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Show THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MONSIEURCLAUDE Ar gr BEING THE CHRONICLES OF A FAMOUS PREFECT OF POLICE DURING THE REGIME OF THE SECOND EMPIRE , IN THE REIGN OF NAPOLEONII, Copyright, by W. G. CHARMAN low me quietly and at once for the | ‘traps’ are abroad and for aught we know may be watching us here.” Nina Fleurette made a gesture of assent, and M. Claude, with a quick glance around to assure himself that x their | | | | Tne Lirecess for oF (7 LANDRE’ movements were not observed, arose and passed swiftly through the rear door, the girl following at his heels. On the afternoon of the second day after his visit to the Lapin Blanc, M Claude entered a police station in the Rue de Jerusalem and bowed formally in response to the salutation of the inspector in charge “Good day, M. Blauvert,” said the chief. “Have you taken Emil Chate lain, according to my instructions?” carried out “Your were orders promptly, M. Claude,” replied the in Spector “Chatelain was decoyed by a message to a quiet spot where he was seized, forced into a cab and brought here without the knowledge of any of his pals. We gathered him in only three hours ago, so that he is not likely to be missed from his regu lar haunts until to-night.” “You have done well,” commented “In what condition is the the chief. prisoner, Nina Fleurette, whom I de livered to you last Tuesday night?” “She suffers terribly,” returned Blauvert. “The supply of morphine she carried was taken away from her As she is a habitual user of the drug she has raged and wept alternately, beseeching us to give her a few grains of the stuff, but acting under your instructions Dr. Martine not only re fused but declined to administer any medicines that might alleviate her dis tress.” “Tell Dr. Martine I wish to see him,” said the chief curtly. In a few moments the police surgeon, a tall, well-built man of 50, with iron-gray hair and beard, made his stopped short “Your majesty will pardon my weakness,” he saic confusedly, “but indeed I am hardly master of myself I have not beer feeling well of late.” to a certain spot to-night and slay me It is unnecessary to enumerate the de tails of the scheme, as you are thor oughly familiar with them Now, then in a few hours you will be set at liberty and I intend you to visit M Landre president of the Society of Ave! ers, for the purpose of informing him t at ssion you have executed your co! and thrown my body into the Seine “You need rest, M Landre,” said the emperor smoothly; rest undisturbed by dreams of political intrigue and plots, domestic and foreign. Your en ergy and ambition form too heavy 8 burden for you. Go home, M, Landre and sleep—if you can.” You will present my signet ring to him as a token of success return here and report to me.” At the mention of M. Landre's name the prisoner turned pale Then he spoke in defiant accents ‘| refuse!” he said sullenly M Claude shrugged his shoulders “A foolish choice,” he said coolly ‘By complying with my request you would have won freedom for yon wretched creature and yourself, A hint of something ominous in his imperial master’s remarks grated un pleasantly on M. Landre’s nerves, and in obedience to a motion of the em peror’s hand he left the cabinet hastily by the door at which he had entered Searcely had the sound of his foot steps died away when Napoleon sum moned his chief of police from his hid with the stipulation that you must both leave Paris. As it is I repeat that she will linger on in hellish torment for ten hours without medical aid and perish horribly And for you—there |remains the galleys or scaffold as a reward for some of the ‘Times you have committed.” “I'll do it,” Chatelain said savagely “for her sake, not for my own, curse you!” Before leaving the station the chief held a short conference with M. Mar tine and the inspector. | “You will release Chatelain at ten o'clock, M. Blauvert,”” said his superi ing place “There remains but the punishment of the traitor, M. Claude,” said the em peror. “His guilt is sufficiently established.” The chief glanced keenly at his imperial master’s countenance,’ which bore a look of intense gloom and | anxiety | | “If 1am not mistaken, sire,” he said, ‘the arrest of M. Landre in connection with his traitorous conduct would un| doubtedly expose a condition of affairs which must cause much unsay- | ory comment in France and abroad?” | “It is so,” assented the emperor | wearily; “but how can such an exposjure be averted?” “Byletting him decide his own fate, “With the copies of M. gauit, rising sire,” responded the chief. “M. LanLandre’s Prussian correspondence that dre’s position is that of a man between I obtained safe in your hands, my task two fires. He cannot leave Paris, for is finished.” he is watched by my men day and “Accept my eternal gratitude, Mme. night. Even if he could fly he would Rigault,” returned the chief, with a not obtain a welcome in Prussia. A polite bow, as the little lady smiled renegade spy is useful to his employbrightly and made her exit from the ers only as long as he is undetected room. by those he deceives. Remains then In those days the quarter known as for him either the scaffold, as a penthe “Cite” was the rendezvous of all alty for a traitor to his sovereign and the scum of Paris. country, or the galleys for complicity The hour of midnight was close at tine,” said the chief. The visitor was Mme. Jeanne Ri- You will perceive that M. Claude is his coat on the banks of the Seine in the murders wrought by the Society victim to be hand when M. Claude, cunningly dis“Ah, yes,” responded the surgeon. gave grounds for suspicion that the of Avengers. Confronted with these gault, an acknowledged belle of the named as the next guised, and assuming the reckless air “Number 15, a bad case, M. Claude. famous chief of police had met with specters of ruin and disgraceful death, court of Napoleon JIL, high in favor marked by the Scarlet Arrow.” She tossed a folded paper on the of a half drunken loafer, entered the She is partly delirious and unless re- foul play. A miniature metal arrow, it is probable that he would prefer to with the emperor and a beauty whose capricious ways wrought devastation chief's desk, and M. Claude, spreading wine-shop of the Lapin Blanc, one of lief of some kind is given her death scarlet in color and pinned to the gar- ‘solve the problem with bis own hand. in the hearts of a legion of admirers. it out, perused the contents with eager the most notorious lairs of the Cite, can only be a question of hours.” ment, recalled the fact.of a similar If your majesty wills it so, I myself “How long can she live in her pres- token having figured in several mys- will lay the proofs before him.” There were, however, a favored few, eyes. At the conclusion of his examin- and situated in the center of the Rue ation he said: Aux Feves. The tavern consisted of among whom was numbered M. ent state?” demanded the chief. terious murders during the past year, “You say well, M. Claude,” replied Claude, aware that under the butterThe surgeon pursed his lips and and left small room for doubt that the emperor. “This document establishes beyond a large low room furnished with eight “Go then, and conduct fly existence affected by this spoiled a doubt the complicity of M. Landre broad tables secured by chains to the meditated. “I would like to visit her M. Claude was the victim of a secret this affair to its ending, according to child of Fortune there lurked a talent in the series of mysterious murders, whitewashed walls. These tables were again before answering,” he said. band of assassins. Meanwhile, the your own discretion.” for intrigue and a deeper purpose than nine in all, that have taken place re- lined before a bar upon which stood a “Come then, Inspector Blauvert and missing man, preserving his identity| An hour later M. Claude entered In each case one of these number of jugs and drinking vessels, I will accompany you,” said the chief. in appeared on the surface. The olive cently. a cleverly designed disguise, the magnificent mansion occupied by “That is No. 15,” remarked the sur- strolled leisurely about the boulevards | M. Landre at Auteil, just without the loveliness of her perfect face did not tokens was attached to the victim’s bound with iron. At the back of the room a door opened upon a long alley geon, “An hour ago she was shriek- listening to the many conjectures of gates of the city. conceal the determined outlines of an clothing.” In answer to the Opening a drawer, he produced a which stretched as far as the eye ing violently, but I presume she is interested citizens as to his probable inquiry of the chief, the servant who obstinate little chin, and the languorous glances of her dark brown eyes often miniature metal arrow painted a could penetrate into the darkness. almost exhausted now.” fate. Shortly after midnight he was admitted him stated that his master served to conceal the subtle light of bright scarlet, with a pin attachment Reaching the cell in which the girl closeted with NapoleonIII. in the lat- had not yet retired and was alone in The three tables nearest the enpenetration that shone behind their apparently intended for the purpose of trance were occupied by several noisy was confined they beheld a figure ly- ter’s private cabinet, narrating to the the library. long silken lashes, For Mme. Rigault’'s allowing it to be worn as an orna- ruffians engaged in playing cards and ing prostrate upon the stone floor and astonished emperor the details of his M. Claude ascended the stairs and skill as a Chateau spy was second to ment. drinking from the pewter measures twitching convulsively. The girl of the investigation into the operations of | without knocking opened the door and none in the realm, and there were few “What possible advantage can M. that stood before them, At the last Lapin Blane presented a truly ghastly M. Landre. stepped into the apartment. M. Lansecrets of the prefecture unknown to Landre hope to derive through his as- table in the rear of the room, a young and terrifying appearance. Her eyes, “You have managed your part with dre, gazing upon the stern features of the wonderfully resolute and radiantly sociation with a band of depraved girl sat alone, with her head buried bloodshot and hollow, with pupils con- rare skill and diplomacy, M. Claude,” the man whom he imagined to have Mme. Rigault, in her hands. beautiful coquette of the imperial criminals?” inquired tracted until they had become mere said the emperor at the conclusion of been done to death by his orders, ut curiously court, It was toward this solitary female pin points, glared horribly from out the tale. “Yet, while there appears no tered a scream of horror, and stood “The advantage of having danger- that M. Claude’s eye wandered instant- the sunken, pallid face; her tangled doubt of M. Landre’s guilt, I would rigid where he had arisen from his “T accept your cheerfulness as a Crossing the floor with swagger- black hair hung in unkempt masses fain apply another test to wring his chair. M. Claude’s voice, cold and im good omen, Mme. Rigault,”’ said the ous instruments at his command,” re- ly. He believes you dead chief, when the sounds of her merri- plied the chief. “The society’s avowed ing strides, he seated himself beside over her slender shoulders, and shreds dastard soul. placable, broke the silence hand on her of cloth torn from her garments lay Well then, we shall see what dismay ment had died away into silence. “At object is to avenge the betrayal of any her+and placed his “Traitor and assassin,” he said in will seize him when confronted with slow, measured accents, “it was no all events I mayinfer that it portends criminal] to the law on those who have, shoulder. She started and looked up, scattered around. either unwittingly or by design, as- revealing a face that had once been At the sound of the officials’ foot- a vision from the grave.” success in your mission.” visitant from another world that sisted in his capture. Each of the beautiful, but whose features were steps she turned and struggled to her He walked to the western wall of struck terror to your craven heart to“Success!” repeated Mme. Rigault. nine victims so far sacrificed was a now indelibly stamped with the coarse knees, holding out imploring hands, the cabinet and drew aside the tap“Well, yes, M. Claude, and a goodly night. M. Landre, your day of subterman who had supplied information to lines of dissipation, although the own- the palms of which were lacerated estry, disclosing a small door which omen as far as we are concerned; but | fuge and villainy has come to a close. the police that resulted in the appre- er could scarcely have passed her sev- and bleeding from the furious attacks he threwopen. one of evil import for other people, and the darkness gathers fast around hension and punishment of some male- enteenth year of her nails on the agonized flesh. “This is an entrance of which I you. Your plots are laid bare and the among whom may be mentioned our factor. But M. Landre is clever “What do you want?” she queried “Mercy, Messieurs.” she moaned sometimes avail myself, M. Claude,” cunning and sanguine compatriot, M. hour of retributjon has arrived. Be enough to know that with such evil in a hoarse, cracked voice, as she despairingly, “mercy for the love of he said. “Remain in the corridor. M Landre.” hold the tokens!” forces under his direction he could gazed sullenly at the disturber of her the Bon Dieu—only a littie—just a lit- Landre is close at hand; I will send | He thrust his hand into his breast “I am well aware of the dislike enalso employ them to serve his person- reverie Mother—what for him, and when heleaves me I shall Holy tle morphine. and brought forth a bundle of papers tertained by M. Landre for your humal ends. The scarlet symbol was un“Don't be afraid,” responded Μ. pain—what torture! The fiends are request him to retire by this door.” which he placed upon the table ble servant,” he remarked. “Confident doubtedly chosen for the purpose of Claude, jovially, “Drink with me, my running red-hot knives through my M. Landre soon made his appear- | of his influence with the emperor he “There lie the duplicates of your impreseing the public with the exist- beauty, and forget your troubles. I’m body—give me help or death—death; ance in response to the imperial sumhas repeatedly endeavored to bring treasonable correspondence with Prusence of a mysterious and deadly pow- not a bad sort, Nina Fleurette, as do not let me live thus—” mons. He was a tall, dark man of sia,” continued the chief, “and here is about my dismissal. Fortunately, his er in its midst which it would be fatal | you'll find out when you've known me Her voice died away into a hoarse elegant carriage but sinister cast of | the token that marked the victims of imperial majesty, having no reason to the creation of a state of chaos that a while.” gurgle, and falling back into her form- countenance, and a certain amount of your murderous band.” doubt my fidelity, resisted the presto offend. M. Landre looks forward to “I don’t know you,” returned the er posture she sobbed and chattered nervous anxiety was perceptible in his | sure brought to bear upon him in the A small arrow-shaped piece of scarwould materially assist the designs of girl suspiciously. “Who are you and incoherently. M. Claude looked upon manner as he bowed low and seated | matter.” let metal rang sharply on the floor at Prussia upon this country. With an- where do you come from?” the sufferer with an impassive coun- himself at the emperor’s command. Μ. Landre’s feet. “Louis Napoleon would indeed be archy rampant in the principal city “All in good time,” replied the chief. tenance. After a few moments of conversation “Ere the dawn rises in the east,” ungrateful,” responded Mme. Rigault, of France, our government would be “Here comes the wet for our throttles. “How long may she exist—so, M. Napoleon signified that the audience spoke M. Claude solemnly, “the mem“were he to forget the services you put to serious straits in the event of | Drink and then we can talk better.” Martine?” he demanded of the physi- | was at an end, and M. Landre arose bers of the Society of Avengers will be have rendered the empire.” aggression by a foreign power.” “That's the stuff that makes us all cian. | to go in the grasp of the law awaiting their The chief smiled slightly at the “These proofs should be submitted | happy,” she cried in discordant ac“She might linger on for ten hours, | “You will leave by this door,” said doom. As for you, this house is sur. compliment, but made no comment, to the emperor at once,” exclaimed| cents, as M. Claude grasped the jug but no longer, in her present exhaust the emperor carelessly, lifting the rounded by police, but there will be and Mme. Rigault continued: Mme. Rigault in agitated tones. and carried it to his mouth. ed condition,” he declared with profes- tapestry which overhung the western | no attempt made to arrest you for “But a person of M. Landre’s caliber “My dear lady,” rejoined the chief wall “I’ve something important to tell sional coolness. half an hour. At the expiration of that is not to be easily dissuaded from the placidly, “the fruit is not yet ripe for “That is long enough to serve my | M. Landre bowed again and open | you, Nina Fleurette,” said the chief, retime I will return for you—should you execution of any project he conceives plucking. “M Something more is needed placing the jug on the table. “Bend purpose,” returned the chief ing the door stepped into the gloom of still be alive.” Other means having failed him he has ere Louis Napoleon can be convinced your head over till I whisper my Blauvert, bring hither Emil Chate- the corridor The perspiration trickled down M arranged a plot whereby he hopes to that the man whom hehas loaded with news; we want no spies to hear us.” Scarcely had he taken one step for lain.” Landre’s forehead and he trembled silence forever your voice, that has benefits is a traitor most foul. M.} The inspector made a sign to one ward when his eyes fell upon a shad The girl leaned toward him and M. violently but no reply came from his told him unpalatable truths on more Landre, although possibly the most Claude muttered something in an un- of his subordinates, and two stalwart | owyform facing him with outstretched quivering, pallid lips. M. Claude, prothan one occasion.” | dangerous, is not the only Prussian dertone, She started back and stared guards appeared in charge of an ath- | hand pointing menacingly The ducing a brace of loaded pistols, “I expected as much,” returned the |spy in the Chateau, as you are well | at him curiou ly. letic young man, whose wrists were | features of the tom were those of tossed one of them on the table chief; “and it will be strange if the | aware.” id uttering a cry of “You say you come from M. Lan- heavily ironed. At sight of the wretch- }a murdered man The alternative' he said grimly final attempt to remove me from his Mme. Rigault nodded dejectedly. “I | dre,” she whispered hoarsely. “How ed figure lying in cell 15 the newcomer horror he sprang buck into the cab pointing to the weapon path does not result in a complete | have ofttimes marveled,” shesaid slow- | do I know you are speaking the uttered a terrible cry of anguish, and j inet, falling in a swoon at the emper Then with his ¢ still fixed upon ehcot his play. All I require is ab- | ly, “that the emperor remains blind to truth?” When he recovered his M. Landre, he stepped into the corrtM. Claude, pointing to the girl, said |or’s feet. e proof of unis connection with | the dangers that surround him.” “Look down and behold the sign,” with deliberate earnestness: senses he found himself lying on a dor and closed the loor behind him. the band of own as the “Your liberty and the life of Nina sofa, while Na seated at the The chief slowly descended the stairs, | “Not altogether blind, Mme, Rigault,” replied M. Claude in the same cautious ‘Society of Ax rs, that has en“There are cer | tone. Fleurette depends upon you, Chate- table, was | dissented the chief. eying him with a sardonic I sre he reached the middie land ter deavored to establish a reign of ;tain things that for reasons of state Very well, Monsieur,” she said. “I lain. She is already suffering horrible smile rt from the library ror in Paris during the past year— ably within his majesty does not wish to see j see you are one of us What is your agony and will die mi I trust you are better, M. Landre hrough air, followed by a “And that evidence.” interrupted | Therefore, as I said before, we must message?” }the next ten hours unless you inter Σ He er Your nerves must fall ] Mme. Rigault, “I have secured, thanks proceed cautiously. be badly unstrung. What was there To-night, by vir- | You are to come with me to a yene to save her.” M. Claude hastily back to the “What do you require of me?” asked lurking in yonder Louise's |tue of the information you have fur to my maid, Louise Autran. ridor to occasion house in the Rue du Temple, where |] m he had left and threw open beentr has long ait acted the amorous | nished, I will visit a part of the city | yx ur lover, Emi] Chatelain awaits us,” | the prisoner feverish] your alarn ked, but saw nothing the door Before the threshold lay chief save dark the of M. Landre whom you knowis | where some disreputable allies of M.| returned M Claude replied this “Simply ‘There is work| the lifeless form of M. Landre, his an ardent admirer af our sex. Last Landre make their headquarters.” on hand and your help is needed. Fol- grimly. “You were selected to lure me “It was egan M. Landre, and head reaiiag in a pool of scarlet CLAUDE, seated at night she attended a masked ball giv a desk alone in en by Landre in his mansion at Auteil | his private sanc- to the creatures of the underworld | He paid tum, looked up in with whom he is affiliated. | response toa soft her the most flattering attentions and knock ος the when the night was far advanced and door and bade he and his associates were well under the applicant en- the influence of wine, she managed to ter. A petite explore the upper portion of the house woman of slender In a desk in his library, opened by the figure appeared, and throwing back aid of one of the skeleton keys you a heavy veil that enshrouded her fea- provided, she discovered a paper contures greeted the redoubtable chief of taining the minutes of the last meeting held by the society. Here it is. police with a gracious smile. “Then I will bid you adieu for the present, M. Claude,” said Mme. Ri- | | or. “He will return in an hour or so }and you will detain him until you re ceive further orders from me. Howifs your patient, now, M. Martine?” “Resting quietly,” replied the surgeon. “I administered a dose of mor phine sufficiently large to satisfy her craving and she will receive a similar quantity at stated periods, while under my care.” On the day following all Paris was thrown into commotion by the anappearance, “T sent for you to make some in- nouncement in the newspapers that quiries as to the condition of Nina M. Claude, head of the prefecture, had Fleurette, inmate of cell 15, M. Mar- disappeared, and that the finding of β RERENT NOW PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME. 2 THE SCARLET ARROW |