The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-10-28


as well meet him now and say that
which is in my mind. Open the door.
The door swung open and there en-
tered the form OF Philippe Of Orleans,
preceded by his halberdiers and fol-
lowed close by a rush of humanity
which the guards and the Swiss to-
gether had much pains to force back
into the anteroom.
How, now, Monsieur Las, how
now?" TUNED the regent. his heavy
face glowing dull red, his prominent
eyes still more protruding, his fore
head bent into heavy frown. You
deny entrance to our person. who are
next TO the body OF his majesty"
Did you have delay" asked Law,
sweetIy. Twas unfortunate"
Twas execrable!"
True. myself find these crowds
execrable."
Nay. execrable to suffer this an
noyance OF delay!"
Your grace's pardon" said Law,
coolly. you sho uld have made an
appointment few days In advance"
What The regent Of France need
TO arrange a day when he would see Q
servant"
Your grace Ii unfortunate In his
choice Of words" replied Law, blandly.
Il am not your servant. l am your
master"
The regent sank back into a chsIr,
gasping. his hand clutching at the Hit
OF his sword.
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 al
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
financial matters. and to give me con-
| troll of them. The fabric OF this Mes
| saSebe, which you see without. was all
my own. II was this which made me
master of Paris. and OF every man
| within the gates Of Paris So far. very
| we'll My plans were honest. and the
growth OF FranCe--nay, let us say 'he
resurrection OF France-the new life
| Of FranCe-shows how my own plans
we're made and how well knew that
which was to happen. | made you
| rich, your grace. gave you funds to
pay Off millions OF your private debts
millions to crafty your fancies.
gave you more millions to pay the
debts of France. France and her re-
| gent have again taken Il position OF
honor in the eyes of the world You
may we'll call me master OF your fate
| who have been able TO accomplish these
things. So long as you knew your
master, you did well. Now your grace
| has seen III to change masters. He
would be his own master again. There
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 II, 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 a breath Of this get
ailoat. Indeed, twas because Of some
such thing that came to see you this
morning. A most unspeakable, most
incredible thing hath occurred. 1t
comes to me with certain confirmation
that there have been shares sold upon
the street at 1900 liyres to the ac-
lion, whereas, as you very well know,
IS. 900 should be the lowest price to-
day"
And what Of that, your grace?" said
Law, calmly. rs it not what you
planned? Is 1t 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, II IL you who must
drive the chariot shall suggest no
plans. shall offer no remedy. But, II
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
rs not all we'll? Is there any danger"
"As to danger" said Law, I'VE 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
my brother, told you that any banker
merited the punishment of death II he
Issued notes or bills Of exchange with
out having their effective value safe
In his own strong boxes"
"Well, what Of that?" queried the
regent, weakly.
Nothing. your grace, except that
your grace deserves the punishment
OF death"
How, sir. Good God"
III 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