The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-17
CHAPTER ~.

The man beneath the dais raised his
head, and saw that his face was thin
and wan and that his back was bowed
as though some huge burden was bal.
anced between his shoulders.
Your name. sir?" he asked.
Col. Etienne Gerard. of the Third
hussars."
Every face in the gathering was
turned upon me, and l heard the rustic
of the innumerable necks and saw
countless eyes, without meeting one
friendly one among them. The woman
had swept past me. and was whispering
with many shakes of her head and dart
;ngs of her hands into the princes ear.
For my part, threw out my chest and
Curled my moustache, glancing around
in my own debonnaire fashion at the
assembly.
They We're men. all of them, profess
sors from the college, sprinkling of
their students, soldiers, gentlemen, ar
tlsans. all very silent and serious. In
one corner there sat group of men in
black, with riding coats drawn over
their shoulders. They leaned their
heads to each other, whispering under
their breaths, and with every movement
I caught the clank of their sabers or
the clink of their spurs.
1.-The emperor's private letter to me
Informs me that 1t is the Marquis ChaS
eau st. Arnaud who is bearing his dis
patches" said the prince.
"The marquis has been foully mur-
dered," I answered, and a buzz rose up
from the people as / spoke. Many heads
were turned. and I noticed, toward the
dark men in the cloaks.
where are your papers?" said the
prince.
~ have none"
A fierce clamor arose instantly round
me! He is spy. He plays part!'
they cried. Hang him!" roared deep
voice from the corner. and dozen
others drew up the shout. For my part
I drew out my handkerchief and flick
ed the dust from the fur of my pelisse.
The prince held out his thin white hand
and the tumult died away.
"Where, then, are your credentials,
and what is your MESSAGE" he asked.
MY uniform is my credentials, and
my message is for your private ear.
He passed his hand over his forehead
with the gesture of weak man VINO
Is at his wits ends what to do. The
princess stood beside him with hei
hand upon the throne, and again she
whispered in his ear.
I'VE are here in council together
some of my trusty subjects and my
self" he said II have no secrets from
them, and whatever message the EN-
peror may send to me at such time
concerns their interests no less thar
mine"
There was hum of applause at this
and every eye was turned once more
upon me- My faith. 1t was an awkward
position in which found myself. fol
IL Is one thing to address 500 hussars
and another to speak to such an audi
ence on such a subject. But fixed my
eyes upon the prince. and tried to say
just what should have said IL we had
been alone. shouting 1t out too, as
though I had my regiment on parade
"You have often expressed friendship
for the emperor" l cried. "It is now
at last that this friendship is about tc
be tried. If you stand firm he will re-
ward you as only he can reward. II
it an easy thing for him to turn prince
| into king, and province into a power
His eyes are fixed upon you, and though
you can do little to harm him you car
ruin yourself. At this moment he Il
crossing the Rhine with 100000 men
Every fortress in the country Is in his
hands. He will be upon you in a week
| and IL you have played him false, Goo
help both you and your people. Yot
think that he is weakened because 9
| few Of us got the chilblains last winter
Look there!" cried, pointing to q great