The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-16

were the two thoughts which changed in
my head until had no room for any other
ones. He had come with me. and he was
dead. l had done what he had ordered
when living. L had revenged him when
dead. But what of all that? The world
would look upon me as responsible. They
might even look upon me as the assassin.
What could prove. What witnesses had
], Might I not have been the accomplice
of these wretchesi Yes, yes, / was etern-
ally dIshonored-the lowest, most despic-
able creature in all France This. then.
was the end Of my fine military ambi-
lions. Of the hopes OF my mother | laughed
bitterly at the thought. And what was I
TO do now? Was / 10 go into Fontanic-
bleau, TO wake up the palace, and to in
form them that the great emperor had
been murdered within a pace of me? I
could not do it-no. I could not do It.
There was but one course for an honorable
gentleman whom Fate had placed in so
cruel a position. | would fan upon my
dishonored sword. and so share. since I
could not avert. the emperor's fate. I
rose with my nerves strung to this last
piteous deed and as I did so my eyes fell
unon something which struck the breath
from my lips. The emperor was standing
before me.
He was not more than ten yards of
with the moon shining straight upon his
cold pale face. He wore his gray over
coat. but the hood was turned back and
the front open, so that l could see the
green coat Of the Guides. and the white
breeches His hands were clasped behind
his back. and his chin sunk forward upon
his breast in the way that was usual with
him.
Well" said he in his hardest and most
abrupt voice, what account do you give
Of yourseif?''
I believe that 10 he had stood I'm silence
for another minute my brain would have
given way. But those sharp, military ac-
cents were exactly what needed 20 bring
me to myself. Living or dead, here was
the emperor standing before me. and ask
ing me questions. I sprang 20 the salute
"You have killed one, see," said he,
Jerking his head toward the beech
Eyes. sire"
and the other escaped7"
NO. sire; killed him also"
what" he cried "Do 7 understand
that you have killed them both?" He ap-
preached me as he spoke. with a smile.
which set his eyes and teeth cleaning in
the moonlight.
lone body les there. sire" answered;
the other is in the Toulouse at the quar-
ry."
s"Then the brothers of Ataccio are no
more - be cried, and. after pause: ''The
shadow has passed me forever" Then he
bent forward and laid his hand upon my
shoulder.
you have done very well, my Young
friend" said he. You have lived up TO
your reputation"
He was flesh and blood then. this en-
reror / could feel the little plump palm
that rested upon me. And yet could not
get over what had seen with my own
ewes. and so | stared at him In such be-
vTflderrneut that he broke once more into
one OF his smiles.
sNo. no. Monsieur Gerard" said he. II
am not ghost. ard you have not seen ne
killed. You win come here and all VIII
be clear 10 you"
He turned as he spoke and led the way
toward the great beech stump.
The bodies were stiil lying upon the
ground and two men were standing be-
side them. As we approached l saw from