The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-12-25

should dictate. And so did. On
Monday / would stroll out attired as a
Russian, on Tuesday as a Turk, on
Wednesday as Swiss, and SO on
There was one of my costumes that
was rather a favorite with me-a
snowy Spanish dress, richly braided,
with a large mantle and sombrero to
match. l believe | had appeared in
public with this much oftener than
with any of the other costumes. A
few nights after my interview with
the prefect, | was returning to my
lodgings in this dress. There had been
great exhibition of fireworks in the
Place Vendome, which had continued
until IL, and as l walked on slowly,
enjoying my cigar, it was half an
hour later before | turned into the
narrow street on which was my place
of abode. The street was unlighted
and quite dark and deserted.
Presently three men came rapidly
behind me, talking and laughing in
way that at first led me to think
they had been taking too much wine.
One of them quickened his pace, over
took me. and addressed me in Span
ish. | knew a little of the language,
| and l understood that he was asking
me for light.
| held out my cigar, and at the in
stant my arms were seized from be-
hind and pinioned with a slip-knot,
my throar was compressed by a pair
of bony hands, and a thick padded
hood was wrapped closely about my
face and head. The thing was done
so suddenly and so secretly that / was
taken entirely by surprise. ] tried to
cry out, but found | could not utter a
sound. | was lifted off my feet;
| heard a shrill whistle, carriage was
driven up, | was thrust into it, some
of my captors following, others mount
ed the box, and the vehicle was driven
away at rafting pace.
| gave myselfJup for lost, and was
whispering a prayer, when the most
astonishing phase of my adventure oc-
Cured. The three men Simultaneous
ly uttered Spanish oath, and, drop
ping the points of their weapons
thrust their faces close to mine and
peered into it. A torrent of Span
ish oaths succeeded the inspection
the hood was thrown over my head
again, and my arms and legs were
again tied. / was then carried back
to the vehicle, and actually returned
to Paris as swiftly, as secretly, and as
rapidly as l had been taken out of it
My bonds and muffler were once more
removed, and | was put down at the
very spot where had been kidnapped
not at all injured in body because oi
my adventure, but much bewildered In
mind. The carriage and it's conductors
were instantly gone.
After a very sleepless night / re
paired to the prefect of police and
told him my story. He was much
interested by it, and asked me many
questions.
What under heaven does it al
mean?" / at length asked.
"Oh, it's very easily understood
Monsieur Masquerader. 1t may be thai
you, in your Spanish dress, and with
your brown face and well-trimmed
beard and mustache, must bear a re
markable resemblance to some rea
Castilian in Paris. The real CASTELAR,
has his enemies; he has eloped with
somebody's wife, or shot somebody
brother. His enemies conspire to as
sassinate him; how, you had nearly
found out in a practical way last
night! They make a very natura
mistake. under the circumstances, anC
lay hold of Monsieur Masqueradine
American, instead of Monsieur Cas-
tilian. They find out their mistake
at the last moment. much to their cna
grin, and. instead of cutting you tc
pieces in the old chateau, they bring
you back again, to learn little wis
dom from the adventure. All. mus,
look after these Spaniards--I think
have clew to them"
The prefect smiled and bowed me
out; and my first care was to go tC
the tailor and order suit OF Parisiar
garments.