The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-07-25


great deeds az those OF
N past centuries Such
~ wishes are made In ig
norance. I wonder how much OF 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 skiIful Investigators!
Well, started out TO moralize. but
this reminds me Of a story, one OF the
last of the man adventures that hap
pened to me while | was employed as
courier Of his majesty, King Edward
VII, and sent by him upon important
missions to various capitals OF the
world. l was living In my lodgings in
Half Moon street, Piccadilly, with Tai
bot, my soldier servant, when Sir
Francis Knowles Tor Lord Knowles.
rather-I am always forgetting that the
old gentleman has won the reward of
many years of faithful service as his
majesty's secrotary)-Lord Knowles
sent for me to come to Buckingham
palace. On my arrival there | found
him pacing the floor Leryously.
His majesty" he began fussily.
But just then the king entered and dis
missed him. Then his majesty led me
Ga table and, opening a secret drawer,
took out a folded yellow parchment
which he opened out fat. l could see
that it was written over in French and
seemed to be- design or plan.
Captain Adams" his majesty be-
gan, "of 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
Bonaparte has arrived In Parish"
l had not. I was startled. That a
plot for the restoration of the Bona
parties had been under way, I knew.
vas aware also that the disestablish-
nent of the French church had leagued
together all the clerical and reaction
airy elements. But that the claimant
to the imperial throne, who was a gen.
eral in the Russian army, had dared to
enter France was news to 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 telegraphic 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 a 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-British alliance"
The king paused and looked at me
earnestly.
He will strike tomorrow night, Sc
cret Information reaches me-" he con-
tinued.
"But-how can 5000 men hide In
Paris and defy the government" I
cried. Where could they drill?'
In the casacombs." his majesty An
swered.
I 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 Fever gone very far
from the entrance, for the fact Is that
nobody knows their exact extent or 10
cation, running as they do In all direc.
lions and interesting the complicated
sewerage system, which Is further en-
tangled with arched-over subterranean
streams that constantly shift their
course. In fact, one with q map of
the subterranean portion of Paris
might defy the entire nation to expel
him. And that Is what Prince Louis
does.
st appears that the first Napoleon
Possessed q map Of this region. Two
copies Of this were known to exist
One was left to his son. Due do Reich.
stadt, through whom it passed to
Napoleon III. and thence to Prince
Louis. He has already thrown his
conspirators into the catacombs by
means OF this secret, and, when the
time comes, he can strike where he
pleases, and none will know where the
blow Is going to fall, except the mar
who owns the second map"
where is 1t, sir?" cried.
"Here!" said the king. placing tn.
64rchment In my hands. Hasten t.
Paris tonight Deliver this to Presi
dent Fallieres in person. Wait!" III
scrubbed few words of introduction
upon one Of the royal cards. large
pasteboard the size OF lady's. "Thii
map was found in a volume present
ed to her majesty my mother b!
Emperor Napoleon Ill.," he contin
ued. And now, goodby. have ever!
confidence in you, ADAM" he con
cluded, shaking me by the hand.
I hurried home and directed Telbo
TO pack my grip for an immediate jour
ney. When he learned that was 60
Inc to Paris, nothing would satisfy hin
but that he should be permitted to &C
company me.