Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-01-25

which Duroc still stood, immov-
| able, listening.
At last he stirred, realizing that he
had not a moment to spare if he
would escape detection. He turned,
! so that his back was to the door,
| snatched up his lantern, and pressed
| II against his breast. so that while II
might still light him forward its rays
| should not strike backward to betray
him. Then in three strides he gained
| the shelter OF the heavy velvet cur
! tains that masked the window.
| Behind them, his back to the case
| ment, he at last extinguished the
| light.
THE door opened an instant later.
Indeed, had Ciairvaux, who en-
tered, candle In hand, in nightcap
and quilted dressing gown, bestowed
an attentive look upon the curtains
| he would have detected the culver
that still agftated them.
After Clairvaux, came a tall young
man in a long black riding coat and
| conical hat that was decorated by
| E round tricolor cockade to advertise
| his patriotic sentiments. Under his
arm he carried a riding whip, whose
| formidable quality as a weapon OF
offense was proclaimed by its round
head In plated leather with silver
en- beilishments. He placed 1t upon
table beside his hat, and the thud
with which it dropped TO the wood
| further announced its quality.
The citizen representative short,
stiffiy built man whose aquiline face
was not without some resemblance to
that of his visitor, flung himself into
gilt armchair upholstered in blue
SILK, near the secretaire that but a
moment ago had been the object of
Duroc's attention. He three one knee
over the other, and drew his quilted
dressing gown about his legs.
weir" he demanded. his voice
harsh. What is this important COM
munication that brings you here at
such an hour as this?"
The man in the riding coat ssun-
tered across to the fireplace. He set
his back to the overmantel and the
ormolu clock with its Cupids by
Deburau. and faced the deputy with
smile that was almost sneer.
Confess now he said, that but
for your uneasy conscience. my
cousin, you would have hesitated to
admit me. But you live in the dread
of your own misdeeds, with the blade
of the guillotine like a sword of
Damocles suspended above you, and
you dare refuse no man-however I'M
welcome in himself-who may be the
possible bearer of a warning" He
laughed an irritating laugh of mock
cry.
Name of q name" growled the
deputy, will you tell me what brings
you without preamble7"
You do not like preambles? And
you q representatives. Now, that is
odd! But there, Etienne, to put it
shortly, / am thinking Of emigrat-
Ing"
It was the deputy's turn to be-
come hooking.
TT was worth while being reused
at midnight to hear such excellent
news. Emigrate, by all means, my
dear Gustave. France viii be well
rid of you"
And your" Gustave asked.
And no less" The deputy
grinned sardonically.
All" said his cousin. THAT Is ex
cellent! In such q case no doubt you
will be disposed to pay for the privi-
lege. To carry out this plan of mine
need your assistance, Etienne. am
practically penniless."
Now that is thousand pities."
The deputy's voice became almost
sympathetic, yet slurred by a certain
note of sarcasm. IF you are penni-
less, so am l. What else did you ex-
pect in a member of the National Con-
vention? Did you conceive that a
representative of the sacred people
an apostle of liberty, equality and
fraternity-could possibly have money
at his disposal? All. my good cousin,
I assure you that all that possessed
has been offered up on the sacred
altar Of the nation"
X = X
CUSTAVE looked at him and pursed
~ his lips. you had better reserve
that for the National Assembly" he
said. 1T may sound convincing from
the rostrum. Here"-he waved a
hand about him at all the assembled
splendors-'it sounds uncommonly like
a barefaced lie.''
ing dignity, his brows contracted.
This to me- he asked in a shocked
tone.
why not? Come. come, Etienne, I
am not~a child, nor yet a fool You
are a man of wealth-all the world
knows 1t, as you may discover to
your cost one fine morning. These
are days OF fraternity. I am your
couGin, and
"Out of my house!" the deputy
broke in angrily. Out of my house
this Instant"
Gustave looked at him with calm
eyes. Shall I then go tell the Ma
tional Assembly what I know of you?
Must I denounce you 10 the commit
tee of public safety as a danger TO
the nation? Must I tell them that in
1ecret you are acting as an agent of
the emigres, that you plot the over
throw of the august republic?"
Clairvaux's face was livid, his eyes
bullying. He mastered himself by an
effort "Denounce all you please" he
answered in a suffocating voice.
You'll leave your own head in the
basket. Sainte Guillotine? You fool
am 1 man of straw to be over
thrown by the denunciation of such
a thing as you? Do you think to