The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-02-10
OF PARIS.
Their Methods Effective Even H
Sometimes Dramatic.
TESTING A MAN OF COURAGE.

The Secret Service Knew More About
His Own Affairs Than He Did Him
self and Proved II In q Most Startling
and Conclusive Manner.
The police of Paris have always
made 1t rule to keep closely In touch
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-
&c 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 no
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 a 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 l have been waiting for you
some time. According to my notes. you
were to arrive at this hour, aud. your
person. your carriage and your port.
manteau exactly answering the de-
scription l hold in my hand. you will
permit me to have the honor of con-
Quoting you to M. 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 M. 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 ig
norant OF the cause of the detention
and said that when he had conducted
him to NJ de Sartlne he should have
executed his orders. After some fur
Their explanations the gentleman per-
mitted the officer to conduct him to
the police official.
NJ. de Sartlne. the chief of police, re-
ceived him with great politeness and,
after requesting him to be seated. to
his establishment described his port
manfeau 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 a number Of other
circumstances which he had conceived
were known only to himself
Having thus excited his attention.
M. de Sartine asked him:
"Sir. are you man OF courage2"
The gentleman. still more astonish-
I'd M the singularity of his interroga.
DRY. demanded the reason why such
/ question was put to him, adding
courage
"Sir. you are to be robbed and muir {
Tered this night" replied NJ. de Sar-
tine "lf you are n man of courage
you must go to your hotel and retire
to rest at the usual hour. But be
careful not 10 fall asleep, Neither will
1t be proper for you to look under your
bed or into the closet which is In your
chamber You must place your port
manieau In its usual situation near the |
bed and betray no suspicion Leave |
what remains to me. II you do not
feel your courage sufficient to bear
you out ! will procure some one who
will personate you and go to bed in
your stead"
The merchant, being convinced that
NJ de Snrtine's Information was accu-
rate In every particular. refused to be
personated and resolved to follow lit
orally the directions he had received.
He accordingly drove to the hotel
and went TO bed at his usual hour, II
o'clock. AT half past 12-the time
mentioned by NJ de Sartine-the door
OF his bedchnmher was quietly forced
open. and three men entered with
dark lantern daggers and pistols. The
WIN BiNtChhtN W NC ubtSeP,
perceived one of them to be his own
servant They ritled his portmanteau
undisturbed and discussed and settled
the plan of putting him to death.
Hearing all this and not knowing by
what means he was to be rescued. the
merchant was under great perturba-
ton OF mind during such an interval
of suspense
Just nj the moment the villains were
preparing To- take the merchants life
four police officers. who were conceal
cd under the bed and In the closet,
rushed out and seized the Offenders In
the very act of attempting murder and
with the stolen property In their pos
session. The law made short work OF
the criminals. and the police congratu-
hted the merchant on his courage and
coolness.
An Excellent Reason.