Page:Remarkable family adventure of Saunders Watson (1).pdf/22

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The murder of M. de Savary, which oocured in 1720, occasioned considerable noise at Paris. He was a sort of philosopher—a follower of Epicurus. Not being a married man, and being very partial to company, his house was the resort of many of the courtiers and wits of Paris, where the pleasures of life were indulged in. He kept a very small establishment, consisting only of a valet and a female cook. One day, when he was at home without company, a person paid him a visit. M. de Savary received him in a most polite manner, and the individual said he would stay and dine with him, to which M. de S. signified his pleasure. This person knew the small establishment of his host well. The valet was sent by his master into the cellar for some Champagne, and the guest followed him. As soon as the man had got into the cellar, he was knocked down and killed with a mallet by the stranger, who had suddenly picked it up from the floor on entering. A dog which was there was then despatched with the same weapon, lest the animal should bark and alarm M. de Savary. The individual who had thus cruelly slain the poor valet, entered the kitchen where the cook