The citizen., 1914-02-20
CHAPTER XIII.
The Fuse.

The Ruse.
The day before the escape, as the
Prince, weak and i'll yet, lay in bed,
word was brought that a messenger
of the marquis wished to see the
Queen.
Let me see him too, my mother"
the silent, grave young man begged.
1T may be that | can help you.
wish to help"
In a moment Fritz introduced a
slight alert person whose delicate face
was made remarkable by a pair of
eyes large and brilliant and full of
visionary shadows, yet alive with fire.
One saw first those uncommon eyes
and then the man. If they had not
been entirely concerned with his mes
sage they might have remarked that
he trembled as he looked at the
Princes face; that his voice shook as
he answered the Queens question.
Il have the unhappiness, your Maj
esty, to bring you bad news he said.
speaking to her, but still gazing ca
zappi, my employer. is i'll. He was
taken suddenly last night, and today
is much worse, and there is no chance
that he can travel with your Majesty
tomorrow"
The Queen threw out her hands with
gesture of hopelessness. What can
we do?" she exclaimed. Am to plan
and plan and have always an uncon-
querable obstacle? Can | not save
my boy? l might have known that
everything seemed too bright this
morning, too good to be true. Yet it
is not possible that after all they
should"-she looked at her son; her
courage came springing back. They
shall not take you," and her eyes
flashed defiance at world of enemies,
and she went over and threw her arm
about his neck. Louis, don't let your
self be excited, dearest. They shall
not take you. / can save you"
1t was as if she put a spur to her
brain; there was a moments silence
and the two lads watched her brows
drawing together under the concentra-
ton of her brain.
"Of course" she said suddenly, and
laughed-a spontaneous laughter
which seemed to flood her with youth
fulness. She turned her blue glance
swiftly on the newcomer, the slende.
boy with the luminous eyes. you are
in the employ of the Marquis Zappi,
monsieur"
But yes, your majesty. l am the
secretary of Monsieur lie Marquis
She paused a second, seemed to take
stock of the young man, of his looks,
his bearing, his accent.
You are French. Have you a SYM
pathy with the family OF my son, with
the Bonapartes?"
1t was as if door had been opened
into furnace, so the eyes blazed.
Your majesty, l would give my life
for his highness," he said quietly. The
impassive face of the young prince
turned toward the speaker, and the
half-shut heavy glance, which had the
Napoleonic gift OF holding a picture,
rested on him attentively. Louis Bona
parte seemed to remember something.
What is your name, monsieur?" he
asked, and it might have been noticed
that his head lifted little from the
pillow as he waited for the answer.
francois Beaupre, sire" The young
man seemed to ce out of breath.
"Sire!" Louis Napoleon repeated. And
then, Il have seen you before. Where
was 1t? Not in Rome-not in Switzer-
land-ah!" His hand few out. and
with that Francois was on his knee by
the bedside, and had kissed the out
stretched thin fingers, and the princes
other hand was on his shoulder fra
ternally.
"The old chateau of Vicuues-my
playfellow, Francois. / told you then
was going to remember, didn't II"
Louis Napoleon demanded, laughing
boyishly. Mother, he saved my life
from the falling wall Do you remem-
Der the story of my runaway trip?"
And Hortense, smiling, delighted to
see her sad-faced boy so pleased and
exhilarated. did remember, and was
gracious and grateful to the young
Frenchman. 1T is q good omen to