Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-09

ceiling and panel. The mobiles chopped
down the rosewood doors to build fires
with. A aIbineer went out and shot an
officers horse. dozen Bclleville creatures
cut it up. and a feast began nauseating
that even Mortier could not endure it, and
ordered the cuisine removed to the cham
Der of mirrors. By nightfan half of the in
surgents were lying about helplessly drunk
The rest of the mob had broken down the
doors Of the council chamber and surround
ed the ministers. There they held them
prisoners. insulting them, threatening to
shoot them. while Flourens, seated aloft
n a table. arms akimbo. alternately begged
rhem to resign and promised them death
unless they did. The high bald head of
Mortier doomed up behind the speakers
desk. his little diseased eyes, burning with
insanity. roamed reStessly- over the cham
Der. BaLqui arrived to gloat over the
prisoners MilHere shouted that they must
resign. and began to organize revolution
airy government of his own in the midst of
bowls and cheers. Jules Favre, GARNER
Pages. Jules Simon and General Tamisier,
the minister of war. sat crowded into
corner. constantly subjected to outrage and
Insult and frequently covered by the level
ed rifles of the carbineers.
To Bourke the situation seemed night
mare too absurd, too grotesque to credit
The government of Paris was held prisoner
by u mob of anarchists: the city itself was
besieged by the enemy. War without. rev.
OlUtiOn within. What would happen in
twenty-four hours-tine enough for any
one of the thousands of German spies tc
carry tie news to Bismarck?
AS he stood there in the shattered hall,
half stihed with the vile atmosphere.
crowded. pushed. showed and cursed by
drunken carbineers and Belleviile ruffiaRs.
a thought came to him that if General
TrOChU had j messenger, something might
be done. He looked across at the general,
r-I }, tor 1N.aTft
however. he met the gloomy gaze of jules
Favre. and without moments hesitation
stepped up beside him
quick" ne said. Can 1 carry any mes
sage for you? l am an American CORE
spondent. Don't look at me when you an
swer.
There IL a battalion OF Breton mobiles
al the Napoleon barracks. They are loyal
The barracks connect with the Hotel de
Vile by an underground tunnel Jules
Favre spoke in a quiet voice. looking out
of The window IS he spoke, his back turned
TO Bourke. The young man heard every
word. He dared not answer; ne fingered
moment. gazing about with pretended Gu
riOsity at the wrecked chamber. then slow
ly turned and started toward the door.
As he was passing out somebody touched
his sleeve. He looked up. Buckhurst stood
beside him. Bourke stepped back
Buckhurst cooked his revolver. All eyes
We're fixeD on the two.
Where are you goiug?" said Buckhurst
in his placid voice.
About my business" replied Bourke
steadily.
Buckhurst's pale eyes contracted: a
spasm twitched the muscles OF his clean
cut jaw. II was his way of laughing
Get back there" he said. placing the Zip
OF one slim III ger on Bourke's breast i
know you and your friend HARDWOOD
And l know you said Bourkc coolly- As
he spoke he saw he had made mistake.
II ever a face expressed murder. Buck
hUrst's face at that moment meant 1t. HIS
r n hiy01 IVRG
parted, as he said: You will know me
better presently
FIourens. standing on a marble table. bent
nearer to listen. MOrtier'S defOrlned head
craned up over his desk with evil eager
negS. \ Gardiner suddenly struck BOUrke
with the butt of his rife full in the chest
and sent him Keeling back against the wall
General TrOchu sprang forward TO inter-
pose. Jules Favre tried 20 force his way
10 B0urke's side. but the carbineers thrust
them back say&gely-
That man IS government spy, SAID
BuCkhurst- He has watched us at the
UnGertaker's. Now he comes here with
secret intelligence for Monsieur Favre."
1t is a mistake began Jules Fayre
haughtiIy, but was sternly silenced by
FiOurens-
What do We do with spies?' suggested
Buckhurst. looking up at Mortier and rails
ing his revolver significantly.
y carbincer beside him made lunge with
his bayonet a BOurke. The blow failed to
reach him because Buckhurst gave the fell
low Fiulent push.
Don't be too Jealous. my friend he
sneered- 1t Will be more amusing in my
way
Bourke. breathing heavily from the blow
on the chest, stood with his back to the
wall. glaring at Buckhurst. You id cut
thrOatr he said. you away from
America TO save your neck. You're thief.
a fCrger, d murderer and communist, but
you dare not lay your hands Ameri-
can citizen in Paris"
IF that young man is an American cti-
zen, be careful. cried Flourens. dramati-
cally.
I'm responsible for my acts" said Buck
hurst white with fury Send for Captain
Ssauffer and file of men"
Captain Stauffer is German spyr' said
BoCrke- If there is a Frenchman in the
hall he will arrest him for treason
M0rtier. at the word treason" began to
srin like vulture. His hideous long neck
swathed in dirty red handkerchief. twist
ed and writhed- His little green eyes were
like two points of flame.
II Citizen Stauffer is accused he must
answer before this tribunal he said
Flolrens struck his fist against his sword
hilt and shouted, 'AH accusations shall ne
answered before me Bring the prisoner
here
At that moment StauGer pushed into the
room al the head of a file of carbineers
The tUmElt increased as the soldiers cleared
space around Flourens and Buckhurst and
dragged Bourke before the table where
Mortier sat his grotesQue head thrust for
"SAAF MS SAtet- nary IldllUS gripping the
edges Of the table. In the midst of TIE
confusion Buckhurst paced up ano down.
his cold eyes never leaving Bourke. re
TJlTer swinging in one hand. Bourke q
little unnerved. was speaking to Flourens
Sidncing from time to time a StaUffer who
now recognized him, and hoHored him with
scowIs of hatred
Your suspicious are nothing" said Flour
els. violently. What evidence have you?''
BoUrke was silent
Bucknurst began 10 speak again in a
measured. passOEIess voice:
The prisoner charges me with crime He
charges Captain Stauffer with treason. l
charge him with being spy, and this IS
my evidence 1 saw him at the Under
takers, and ] saw him a moment ago Sc
cTetiy approach NJ. Jules Favre deliver a
message. receive one and attempt to leave
the council chamber. Let him deny it,
DO you deny it2' croaked Mortier
clutchinS the table harder
BOurke looked at Buckhurst; that look
was enough. All his nerve came back 10
him. the flush that had left his checks re-
turned Re drew himself up and turned to
Flourens. That criminal he said lis de
termined on my murder. If you can save
me. you must speak now" But FIourens
walked away without an answer and Nor
tier caught BOurks's arm in an iron grin