Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-11-13
A FAMOUS
ESCAPE
By Ell SIZE B. MATTESON

IF l do | shall but put myseir I'D
your place"
1T might pay you to remain In my
place for awhile. ] am awaiting an
TO place myself where
could reward you a hundredfold."
II am aware of your highness ambi-
tious intentions. but unfortunately
there are those who occupy the posi-
ton to which you aspire. and there
seems no reason at present why they
should give it up to you. No; il save
you it will be from loyalty rather than
the hope of gain"
"You as my physician can testify
that | am IN and that it is necessary
that | be placed where | may be kept
Quiet-in other words. where ] will not
be seen. Meanwhile | may get out.
have friends who will have transporta-
ton waiting for me that will take me
across the border
where you may renew your at
tempts made Mt Boulogne in 1910 and
again get yourself in limbo"
''That was six years ago. when the
pear was not ripe
al do not believe 1t TO be ripe now"
"To return to the more Immediate
problem. you as my physician. after
my departure. may use what argu-
ments you think will be effective to
persuade the governor that l am Ill
and must not be disturbed"
But supposing he insists on seeing
you"
LET him look upon dummy
''That may do for a short time. but
| l,eA N,A ncfS n N
examination"
Belgian SOIL
"And l will be n prisoner"
-Trust to me for your reward"
eff you are able to reward me-"
A week passed. during which the
prince communicated with his friends
outside the prison walls. and they
agreed to keep a carriage waiting at
all hours OF the day and night at an
appointed place. This was to continue
till the prince appeared or Informed
them that the contemplated attempt
had been abandoned.
Painters were at work in the prison..
and the prince conceived the design or
walking out openly disguised as one
of them DR.. Conneau secured for
him a workingman's blouse. trousers
: and wooden shoes. He also reported
the prince to be i'll and requested that
he be not disturbed. DR.. Conneau had
struggled the workman's apparel into
the room and concealed II there. He
had also got ready some extra bed
clothing that he proposed to roll into
the form OF dummy to be placed in
the prisoners bed.
On the morning that the prince in
tended to attempt an escape he arose
at O'Clock, shaved or his mustache.
. put on the trousers. the blouse and
the shoes. and that he might have
= something with which to conceal his
- features II he should pass any one
:, familiar with them he picked up q
70 bookshelf that was In the room and
70 lifted II to his shoulder. DR.. Con
70 neau was with him and when all was
~ ready stepped into the corridor. and
~ having assured the prince that thu
~ coast was clear. the latter passed from
ia his room.
"a DR. Conneau Immediately stepped
IA back to arrange the dummy.
"a 1t was an anxious moment for tn
do prince II detected he would be takel
nd back to his room or. more likely. to
RI cell and kept doubly guarded that h
IN might not make another attempt.
ne he got away scot free to n foreig
err country a possible crown awaited hin
as Passing along the corridor, he hear
ed footsteps approaching Bending hi
he head and partly covering his face wit
the bookshelf. he passed prison of
cial unrecognized. at the other end c
the corridor n man walked by him, bu
intent upon his thoughts, took no hee
ie OF the supposed painter. In this wa
III he passed several persons and at la.
found himself in the prison yard.
90 keeper was lounging beside the gat
es but he had never seen the prince ar
Ast If he had would not likely have know
OF him In his disguise Walking out in
ei' the town. the supposed workman wei
leisurely to where a carriage W,
os standing, opened the door and stepp;
Elm inside. The coachman-one Of b
friends-understood and without eve
LII o. word being spoken between the
mounted the box and drove away.
his At 3 o'clock that afternoon the fui
ao tive was at valenciennes.
At that time there were no telegrap
&c lines by which to intercept [
prince. So long as ne was unrecc
avs nized he was safe. So. retaining b
ma smock and his wooden shoes. he Q
ers tered a third class railway coach
gh, Brussels. Once across the line
ess breathed freely. for by information
gn. | law no WAS immune from arrest vii