Evening star., 1898-06-18


opened. face looked in. 1t was the
Mouse, haEgard, bloody, blinking at them
with his blind eye.
CHAPTER XVII.
A Recruit for the Government.
When Hide saw the Mouse she uttered a
cry of fright Harewood stared at the tat
tered creature with disgust. Get OUT he
said.
Let me come in, monsieur" whined the
Mous,- They are following me-
Following you?''
Hardwood stepped to the window.
Who? The police?"
The troops" muttered the Mouse, I'M
der his breath. "Hark! You can hear them
in the Rue Malaise.''
Harewood listened
Il hear them. Come in
He opened the SIDE door of the garden,
motioned the Mouse into the empty bird
store. and followed, calling back to Hide
to bring d lamp Nnen Hide entered a
moment later, the lamp lit up a ragged
figure. lying flung across the moor. There
was blood on his cropped head, his list
and wrist.
Harewood took the lamp and knelt be-
side the inert mass. the yellow light fell
on one uhciosed eye, ivory white, sunken,
sightlcsS
He's been pricked by bayonet; he's
been running naru. Ask Bourke to come,''
whispered HarewoCd.
He Set the lamp on the floor and lifted the
MouSeS arm
'ugh He's been shot. too" he added.
Poor thing-poor thing, faltered Hide
standing win small hands tighIy clasped.
Snail 1 bring water?
Yes, and call Bourke.''
A moment later Bourke entered, carry
ing d pitChet of water. Hide and YoletIe
followed with some cloth for bandages d
bowl ami another lamp.
The Mouse vas sitting Up, supported by
Hare%ood, his ragged back resting against
the shop counter. his legs thrust out on
the floor. He swallowed all the cognac
Bourke gave him without comment wInked
soiemniy with his sound eye, sasped and
looked up. He recognized Hide and Iolette
at once and a flicker Of amused malice
came into his face. which changed how
ever, so suddenly that Harewood thought
ne YVES about to faint again.
The lion" gasped the Mouse. Il don't
want TO it,.
1t was difficult TO quiet him. The horr,r
of his previous Introduction to Schaherazade
had lett an impression never TO be opit-
Grated However, he was in conoltIon
fer further fright. and at last Hides pity
and HARDWOOD s amusement reassu:ed him
They punched me full of holes" he ex-
planned. The soldiers of Vinoy and the
Garde Mobile, for what? God knows he
sieur?'
"Grazed. it is nothing replied Hare
wood He looked anxiousIy at Hide; she
understood. and drew Yolette toward the
door
Are you hungry she asked, shaking
her head gravely at the Mouse.
Mademol5elie, replied the Mouse with
an approach to enthusiasm, Il am always
hungry.
Bourkc and Harewood washed the bat
tered rufiaps wounds; they were slight
perhaps painful. but in the lower organ
isms senslbiity to pain is at a minimum
IL Is exhaustion that tells most heavily
upon creatures of the Mouses species; the
nner tortnres. mental and physical, need
nerves Tor appreciation, and the Mouse
mad none. Bourke Brought him chair.
Hardwood set the two lamps on the co,,n-
| ter: the Mouse was supplied with a cigar
Now, said HARDWOOD, "go on"
me mouse leaned back luxuriously; ii
placid sense of well being and security
filled lbs body and soothed him to the ends
| of mis- toes
- Messieurs." he said. 1T was Major
were all there peaceably. like gentlemen at
cur wine - denouncing the government
lnen comes your American Buckhurst who
- whispers to one - to another ma fol.
wnat! He shrugged his shoulders and
shitted The cigar in mis- thin lips. Then
ne resumed your Americans, Speyer and
Slauner. began to shout To the Hotel &c
Vile! Viva la commune! and our Ma,nr
fiourens calls for the d-uramers of the cir
| oineers to beat the generale through Belle.
Vile Messieurs0in = moment We wer,
.harchins. hiil. All marching and singing the
heads We're warmed a little? fIut, Je ne
| m emballe p'us."
60 on. said Bourke, sharply
| Inc Mouse examined his bandaged arm
DieW disSusted cloud Of smoke from his
/ lips, shrugged, and continued:
| 1our American. Buckhurst said IT would
De easy. Everybody said So nothing TO do
out march into the Hotel de Vile make a
| new government and become rich l went
messleurs-it was quite natural, was it not?
Mlnce! They arrived, too the fantassin,-of
| slhoy ana the Garde Mobile. ran. IT
was natural"
| very. said Harewood, gravely
| est ce APPS? Done-I ran so ran tho
| carDineers OF Flourens. Fichtre, Thew
| the others-ran after us-the line and the
Garde Mobile. and-I am here
| Harewood laughed outright. Bourke
| looked seriously at the Mouse.
| so there had been a revolt in BelIeville
! flourens and his LEGION now known as
| the "carbineers''-had at the instiention Of
Buckhurst. Speyer and Staufrer. descended
| from Beiieviile to seize the Hotel de Vile
| and proclaim the commune WHY had
| Buckhurst done this? For plunder WHY
| had Speyer urged it? Bismarck's spies
| were paid to foment disorder. Was this the
| nrst sample? Did the pockets of the under
takers bulge with Prussian gold?
| no beat the generate in Belleville?" de-
| manded Bourke suddenly.
! The drummers of the carbineers," re-
piled the Mouse, with a wink
| by whose orders?'
| "Pardi-the orders of Major Flourens.
monsieur"
Did the carbineers march?'
| Yes, and 1000 OF the Bellevflle arfstoc-
raey." said the Mouse. impudentiy.
oh. like yourself?"
| "Oui, monsieur"