Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-04-10

TIE MINISTER OF POLICE" by
Henry MonntJoy. Is romance OF Paris
aulins the Louis XIV reign period
when Europe was in a condition of To-
ment and unrest: when Voltaire was
breaking to pieces the shackles of re-
Aelon: when Rousseau at the Cafe de
resonance was preaching the right to
tnlnk; and when a thousand men, some in
tne gutter, some near the throne, were
preparing the great explosion of the revo-
luton.
CHAPTER u-Continued.
was now night, and the trees by
the roadside, dimly lighted by a half
moon rising In the eastern sky, showed
uaIhiy against the silvery mists Of
At the toll gate the carriage did NOT
stop. out passed at full speed and on
through the streets of Paris. splashinx
we passers with mud; needless OF chill
oren, dogs, pedestrians who wished to
Cross Ine way; perfect representation
OF the government whose minister 1t
COT - ontalned. The streets through which
II was now passing were badly lighted
oy OIL lamps, badly paved, filthy with
reluse and mud, narrow, and like the
streets and passages one passes
through IN bad dreams. Poverty and
munger walked here In rags, not as
hpscsral ngures, but figures of flesh and
olooo. Frightful faces We're to be seen.
spectral faces. pitiable faces, men in
.a,.ers, women In rags. Infinite suual-
OF. IN these poor streets all men and
OIL women seemed bent, like those trees
we see on sea coasts, by bleak wind
always blowing from the same quar-
Ter, bent and stunted by the pressure
Of some heavy and chilling hand
Spiashfng these with the mud Of its
Wheels drove the carriage of Monsieur
oe Sartlnes, Its occupant curled. scent
60, dressed more gorgeously than the
niies OF the field. gazing through, the
MimuoMs on the people he passed as
Jove might gaze on mortals.
Inc carriage crossed the poorer mart
OF the city. making for the Fauboure
81. German, where at the gateway az
q large mansion they turned in, crossed
tne courtyard and drew up at the steps.
It was the Hotel de Sartines.
Inc, me lootman opening the door. the
minister OF police descended, went up
the steps and passing the saluting
guards at the doorway entered the
great nall, whence he took his way by
= nlght OF deeply-carpeted stairs to his
orIlcial bureau on the first floor.
OF Monsieur d'Ombreval, deserves a
word OF mention. Here the police po-
ntical business OF the state was con-
Quoted; here the attained noblenen.
the common forger. the suspect. the
man being prosecuted. and the man
pursued came face to face with the
man in power From here men went
TO Vincennes or the Bastile or death.
me room was octagonal, with a poll
1shed parQuet floor; fauteuils stood
about for 1t was used by the minister
as chamber of audience as well as q n
offlciai bureau; It was lighted by wax
candles burning in silver sconces and
opposite the door stood the famous
bureau with hundred compartments
and secret drawers, once the property
or MS predecessor. A square table. half
covered by cloth Of green silk, stood
near the bureau; on it were some dis
patches that had Just arrived and
which De Sartines examined while
waiting for the agent Gaussin, for
whom he had sent.
He was standing reading, like this,
when the door opened and the agent
appeared.
Gausstn was a big man with head
horse; he had long face and only one
expression. He was less a man than
machine.
De Sartines turned. received his sub
o1dtnate's salute, and taking the report
from the small portfolio he had placed
on the bureau, said: You wrote this ?"
The cautious Gaussin approached be-
fore committing himself as IL to ex-
anime the paper, but his master waved
him back
'Peste! it is yours-the report on
Madame la Baronne Linden The day
before yesterday said to you: Fol
low this woman closely, get into her
house II you can. examine her papers
II possible. and If possible intercept any
correspondence between her and the
Comte de Lussac.' How have you done
this ?"
Monsieur said Gaussin, without
moving muscle of his face, "since YOU
gave me the order have adhered to
Madame la Baronne like plaster
Put on by a Quack or a fool
Monsieur"
.'Silence." Il
"Yes, monsieur"
You have found out nothing,
Monsieur, there was nothing to
hnd.'
You waste your ink and paper on
every little trifling detail l said get
into her house il possible
And I tried, monsieur
How?-through a Window
No, monsieur; through a pretty
tervant- maid"
And you failed
Gaussin scratched his chin
Not exactly failed, Monsieur
Then you did get In? %
No. Monsieur. She pushed me ont
Will ~ UIOO1il, SuU TIE servant flaC1Qe,
an old scoundrel with white beard
locked the door In my face. But to-
night 1 will court her again. I have
thought OF q, new method. This time
/ shall get in.''
5 y You will not You are dismissed
from the case. Take up something
simpler. Go report yourself to Mon
sfenr Beauregard. and order Lavenne
to be sent to me-
Gaussin saluted, turned and left the
room. while De Sartines, grumbling to
himself went on reading his dispatches
He had finished them and had placed
the door. giving by the ushers wand,
introduced Lavenne.
Lavenne was a young looking man
with the pale face and Jet black hair
one finds among the men Of the south;
he had eyes dark and luminous. pos
chat QY,rrEclnS