The Ocala evening star., 1911-03-04
POLICE OF PARIS.
Their Methods Effective Even il
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 Most Startling
and Conclusive Manner.

His Own Affairs Than He Did Him
self and Proved II In Most Startling
and Conclusive Manner.
The police Of Paris have always
made it a rule to keep closely Ill 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-
ic effect crops out. will serve to illus
trate how we'll 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 respecta biiity 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 Il gen
teei 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
manteau exactly answering the de
scription l hold in my hand. you will
permit me to have the honor of con-
ducting 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 otfense 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 Sartfne he should have
executed his orders. After some fur
ther explanations the gentleman per
mitted the officer to conduct him to
the police official
NJ de Sartine. the chief of police, re
ceived him with great politeness and.
after requesting him to be seated. to
his astonishment described his port
manteau and told him the exact
amount in bills and cash which he
had brought with him to Paris. where
be 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.
NJ. de Sartine asked him:
t "Sfr, are you man Of courage?"
! The gentleman, still more astonish
| ed at the singularity of his interrOga
tory. demanded the reason why such
a question was put to him. adding
that no man had hitherto doubted his
courage.
"Sir. you are to be robbed and muir
dered this night" replied NJ de Sar-
tine "If you are a man of courage
you must go to your hotel and retire
to rest at the usual hour But be
! careful not to fall asleep Neither will
It 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 TO bear
/ you out ! will procure some one who
will personate you and go to bed ir
your stead"
D.! The merchant, being convinced thai
M. de Sartine'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 hote
and went TO bed at his usual hour, II
O'clock. At half past 12-the time
mentioned by M de Sartine-the door
Of his bedchamber was quietly forced
! open. and three men entered with {
; dark lantern, daggers and pistols. The
! merchant, who pretended TO be asleep
; perceived one of them to be his owl
servant They rifed his portmanteat
; undisturbed and discussed and settled
the plan of putting him to death.
; Hearing all this and not knowing b,
i. what means he was to be rescued, th'
merchant was under great perturba
ton of mind during such an interva
Of suspense.
> Just at the moment the villains were
preparing to take the merchants lif
four police officers. who were conceal
ed under the bed and in the closet
rushed out and seized the offenders II
the very act of attempting murder ant
with the stolen property in their pos
session. The law made short work o
the criminals, and the police congratu
lated the merchant on his courage am
GOODNESS.
An Excellent Reason.
You girls are beyond me-" said tn,