The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-07-10
CHAPTER II (Continued.)

Then render it by explaining your
self quickly, for my time is not my
own"
Monsieur" replied Placide, coming
forward closer to Sartines. Il am in the
service Of Madame la Baronne Linden.
l am also in her secrets He laughed
and paused for a moment.
Proceed"
Il am not satisfied with my mistress,
monsieur"
"A common complaint with servants.
Proceed"
THE other day, monsieur, l discov-
cred that h police were making in
quiries about Madame la Baronne.
An agent of police disguised,
by making love to Rosine, the
maid. She repulsed him. and l had the
n to assist, with a bucket of water.
Well, monsieur, l said to myself, If the
police are SO anxious to find out some
thing about Madame la Baronne. there
Is perhaps something to find out"
One moment" said de Sartines.
What is your name?"
"Placide. monsieur"
GO on"
We'll, monsieur, heaven has given
me a fine nose for hunting out tntrigues.
and / said to myself, Here is your
chance Of obtaining a post in the police
agency, where the pay Is good. Mon
sieur de Sartines is trying to find out
something bout madame. Let US try
If we can't help Monsieur de Sartines.
Now l said to myself; in a case where
you wan to find out anything about a
womanI look for the man.. Whom does
madame favor most? Why. the Comte
de LuSsac :"
Aha" said de Sartines, beginning
to feel some respect for the miserable
- - -. -. $1,000 -I~-.. a. l..
betrayal Of his mistress. And did you
follow the COmte de Lussac?"
"Oh, no, monsieur. l stuck to my
mistress. She left Paris for Compiegne,
taking me with her as we'll as the maid.
Rosine. 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 a note for
madame.
The messenger was Jasmin, Mon
sieur de Lussac's confidential servant.
Il, it was. who opened the o and
took the note; madame was in her
bath, and l promised to deliver II to
her as soon as she was visible.
Il opened the note, monsieur, and it
was Of such an extraordinary nature
that l made a fair copy Of the contents.
This it it," He took a folded paper
from his pocket and handed 1t to de
Sartines. who read:
To-day | am burying in the earth
of the first orange tree tub on the right
as you enter py courtyard a packet OF
vital Importance to the S. de M. Should
l be arrested, or should I die, show this
letter to Jasmin, my valet. He Is en-
tirely to be trusted! Unearth the pack
ct and make use Of 1t as your wisdom
sees At.
"Signed. Armand d. Lussac."
mon Dieu!" said de Sartines. cast
ing his eyes again over this most vital
piece Of writing. And what did you
do with the original2"
piled PIacide. 1T was only the egg
shell. / had distracted the meat"
did she notice that you had tam
pered with the letter."
"Oh no, monsieur; I am not such a
bungler In my work as that"
De Sartines~ had now in his hand the
means Of obtaining those papers of the
exist and for which he had been hun
gering. He had not only de Lussac
fully in his power. but de Lussac's
mistress, the Baronne Linden, by at
tainment. But the deep satisfaction
that lille
that filled his mind left him quite un-
enthusiastic as to Placide, the fount
and origin of this precious informa-
ton.
The perfidy of Piacide did not occur
to him at all in relation to the 1nforma-
ton, nor did 1t mar his satisfaction.
But when 1t came to the question OF
reward, Placidc's peridy shocked Mon
sieur de Sartines and chilled his tone
as he said, This information may be
important as a means OF carrying out
the ends Of justice. We shall see"