The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-07-10
-g%(OpI SY7ANERIC1N PRESS HSSoCERT ION 1881 ES5Sz

you barely the value IN gold represented
by this little boxful of stones. They are
worth, in other words. at least five hun
bred million francs"
The soldiers jaws gaped, but came to-
gether again without sound. His bluff
visage became pale. He stared stupidity
around him. He moistened his dry lips
with his tongue. but still was unable to
utter word.
You perceive. therefore" the emperor
continued, that, as said, it is no light
errand that you are to undertake. 1t Is
not too much to say that you will have
not only my fortune, but the future of
the empire in your hands"
"Five-hundred-m gasped So
lange at last. "Great God! 1t is night
mare! northumberland
Come, come: we are wasting time,"
said the emperor briefly. You must
fix your mind, not upon the millions, but
upon the disposition you are to make of
them. You will carry the gems packed
in this box as part of your baggage, but
to protect you against custom house in
vestigations they will be prepared in
manner that will be afterward explained
to you. You will proceed from here to
New York, whittier letter has already
been sent, informing the consignee there
of the probable date of your arrival and
of other necessary particulars. The
name of this consignee is Harry Trent;
he is diamond merchant in New York,
and Il man personally known to me. He
is instructed TO retain them in his keep
ing until further notice-until the issue
of the coming war is decided. Ii we are
victorious the gems will be returned here,
if otherwise shall follow them there.
Do you understand me?"
II do, sire replied the soldier, who
had by this time recovered his self pos
session, and there was Il new air of pride
in his demeanor, showing that he had
begun to appreciate the distinction that
had been conferred upon him.
The route you will take" continued
the other, Twill not be the usual one
across the Atlantic. War might break
out before you arrive and your vessel
might be captured by the enemy's cruis-
ers. You will therefore cross France to
the Mediterranean and proceed thence
by way of Egypt to the Red sea, and so
by way of Australia to the Isthmus of
Panama. At Aspinwall, on the northern
side of the isthlnuS, you will take a
steamer to New Orleans, whence you
will travel by railway to New York
You will. of course, receive memo
randum of this itinerary and of all the
other details of your journey. Do you
wish to say anything"
"Only one thing, sire. 1t is possible
that death may overtake Inc on the
route. In that case
lin that case you will have done your
best, and ! shall regret the loss of a
faithful servant even more than Of the
millions. No scheme that mortal man
can devise is free from the liability to
error or miscarriage. Disaster may over
take this. as well as others; but | shall
have the satisfaction of knowing that
adopted the surest means of success with
in my reach. However, we will antici-
pate your safe arrival. Meanwhile, go
| and prepare yourself for the journey,
and come to me tomorrow morning.
shall probably order you to set out by
the noon train to Marseilles."
Sire, you shall be satisfied with me, :"
said Solange, retiring.
Il fully believe it" returned the en-
peror graciously. "Raoul," he said to
the secretary, who entered as Solange
diSnDDeared s.lat two of orr hest de-
tectives follow that man, and never lose
sight of him. If he is seen to speak more
than a minute to any one, let him and
the one to whom he spoke be instantly
arrested and brought hither. Go! Be
! quick"
I AS Raol vanished Napoleon replaced
the box in its corner, and then, reseat-
ing himself in his chair, lit another Gig
arctic.