OF COURAGE.
The Secret Service Knew More About
His Own Affairs Than He Did Him
self and Proved 1t In Most Startling
and Conclusive Manner.


self and Proved 1t In a Most Startling
and Conclusive Manner.
The police Of Paris have always
made 1t rule to keep closely initouch
with the criminal element, the, spies
and secret officials Of the department
posing as criminals among the real
criminals when necessary to learn their
secrets. The following incident, In
which the national impulse for dramat-
ic effect crops out, will serve to illus
trate how well at times they do their
work.
AT the beginning of the French rev
olution the chief of the police of Paris
had upon his register the names OF nc
fewer than 1000 suspected and deprav-
ed characters whose pursuits were
known to be Of criminal nature.
A merchant of high responsibility In
Bordeaux had occasion to visit Paris
upon commercial business, carrying
with him bills and money to very
large amount On his arrival at the
gates Of the French metropolis gen.
teel looking man opened the door OF
the carriage and addressed him to this
effect.
"Sir. have been waiting for you
some time. According to my notes, You
were to arrive at this hour. and, your
person. your carriage and your port
mantean exactly answering the de-
scription ! hold In my hand. you will
permit me to have the honor of con-
Quoting you to Nj. de Sartine."
The gentleman, astonished and
alarmed at this interruption and still
more at hearing the name of the chief
inspector Of the police mentioned. de-
manded to know what NJ. de Sartine
wanted with him. adding that he had
never committed any offense against
the laws and that the police could
have no right TO detain him.
The messenger declared himself IL
norant Of the cause of the detention
and said that when he had conducted
him to NJ. de Sartine he should have
executed his orders. After some fur,
Their explanations the gentleman per.
mltted the officer to conduct him to
the police official.
NJ. de Sartine. the chief Of police, re
ceived him with great pollteness, and.
after requesting him to be seated. 10
his astonishment described bis port.
manteau and told him the exact
amount In bills and cash which he
had brought with him to Paris, where
he was to lodge. his usual time OF
going to bed and number of other
circumstances which he had conceived
were known only TO himself.
Having thus excited his attention.
NJ. de Sartlne asked him:
"Slr. are you man of courage"
The gentleman, still more astonish
ed at the singularity of his interroga,
tory. demanded the reason why such
question was put to him, adding
that no man had hitherto doubted his
courage.
"Slr you are to be robbed and muir
dered this night replied NJ. de SaI-
tine "lf you are man Of courage
you must go TO yGlr hotel and retire
to rest at the USUAL hour. But be
careful not TO fall asleep. Neither will
II be proper for you to look under your
bed or into the closet which is In your
chamber You must place your port,
manteau in its usual situation near the
bed and betray no suspicion Leave
what remains to me. If you do not
feel your courage sufficient 70 bear
you out ! will procure some one who
will personate You and go to bed In
your stead"
Tho merchant being convinced thai
NJ dc Sartine's information was accu
rate In every particular refused to bt
personated and resolved to follow lit
orally the directions he had received
He accordingly drove to the hote
and went to bed at his usua! hour. 4
O'clock. At half past 12-the TIM
mentioned by NJ de Sartine-the doc
Of his bedchamber was quietly forcet
open, and three men entered with ;
dark lantern daggers and pistols. TIL,
merchant. who pretended to be asleep
perceived one Of them to be his owl
servant They rified his portmanteal
undisturbed and discussed and settlet
the plan Of putting him to death.
Hearing all this and not knowing b.
what means he was to be rescued, tn
merchant was under great perturha
ton of mind during such an interva
of suspense.
Just at the moment the villains wer
preparing TO take the merchants lif
four police officers. who were conceal
ed under The bed and in the CLOSET
rushed ont ana seized the offenders /
the very act of attempting murder an
with the stolen property In their pos
session. The law made short work o
the criminals, and the police congratt
lated the merchant on his courage an
| GOODNESS.