Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1911-05-26
POLICE IN PARIS

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 natl )nal impulse for dramatic
effect crops out will serve to illu-
strate how well at times they do
their work:
Al the beginning of the French
revolution the chief of the police
of Paris had upon his register no
fewer than 2000 suspects and de.
praved characters whose pursuits
were known to be of a criminal
nature.
A merchant of high respect
ability in Bordeaux had occasion
TO visit Paris upon commercial
business. carrying with him very
large amount of money in bills.
On his arrival at the gates of the
French metropolis ii gentel looking
man opened the gate Of the
carriage and addressed him 10 this
effect:
Sir, | have been waiting for you
for some time. According to my
notes you were to arrive at this
hour. and your person. your
carriage. and portmanteau exactly
answering the description ! hold
in my hand, you will permit me
to conduct 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. demanded to know
what NJ de Sartine wanted with
him. He added that he had never
committed any offense against the
laws and that the police could
have no -i.h' % driain him.
The messenger declare himself
ignorant of the cause of the deten-
tion and said that when he had
conducted him to Nj. de Sartine he
should have executed his orders.
After some iuThcr explanation the
gentleman permitted the officer to
conduct him to the police official.
NJ. de Sartine. the chief of
police received him with great
politcncss and. after requesting
HIM TO be seated, TO his astonish-
ment described his por,mantcau
and described 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 atten-
ton. NJ. dc Sartinc asked:
"Sir. are you man of cour-
age?"
The gentleman still more
astonished at the singularity of
the Interrogation, demanded the
reason why such question was
put to him. adding that no man
had hcret fore doubted his courage.
"Sir you are to be robbed and
murdered this night" replied M.
dc Sartinc. ''If you are n man
OF courage you must go to your
hotel and retire to your bed at the
usual time. But be careful not
to fall asleep. Neither will it be
proper fer you to look under your
bed or in the closet which is in
your he'd chamber. You must
place your portmantoau in the
usual situation near the bed and
hetray no suspicion. Leave what
remains to me. If you do not feel
your courage sufficient t. bear you
out will procure someone to
impersonate you and go to bed in
your stead"
The merchant being convinced
that NJ. dc Sataine's information
was accurate in every particular,
refused TO be personatcd and re-
solved to follow literally the in.
structions he had received.
He accordingly drove to hi,
hotel and went to bed at his usua'
hour, | o'clock. AZ half past Il
the time rentioncd by NJ. dc
Sataine--tho door OF his bee
a. =