Year: 1862

tudH OtueIWlSe, dill except tue muFueIlHS
part, which hoped might be mere fancy
of my own, so really fond was l of adventure.
We were not many minutes on the river,
and during that time We shot along past
houses, under bridges, and among river craft
with great rapidity, rot word being spoken.
Suddenly We ran into low, dark arch, and
soon after came to stop in some place,
where so far as seeing was concerned,I Il could
mt have told myself from barrel of ink.
Not a word, monsieur le docteur; your
life depends on it, said low, stern whisper
in my ear.


4 am dumb as post, said L more so, if
anything. Ifyou hear me speak before YOU
are ready, blow my brains out-that is, what
few have left


'Silence You are brave man, will not
be harmed, and will lie well paid for your
trouble


Thank you all right; and being all right,
as Davy Crockett used to express it, 60 a.
head


This was not all the talk of the wine. l
was getting sobered up pretty fast, and al
most wished myself safe in bed in my lodg
ings, but thought it best to carry out my
previous sang froid.


"A capital surgeon, so far as GOODNESS is
concerned l heard whispered from one. to
the other.


Come, follow as l lead, and remember =
said that stern whisper again, and at the mo-
ment strong hand took hold of mine.


l arose, stepped from the boat to some
stairs, went up the steps, and through long,
narrow passage, and then down some stairs,
and through another long, narrow passage,
and then up and Through, and down and
through, till heartily rayed l might soon
get through, and all the time in darkness
that might have been cut with a knife, SO to
speak, and in silence that death itself might
have been satisfied with.


At last We entered an underground place,
that seemed to be large crypt, as l hastily
surveyed it by the light of a fambeau tina: a
masked figure held in his hand. The other
masked figures, all in black gowns, or domi-
nos, were standing beside them, and glance
at my guide showed him habited or masked
in the same manner. The girl was not pres
ent.


Monsieur lie chirurgeon, said stern voice,
aloud, swear by your honor as gentleman.
YOU will never reveal aught of this nights
adventure-of what you have seen or shall
see-of what you have heard or shall hear
Of what you know or shall know
Il swear never to make the slightest reve-
lation while remain in France replied.


Enough. Secret assassination will be the
penalty if YOU break your oath. Now follow
US


was conducted up stairs,two three flights
into a small and elegantly furnished apart
ment, in one corner of which was bed, and
on the bed was a young man, with face as
) white as sheet, and groaning at every
breath. One of my mysterious companions
turned down the coverlet, and showed me @
leg completely shattered at the knee, evident.
ly by a pistol or musket ball.


We'll, monsieur said an anxious voice
The is no help for 1.-THE leg must come
off, answered, by this time completely sob
cred.


Monsieur will take it of, them


4 have not my implements with me-
Here is all monsieur can need


A complete and beautiful set was produc


eG. Without another word | took off my
coat, rolled up my sleeves, and proceeded tc
the work, the masks assisting me. The poor
sufferer tainted under the painful operation
When all was finished, one of the men sait


to me, in low, anxious tone:
: 'Will he survive9'
with careful attention and nursing,I think
he will


Thanks. Monsieur lie docteur will write
down all necessary Instructions


Pen, ink and paper being furnished me
this proceeded to do. Wher all was com
pleted, heavy purse was placed in my hand
and the mask said:
Monsieur lie docteur will not forget hi


OATH.


f Not very likely to, with assassination il
n prospective said l.
3 Enough. Come!
e | followed my conductor down into tn
i crypt again, and then, in total darkness, wa
/ led through a succession of long narrow pas
i sages, alternating with stairs, the same as be


fore-but not ending where l Legan-for
y door was at last thrown open, and / suddenl


found myself IN dark, narrow street.
d heard slight click behind me, and on look
: ing around was greatly surprised to find my


self standing alone, beside church, and on
$ ly a blank wall where expected to see
e door at least. The stones were att alike, a
o far as could see, and nothing to indicate al
opening of any kind. And yet l had eithe
come through that wall, or else l was dream
t ing. Was dreaming? l was not quit
y sure, though the purse that had been put ir


to my hand felt very heavy.
e Well, thought l, this will do for one nigh
= at any rate; and now, like the Dutch burgc