The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-06-23

"Seize him! Seize him! To the bas-
tile with him! The presumer! The
impostor!"
Yet even the guards hesitated before
the commanding presence Of that man
whom all had been so long accustomed
to obey. With hand appraised, Law
gazed at them for one instant, and
then gave them no further attention.
"Yet these words / must hasten to
qualify" resumed he. True, am at
this moment your master, your grace,
but two minutes hence, and for all
time hereafter shall no longer be
your master. Your grace was once so
good as to make me head of certain
financial matters, and to give me con-
troll OF them. The fabric Of this Mes
sasebe, which you see without, was all
my own. 1t was this which made me
master of Paris, and of every man
within the gates of Paris. So far, very
well. My plans were honest, and the
growth Of France-nay, let us say the
resurrection of France-the new life
OF France-sh ows how my own plans
were made and how we'll knew that
which was to happen. made you
rich, your grace. l gave you funds to
pay off millions Of your private debts.
millions to crafty your fancies. l
gave you more millions to pay the
debts of France. France and her re-
gent have again taken position OF
honor in the eyes of the world. You
may we'll call me master of your rate,
who have been able to accomplish these
things So long as you knew your
master, you did well. Now your grace
has seen fit to change masters. He
would be his own master again. There
cannot be two in control OF concern
like this. Sir, the two minutes have
elapsed am your humble servant"
The regent still sat staring from his
chair, and speech was yet denied him.
There are your people. There is
your France" said Law, reckoning as
he turned toward the window and
pointing to the crowd without There
is your France. Now handle 1t, my
master! Here are the reins! Now
drive; but see that you be careful how
you drive. Come, your grace, said
he, mockingly, over his shoulder.
Come, and see your France!"
There, there, Monsieur Las, did
you wrong, perhaps" said he. but
as to these hasty words, pray recon
slider them at once. Twill have bad
effect should breath of this get
afioat. Indeed, twas because of some
such thing that | came to see you this
morning A most unspeakable, a most
incredible thing hath occurred. 1t
comes to me with certain confirmation
that there have been shares sold upon
the street at $1,000 livres to the ac-
ton, whereas, as you very well know,
Is. 900 should be the lowest price to-
day."
And what of that, your grace?" said
Law, calmly. is 1t not what you
planned? Is it not what you had been
eXpecting?"
How, sirrah! What do you mean?"
"Why. mean this, your grace" said
Law, calmly, that since you have
taken the reins, it is you who must
drive the chariot. | shall suggest no
plans, shall offer no remedy, But If
you still lack ability to see how and
why this thing has attained this stu
alton, | will take so much trouble as
to make 1t plain"
go on, then, SIR" said the regent.
SIS not all well? Is there any danger"
"As to danger" said Law, 1--WE can
not call 1t time of danger after the
worst has happened"
What do you mean?'
"Why, that the worst has happened
But, as | was about to say, shall tell
you how 1t happened
The gaze of the regent fell His
hand trembled as he fumbled at his
sword belt.
your grace" said Law, calmly, will
do me the kindness to remember that
when | first asked Of you the charter
of the Banque Generate to be taken
privately in the name of myself and
merited the punishment of death if he
issued notes or bills of exchange with
out having their effective value safe
In his own strong boxes"
"Well, what of that?" queriod the
regent. weakly
Nothing, your grace, except that
your grace deserves the punishment
of death"
"How, sir! Good God!"
eff the truth of this matter should
ever become known those people out
there, that France yonder, would tear
your grace limb from limb, and trample
you in the Dust"
The livid face of the regent went
paler as the other spoke. There was
conviction in those tones which could
not fail to reach even his heavy wits
LET me explain" went on Law Il
beg your grace to remember again,
that when your grace was good enough
to take out OF the hands of my brother
and myself our little bank-which we
had run honorably and successfully
you change at one sweep the whole
principle OF honest banking You
promised to pay a note back of which
there was no value, no fixed limit Of
measurement Twice you have changed
the coinage of the realm, and twice
assigned a new value to your specie
No one can tell what one Of your shares
in the stock of the Indies means in
actual coin. 1t means nothing, stands
for nothing, is good for nothing Now,
think you, when these people, when
this France shall discover these facts,
that they will be lenient with those
who have thus deceived them"