The Eddy current., 1896-06-11
CIIApTER NII.-fcoNrlErrnl

uecktu uy heterogeneous CORRECTION
Of patriots oficlally connected In va
rious ways with the proceedings that
we're 20 take place. Below the front OF
the table, a rallcd-on space. with a
gallery beyond. was appropriated by
the general mostly represented.
as 20 the gallery, on this occasion, by
women, all sitting together on forms,
knitting. shlrt-mending. and baby-iinen
making. as cooily as II they were at
home Parallel with the side OF the table
farthest from the great door Of en-
trance, was n low platform rallied on.
on which the prisoners, surrounded by
their guard, were now assembled TO
await their trial. The sun ahGne In
brightly from a high window, and a
hum OF coaseloas talking peryaded the
hall choorfully, as Lomaque entered II.
He was a privileged man here, as ~
the prison; and he made his way In by
a private door, 30 as 10 pasa the pris-
oners' platform, and 70 walk round u,
before he got 10 place behind the
presidents chair. Trudaino standing
with his sister on the outormost limits
OF the group, nodded significantly as
Lomaque looked up az him for an In
slant. lie had contrlved on his way
20 tho tribunal. to got an opportunity OF
reading the paper which the chief-agent
had slipped into his erayat / con-
talned these lines;
Il have Just discovered who the citl-
zen and cheyenne Dubois are. There
is no chance for YOU but to confess
everything. by that means you may
inculpate certain citizen holding az
thorlty, and may make Il his interest,
II ho loves his own life. TO save yours
and your sisters"
Arrived al the back OF the presidents
chair. I.omaque recognized his two
trusty subordlnates, Maglolre and Pi-
card, waiting among the assembled pa
triot oiicials 10 give their evidence. BE-
yond them, leaning against the vail ad-
dressed by no one. and speaking to no
one, stood the superintendent. Danvillc.
Doubt and suspense were written In
every line OF his face: the fretfulness Of
an uneasy mind expressed itself Ia his
slightest gestures-even In his manner
OF passing handkerchief over his face,
on which the Precipitation was gather
Ing thick and fast already.
"silencew cried the usher OF the court
FOR tho time being, hoarse-volced man
ip top-boots. with n huge sabre buck
he'd 10 his Side and a bludgeoa IN his
hand. "sllence for the citizen -presl-
dentw he reiterated. striking his blud-
geon on the table.
The president rose and proclaimed
that the sitting for the day had begun,
then sat down again.
The momentary silence which fol-
lowed was Interrupted by n sudden con-
fusion among the prisoners on the plat
form. Two OF the guards sprang IN
among them. There was tho thump Of
a heavy fail-a scream OF terror from
some OF the female prisoners an
other dead silence, broken by one Of the
guards, who walked across the hall with
a bloody knife in his hand, and laid II
on the table. "Citlzen-president. he
said, IL have 20 report that one OF the
prisoners has Just stabbed himself"
There was n murmuring exclamation
'ls that aii7" among tho women spec
tators as they resumed their work.
Suicide at the bar OF Justice was no un-
common occurrence under the Reign OF
Terror.
Manner" asked the president, quietly
taking up his pen and opening n book.
"Martigne." answered the hump
backed saoier, coming forward 10 the
table.
"DescriptionT~
"Ex-royailst ooachmaker 10 the ~
rant Capet"
"Accusationg"
Conspiracy IN prison"
The president nodded and entered IN
the book" MartiEne, cOaehmaker. Ac-
oused Of conspiracy IN prison. Antlci-
pated course OF law by suicide. Action
accepted as sufficient confession o.
guilt Goods oonfseated. let Thermi-
dor, year two OF the Republic"
"sllenoegT cried the man with the
bludgeon. as the president dropped a
little sand on the entry, ana signing 20
the gaoler that be might remove the
dead body. closed the book.
ANY special cases this morninE9" re- |
sumed the president, looking round at
the group before him.
There IL one" said i.omaque. maxi /
ing his way 70 the back OF the official |
chair. "Wili Il be convenient 10 you.
citizen, 20 take the case OF Louis Tru- |
daine and Rose Danville first? Two OF I
my men are detained here ne witnesses
and their time Is valuable 10 the ReDub- |
lie."
The president marked list OF names /
before him, and handed Il 10 the crlor
or usher, placing the hgures one and
two against Louis Trudaino and Rose
Danyille.
While Lomaqne was backing again 70
his former place behind the chair. Dam
vile approached and whispered 70 him
There Ia a rumor that secret lnfor-
nation has reached you about the cltl.