s fidelity, they listened very
attentively to the proposal which he promised to make them, and which
after a little pause, he performed in these words. _My good friends, it
is now upwards of six years since I have lived in the service of a rich
and eminent person. I thought that before this time I might have made my
fortune under him, and therefore have hitherto served him faithfully and
honestly; but finding my expectations herein deceived, I come to make
you an offer which may enrich you all. He has a house in the country,
whither he retires with his daughter and maid-servant only. These may
easily be dispatched and then all his effects will be our own. I will
venture to assure you, they will be worth ten thousand crowns._

The thieves were not a little rejoiced at the thoughts of so
extraordinary a booty, and therefore, after returning Perrier thanks,
they readily embraced his motion and promised him whatever assistance he
should require. It was not long before the unfortunate, gentleman went,
as usual, with his daughter and her maid, to enjoy the pleasures of his
rural habitation, leaving the direction of his affairs to Jacques, who
no sooner saw him safe out of Paris, but he went to give notice to his
associates that the time was now come to execute his bloody proposal.
They quickly got all things in readiness, and as soon as it was evening,
set out under the command of this desperate varlet to commit that
horrible murder which he had contrived. Arriving at the house, Perrier
knocked at the door; the maid knowing him, supposed some extraordinary
business had brought him thither, and readily opened the door. But she
was exceedingly surprised to find him followed by five ruffians oddly
dressed, masked and with large staves in their hands. However, they did
not give her much time to consider, but followed her immediately into
the kitchen, where, by the direction of their abominable leader, they
immediately, with many cruel blows, put her to death. From thence they
went upstairs into the old gentleman's apartment, and found him sitting
upon his bed. As soon as they entered, _Perrier_, said his master, _is
it thus that you return that kindness with which I have always treated
you. Did I not take you from misery and want. Have I not maintained you,
and put it in your power to maintain your family? Will you repay this my
charity with robbing me of all I have? Must the tenderness I have shown
towards you draw upon me death