The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-11

him at the Undertakers and 1 saw
him moment ago secretly approach
NJ. Jules Favre, deliver a message, re-
ceive one, and attempt to leave the
council chamber. Let him deny it"
DO you deny it?" croaked Mortier
clutching the table harder.
Bourke looked at Buckhurst; that
/ look was enough. All his nerve came
back to him: the flush that had left
his cheeks returned. He drew himself
up ard turned to Flourens That
criminal" he said, lis determined on
my murder. If you can save me, you
must speak row." But Flourens walk
ed away without an answer and Mortier
caught Bourke's arm in an iron grip.
'March!" said Buckhurst Dlacidly.
Mortier passed first with his prisoner,
StauffeT followed heading a file of car
bineers; Buckhurst brought up the rear,
revolver poised.
They decided to shoot him in the
court, but the ratings were already
torn down and the crowd covered every
inch of pavement. To get through with
their prisoner was not possible; be-
sides they were doubtful of the temper
of the crowd. Mortier said that the
safest plan was to shoot him in the
underground portion of the palace;
Buckhurst agreed, and the cortege
took up its march. Flight after flight
of steps was passed: the roar of the
pillaging mob above grew fainter and
fainter. Stauffer found lanterns and
they entered that dim system of vault
ed chambers and passages that lead to
the secret catacombs of the Hotel de
Vile
There was a vast underground hail.
lighted by double rows of lamps and
Uttered with packets of documents,
printed forms and musty papers, later
ives of the city of Paris. The huisSiers
in charge rose in body, protesting, as
BuckhuTst and his soldiers entered.
Nonsense" said Bucl6hurst, I'VE only
want to shoot man. Don't let US
disturb you, gentlemen. Pray keep
your seats" Then he sat down at one
of the long tables, laid his revolver in
trent of him, motio2ed Mortier and
Stauffer to withdraw with their men
and beckoned Bourke to sit in front of
him.
Bourke listened to the footsteps of
the carbineers as they retreated into
the adjoining chamber. He looked at
the huissiers, who gazed back at him,
fascinated by the sight Of a con-
demned man. Even when Buckhurst
had begun to speak, Bourke scarcely
heard him. The despair of his position,
the healthy and natural horror of death
occupied his thoughts. He could not
realize that he was about to die-he
could not believe il, and when he
noticed that Buckhurst was speaking
he listened without understanding
Buckhurst was talking of himself For
now the dominating trait OF most
criminals was revealed in Buckhurst.
That trait IS vanity. Keen, shrewd,
merciless, daring, he was not above the
weakness of vanity, although he was
too reticent, too shrewd to exhibit it
to any human being who might live to
reproach him with his weakness. But
now il wes different; this man was
about to def necessary, by Buck
bursts own hand. So Buckhurst
blaiobed and blabbed on about his
crimes. He eagerly owned up to rob-
berry ard forgery; he claimed as his
own a notorious murder long wrapped
in mystery. BY degrees he grew con-
lidential, speaking in the easy slang of
the period. He became reminiscent,
even sentimental, about New York
Then, suddenly changing, his pale eyes
cleaned with ferocity indescribable
as he spoke of his prison days, his
jailers, and his hope that their reckon
ing would come. He boasted of women,
of conquests made, of receptions prac-
'ticed. At times the spasm which served
him for laughter twitched his pallid
face.
Once Beurke asked him if he
would let him go for money. but the