The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from the Countess of M----n, now residing at Paris, to her Friends in Scotland.

A Number of People of Rank and Fashion in this Capital have been missing from Time to Time; some of them were found in the River, from which it was concluded that they had made away with themselves. However, one Night, as a Gentleman was walking along the Streets, he was accosted, as he imagined, by a Woman of the Town. Having articled with her, she conducted him to her Lodgings. Entering the outer Door, he locked it and put the Key in her Pocket; after which she led him through several Entries, using the same Ceremony at each. Arriving at last at her Chamber, she left him on Purpose to fetch some Wine or other Cordial. In her Absence he began to reconnoitre the Room, and peeping into a Closet he spied two dead Men, whom he supposed had been newly deprived of Life. You may imagine what his Feelings were on such an Occasion; whatever they were, they did not bereave him of a notable Presence of Mind, which suggested to him the only Expedient that, in all Probability, could have saved him: At her Return he told her that he thought a small Collation would be proper for him before he went to Bed, or that he stood much in Need of Something to eat; and, if she pleased, he would go to a neighbouring Tavern and give Orders concerning it. She opposed his going; he still insisted, and added, that she need not be afraid of his leaving her. To convince her that he had no such Intention, he would leave his Watch and Purse remain until his Return; and throwing them upon the Table, she permitted him to walk off. He soon returned, with a Party of Men; and upon searching the House two Ruffians were found in Arms hid in a large Chest, who being apprehended, and put to the Torture, confessed that they had robbed and murdered all those that were missing; that the two who were found in the Closet were so lately murdered that they had not Time to conceal them, and that the Gentleman who made the Discovery would also have been made away with if he had stayed a few Minutes longer in the House.