We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
62
THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE
"Mercier, five thousand francs on these gentlemen's notes," called the Prince.
' ' I would just as lief make it ten, ' ' smiled Carre.
"And I nothing/' responded the Prince, drily.
"Perhaps you gentlemen have ideas as to how to proceed." The Prince paused. There was silence. "Otherwise, you will leave everything to my direction. You understand, then, you shall be my "
For once, the Prince's quick wit deserted him.
"Catspaws," suggested Carre.
"Exactly," said the Prince, quickly, giving Carre an unfriendly look. "The plan, in brief, then, is to procure a man before tomorrow evening, who resembles the Emperor, teach him a few of his mannerisms, and then, under cover of circumstances, which I shall create, this person shall enter the royal apartment, secure the papers, and escape."
"And we?" asked Carre.
' ' One of you — you, Carre ; you are a man of words — shall start out at once on the quest of the bogus Emperor. Your man must be brave and cool, and there is little to fear. The Emperor is eccentric and imperious to the last degree. No one dares question his word, brook his passage, or follow, if he bids them — even with a characteristic gesture — to stay. There is but one man we need fear — that is his new secretary, Lecour — but he will be with the Emperor. By the way, why didn 't one of you gentlemen apply for the portfolio— you have friends at court ? ' '
"Perhaps we preferred to serve your highness," replied d'Arrienne, in his monotone.
"Naturally," resumed the Prince. ' ' However, your position is made less perilous with Lecour out of the way. The Emperor makes his secretaries keep track of my affairs as well as his own. More than once Lecour has pocketed my money."
"Perhaps the new secretary could be induced to do the same, ' ' suggested d'Arrienne.
THE COUNTS OBSERVE
"I give you carte blanche, d'Arrienne, to try him — if he has not gone with the Emperor. But we must dispatch matters, Carre, you had better hasten along at once. This packet will explain anything I may not have told you."
"Good evening; tomorrow I shall create an Emperor ! ' ' Carre left the room, with a low bow.
The Prince turned to Count d'Arrienne.
' ' Carre has explained everything ? ' '
D'Arrienne nodded.
"I suppose you wonder, d'Arrienne, why I should choose you, my old enemy, for this important detail. ' '
"It may have crossed my mind," said the other, carelessly.
"You swore to avenge yourself of a certain 'unkindness' of mine unless I made reparation. It has occurred to me that this — uh "
"Bit of perfidy."