The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-05

tines. Il have finished business for the
day. and am going to supper"
/ Very well, Monsieur. Only ought
to tell you he is the servant of Mad
anne Linden, who has just left you"
| "Ah, her servant, you say? That is
another matter Have him shown. up.' "
Beauregard vanished and moment
later the door opened again, and Pla-
eide made his appearance, shown in
by the usher.
Placide entered cautiously. glazing
about him as an animal glapces who
fears a trap. As the door closed on
him he bowed to De Sartines, and then
stood, hat in hand, without advancing
farther.
you wish to see me?D said the
minister of police, envisaging the old
fellow for a moment. you wish to
see me?"
That, your excelleney," replied Pla-
| eide, us my desire"
at is accomplished. What next?"
Il wish, Monsieur, to render you a
service"
Then render it by explaining your
self quickly, for my time is not my
own"
Monsieur" replied Placide, coming
forward closed to De Sartines, 81 am
in the service of Madame la Baronne
Linden. / am also in her secrets" He
laughed and paused for a moment
! Proceed"
81 am not satisfied with my mistress,
Monsieur"
"a common complaint with serv-
ants. Proceed"
The other day. Monsieur, discov-
cred that the police were making in
quiries about Madame la Baronnc. An
agent of police. disguised, attempted to
enter the house BY making love to Ros-
inc. the maid. She repulsed him. and
| I>had the honor to assist, with buck
ct of water Well. Monsieur, said
to myself, if the police are so anxious
to find out something about Madame
Ia Baronne. there is perhaps something
to find out"
"One moment" said De Sartines.
What is your name"
"Plaeide: Monsieur
Go on"
well. Monsieur. heaven has given
me a fine nose for hunting out in
trigucs, and I said to myself, Here
is your change of obtaining post in
the police agency, where the pay is
good. Monsieur de Sartines is trying
to find out something about madame.
Let us try If we can't help Monsieur
| dc Sartines. Now ] said to myself
in a case where you want TO find out
| anything about a woman. look for the
man. Whom does madame favor most?
Why, the Comic de Lussac.
Aha" said De Sartines, beginning
to feel some respect for the miserable
old sinner who seemed to glory IN the
betrayal of his mistress. "And did you
follow the Comte de Lussac?"
''Oh, no, Monsieur ] stuck to my
mistress. She left Paris for Com
peigne, taking me with her as we'll as
the maid, Rosinc. We had scarcely
been two hours at the Villa Rose-for
that was the name of the house where
we were staying-when a messenger
from Paris arrived on horseback, with
note for madame.
The messenger was Jasmin, Mon
sieur de Lussac's confidential servant.
ut was | who opened the door and
took the note; madame was in her
bath, and l promised to deliver it to
her as soon as she was visible.
81 opened the note, Monsieur, and it
was of such an extraordinary nature
that / made a fair copy of the con-
tents. This is IT" He took folded
paper from his pocket and handed it
to De Sartines, who read:
To-day | am burying in the earth
of the first orange tree tub on the
right as you enter my court yard a
packet of vital importance to the S. de
NJ. Should l be arrested, or should !
die. show this letter to Jasmin, my
valet He is entirely to be trusted
Unearth the packet and make use Of
it as your wisdom sees nj.
(Signed). Armand de Lussac"
Mon Dieup said De Sartines, cast
ing his eyes again over this most vital
piece of writing. And what did you
do with the original?'
1s gave it to Madame la Baronne,"
replied Placide. 1T was only the egg
she'll had distracted the meat"
did she notice that you bad tam
pered with the letter."
ooh, no, Monsieur; am not such a
bungler in my work as that"
De Saftines had now in his hand the
means of obtaining those papers of the
Society of the Midi. which he knew to
exist, and for which he had been hun
gering. He had not only De Lussac
fully in his power, but De Lussacs
mistress. the Baronne Linden. by at
tainment But the deep satisfaction
that filled his mind left him quite I'M
enthusiastic as TO Placide, the fount
and. origin of this precious information.
The per6dy of Plaeide did not occur