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A BOGUS NAPOLEON
69
' ' All is well ; we have the packet ! ' ' he cried.
''But you must escape some other way. I think the Prince has betrayed usf The palace is alarmed ; the rooms are filled with attendants; every corner is brilliantly lighted !"
"We, too, had noted this. There is but one way out. We must play the game with audacity/'
"But it is impossible, absurd, to go this way. The guards will cut us to pieces."
"It is the only way," said d'Arrienne, with quiet determination. He stepped aside. The little man passed ahead, absurdly costumed, to enter the brilliant halls beyond. They moved forward like a funeral cortege.
The Prince had evidently had his eye in their direction, for he turned to those gathered about, with a cruel and almost sneering voice :
"The Emperor!"
There was a respectful hush as the little man entered the room, every inquiring and curious eye turned upon him. He made no sign until he reached the very center of the room. There he paused for a moment, and look about.
"The man is mad!" cried Carre. "What shall we do? We are caught like rats in a trap. In another minute the Prince will spring upon him."
The little man's eye finally rested upon the Prince. There was a moment's hesitation, then, drawing a packet of letters from beneath his cloak, he stepped forward, toward Talleyrand.
Carre seized d'Arienne's arm, in a convulsion of fear. The latter quickly moved forward to a point near the little man, whose eyes were resting serenely on Talleyrand.
Prince Talleyrand stood like one with the ague, pale and trembling.
' ' Sire ! The Emperor himself ! " he quaked thru his dry lips.
"Your highness," said the little man, with mock reverence, "my secretary, here, has done me the honor to convey to me your wish to possess certain letters written by himself and signed "Duchesse d'Enteyne' — for a certain purpose." He paused significantly. "These letters, I assure you, have given me a certain power, for which I would gladly have exchanged a million francs! Yet, as a mark of my esteem for your highness, I present them to you. ' '
The Prince reached out a trembling hand, and took the proffered packet.
"And now, since some serious and important matters have arisen during the course of the day, I must adjourn with my secretary, and bid you all good night ! ' '
Then, with a majesty which the Emperor Napoleon alone could assume, he strode from the room.
Shrinking behind the curtain, cold sweat standing out on his brow, was Carre.
D'Arrienne took him by the arm and quietly led him away.
' ' Come, Carre, we have all had our revenge — by the most unexpected luck. Nevertheless, I believe it is time for us to take a sudden journey across the frontier!"
A S
ummer
Song
By LALIA MITCHELL
All winter, at your spoken wish, I cooked you cheese and eggs, and fish, And oysters, in a chafing dish ; And then, your gratitude to show, You took me out thru sleet and snow To see a Motion Picture Show.
But now, while all the world is baked, I've served ice-cream, your 1 hirst I've slaked With lemonade, my wish unfaked, That you'll still have a mind to go Where fans electric whirr and blow, I mean, of course, to Picture Show.