The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-10
ASHES OF EMPIRE.
BY ROBERT W. CHAMBERS

CHAPTER xxI.-corr1nuEp.

1ne InpDlltb NhtlpVN NO"u Niho EOntNODu uOOTE
10 build fires with. A carbineer went out and
ahot an officers horse. q dozen Belleville crea-
lures cut It up. and a feast began so nauseating
that even Mortier could not endure Il. and or
dered the Kitchen moved to the Chamber OF
Mirrors. BY nightfall half OF the insurgents
we're lying about helplessly drunk. The rest Of
the mob had broken down the doors Of the Coun-
ell Chamber and surrounded the Ministers.
There they held them prisoners, insulting them,
threatening TO shoot them. while Flourens. seat
cd aloit on n table. arms akimbo. alternately
begged them to resign and promised them death
unless they did. Tho high bald head OF Nor
tier loomed up behind the Speakers desk; his
little diseased eyes. burning with insanity,
rpamed restlcssly over the chamber. Blanqui
arrived to gloat over the prisoners. Mllliere
shouted that they must resign. and began TO
organize n revolutionary government Of his own
IN the midst of howls and cheers. Jules Favre,
GARNER Pages. Jules Simon. and Gen. Tamil
sier. the Minister OF War. sat crowded into o
corner. constantly subjected to outrage and In
ault and frequently covered by the levelled
rifles Of the carbineers.
To Bourke the situation seemed q nightmare
TOO absurd. too grotesque to credit. The Gov
eminent of Paris was held prisoner by q mob Of
Anarchists: the city itself was besieged by the
enemy. War without. revolution within. What
would happen In twenty-four hours-time
enough tOr any one OF Jne thousands OF Ter
man spies to carry the news to Bismarck
As he stood there in the shatteredhall. half sti-
fed with the vile atmosphere. crowded. pushed.
showed. and cursed by drunken carbineers and
Belleville %rufians. a thought came to him that
II Gen. Trochu had q messenger something
might be done. He looked across at the GEN.
era!. hoping to catch his eye. After q moment,
however. he met the gloomy gaze Of Jules Favro
and without q moments hesitation stepped up
beside him.
"Quickl" he said Y" Can I carry any message
for your / am an American correspondent
Don't look at me when you answer"
There is a battalion Of Breton mobiles at the
Napoleon barracks. They are loyal. The bar
racks connect with the Hotel de Vile by an un-
foreground t%unnel.' Jules Favre spoke In q
quiet voice. looking out Of the window as he
spoke. his back turned to Bourke. The young
man heard every word. He dared not answer;
he fingered u moment, gazing about with pre-
tended curiosity at the wrecked chamber. then
slowly 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 wore
Fixed on the two.
Where are you going ?" said Buckhurst In
his placid voice.
About my business" replied Bourke.
steadily.
Buckhurst's pale eyes contracted; a spasm
twltched the muscles Of his clean-cut Jaw. It
was his way OF laughing.
Get back there" he said. placing the tip of
one slim finger on Bourke's breast. II know
you and your friend Hardwood"
And l know you." said Bourke, coolly. As
he spoke he saw he had made a mistake. II
ever a face expressed murder Buokhurst's face
OF that moment meant it. His colorless eyes
blazed. his thin lips scarcely parted. as he said.
you will know me better presently"
Flourens. standing on a marble table. bent
nearer to listen: Mortier's reformed head
craned up over his desk with evil eagerness. A
carbineer suddenly struck Bourke with the
butt Of his rifle full in the chest and sent him
reelinR back against the wall. Gen. Trochu
sprang forward to interpose. Jules Favre tried
TO force his way TO Bourke's side. but the car
bineers thrust them back ~savasely.
That man is a Government spy" said Buck
hurst. He has watched US at the undertake
er's. Now he comes here with secret intelli-
Rence for NJ. Favre."
fly; but was sternly, silenced BY Flourens.
Buc %Raf az 1oo S3 DO ap ~ az M SPisisr !" as sSdg rsIsfeS
his revolver significantly.
IA "A fSa aIdnef 3 beside Rds him T made si 2 IuPP s;'o yi. II
reach him because Buckhurst gave the fellow a
violent push;
w ~ VuiOuo L1 itilh 10 ICCIC
Bo X - b a4SfY hIFI PsaTli y from aq TIE blow, on
ins S at Buc i'SGH E''n" q!S D d@ d c sna Maaai E!Ifhr he
said. You ran away, from America to save your
aeommunist. but YOU dare not lay your hands
on! an american citizen in Paris"
be car sanf E;G sri9i P Flour rs an d AmsTlSsn Citizen
waaIto wiz fuFy, Send for Capt. stauGer and
Capt. staufIer is German spyl p said Bourke.
II there Is q F~renchm,an in the hall he will ar
,,Morticr, at the word treason" began to sniff
Ike a vulture. His hideous long neck swathed
%rlthed; His little green eyes were like two
sTsr before this tribunal" he said,
hit fllS anG sSo StrSek hl hiI sd fist aEISiss sba hlS b sword oDi
swered before me. Bring the prisoner here
Al that moment staapfreE pushed into the
tEm1nuiIt Increased tsed as as the Sc Soldiers Il cleared q spaee
hrouHd Fl9urens and Buekhurst and dragged
BoIrSe before the table where Mortier sat, his
hands gripping the edges OF the table, In the
midst 9fthe confusion Buckhurst paced up and
down. his cold eyes never leaving Bourke, re-
volver swinging in one hand; Bourke, a little
1nneryed. was speaking To- FloHrens, glancing
hatred.
violently, What evidence have your"
B4ourke was silent;
bucknurSt began 10 speak again IN u meuS-
urcd, passionless voice:
The prisoner charges me with crime. He
charges Capt. Stauffcr with treason. charge
bin with being a spy, and this is my evidence;
saw him at tho undertaker's and l saw him
moment ago secretly approach jules Fayre.
deliver a message. receive one. and attempt TO
Leave the Council Chamber Let him deny Il
Ing the table harder.
Bourko looked at B%uckhurst: that look was
flush that had left his cheeks returned. He
arTew himself up and turned 70 Flourens.
speak now" But Flourens walked away with
placidly. =.
Mortler passed first with his prisoner. Stauf-
fcr followed heading q file OF carbineers; Buck
hurst brought up the rear, revolver poised.
They had decided to shoot him la the court,
put the ratings were already torn down and
The crowd covered every inch of pavement. To
get through with their priRonpF WAS not DOaSi-