Year: 1866

"Give me three hundred, then, and
cheque on your banker for the balance,
said Cartouche.


The nobleman seeing that rosistanc,
might cost him his life, opened hisssri-
ting case and wrote out the cheque which
he handed with the three hundred francs
to the robber, who handed him the gun
and bowling to his saddle-bow, turned biz
horses head to go. AT this moment the
nobleman, cooking his gun, aimed it at
Cartouehe head, crying, "hand me back
my money, you robber, or else ! will
blow out your brains"


" That, my lord, would not be an easy
thing to do with an unloaded gun and
although have several loaded pistols
about me, do not think it would be ju-
dicious of me to lend them to you in
your present temper. Spare your cpl
thets | am not robber, on this ocea-
sion. at least, but have made regular
commercial transaction with you ;"-and
with these words, the rascal gave an iron
ical laugh and disappeared into the sur
rounding thicket.


Next day the noblemnn notified his
banker, so that payment Of the cheque
should be stopped /; but Cartouche had
been beforehand with him, and received
the money


1t seems that the robber, for some rca-
son or other, had made vow not to steal
for certain. time, and being pressed for
money had hit upon this subterfuge to
keep his conscience quiet.


Finding that Normandy did not afford
sufficiently wide field for his operations,
Cartouche returned te Paris, where he
soon became the leader eff widely-ex-
tended and very expert gang Of thieves.
The police arrangements at that day were
very inefficient, and these robbers com
mitted the most audacious thsfts in the
very heart of Paris. Cartouche, as a
general thing, was opposed to the taking
of life, and his mode Of operating was of
ten very eccentric.


One day he went into a tavern in the
neighborhood of Paris to seek for some
refreshment The man of the house and
his wife appeared to be in trouble about
something, and Cartouche inquired of
them the cause. He was told that they
we're unable to pay their rent, and that
the owner of the premises had threatened
to eject them


How much do you owe?" asked Car
t)uche.


Three thousand francs" replied the
inkeeper.


After a rev moments reflection. Car =
touche said 'You seem to be good hon
est people enough, and l should like to
help you out of your difficulty. I will
lend you the sum named which yon can
repay me at your convenience. Notify
your landlord to come here to morrow at
three o'clock, to receive his rent, the
amount of which has been lent to you by
friend, and be sure that he gives you q
receipt in full.


Well, the landlord came at the appoin
ted hour, pocketed his three thousand
francs (e120) and went on his way re-
joicing. AS he was passing through a
niece of woodland, however, on his way
to Paris, he was confr )nted by Cartouche
and one of his gang, who robbed him Of
all the money he had about him, amount
ing to more than four thousand francs


Cartouche and his gang used frequent
ly to perpetrate robberies more for the
purpose of exhibiting their address than
with view to gain.


1t IS told of this audacious maraader tn n
he one offered handsome reward to ones
of his followers, if the latter would stea
the coat off the back of certain consta
BILE or inspector of police, who had made
himself obnoxious to them by his vigil
ance. The robber undertook the com
mission, and watching his opportunity
when the inspector was dressed in hi
very best uniform, was on the watch il
some procession one day, he slit his Goa
down the back with knife Hayiu.
done this he kept his eye upon the Office
until he saw him enter his home, int
which he shortly afterwards followed him
but not until he had seen the wife of th
officer leave the house soon otter the rs
band had entered. Calling for the mas
ter of the house, he represented himsel
as being journeyman with the tailc
employed by that officer, saying that
lady had called and dered him to com
, for coat that had been badly damaged
and needed imm ediate repair. The vi
suspicious officer at once handed his co.
to the rascal, and that was the last he ev,
saw of it.