The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-02-11

eilenced with q gesture.
mo ones going to touch you. child"
he promised. with sudden gcntleness,
but you must tell VI whore Dr. Hon.
orat H."
Hes with my brothers."
And whore are your brothers3''
with DR.. Honorat," replied the girl.
This obstinacy won't serve their
turn!" exclaimed NJ. Matthew Della
fossc. YOU go and tell them, child.
that you've seen tho project and tho
gendarmerie and tho police and all
the soldiers from Clcrmont. and that
orders have been given 10 IRE on them
II thcy don't surrender"
Zoo coughed, with her hand before
her mouth, and asked:
rs that your answer"
'Our answer II that they must sur
render, and then tho President Of the
they listen TO reason and don't hurt
DR.. Honorat, the chances are that
they won't repent II. You tell them
that"
~ don't MIND" said Zoe. noddins
her head, but that's no answer"
Tell thom, all the same" said the
mayor, 'nnd you'll SEQ II will make
them think, II they have any sense.
BE OF now. How IL DR.. Honorat?"
"Oh. he's tied up. 10 that no can't
run away. Apart from that. no one
bothers about him."
And she turned back. In her Em.
press's gown. while no ono ventured
10 utter a reflection upon tho manner
in which she had obtained possession
OF that sumptuous garment. Nobody
cared 10 fall out with the Vautrtns.
She disappeared N she had come.
ercct and proud as q lady, not deign-
ing to turn her head. sweeping all the
dust of the road.
II goes without saying that none
dared follow her. Tho edge OF tho
forest was dangerous. notwtthstand-
ing the presence Of a company OF IN.
fantry which was Haunting W. red
trousers on the grass. waiting Tor or
ders to march ahead. Other soldiers.
further away. continued the chain OF
norts: but, as the officers said. It
would need "two divisions ana moro
to make sure Of preventing the es-
cane OF those beggars who know
every bit Of timber In the forest"
Col, du Briage had drawn up his
men on the other side Of the tnll
trees OF Pierrefcu. but hesitatcd to
push his way into the woods. A.
matter fact. he hated this police
work and only performed II grudg.
ingiy. He had told tho Vic0mte de
Terrenoire, who. at the head OF ms
squadron, was riding from one end OF
the district to the other. linking the
different units Of that curious be.
alleging army, that he would talk to
the project FIRST. for he had no inten.
tion Of accepting the slightest no.
sponsibility In the matter.
The episode of Zoe's embassy de-
layed operations st,ll longer. The
nrcfect teleRraphed to the Minister
OF the Interior and was waiting for
the Minister'S reply. which had not
yet arrived Mt three o'clock.
At three o'clock. on the other hand.
Zoo once more appeared on the edge
OF the forest. She was stili wearing
her empress's gown ana was still
In spite of the blazing
sun. She passed through the soldiers.
who could not refrain from cracking
a few tests at her. which made her
knit her young brows. for no one had
over had word to say against Foes
She entered the Black Sun and. .
minute after. was shown into the
room where the civil and military
u authorities were sitting.
1t was the project. Of course. who
put the questions:
though no were speaking to q little
Nhy girl.
but there was no shyness about Zoo.
She walked up to him. carrying IN
her hand a parcel wrapped carefully
In newspaper.
you've seen your brothers? And
you're back already7 Then they are
not far away" said tho project. "You
nee for yourself that, II We had want
nd to capture them. they would havo
been In our hands by now. hut IT'S
better that they should come back
of their own accord. hope they I'M
"Here's their answer." said Zoe.
And she held out her parcel to the
project. who asked:
whats THAR"
Look inside and you'll know" she
said. with her usua, GOODNESS.
whats this that you've brought
10. you unhappy girl?"
ITS one Of DIR. Honorat's little
finEers." replied Zoe. placidly.
Have your brothers cut on tho
ioctor's hnger?"
We'll. It's not yours. monsieur 10
prefet. and It's not mine"
"Oh. so It's DIR. Honorats little
1nger. Ia it?"
II know II -, SAID the mayor. Il
,an tell II by the ring"
And hr pointed to the gold ring
which had been left on the finger as
.hough to prove It's genuinencss.
But this Ii abOminable!" exclaimed
he project. turning paler and paler. a..
why shouldn't they cut a finger OF
people who want TO cut or their
,cads?" asked Zoe. logically.
And can you tell me. you little
wretch. why they have committed
his horrible crueltyT"
TITS like this: they say it's 10 show
you that they're prepared to 30 to all
engths with DIR, Honorat II tho
President OF the Republic won't give
hem their pardon. They told me TO
ell you that they'll give the Presi.
lent Of the Republic until the stroke
{ twelve tomorrow. II. at the stroke
Il twelve Tomorrow, the President OF
he Republic has not pardoned them
hey'il cut on the DOCTORS other little
niger and make you think again.
I'm only telling you what they
aid. Lastly. on tho day after to-
they'll kill him outright and
end you the pieces: and they'll re-
ume full liberty; and you'll be re.
ponsibio Tor whatever happens.
That's all ! have to say. Can I go
,ack?"
At that moment the project was
landed an official telegram. IL was
he long expected answer. NJ. Matthew
)eIafOB0e ODened IL eagerly and real