The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-02-23

norance. wonder how much or the
secret history OF the present century
will ever come to light, whether fu-
ture generations will ever know some
of the events that really transpire In
the capitals of the world today and re-
main hidden from the prying eyes OF
the most skilful Investigators
Well. started out TO moralize, but
this reminds me OF "A story, one OF the
last OF the man adventures that hap
pened 10 me while | was employed as a
courier of his majesty, King Edward
VII, and sent by him upon important
missions TO various capitals OF the
world. | was living in my lodgings In
half Moon street, Piccadilly, with Tai
bot. my soldier servant, when Sir
Francis Knowles Cor Lord Knowles,
rather am always forgetting that the
old gentleman has won the reward of
many years of faithful service as his
inajesty's secrCtary)-Lord Knowles
sent for me To come TO buckingham
palace. On my arrival there | found
him pacing the floor nervously.
y.
But just then the king entered and dis.
missed him. Then his majesty led me
9 a table and, opening a secret drawer,
took out a folded yellow parchment
which he opened out fiat. could see
that II was written over in French and
seemed TO be a design or plan.
Captain Adams" his majesty be-
gan, "ol all the missions (which you
have ever undertaken on behalf of my
government this is one of the most
important You have heard that Louis
Bonapartc has arrived in Paris?"
had not was startled That a
plot for the restoration of the Bona.
parties had been under way, | knew. |
vas aware also that the disestablish.
nent oil the French church had leagued
together all the clerical and reaction.
airy elements. But that the claimant
to the imperial throne, who was gen.
eral in the Russian army. had dared TO
enter France was news 10 me.
And the Seine Is rising Half the
lower districts of the capital are under
water, and the city is completely isola-
ted so far. as Geographic commuunica-
ton is concerned" His majesty contin-
ued, as though he read my thoughts.
Prince Louis has 5000 malcontents
under arms. all carefully drilled and
ready in anticipation of revolt. The
garrison is infected with sedition, and
only couple of companies, my ambas-
sador writes me, can BE- relied on for
the defense of the republic. And II
the republic falls, goodby TO the Fran
co-l}ritish alliance"
The king paused and looked at me
earnestly.
lie will strike tomorrow night, Sc
cret information reaches me-" he con-
tinued.
"But-how can 5000 men hide in
Paris and defy the government"
cried. Where could they drill?"
In the catacombs." his majesty an
swered
uttered an exclamation OF surprise
He continued:
You and and many tourists have
descended into these famous ancient
and subterranean passages, he said.
But we have never gone very far
from the entrance, for the fact is that
nobody knows their exact extent or To-
cation, running az they do in all direc-
lions and intersecting the complicated
sewerage system, which is further en-
tangled with arched-over subterranean
streams that constantly shift their
course. In fact. one with n map Of
the subterranean portion OF Paris
might defy the entire nation to expel
him. And that Is what Prince Louis
does.
1t appears that the first Napoleon
possessed map of this region. Two
copies of this were known TO exist.
One was left TO his son, Due dc Reich.
stadt. through whom 1t passed TO
Napoleon Ill. and thence TO Prince
Louis He has already thrown his
conspirators into the catacombs by
means of this secret, and, when the
Tine comes, he can strike where he
pleases. and none will know where the
blow Is going to fall. except the man
who owns the second map"
Where is 1t, sir?'' I cried
"Here!" said the king. placing the
parchment in my hands. Hasten to
iarls tonight. Deliver this to Presi-
Gent fallieres in person. Waltz" He
scribDled few words OF introduction
upon one OF the royal cards-a large
pasteboard the size of lady's. This
map was found in a volume present.
Cd TO her majesty my mother by
Emperor Napoleon ILL.," he contin.
ued. And now. goodby. have every
confidence in you, ADAM" he con.
cluded. shaking me by the hand.
hurried home and directed Talbot
to pack my grip for an immediate jour.
ney. When he learned that was 20.
Ing to Paris, nothing would satisfy him
but that he should be permitted to nc.
company me.
Begging your pardon. SIR" he said,
1t do seem. ard on me, after standing
over yOur corpaa amouu tko.x, t,tcrav