THb HAH WTM TH, a\r r> ( i . AI<
 
 BY 
 
 CARL REUTTI MASON 
 
 AUTHOR OF DEATH'S CONFESSION. 
 
 THE 
 
 Hbbey press
 
 Copyright, 1901, 
 
 by 
 THE 
 
 Press
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The historical novelist is indeed fortunate if 
 in his searching through the musty pages of 
 history he can find a character which conforms 
 in every detail to the one his eye of imagination 
 conceives. But as a general thing this is not 
 the case and so one to fill this requisite must 
 be furnished from the workings of his own 
 mind; while the fundamental facts remain the 
 same true and unchanged. 
 
 An historical novel is not the place to study 
 details; but to fasten dates and events firmly 
 in the mind, it is by far better than the dry 
 pages of history. So as a word of warning to 
 my readers, I desire to say that no faith should 
 be placed in the characters of my main heroes, 
 as they are merely brought into action to fill a 
 space, from the novelist's point of view. 
 
 But the facts are the same. Grouchy did 
 
 3 
 
 2137582
 
 4 The Clash of Steel 
 
 not appear and no definite reasons have ever 
 been given for his non-appearance at the 
 battle of Waterloo, which undoubtedly caused 
 Napoleon's defeat. For the historical data of 
 this work I am especially indebted to Guizot's 
 History of France, which is very much opposed 
 to Napoleon, and Abbott's Life of Napoleon, 
 which places Napoleon's actions in a very 
 favorable light, and Muhlbach's Historical 
 Novels, which give the sentimental part of the 
 life of the great Emperor. 
 
 GAEL H. MASON.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. A FATAL MISTAKE 7 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 I. THE MAN IN THE RED CLOAK 19 
 
 II. ACCEPTED 31 
 
 III. IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER APPEARS 
 
 IN PARIS 44 
 
 IV. MADAME'S VISIT 55 
 
 V. MADAME MAKES AN AGREEMENT 67 
 
 VI. THE CARDINAL'S CAMEO 78 
 
 VII. MADAME SPECULATES 93 
 
 VIII. LOVE OR DUTY 102 
 
 IX. THE NICKED RAPIER 109 
 
 X. AN ACT OF PITY 117 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 I. THE BURNING OF Moscow 125 
 
 II. EXILE 130 
 
 III. CAUGHT IN A NET 136 
 
 5
 
 6 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 IV. CHATEAU DE NUIT 141 
 
 V. THE BED SILK LADDER 146 
 
 VI. THE WRONG MAN 157 
 
 VII. THEN, SIRE, I DISOBEY 164 
 
 VIII. A WARNING IN TIME 170 
 
 IX. VICTORY AND DEATH 178 
 
 X. A MYSTERY REVEALED 187 
 
 XI. IN MORTE QUIETUS EST 195
 
 THE CLASH OF STEEL 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A FATAL MISTAKE. 
 
 Like the evening star, slowly mounting its 
 zenith at the evening twilight, rose Napoleon's 
 fortune, for awhile it set, sparkled and flashed, 
 then slowly it began to pale behind the ominous 
 clouds which long had been gathering on the 
 horizon. The star of his greatness began its 
 being when he married the widow of M. Beau- 
 harnais and turned back the horoscope of time 
 so as to escape the laughter of his friends, I 
 will not say the whole world, for at that time 
 what a little noise the name of Napoleon Bona- 
 
 7
 
 8 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 parte, Corsican, General, made, but rather 
 of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Stronger it 
 became until the 30th day of November, 1809, 
 when it set, sparkled awhile, then began fading 
 off into a dying ember. 
 
 Fate long before had whispered into the 
 sensitive ear of Josephine that when Napoleon 
 should place the crown upon her head and 
 whisper into her ear, "now Josephine you are 
 Empress and I am Emperor of all France," that 
 then had come the time for her to depart, for 
 she felt that there could be no Emperor without 
 an heir that should be a direct descendant of his 
 blood. This she continually felt and often told 
 the Emperor, who would try to allay her fears 
 with some loving speech. But she knew and 
 felt that he would sacrifice her at the altar of 
 his ambition. 
 
 Tip to this time there was no one whom the 
 crown would fall back upon in case of 
 Napoleon's death, unless it was Eugene, 
 Napoleon's adopted son and Josephine's rightful 
 child. But that would not suffice for the 
 French people, Napoleon thought. Thus the 
 poor woman saw that her fate was inevitable, to 
 be banished, and she resigned herself to the
 
 A Fatal Mistake. 9 
 
 coming blow. There was but one way before 
 she surrendered entirely but if that failed all 
 would be lost. This last chance was to marry 
 Hortense, Josephine's daughter and Napoleon's 
 step daughter to Napoleon's brother Louis. 
 After much trouble, anguish and planning this 
 was at last accomplished and her efforts were 
 crowned by Hortense giving birth to a son. 
 
 The old happiness returned, only to be 
 changed into deeper despair, for the child died 
 soon after. All to Josephine seemed lost and it 
 was true, there was no doubt. She had recourse 
 to no other plans and there was no longer a 
 hope, there must be an heir to the throne which 
 Napoleon had erected. Already the Emperor 
 had consulted his councilors as to the move he 
 was contemplating of divorcing Josephine. 
 
 Negotiations were begun with several royal 
 families and an assembly was called to find a 
 suitable Empress for the throne of France, 
 which soon would be vacant. The assembly 
 proposed several names but that of Maria Louisa 
 of Austria was met with the most favor by the 
 Emperor, thereby giving rise to much dis- 
 pleasure at several other courts. Napoleon 
 combined diplomacy with necessity, as he would
 
 io The Clash of Steel. 
 
 have called it. He felt that it was necessary 
 to rid himself of Josephine and in choosing 
 another wife, he preferred to choose one who 
 would bring aid to his cause. 
 
 At first the alliance with some Russian 
 Princess seemed favorable and it was agreeable 
 to Alexander but Napoleon preferred Austria, 
 thinking thereby to gain a stronger power in 
 his favor but he made one of the mistakes which 
 cost him so dearly. Alexander's wrath was 
 provoked and instead of gaining Austria's favor, 
 it gained both Russia's and Austria's hatred. 
 Now came the trying time. Napoleon called 
 Hortense and requested of her that she inform 
 her mother of the step he had been contemplat- 
 ing but she refused, saying "you may break 
 her heart sire, but I shall not." Next he tried 
 to have Eugene break the news to his mother 
 but again he was met with a stern refusal. 
 
 It was on the evening of November 30th, 
 1809. All day long the cold wind had driven 
 the withered leaves about the streets in the same 
 manner as Fate drives our hopes. First flutter- 
 ing awhile on the almost barren branches, then
 
 A Fatal Mistake. 1 1 
 
 they are torn from the stem and at last a 
 whirlwind of disappointment hurls them into 
 oblivion. 
 
 The rain had come and died at times from 
 the low clouds which hung over the earth. 
 Occasionally a flurry of snow and perhaps a 
 patter of hail, then gloom again, gloom every 
 where, thick and impregnable as that settled on 
 the brow of the eternally mute sphinx as she 
 looks over the burning barren sands, guarding 
 with her shade the flights of caravans of cen- 
 turies. A day which, when dying makes one 
 feel as though the sun would never again mount 
 his throne "in majestic state," as though the 
 angels had forgotten "with fairy hands to shift 
 the scenery of the heavens." 
 
 The occasional patter of horses hoofs, the 
 rumble of a carriage, then silence as deep as 
 that which hangs about the tomb or the chamber 
 of the dead. A night fit for dreams of morality 
 and deeds of violence. A night for sadness and 
 languid melancholy, for charity and for murder, 
 but then what is the difference between charity 
 and murder, be it self murder or otherwise? 
 They are often identical, often the same to 
 some poor wretch laboring in poverty and dis-
 
 12 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 tress or wallowing in wealth and dishonor. Yet 
 he does not recognize the fact when the murder- 
 ous blow descends that charity has been done. 
 He does not feel that from a life of distress and 
 pain he has been subpoenaed into a life of 
 happiness or perhaps a life of silent, eternal 
 sleep, anything better and nothing worse than 
 the life he has led. 
 
 Thus oftentimes the pauper is charitable in 
 his poverty; when he fells his victim and the 
 victim of despair with the same blow, who 
 hesitates to do for himself that which the pauper 
 has done for him. Who hesitates and fears. 
 What? He knows not and still he feels that 
 nothing can be worse than the life he has led 
 and yet he hesitates. Draws the poniard from 
 its sheath, feels its temper, sees it glitter in the 
 light, a moment of thought, the dagger slips 
 unstained into its sheath again. 
 
 While the glitter of a stiletto, a sharp cry 
 and all is over or still better a drop upon the 
 lips, a dream of blissful happiness, perhaps the 
 only he has known, the arms of his fairy mis- 
 tress about him, the 'fever of her burning lips, 
 the perfume of her hair as it hides his face, her 
 hot breath upon the cheek then the stiffening
 
 A Fatal Mistake. 13 
 
 of a muscle, the glassy stare of an eye, the rattle 
 in the throat and then we know not but that he 
 has happiness. 
 
 The world will say he was a coward, but he 
 is not. Let them who are loudest in their 
 accusations of cowardice contemplate the very 
 act and ascertain who is the coward. Let them 
 prick their living flesh with the needle point 
 of a poniard and feel the self murderer's 
 thoughts and fears; let them feel the touch of 
 the clear cold liquid of death and know that 
 soon all will be over and let them feel the sting 
 of their own taunt; let them then determine 
 who is the coward and who is the bravado. 
 
 In the salon of the Tuileries, sat the Emperor 
 alone, his head reclining on his hand, his elbow 
 on the arm of the chair. Some would picture 
 him with tears coursing down his cheeks and 
 a broken heart at the crushing duty he was 
 about to perform for the welfare of France, as 
 he thought, but I will not. Undoubtedly it 
 caused him pain to contemplate the part he was 
 about to play. Whom would it not cause pain? 
 Into whose heart would it not strike remorse, 
 but as for Napoleon being heart broken I doubt 
 it. Let the soldier follow the war, the trades-
 
 14 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 man his trade, the beggar his beggary and the 
 ambitious his ambition. Napoleon had decided 
 to follow his ambition and the time had come 
 for him to act. He arose from the chair and 
 as he paced the length of the room he murmured 
 to himself awhile in an inaudible tone. ~No 
 doubt morality was debating with evil, remorse 
 with what he felt a duty. At last he straight- 
 ened up as the servant called him for the even- 
 ing meal and said in a voice stern and unfalter- 
 ing, showing that his decision had been made 
 "it is all over; tonight it must be consummated" 
 and with a firm step, in which seemed to still lurk 
 a bit of hesitancy, he left the room. No doubt 
 remorse was still working in his mind. 
 
 He entered the salle a manger to partake 
 of the evening meal and also to break the ties 
 that bound him to Josephine. Just as he en- 
 tered the room, the door opposite opened and 
 Josephine came in followed by Hortense. 
 Anguish was painfully depicted upon her face 
 and with morose step she approached the table 
 and seated herself at her accustomed place, 
 which soon she would leave forever. Every- 
 thing at this moment of her departure seemed 
 dearer to her than ever before. Undoubtedlv
 
 A Fatal Mistake. 15 
 
 Hortense had in some way given her an under- 
 standing of what was to happen as Josephine 
 suppressed her tears with pain. 
 
 Not a word was spoken. Josephine read her 
 fate in the Emperor's actions for his eyes would 
 not meet hers and her bosom heaved with sup- 
 pressed anguish. It was as if leading a victim 
 to be sacrificed at the shrine of ambition. The 
 wind moaned about the building and dashed 
 gusts of rain against the window with a ghostly 
 patter, as if weeping for the Empress in her 
 distress. 
 
 Tears would well up in her eyes, but with 
 an effort she would restrain them. The scenes 
 of past happy days arose before her as in a 
 dream. She saw again the time when Eugene 
 received his father's sword from Napoleon's 
 hand. She saw the Emperor return triumphant 
 with victory. She saw again the time when 
 he placed the crown upon her head; but then 
 her happiness was ended. The silence was 
 oppressive. A lackey dropped a cup and awoke 
 'Josephine from her dream. No one spoke a 
 word and a far off clock struck the hour in a 
 slow drawing tone like a knell. The meal was 
 finished. The Emperor arose and dismissed
 
 1 6 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 those about him and as Josephine started to 
 leave, he said to her in a choked voice: 
 
 "Pray remain Josephine, I would speak with 
 you." 
 
 Hortense asked permission to remain, hut 
 Napoleon denied it and she withdrew with a 
 parting glance at her mother. All had left. 
 The Empress stood at the closed door with 
 bowed head for a moment, then turned and cast 
 her eyes now filling with tears towards the 
 Emperor. 
 
 "My Josephine, my good Josephine, my life 
 has been but one dream of happiness in your 
 presence. Your words have been my consola- 
 tion, your kisses have changed moments of hell 
 into eternities of heaven. All I owe to you. 
 All my greatness I attribute to you and it 
 pierces my heart and soul with pain to tell 
 you" 
 
 "Sire," she said with tears and sobs choking 
 her voice, "you need go no further. I under- 
 stand it all; I understand it all. Those happy 
 days are past and gone never to return. Was' 
 I not right Sire, when I asked you not to 
 become Emperor?" 
 
 He approached and held her in his arms.
 
 A Fatal Mistake 17 
 
 The tears were pouring from her eyes like the 
 stream of an unchecked fountain. 
 
 "Ah Sire, it breaks my heart to think that I 
 must leave you, that never again shall I feel 
 your arms about me or your kisses on my lips, 
 that you shall never again press me to your 
 heart, no more will Josephine be your wife. ~No 
 more, no more," and she fainted sobbing 
 violently in his arms. He gently laid her on 
 the couch and called a physician and knelt by 
 her side until she was revived and then he left. 
 
 Then he retired to his own room and paced 
 the floor until after midnight, when he threw 
 himself upon the bed and fell into a. troubled 
 sleep. Suddenly he was awakened by the 
 creaking of a door. He looked in wonderment 
 as the servants never entered the room after he 
 had retired, when ISTapoleon gave such orders 
 and he had done so that night, as he wished 
 to be alone with his own thoughts. Slowly the 
 door opened and a figure in white, her hair dis- 
 heveled, entered. It was Josephine. The 
 scene was embarrassing. Had Josephine the 
 divorced wife the right to enter the chamber of 
 a man who was no longer her husband? The 
 stillness was only broken by the sobbing which
 
 1 8 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 escaped her. Napoleon was the first to speak: 
 "Josephine?" 
 
 "My husband, my husband/' she cried, "you 
 are still my husband. Tonight, but tomorrow 
 no more," and sobbing and weeping almost 
 hysterical she threw her arms about his neck. 
 
 "Do not drive me away let me be with you 
 if only your servant, your slave, anything, only 
 let me be near you." 
 
 But the fate of Josephine had been signed 
 and sealed. That was her last night as the 
 wife of Napoleon and as the first rays of the 
 morning light sped over France, the past 
 Empress stole from her husband's bed-chamber 
 as a mistress from that of her lover and France 
 was without an Empress.
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 THE MAN IN THE RED CLOAK. 
 
 It was in a drinking inn on the outskirts of 
 Paris, one cold dreary night where one could 
 find idlers loitering, quarreling and arguing. 
 There were merchantmen, groomsmen, common 
 soldiers and officers who frequented these . 
 places almost constantly. They were divided; 
 off into separate groups, some arguing about 
 their wares others drinking, some gambling,! 
 either with the dice or the cards but all 
 swearing. 
 
 The French people forget easily. It was now 
 the last of January and no one spoke of Jose- 
 phine, she was not even thought of, the con- 
 jecture now was, "who would be the next 
 Empress?" The secret had not yet been 
 officially given out but it was almost certain that 
 
 19
 
 1O The Clash cf Steel. 
 
 Napoleon's suit had been accepted by Maria 
 Louisa of Austria. 
 
 It was "bitter stinging cold outside and u 
 heavy snow was falling and it seemed from the 
 amount of noise they made, that the revelers 
 were trying to drown out the ghostly whistle 
 of the wind as it would rush about the building. 
 Glasses clinked as two or three cavalry-men 
 would bump them together, wishing each other 
 a safe campaign. The dice rattled as they rolled 
 over the table, perhaps settling the fate of some 
 fair demoiselle and the cards were shuffled, with 
 hands that seemed to feel that they had dealt 
 the wrong card to their opponent and the correct 
 one to their master. 
 
 The laughter and noise grew louder and 
 louder; but suddenly a silence, as deep as that 
 which hangs about the tomb at "midnight's 
 holiest hour," fell upon all the revelers. A 
 man, had only opened and closed the door and 
 stood shaking the snow from a great red cloak 
 which almost entirely enveloped his fine form. 
 
 I say that a man, had only opened and closed 
 the door, for why should only a man cause such 
 a silence to fall on these half drunken idlers, 
 who feared no one on this side of the grave or
 
 The Man in the Red Cloak. 21 
 
 the other but God and the devil himself. This 
 thought presented itself to every mind but could 
 not be explained. There seemed to be such 
 graceful and serpentine movements about this 
 man, that he seemed rather to glide than to 
 walk. 
 
 He was dressed in the garb of a cavalier, 
 entirely in keeping with the style of France, 
 with the exception of this long red cloak, on 
 account of which he was immediately styled by 
 the crowd as the "man in the red cloak." 
 
 He strode across the room and the spurs on his 
 high military boots seemed to vie in clearness of 
 sound with that made by the long slender sword, 
 which dangled loosely at his side. His face was 
 shaded by a pair of mustaches and a beard, 
 which ran to a point almost as sharp as that 
 of his weapon. His hair and beard were black 
 and his eyes were almost of the same shade, 
 piercing as steel, glittering with a malicious, 
 half sneaking half bold light, and restless as 
 the needle of a compass, they would wander 
 from object to object. A half sneering smile 
 almost constantly played about his mouth and 
 truly I do not doubt, that could the thoughts 
 of this crowd have been compared, this one
 
 22 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 would have been present in every mind; "how 
 much like Goethe's creation of Mephisto." 
 
 The man seated himself quietly at a vacant 
 table and ordered a hot punch. The revelers 
 seemed to lose the spirit which they formerly 
 had, for some reason or other; they could not 
 explain. This calm, deliberate character cast 
 a chill over their feelings and dampened their 
 ardor. He seemed to be a gloomy forebodance 
 of evil and misfortune. The drink was brought 
 and placed before the man, who gave the land- 
 lord a coin which several times covered the price 
 of the drink and when handed the change, 
 merely made a motion with his hand as if to 
 say "I require nothing more," began slowly 
 to sip the beverage and the landlord, not having 
 to be asked twice to keep the change, pocketed 
 it and resumed his station. 
 
 This action seemed to give new life to the 
 revelers and again the glasses sounded, but 
 louder than before, again the dice clattered 
 as they rolled on the table and the cards were 
 dealt with a still more certain hand and the 
 noise grew louder than ever. The man sat and 
 sipped his drink and when it was finished he 
 calmly drew a gold case from his pocket and
 
 The Man in the Red Cloak. 23 
 
 slowly and deliberately rolled a cigarette, lit it 
 and blew the smoke into pale blue rings about 
 his head while he mused. 
 
 "I am now on the right road to Paris and 
 must begin my work by praising their idol and 
 shouting in a loud voice, Sdve L' Empereur.' ' 
 
 During this time, the crowd did not lose the 
 opportunity of remarking, that evidently the 
 new-comer must not be very well acquainted in 
 that part of Paris and there were few and they 
 were too full for utterance who did not make 
 some jeering remark about the stranger. These 
 sallies of insults were principally led by a half 
 drunken bully, who would, between his throws 
 of dice, heap some new insult on the stranger. 
 
 "I wonder if he plays and fights as well as he 
 looks?" he asked in an undertone, but loud 
 enough for the stranger to hear. The crowd 
 laughed and cast sly glances in the direction of 
 the object of their raillery. 
 
 The man calmly blew rings of cigarette 
 smoke in the air and acted as though he heard 
 nothing. 
 
 "Certainly he must be a shade returned from 
 the time of the great Richelieu, to wear a cloak 
 of such a color;" said he as he raked in the
 
 24 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 last sou of his fourth victim and clamored 
 loudly for some one else to match his luck 
 with him, but all feared to venture. 
 
 The stranger suddenly arose and strode across 
 the room to where the bully was standing, call- 
 ing for some one to compete with him, hoping 
 that the stranger would hear and try his luck. 
 The stranger picked up the dice and threw. 
 
 "By what name may we style you, my dear 
 sir?" asked the bully with mock politeness, of 
 which the stranger seemed to take no notice 
 whatever. 
 
 "Call me Mario." 
 
 "My name is Pierre, Corporal Moran of 
 Napoleon's Guard and styled its best swords- 
 man, may it please you." Pierre picked up the 
 dice laughing at the throw which Mario had 
 made and threw them upon the table and lost. 
 
 "Come, double the amount," cried he. 
 
 "Done" said Mario and the crowd gathered 
 nearer to watch the game, as already the stakes 
 were higher than usual. They threw again and 
 Mario won once more. Once after that he won 
 and the crowd began to make remarks about 
 Pierre's luck. But the tide turned and Pierre 
 soon had all of Mario's money and was turning
 
 The Man in the Red Cloak. 25 
 
 away rejoicing when Mario called to him "come 
 I still have this ring left, it is certainly worth 
 600 francs we will play on, not with the dice 
 but with the cards." 
 
 Pierre flushed with victory and longingly eye- 
 ing the diamond, which sparkled and glittered 
 on Mario's finger, consented to play. Luck 
 favored Pierre and Mario was down to his last 
 part of the diamond. 
 
 "Your remaining amount against twice 
 mine," said Pierre anxious to close the game. 
 
 "I am willing," was the answer. 
 
 Mario took the cards and dealt. Pierre lost. 
 A smile spread over Mario's features. The 
 game went on and Pierre continued to lose until 
 he was down to his last coin when Mario said: 
 "it is but just I will wager all I have won from 
 you against your last coin." 
 
 "I certainly am willing." 
 
 It was Mario's deal. How gracefully he 
 shuffled. It seemed as if his dancing sharp 
 eyes could read the face of every card through 
 its back. It was played and Pierre lost. 
 
 "Here," said Mario pushing all that he had 
 won from him; "take your money I have no 
 need of it."
 
 26 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 Pierre's dignity was offended and he flushed 
 red with anger. 
 
 "Stranger, Pierre has never asked mercy of 
 an enemy." 
 
 "This mercy is given without its being asked 
 and besides, I am no enemy, for I will venture 
 another hundred that I can shout vive L' 
 Empereur vive La France as loud as the next 
 one," and he coolly lit another cigarette. 
 
 Seeing that their leader was enraged the 
 crowd gathered around the two and began to 
 murmur that the stranger had half answered 
 Pierre's taunt. He had proven that he could 
 play as well as he looked, now perhaps he could 
 fight as well. 
 
 "You have wounded my pride and not alone 
 that, I could forget it, but strangers should pre- 
 serve their skill at cheating to play upon their 
 friends who trust them and would not have 
 noticed it." 
 
 "You say I have cheated?" 
 
 "You turned a card, it may have been acci- 
 dent, but perhaps it was not; I think it was not." 
 
 There was a shower of sparks. Mario's 
 cigarette had hit Pierre square in the face as a 
 challenge.
 
 The Man in the Red Cloak. 27 
 
 "Another insult," he bellowed, "now there 
 can be but one way to repair the wrongs you 
 have done me." 
 
 "At your service" coolly responded Mario." 
 
 "When do you wish to cross swords?" 
 
 "There is no time like the present;" said the 
 stranger, his eyes snapping with their steely 
 glitter. 
 
 And so they left to fight, while the landlord 
 cleared the table. 
 
 The snow was still falling and a cold stinging 
 wind rushed through the barren trees. In that 
 part of Paris there ^was no trouble to find a 
 vacant lot and there was no need of fear of the 
 gendarmes interfering. The formality of choos- 
 ing seconds was done away with, the whole 
 crowd being witnesses to the fight. Pierre was 
 confident of victory and so were his companions 
 who had so often seen him prove himself a 
 master of the art, for such a long list of 
 casualties were to his credit. When they 
 reached the place where they intended to hold 
 the bout, Pierre drew his sword and turned to 
 Mario. 
 
 "Monsieur if you are slain what shall we do 
 with your body?"
 
 28 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 The sneer on Mario's lips widened into a leer- 
 ing smile as he said: 
 
 "Bury me here," and he pointed with his 
 sword to the spot whereon he stood. 
 
 "And to whom shall we deliver the sorrowful 
 news of your demise?" continued Pierre. 
 
 "Write it on the snow with the point of your 
 sword in my blood and when the spring sun 
 erases it, think then that often in the same 
 manner are we blotted from the hearts of those 
 we love," and he calmly placed himself on 
 guard. 
 
 Pierre was a member of Xapoleon's famous 
 guard and was considered its best swordsman. 
 He fought well; but Mario fought better. The 
 snow would creak beneath their feet as they 
 would lunge arid retreat. It soon became evi- 
 dent that Mario was only playing with his 
 opponent as a cat does with a mouse before it 
 strikes its final blow. The same half sneer 
 played about his lips and his graceful move- 
 ments gave him the agility of a serpent. Finally 
 he asked: "think you now that you will write 
 Mario in blood on the snow?" Pierre was 
 breathing too hard to make reply. 
 
 Nearer and nearer Mario's thrusts would
 
 The Man in the Red Cloak. 29 
 
 come and Pierre seemed unable to ward them 
 off. Despair was plainly shown on his face and 
 he was fighting viciously, thrusting at random 
 and rushing like a maddened bull, but Mario 
 would gracefully step aside and Pierre's sword 
 always found nothing but vacancy. The crowd 
 grew anxious, closed around the combatants, and 
 many placed their hands on the hilts of their 
 swords. Now Mario's sword brought blood on 
 the arm. Now it touched the neck, now it 
 struck forward with force over Pierre's guard 
 and buried itself in his shoulder and, exhausted, 
 Pierre sank to the ground bleeding furiously. 
 
 There were shouts, curses, cries and the rasp- 
 ing of swords as they slid from their sheaths. 
 They all rushed forward to murder Mario and 
 to help Pierre. In the confusion the lights 
 were extinguished and blows were given, but all 
 seemed to reach nothing. Finally a torch was 
 relighted and raised in the air. 
 
 Mario had disappeared. He could not be 
 found. The surprise forced the crowd into 
 silence and they stood looking at each other in 
 wonderment, for every one felt that he had 
 struck in time to stop him forever. 
 
 As they stood there in amazement, they heard
 
 30 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the sound of a horse as it slowly cantered by, 
 they saw the flutter of a red cloak and a mocking 
 laugh fell on their ears. 
 
 "You will hear more of Mario," cried the 
 rider as he spurred his horse onward. 
 
 It was a sorry looking crowd that carried 
 poor Pierre back to the inn and wild were the 
 conjectures of who Mario might be. Some 
 thought him to be a spy for the king, others a 
 nobleman entering Paris but all concluded that 
 he was mysterious, daring and brave and all 
 recalled their feelings when he had entered the 
 inn.
 
 Accepted. 3 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ACCEPTED. 
 
 The afternoon's sun was dying fast in the 
 west as a figure strode slowly up the street, 
 glancing from door to door at every house, but 
 none seemed to be the one he was looking for, 
 as he passed onward after each stop. Suddenly 
 he halted and said half aloud to himself; "it is 
 here that I am to meet her I am sure. This is 
 the street and the house answers the description. 
 Xow for the signal;" and he gave three sharp 
 trills. He waited for a few moments and 
 slowly the door swung open and a figure in black 
 glided across the threshold. The door closed 
 again very quietly, and during the whole opera- 
 tion there was not the slightest disturbance. 
 
 At the foot of the stone steps, which led to 
 the house the figure stopped and repeated the 
 three trills. The man was about to advance and 
 address the figure, when she, for it was a woman,
 
 32 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 said in a low voice: "follow me. Do not act as 
 if you know me" and she started down the street 
 with the man following closely at her heels. 
 After she had crossed several streets she sud- 
 denly came to a halt and waited for the man to 
 come nearer. 
 
 "It is indeed you Mario; I had almost come 
 to the conclusion that you were not coming. 
 You are a little late." 
 
 "Yes I had a quarrel with a bully on my way 
 from Chateau de ISTuit as I entered Paris." 
 
 "It is needless to ask who won, for you are 
 here." 
 
 "Yes on business. What is the news." 
 
 The duke and the king are willing to give you 
 an audience tonight, therefore this precaution. 
 So you have just come in time as the duke who 
 is here, in disguise of course, is soon to join his 
 forces and the king is going from Paris, where 
 I do not know." 
 
 "Well let us proceed at once," said the man 
 anxiously. 
 
 "We still have a few minutes yet before the 
 appointed time and now Mario tell me why you 
 have given up your former life to become a spy 
 in the hands of a dethroned sovereign?"
 
 Accepted. 33 
 
 "I may tell you that later on." 
 
 "Was it to be with me?" she asked hoping 
 the answer would be in the affirmative. 
 
 "Perhaps" was the cold response. 
 
 "I do not wholly believe that is the cause but 
 think it more a plan for revenge. 
 
 The man's face underwent a change, the half 
 sneer about his lips played off into hard-set lines. 
 His eyes flashed and he spoke but the few words, 
 "speak not of the past," but they were enough 
 as they w T ere said in such a tone that they were 
 all that was necessary. The woman saw the 
 change and in a soft voice began, "you know 
 Mario, that I have always loved you. Yes I 
 have loved you dearer than anything, even 
 dearer than life and yet you have not spoken one 
 word of love to me, not one action of yours has 
 told me that you cared for me and I believe 
 that you love or did love another. Forgive my 
 hasty speech, it was my jealousy that forced 
 me to say what I did." 
 
 The man did not like the confession and 
 entreaty for undoubtedly there was some truth 
 in them. 
 
 "Come;" said he, "take me to the king." 
 
 "Sh !" exclaimed the woman, "do not speak
 
 34 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 so loud about the king. He may be discovered 
 and all would be lost. Now be perfectly quiet 
 and follow me," and she moved off in a slow 
 walk, glancing 'from right to left to see that she 
 was not watched. 
 
 Instead of returning by the way she had come 
 she wound around corners that seemed to lead 
 in a directly opposite direction from the house 
 she had left. Suddenly she stopped on a corner 
 and waited for the man to come. 
 
 "Now" said she when he had arrived "come 
 with me and be quiet. I shall do most of the 
 talking." 
 
 She then advanced to the third house from the 
 corner and gave the three trills. A few 
 seconds later they were answered from within 
 the house and the door slowly opened. 
 
 "Follow me" she whispered then turning to 
 a shadow, which stood behind the door, she said : 
 
 "Frangois, let him enter, by order of the 
 King." 
 
 The man did not answer, but- the rasping of 
 steel showed that he had understood the counter- 
 sign and had obeyed by replacing his sword in 
 its scabbard. The room was dark and it was 
 some time before their eyes became accustomed
 
 Accepted. 3 5 
 
 to the gloom. The woman stretched out her 
 hand and took Mario's and started to walk. He 
 followed her and passed through a long room, 
 then suddenly she stopped, for a strong door 
 barred their way. She rapped three times and 
 the door slowly swung open and as they passed 
 through she said: "descend my lor " -The 
 man pressed her hand and the word she would 
 have spoken died on her lips. They then de- 
 scended a long flight of stairs, which made. not 
 the slightest noise beneath their feet and at the 
 bottom of which burned a dim sickly light. 
 When they had descended he could feel the 
 coolness of stones beneath his feet and the damp- 
 ness of walls around him. 
 
 Mario saw nothing, but he heard his guide in 
 a low voice say: "By order of the King" and 
 again a sword slid into its sheath. Then she 
 led him through a tunnel just wide enough for 
 them to walk side by side, which seemed to 
 Mario to have no end. They wound around 
 corners and often at these places there were 
 intersecting passage ways, leading in opposite 
 directions, but the guide pressed onward. 
 Every now and then a rumble would be heard 
 over their heads like the muttering of an
 
 36 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 approaching storm. It was the rolling of 
 wagons on the streets above. After some time 
 his guide again gave the password and they 
 ascended a short flight of stairs and entered into 
 a room handsomely furnished but dimly lighted. 
 "Wait here" she said, "and I will see if the King 
 is ready to admit you." 
 
 She left the man standing before the fire, beat- 
 ing his high boots with his long gloves from 
 which he had withdrawn his hands. He was 
 tall and well built and although he tried to dis- 
 guise his features by his beard, the lines still 
 showed to a keen observer that he did not pos- 
 sess the face of a Frenchman. He spoke French 
 fluently, but every now and then an accent 
 would slip into his speech which showed, that 
 his tongue fain would wander in another direc- 
 tion. After a few moments the woman returned 
 and told him that the King was ready to receive 
 him, "but," said she in a word of warning, "be 
 firm he suspects that France is not your native 
 country and that you are not risking yourself for 
 that alone. v 
 
 The man made no reply but thought that the 
 woman made this statement, merely to gain 
 information for herself. She then led him into
 
 Accepted. 37 
 
 another room. It was now almost dark and by 
 the light of a candelabrum on a table almost 
 covered with papers, he saw a man writing, 
 while another paced the length of the room in 
 a dreamy mood. They were evidently expect- 
 ing the visit for they were not disturbed in the 
 least by the entrance of the two. 
 
 Mario was just wondering how the King 
 would trust himself in the heart of. Paris with 
 so few guards about his person. At this moment 
 the King arose a*nd drew aside the curtains of 
 the window and in a stern voice said: "Deliver 
 these orders to Franc,ois" and a hand reached 
 forth and received the papers and the curtains 
 were again drawn to. 
 
 Napoleon would have given a fortune to have 
 known that the King was in Paris and he would 
 have given another, greater than the first, to 
 have bribed one of the guards to remove him; 
 but the King was supposed to be in exile and 
 so the Emperor did not know that he was right 
 within his grasp, could he but remove the cover. 
 The King turned to Mario. 
 
 "I understand that you desire to place your- 
 self at our service." 
 
 "You have been correctly informed your 
 Majesty."
 
 38 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "But now the cause of this risk?" 
 
 "France, my King and ," was the answer 
 but the last word was not spoken but the word 
 revenge trembled on his lips but was unheard. 
 
 "And what?" asked the King. 
 
 "And their liberty." 
 
 "Your answers falter." 
 
 "My deeds shall not." 
 
 "Your tongue at times seems to falter as 
 though it was traveling uncertain paths, when 
 you pronounce some words." 
 
 "I have been traveling much of late your 
 Majesty." 
 
 "Well it is true a Frenchman is always a 
 Frenchman no matter where he is. Is it not so 
 my Lor ?" 
 
 "Mario is my name," was the cool response 
 to the King's speech, which showed that 
 suspicion lurked in his mind as to the kind of 
 man he dealt with." 
 
 "But how am I to know that you are not a 
 spy in Napoleon's hands?" 
 
 "My acts shall speak and prove all that." 
 
 "Do you not know that if you are caught by 
 Napoleon, that it would mean certain death ? "
 
 Accepted. 39 
 
 "I should then die for a good cause your 
 Majesty." 
 
 "Well now to do away with idle words; how 
 do you intend to operate?" 
 
 "I have men and means. You shall have all 
 news of any importance. It shall be conveyed 
 to you through your faithful servants Francois 
 and Lilly. My chateau shall be my head- 
 quarters but of course I will not be known as 
 Mario there." 
 
 "And the name of your chateau." 
 
 "Chateau de Nuit." 
 
 "A peculiar name, where is it located." 
 
 "On the boundaries of France, Belgium and 
 Germany." 
 
 The King began to move restlessly in his 
 chair and the color came and went in his face, 
 evidently anxiety was on his mind. 
 
 "It is a large stone building?" 
 
 "Yes Sire." 
 
 "With stone lions holding shields with the 
 Fleurs de Lis on them?" 
 
 "The same your Majesty." 
 
 "Sacre, my private chateau, if he should dis- 
 cover the secret" murmured the King under
 
 40 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 his breath his hand fumbling with the pen he 
 held. "I must contrive to get it out of there" 
 he murmured. 
 
 Mario noticed the King's anxiety, but played 
 his part by seemingly seeing nothing, though in 
 reality he was observing the King's every action 
 and it set his mind working, trying to interpret 
 this demeanor. 
 
 "How long have you occupied this chateau?" 
 asked the King. 
 
 Probably a month." 
 
 "It is a very mysterious place is it not?" 
 
 "Very, but how comes your Majesty to know 
 of the place?" 
 
 "By hearsay, purely by hearsay, for a King 
 must know everything that is in his domain." 
 
 "If -his Majesty should accept me, anything 
 he should command would be done." 
 
 "Then the only command I could give a spy 
 is do your duty." 
 
 "Then you accept me?" 
 
 "Yes, providing you do not command too high 
 a price for your services." 
 
 "I ask nothing." 
 
 "What do you expect." 
 
 "Nothing.""
 
 Accepted. 41 
 
 "Good, that is well, you are accepted. Let 
 your deeds speak well against Napoleon." 
 
 "Have no fears your Majesty, they will." 
 
 'You are dismissed," and the King began to 
 write at the table and Mario left with his guide. 
 As he was about to turn away, the woman 
 stopped him. 
 
 "Where to now Mario?" 
 
 "To Chateau de Nuit to make preparations, 
 my men are there," and he strode off. The 
 woman followed him with her eyes and mused: 
 "No; he is not spy for King or France, he is 
 spy for Mario and Mario alone," and she disap- 
 peared into the house. 
 
 In the room the King was still writing and 
 the Duke was pacing the floor. The King laid 
 down his pen and stared into vacancy. A fear 
 was creeping over his mind. Had Fate 
 prompted that strange being he had just met, to 
 place himself in his service and also to buy his 
 private chateau, the owner of which only the 
 valet of the King had known and this servant 
 was dead, so the secret remained only in his 
 hands. Would not this man now turn to be a 
 double edged weapon if he should discover the 
 hiding place of the secret and if used too harshly
 
 42 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 would rebound and cause its user more harm, 
 than good? It was too late to retract the step 
 he had now taken, for Mario was already in pos- 
 session of the chateau and it was better for the 
 King to ha ye him as friend, than even neutral. 
 The only thing to do was trust to luck or to 
 remove the greater part of the secret. 
 
 Suddenly the Duke interrupted his musings: 
 "What do you think of the man." 
 
 "In what way" asked the King. 
 
 "As a spy." 
 
 "Good." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "In the first place he is not a Frenchman." 
 
 "Why, how do you know that?" 
 
 "His tongue falters, his beard is too sharp 
 and Frenchmen do not wear cloaks like his." 
 
 "What makes you think he will be good in 
 our service?" 
 
 "He is forced on by more than love of King 
 or country." 
 
 "What makes you think that?" 
 
 "Did you not notice the continual sneer about 
 his lips, did you not see that he did not care to 
 speak about the past and did you not notice him
 
 Accepted. 43 
 
 correct me when I was going to call him by a 
 title." 
 
 "Yes, now I do recall it. What do you think 
 is his motive, or what is it that forces him to 
 become a spy in our hands?" 
 
 "Kevenge." - 
 
 "Kevenge?" 
 
 "Yes a man does not sneer, nor answer the 
 way he did iinless there is something more than 
 the object to serve King or country hidden in 
 his heart. He is no common man. There is a 
 motive in all this and it is revenge."
 
 44 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER AP- 
 PEARS IN PARIS. 
 
 Strangers, who for more than five years had 
 passed up a certain street in Paris, which I need 
 not name, would stop in front of a building 
 blackened by neglect and age and would wonder 
 that such a place should be allowed to fall in 
 ruin. On inquiring what house it was they 
 would be told that it was called the "Alhambra" 
 probably because it was deserted, or perhaps 
 because before it was abandoned, it had been 
 inhabited by a Moor of royal blood who had 
 come from his home in sunny Spain to rest and 
 enjoy the frivolity of the French nation. Its 
 doors were closed and bolted. Its shutters were 
 fastened by their hooks and re-enforced by bars 
 and bolts. The old gate, bearing the strange 
 design of the Moor's coat of arms was rusting 
 on its hinges, barring an entrance to the court
 
 A Mysterious Stranger Appears in Paris. 45 
 
 yard, as firm as that of a mausoleum. Weeds 
 had grown up in the cracks of the massive 
 stones and floor of the court yard, which long 
 had ceased to echo to human foot-steps. 
 
 The "Alhambra" was indeed an appropriate 
 name for this place of Moorish desertion. From 
 the court ran a pair of wide stairs of probably 
 twelve or fifteen steps and then a huge arch, 
 the key stone bearing the curious armorial of its 
 past lord, then a sort of alcove or porch with 
 an arch to the west, then another arch over the 
 entrance of two large doors of carved oak. 
 Through these portals no one had passed for 
 more than five years, since the day of the Moor's 
 untimely death, which stirred all Paris into a 
 state of excitement. 
 
 When the corpse was borne from the house, 
 the old brown faced, white haired butler was 
 seen to close the door, not without one lingering 
 look of sadness and regret. Then he produced 
 a massive key and the bolt turned without a 
 change being made on the interior of the build- 
 ing. Then he tottered away, possibly return- 
 ing to the land of his birth, probably not, no 
 one knew. But since then no one had placed 
 a foot within the court yard, much less the
 
 46 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 building which stood silent, stern, a monument 
 for its deceased Lord. Year came and year 
 went. Time and the elements joined hands 
 every day in tinting the stone building, with its 
 beautiful carvings, a somber hue, as if it at last 
 had realized its loss and were now assuming its 
 mourning garb. 
 
 The Moor's history, if not found in the 
 archives of the nation, was for a day, or proba- 
 bly a month, for the world forgets soon and 
 the French nation much sooner, written in the 
 minds of the people. The first that was known 
 of him was his building of the mansion we have 
 been speaking of, then his entering it with his 
 strange retinue. Then his appearance at the 
 opera and the showering of a necklace of dia- 
 monds and gems of priceless value at the feet 
 of the prima donna, because she sang a song 
 of his native land with such grace and fervor. 
 N"ext came the rumor of his liaison with the 
 most noted grisette and mistress of the times. 
 Silks, gowns almost beyond price, jewels, 
 fortunes were heaped upon her in profusion. 
 Nothing was made secret. Like husband and 
 wife they lived at the "Alhambra." To make 
 a reception or a ball a success the Moor must
 
 A Mysterious Stranger Appears in Paris. 47 
 
 be induced to grace the liall with his presence. 
 Once he consented to be present, the word was 
 given out and the ball-room was crowded to 
 overflowing, but should he decline the invita- 
 tion the hall was deserted. Theaters were 
 crowded to excess, when it was known that he 
 had a box and managers were not tardy in 
 announcing that fact when it was true. 
 
 Xow this strange character had in his retinue 
 a servant who accompanied him almost con- 
 stantly when in public and acted as a kind of 
 interpreter and manager. Tall, straight and 
 handsome with his olive skin and black hair and 
 eyes which expressed as much as his lips spoke, 
 quiet, but sharp and shrewd, he had no match 
 as a valet and companion. 
 
 A year had passed since the Moor's entrance 
 into Paris, when one morning, the old gray 
 haired butler came before his master and in 
 his strange and mysterious way made it clear 
 to his Lord, without offending him, that it was 
 to his advantage to watch his mistress and his 
 servant. 
 
 The Moor laid a trap and giving out that he 
 should be gone for a night, he kindly dismissed 
 the valet, as he wished to go unattended. The
 
 48 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 servant fearing a plot, as it was an unusual 
 occurrence for the Lord to go into public with- 
 out his company, mounted a horse and followed 
 the brougham which bore his Lord. The Moor 
 knowing the shrewdness of his servant and see- 
 ing the horse following his carriage, ordered 
 the coachman to drive to the Tuileries. This 
 threw the young man off his guard, as he 
 thought he was going to visit the King and 
 wished to see him in secret. So he returned. 
 
 About midnight the Moor also returned and 
 quietly entered the house and peering through 
 the curtains of his mistress' room he found her 
 in the arms of her lover. For a moment he 
 gazed, then his passion got the best of him and 
 he thrust the curtains aside. The woman 
 shrieked, but the young Moor was calm and 
 quiet. On the wall, were hung many strange 
 moorish weapons as ornaments. The lord 
 grasped a scimitar and rushed upon the youth 
 who had stolen the affections of his mistress. 
 As he struck the young man swerved to one 
 side and the blow which otherwise would have 
 split his skull, crashed into his shoulder and 
 dyed his gown with his blood. Then they drew 
 closer and a hand to hand struggle ensued; but
 
 A Mysterious Stranger Appears in Paris. 49 
 
 the loss of blood began to tell on the youth for 
 each moment he was growing weaker. 
 
 A long curved dagger hung at his side, but it 
 was on the side which was unhurt and in such 
 a position that he could not reach it. Suddenly 
 the woman recovering from her fear and realiz- 
 ing the result if the youth should fail to strangle 
 the lord, stole to his side and drew the long 
 glittering blade from its sheath and pressed the 
 handle in the youth's hand, who grasped it 
 tremblingly for life was fast ebbing from him. 
 With his last effort, he raised it and plunged its 
 curved blade in his old master's breast. Then 
 both sank to the floor with the life gone from 
 one and fast ebbing from the other. Then 
 the woman fled from the house and disappeared. 
 Ko one knew where. 
 
 Then came a lapse of many years during 
 which the building stood lonely and silent. The 
 old butler had never appeared, but some 
 believed he would. Strange to say the mis- 
 tress had been the only person, who was not 
 a Moor, who had seen the interior decorations 
 and embellishments of this strange mansion. 
 No one except her had gone farther than the 
 door and it must have caused much talk and
 
 50 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 wonder when, one day the doors were seen to 
 open and a man, handsomely dressed, come out. 
 He must have come during the night for no 
 one saw him enter. The shutters were being 
 opened and cleaned. The old lock on the gate 
 had been turned and allowed the gates to part 
 and swing back on their rusty hinges. The 
 oak door was being polished the windows 
 cleaned and everything was being thoroughly 
 renovated. After awhile, the man returned in 
 his carriage, drawn by a pair of beautiful black 
 horses and embellished with a coat of arms on 
 its doors. The coachman who assisted the man 
 was dressed in full livery and at the door he 
 was met by a valet, dressed as many a courtier 
 wished to be. After taking a scrutinizing 
 glance at the building, the man entered the 
 house followed by his valet. 
 
 The tongues of the neighborhood were set 
 wagging. Everybody spoke about the new 
 occupant of the "Alhambra" and guessed who 
 he might be. His carriage bore an armorial, 
 strange indeed, but it sufficed, he was of some 
 nobility. His form was good, his face hand- 
 some and his eyes bright and sharp, his hair 
 and beard black. This the women noticed. His
 
 A Mysterious Stranger Appears in Paris. 51 
 
 horses were good, his carriage of the latest 
 style, his dress up-to-date, his demeanor cold and 
 haughty, even to indifference. This the men 
 noticed. But no one could come to a conclusion 
 as to who he was and from whence he came. 
 
 "Would he come to the opera that night?" 
 the women wondered. 
 
 "Would he play at Madame Stilsits?" the 
 men hoped. 
 
 All day long the "Alhambra" was being 
 placed in a proper state for its new master, but 
 strange to say, not a bit of new furniture was 
 brought to the house. All day long carriages 
 passed by to see the changes and even Napoleon 
 himself would have passed, had not etiquette 
 placed a restraint on rulers, for so strange a 
 thing was it to see that building, which had 
 stood vacant for so many years, now occupied 
 that it seemed almost a miracle. Then again, 
 it brought back recollections of the Moor and 
 his murder and assassination. 
 
 Two days passed and the stranger of the 
 "Alhambra" did not appear either at the opera 
 or at Madame Stilsits; but on the third night 
 there was a vacant box at the theater. All eyes 
 were directed towards it hoping, that the
 
 52 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 stranger might appear. Bets were even made 
 that he would. The manager being asked if he 
 would come said that he did not know, but 
 that a servant in livery had bought the box for 
 the season and he could not tell whom it was for. 
 
 The curtain was falling on the conclusion of 
 the first act and no one had entered the box. 
 The audience was impatient to see the owner, 
 but he did not come. The curtain arose for the 
 next act and for an instant there was darkness 
 in the hall, necessitated to form some stage 
 effect. When the eyes had become accustomed 
 to the gloom, they were turned towards the box. 
 It was occupied. A man sat calmly gazing at 
 the stage. A general murmur of, "there he is," 
 arose in the hall to the annoyance of the actors. 
 A valet stood at the door of the box as if he had 
 been there all evening. At the conclusion of 
 the second act and the hall was again in a blaze; 
 every one gazed at the occupant of the box, 
 where the stranger sat gazing about him, as if 
 nothing unusual were occurring. Every one 
 desired to visit him; but no one knew him. 
 
 It happened that Madame de Ebersville and 
 a crowd occupied a box near that of the stranger, 
 have a plan to gain
 
 A Mysterious Stranger Appears in Paris. 53 
 
 visit from the stranger." She leaned forward, 
 as if intensely studying some face across the hall, 
 then as if not noticing what she were doing, 
 she let her kerchief fall, directly into the 
 stranger's box. She could not resist the tempta- 
 tion to look if it had fallen in the right place. 
 The crowd seeing her act cheered. The 
 stranger picked up the kerchief, handed it to 
 his valet with a card and again turned to the 
 orchestra. 
 
 The valet presented himself at the door of 
 Madame de Ebersville's box and handed her the 
 kerchief with a bow. The hall was in an uproar 
 of laughter for they knew that all this had been 
 done to gain a visit from the stranger. The 
 valet handed her the kerchief and card saying, 
 "My lord desires a visit tomorrow." 
 
 Although she had not gained what she 
 desired, she had received something just as good, 
 for now it would be through her that he would 
 be introduced into society. Thus musing she 
 read the card she held in her hand; "Prince de 
 Tristesse." 
 
 In showing the card to the other occupants of 
 the box, she held it high enough for the audi- 
 ence to see. The laughter subsided.
 
 54 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Prince of Sadness" what a strange name she 
 murmured as she handed the card to her husband 
 an elderly man while she was still young. 
 
 "You are not going to take advantage of this 
 are you?" he asked. 
 
 "Why not," she replied? "It will now be 
 through me that he will be introduced into 
 society. Do you think that I would lose this 
 opportunity? It would be foolish if I did so. 
 You will go with me will you not Eugenie" she 
 asked tourning towards a young lady who sat in 
 the rear of the box. 
 
 "If I should not be intruding Madame I 
 would be pleased to accompany you" she 
 answered in a soft sweet voice.
 
 Madame's Visit. 55 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MADAME'S VISIT. 
 
 The next afternoon, the carriage of Madame 
 de Ebersville drove up in front of the "Alham- 
 bra" and Madame and her companion Eugenie 
 alighted and mounted the steps. Hardly had 
 they reached the alcove, when the door noise- 
 lessly swung back and a valet ushered them 
 into a parlor, exquisitely decorated with Moorish 
 draperies and hangings. On the floor of flesh 
 colored, rose marble were heavy rugs into which 
 their feet sunk up to the ankles. 
 
 Rich draperies of gold and purple cloths hung 
 from the great arch above the doors, which gave 
 a pleasing contrast to the almost barren pink 
 colored marble walls. Here and there hung 
 massive paintings of warm landscape, scenes of 
 sunny Spain. In corners stood life size statues 
 of nymphs and cupids, carved from the same 
 material as the floor and walls and the rosy tints
 
 56 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 of the figures and their beautifully molded 
 forms, gave them almost a life like appearance. 
 
 The high spacious ceilings were embellished 
 with figures in exquisite mosaic work. From 
 the four corners of the ceiling of the room, 
 hung the half body of a nude figure, holding in 
 her outstretched hands a lamp, which when lit 
 shed a light of wonderful brilliancy throughout 
 the room. From a distance, somewhere, they 
 could hear the musical ripple and drip of a 
 fountain. 
 
 Madame de Ebersville nodded to her com- 
 panion. "Is it not wonderful, ~L should like to 
 see more," she said. Just then the curtains 
 drew apart and the stranger at the opera, of 
 the night before, stood in the door-way. "Ah 
 Madame, pardon the delay and you Mandamoi- 
 selle also." Madame was wondering how he 
 knew by what titles to call them and as a 
 venture to open the conversation began: 
 
 "It is we who are to be pardoned prince, for 
 this is very embarrassing to you, my name is 
 
 "Madame Andreas de Ebersville," interrupted 
 the prince. 
 
 "Now that you know me, allow me to intro- 
 duce my friend Madamoiselle
 
 Madame's Visit. 57 
 
 "Eugenie de Veres, daughter of Baron de 
 Veres." 
 
 "Correct, but how came you to know us." 
 
 "That is my business, in fact the affair of 
 every gentleman who expects a visit in order not 
 to create embarrassment. But pray be seated. 
 It is indeed to the lucky mishap of the kerchief 
 that I owe this visit." 
 
 "It was very distressing to me." 
 
 "Then, but I hope not now. Madamoiselle 
 is admiring my paintings." 
 
 "Yes, they are beautiful; such coloring and 
 such grace are seldom seen." 
 
 "Yes; the names are on the pictures; but I 
 do not know them they are by foreign artists. I 
 should have thought that Madame and you 
 Madamoiselle Eugenie would have seen them 
 before. 
 
 "Prince, you are not acquainted with the his- 
 tory of the 'Alhambra' or you would not speak 
 that way" interposed the elder lady, "no one 
 excepting one has ever placed himself in this 
 house who was not a Moor." 
 
 "Ah that is true? I did not know that. So 
 the place was hidden from mortal eyes. Well 
 it is very strange."
 
 58 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "But Monsieur should have known the his- 
 tory of this house hefore he bought it." 
 
 "I did not buy it. But as to the Moor's 
 history, I am thoroughly acquainted with it." 
 
 Madame de Ebersville was in torture to know 
 how the "Alhambra" had come into his posses- 
 sion if he had not bought it, but felt that it 
 would be too rude to ask. Perhaps if she should 
 lead the way he would tell of his own accord. 
 
 "Well if the pleasure of seeing the interior 
 of this house has been denied you I shall not be 
 like the Moor. I shall conduct you around and 
 be pleased to show you through its mysteries and 
 its surprises." 
 
 The prince arose and his companions did like- 
 wise and holding the curtains apart he led them 
 into a sort of hall-way, which divided the build- 
 ing into two parts and led them into what ap- 
 peared to be a kind of conservatory, for in the 
 distance they could see the green of luxurious 
 vegetation. The hall was of pure red granite, 
 walls, floor, ceiling and all and at every door 
 hung heavy maroon draperies, bordered and 
 adorned with gold. Directly in front of them 
 was a large arched doorway, protected by no cur- 
 tains and through this they could see the silvery
 
 Madame's Visit. 59 
 
 spray of the fountain as it rose and fell into the 
 great basin. Nymphs, holding jars in their 
 hands, were scattering sprays over the beautiful 
 large pond lilies floating in the bowl, while a 
 colossal statue of Neptune, waving his hand to 
 myriads of life size mermaids, sent a cooling 
 refreshment to their armsful of blood red roses. 
 On all sides were blossoms emitting delightful 
 fragrance. Here, a huge banana tree raised its 
 head towards the glass roof as if to be the first to 
 reach the rays of the sun; there a modest patch 
 of violets bloomed and perfumed the air, narcis- 
 sus, daisies, hibiscus, tulips, flowers from every 
 country, clime and zone all mingled in a happy 
 unison. 
 
 "Oh this is a regular paradise" cried Eugenie 
 delighted with the scene before her. 
 
 Next, the prince led them into the dining 
 hall, a spacious room in which not a bit of 
 marble appeared, for all was of solid oak. A 
 long table sat solidly with its lion carved feet 
 upon a floor polished into the brilliancy and 
 smoothness of a mirror. Heavy oaken chairs, 
 to match the table with their soft morocco seats 
 and backs, were dispersed throughout the room. 
 
 Directly back of the head of the table, ex-
 
 60 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 tending out from the walls, Avcre two massive 
 heraldic lions grasping between them a large 
 shield, now bearing the arms of the Prince of 
 Sadness, instead of that of the Moor. All the 
 panels of the walls were carved and inlaid with 
 darker and lighter wood. 
 
 From here he led them into the library a 
 room all of cherry, very plain, with cases of 
 books and manuscripts, all bound in cherry 
 colored leather, covering the extent of the walls 
 from the floor to the ceiling. At one end of the 
 room stood a large desk with papers scattered 
 about in reckless profusion. They then left the 
 library and the prince lifting the curtain, showed 
 them into a hall equally as large as the con- 
 servatory, the floor of which was of mosaic 
 work. 
 
 "This" said the prince "is the -art hall of the 
 "Alhambra." 
 
 The walls, up to half their height were per- 
 fectly plain polished marble, but. from there on 
 up they were one mass of carving, figure after 
 figure, design after design, but none alike, ran 
 the whole length of the walls and as they 
 reached the ceiling became more complicated 
 and beautiful. At last in the center, terminat-
 
 Madame's Visit. 61 
 
 ing into a large beautiful chandelier, hanging 
 half way down from the great dome above by 
 the arms of sylphs, dragons, nymphs, and satyrs 
 in a profusion of a thousand lights. All through 
 the hall stood statues and statuettes, some of 
 every marble and granite found in the world. 
 Here was a Venus de Milo, here a Diana, there 
 a Venus and a Cupid. But in the center of the 
 room stood the grandest of all. 
 
 "That," said the prince, "is known as the blind 
 statue." 
 
 "Oh, it is beautiful, magnificent' 7 cried both 
 the women in one voice. 
 
 It was a group with the central figure that of 
 a beautiful Greek slave girl, ready for the bath 
 and her form was molded from the most beauti- 
 ful flesh colored marble while near her, in splen- 
 did contrast, were two kneeling black waiting 
 maids, shaped from the blackest of marble. 
 
 "All is perfect but the eyes of the bather," 
 exclaimed Madame de Ebersville. 
 
 "That is partially why it is called the blind 
 statue. The carver of this grand work, had al- 
 most finished his task, when one day while work- 
 ing with his chisel a piece of marble struck him 
 in the eye. It totally disabled the one optic and
 
 61 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the other was so sensitive to the effect, that slowly 
 it began to dim. The poor sculptor toiled day 
 and night so as to finish before he should be 
 totally blind. Xot a moment's rest would he 
 take. All was finished to the eyes of that beau- 
 tiful figure when, his sight vanished and under 
 the strain he died at the feet of the creation he 
 had given every attribute of outward seeming, 
 save the "window of the soul." If Madame will 
 come soon again and you also Madamoiselle, I 
 will be pleased to show you the rest of the house, 
 but now we will withdraw to the parlor and be 
 served and over the tea-cup I will tell you how 
 I came to be the possessor of the "Alhambra." 
 
 They returned to the parlor and hardly had 
 they entered when they were waited on by a 
 servant in full livery. 
 
 "Oh do tell us how this paradise came into 
 your possession." 
 
 "Well, it came about in this way. It is a 
 strange tale. I was traveling in southern Spain 
 and in an out of the way place, near Granada, 
 I came upon an old gray-haired man lying on 
 the ground. Thinking him asleep I passed by 
 very lightly, in order not to disturb him. But 
 some strange feeling possessed me and I returned
 
 Madame's Visit. 63 
 
 and saw that it was not a natural sleep that held 
 him so still and that he had fainted. Placing 
 my flask of liquor to his lips and forcing a few 
 drops into his mouth, he after awhile opened his 
 eyes and gazed about him. He thanked me 
 with great vehemence and after he gained 
 enough strength began a rambling conversation. 
 Then he related to me how his master, a Moor 
 of royal blood, had taken the idea into his head 
 to go to some foreign land and build a palace 
 and there live a life of luxury. 
 
 The poor old man was forced to go with him. 
 Then he told of the tragedy and how after it 
 was all over he had taken the keys, left the 
 house just as it was and had wandered back 
 without any funds, excepting what he had on 
 his person and they were soon exhausted, for he 
 would not touch anything in the polluted house. 
 Then he told how at last he had reached the 
 sunny shores of Spain to die in his native land 
 and now that he was there, all was over, but to 
 relieve himself of a burden and that was to rid 
 himself of this place in France. Then he 
 handed me a key from beneath his gown and 
 told me the exact location of the "Alhambra" 
 and said that whoever possessed the knowledge
 
 64 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 of a secret hiding place, in the building, would 
 then become possessor of the palace. As he was 
 fast sinking and as no one, excepting the Moor 
 and himself had known of the place, he told me 
 of it." 
 
 "So you did not buy the palace?" said Ma- 
 dame de Ebersville. 
 
 "Yes Madame, I purchased it at the price of 
 a decent burial." 
 
 "Prince, you are strange; you have told us 
 nothing but sad tales" said Eugenie. 
 
 "Madamoiselle oftentimes circumstances and 
 surroundings force us into moods of melancholy 
 or happiness. But as the "Alhambra" seems to 
 be a fated place and as you desired to know its 
 history, probably that was conducive to the 
 mood." 
 
 "As the prince has been so kind in showing 
 us into the mysteries, which so few have seen, 
 I feel it my duty to introduce him into society 
 and at the court." 
 
 "Into society perhaps Madame, but not at 
 court." 
 
 "Ah I thought the name you have was as- 
 sumed." 
 
 "You have guessed correctly and if I should
 
 Madame's Visit. 65 
 
 go to court I would have to lay aside my pseu- 
 donym and that I do not wish to do." 
 
 ''But nevertheless that will not prevent me 
 introducing you at Madame Stilsits, who has 
 many friends, who visit her daily. Gaming 
 goes on the whole night through and all the lat- 
 est news is there discussed and all gossip is 
 brought to view." 
 
 "That will suit me greatly. As for playing I 
 can play but little as Madame will see and as for 
 gossip I talk little, but hear much; so it will 
 pjease me any time." 
 
 "Let me see, this is Wednesday; will Friday 
 suit?" 
 
 "With pleasure." 
 
 "So be it then. Come Eugenie, it is growing 
 late. Au revoir prince, your name suits you." 
 
 "An revoir Madame until Friday, and you 
 Madamoiselle, will you be \vith us?" 
 
 "Yes I shall come too. Au revoir." 
 
 Madame de Ebersville and Eugenie entered 
 the carriage and drove away. 
 
 "What a beautiful house" said Eugenie. 
 
 "Yes, and what a beautiful man." 
 
 "He is indeed strange, so obliging and still so 
 cold and indifferent. He will make quite a stir
 
 66 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 ft 
 
 at Madame Stilsits, and to think that it is you 
 who will introduce him; but may he not lose 
 too much in her place there?" 
 
 "That is his own look out. He cannot blame 
 me if he loses. I will have done my part but 
 here we are" and they both alighted from the 
 carriage at Madame de Ebersville's home.
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 67 
 
 CHAPTER V: 
 
 MADA'ME MAKES AN AGREEMENT. 
 
 The next evening the prince occupied his box 
 at the opera and Madame and Eugenie occupied 
 theirs also. Monsieur Le Baron de Ebersville 
 was not present. The beauty of the "Alham- 
 bra" had reached many ears, of course through 
 the channel which was only open and that was 
 Madame de Ebersville, and every one sat gazing 
 at the master of such a palace, which was finer 
 than that of the Emperor. The curtain had 
 fallen on the first act when Madame turned to 
 Eugenie: "I should be pleased to receive the 
 prince in our box and you Eugenie, would it 
 please you?" 
 
 The color in Eugenie's face expressed her 
 sentiments more eloquently than her meek "yes." 
 Hardly had they spoken, when the door opened 
 and the prince entered.
 
 68 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Madame, I should hope that I am not intrud- 
 ing." 
 
 "Not in the least; we are always pleased to 
 see your Grace. But the play, does it suit your 
 taste?" 
 
 "Very much so. I am delighted with your 
 French renditions. Why so pensive Madam- 
 oiselle; are you in love or contemplating mar- 
 riage? Love is but the prelude to marriage as 
 the first act to a tragedy. Shun the prelude and 
 the play will cease." 
 
 "Why prince to hear you speak one should 
 think that you have been disappointed in love?" 
 
 "Perhaps, Madame. But the bards of old and 
 the bards of today have painted only the beauti- 
 ful side of love. They have only pictured it 
 as a pathway of beautiful flowers, emitting a 
 pleasing perfume. The sky overhead in their 
 dreams is pure ethereal blue, the sun shines 
 bright and laughs on the lovers' journey, as they 
 wander hand in hand. But the romanciers and 
 the tragedians' pen, pictures it oftentimes in a 
 truer light. Joy and pain follow closely on each 
 others heels and fight a battle royal for su- 
 premacy. But as a general thing pain conquers 
 and joy falls by the wayside. The path in the
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 69 
 
 romance and tragedy is often covered with, 
 thistles and thorns, then stretches of barren sand, 
 the sky is dark and the sun is obscured by black 
 ominous clouds; only now and then appears a 
 ray of brightness through the rain drops of 
 tears." 
 
 "Oh prince, the play has led you into this 
 mood. You must cast it off even if it is becom- 
 ing to you." 
 
 "My name Madame, signifies my disposition." 
 
 Eugenie was occupied gazing at the audience. 
 
 "But the Baron, why is he not here tonight 
 Madame?" asked the prince in an undertone. 
 
 "He is ill." 
 
 "Seriously?" 
 
 "No, only a fit of indisposition caused by " 
 
 "Reverses," he says. 
 
 "Prince you are indeed plain spoken. What 
 do you mean?" 
 
 "Only that Monsieur le Baron has speculated 
 and lost." 
 
 "But how came you to know?" 
 
 "There are oftentimes things which it is ones 
 duty to know." 
 
 "But if this should get out? Prince I speak 
 frankly with you, for I feel that I can trust you.
 
 yo The Clash of Steel. 
 
 Monsieur le Baron has speculated. Last even- 
 ing when I returned from your house I found 
 him sitting alone in deep thought. I could see 
 that something had occurred. He would not 
 tell me at first, but after awhile he told me the 
 exact state of affairs. He had speculated in 
 silks and today had lost. This has not been his 
 first reverse. Steadily has fortune turned 
 against him, until hoping to gain back all, he 
 staked everything today. He has lost. We 
 are ruined, utterly ruined. Tomorrow a vast 
 sum is due, if we get no renewal and the news 
 of our loss gets noised around we shall be lost." 
 
 "Madame there is no poison for which there 
 is not an antidote, nor an evil for which there is 
 not a remedy. All is not lost." 
 
 "What do you mean? I cannot understand 
 you." 
 
 "I mean this, Madame, that you will get a 
 renewal tomorrow, only follow my dictates and 
 answer my questions. Is the man to whom your 
 husband is indebted in this house?" 
 
 "Yes in one of the boxes." 
 
 "That is good, all will be well." 
 
 "I do not understand." 
 
 "He will not hear of the failure this afternoon.
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 71 
 
 ]\Iy presence in your box will make him feel 
 secure and he would give much to make my 
 acquaintance; is it not so?" 
 
 "It is, I spoke to some of his family today. 
 But how did you know?" 
 
 "As to that I will not speak, but now to make 
 things more secure I shall give to you a box, 
 which when you see him looking directly at us 
 and of course at some proper time in the play, 
 you will throw it at the feet of the prima donna;" 
 and with this from his pocket he took a pale 
 blue plush box and handed it to her as he opened 
 it. 
 
 "!N"o no" cried Madame "I cannot think of 
 it." 
 
 "But you must. Still the game is not yet 
 played. Do not think you can never repay me 
 for you can." 
 
 "No I could never repay you." 
 
 "Yes. You are in a favorable position at 
 court." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "In fact the Empress is- confidential to a cer- 
 tain extent." 
 
 "You are wonderful, you know everything." 
 
 "Not everything, there are still things I de-
 
 yi The Clash of Steel. 
 
 sire to know and following Cicero's adage of: 
 "whenever you desire to find out a secret go to 
 the man's mistress;" in this case it is his wife. 
 There are things I desire to know. In that way 
 you can repay me." 
 
 "You are then a spy?" 
 
 "Perhaps." 
 
 "And you want me to be one also." 
 
 "Not necessarily." 
 
 "I cannot. It would be wrong." 
 
 "Madame, it is hard to lose one's position." 
 
 "But you give us only a temporary relief." 
 
 "I told you that the game was not yet finished. 
 Tomorrow night we go to Madame Stilsits. I 
 shall play and you shall play also." 
 
 "But if I lose." 
 
 "Madame will not lose. Come, now is the 
 time." 
 
 "I cannot. I cannot." 
 
 "It is hard to fail. Now or all will be lost." 
 
 The prima donna had just finished a pretty 
 love pleading. Madame de Ebersville arose in 
 the box and all eyes were turned upon her. For 
 a moment she paused as if hesitating, then she 
 tossed the blue box at the feet of the prima 
 donna. There was a burst of applause from the
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 73 
 
 audience. The die had been cast. A smile 
 spread about the prince's lips as he whispered 
 "well done, he was looking directly at you." 
 
 Then a breath of silence spread over the house 
 as the prima donna stooped to pick up the box 
 and opening it she drew forth a beautiful neck- 
 lace of diamonds formed into three strands and 
 terminating at the center into a beautiful cluster, 
 which sparkled in the brilliant light with daz- 
 zling fire. Then she turned, after clasping the 
 necklace about her neck and in her best effort 
 sang the song again, facing the Madame's box. 
 But Madame seemed not to hear it. Her face 
 was as white as her dress and beads of perspira- 
 tion were standing on her forehead. 
 
 "What an awful power had this man," she 
 was wondering and the burst of applause from 
 the audience at the conclusion of the song awoke 
 her from her revery and she applauded with the 
 rest. 
 
 All through the rest of the performance, Ma- 
 dame sat as in a dream. She then only realized 
 the power of this man who had disguised him- 
 self as the Prince of Sadness and the contract 
 she had entered upon, but then she calmed her- 
 self by the thought, that it was for the best.
 
 74 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 The prince was conversing with Eugenie whose 
 beaming face plainly showed the pleasure his 
 attentions gave her. To Eugenie he gave the 
 explanation, that he himself had intended to give 
 the necklase to the prima donna but thought the 
 latter course the best. Any explanation would 
 have sufficed with Eugenie, for anything he 
 might do was correct in her eyes. 
 
 At last the performance was concluded and the 
 prince assisted them into their carriage and wish- 
 ing them a safe journey, he turned away with a 
 smile on his face. 
 
 "No Madame; the game is not yet played. 
 It has just begun. Tomorrow night you will 
 win and you are mine." Then he was driven to 
 the "Alhambra" where he was met by his gray- 
 headed valet. 
 
 "Gaston have everything in preparation to 
 leave in a day or so. We shall soon leave Paris 
 for awhile." 
 
 "Monsieur, a message for you," and the valet 
 handed him a sealed letter which the prince hast- 
 ily read. 
 
 "It is true; Napoleon is pushing on to Russia. 
 Fleur de Lis." 
 
 Madame de Ebersville's carriage was whirling
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 75 
 
 over the pavements towards the home of Eu- 
 genie. Both the occupants sat in silence, in 
 thought. Both debating, one with herself, the 
 other with fortune. Madame saw only the 
 prince's smile of victory, while Eugenie heard 
 only his kind polished words. Madame knew 
 that her husband would hear of her actions at 
 the opera and knew that she would have to 
 give an explanation. What should it be? 
 Well she would tell him all. ISTo, that would 
 not do she was a spy and her husband in the 
 good graces of jSTapoleon's favor. She would 
 only tell him that it was the prince, who assisted 
 her and instead of him giving the necklace to 
 the actress as he had intended to do, he had given 
 it to her, merely as an honor. She still had some 
 money of her own left, if she lost that little, 
 that would not amount to much, while on the 
 other hand if she won, something might still be 
 regained. Well at any rate the stake was large 
 and she must meet it. Then either victory and 
 the recovery of position or loss and failure. At 
 any rate the game was begun and must be played 
 to its end. 
 
 "Love is but the prelude to marriage as the 
 first act to a tragedy. Shun the prelude and the
 
 76 The Clash of Steel 
 
 play will cease," was rumbling in Eugenie's ears. 
 She heard it in the noise of the wheels and in 
 the sigh of the wind. "Is he not right," she 
 asked herself. "What is love but the ticket of 
 the lottery of marriage. The prize great, the 
 price at first small then at last greater until 
 finally disastrous failure, if no winning is made? 
 Love is but a game of chance and like all games 
 it is fascinating. If once we lose, we play on to 
 win back what we have lost. If we win a little 
 at first, we play on to win more. .The time to 
 stop is at its beginning, but we rush on and chase 
 the ignus fatus of success. Brother tramples 
 on brother, friend strikes friend, neighbor battles 
 with neighbor, in their mad rush like moths to- 
 wards that flame of success. We say no and an 
 inward voice says yes, so we battle with our- 
 selves, the voices raise themselves in a clamorous 
 deafening din, but in the midst of it all we rush 
 on and some escape the blaze of love, others pass 
 through it purged and successful, while the most 
 fall and linger in the agony of despair." "No" 
 said the thoughts of Eugenie. "Yes," said the 
 inward voice, then began the battle and she 
 rushed on, while the carriage stopped at the door 
 of her home and she alighted.
 
 Madame Makes An Agreement. 77 
 
 "Tomorrow night?" asked Madame, aroused 
 from her thoughts. 
 
 "Yes" answered Eugenie meekly, amidst tho 
 din of the inward battle. "Yes" thought sho 
 "'I like the rest shall rush on and if I fall there 
 are many before me who have done the same."
 
 78 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTEK VI. 
 
 THE CARDINAL'S CAMEO. 
 
 Madame Stilsits' house, as referred to before, 
 was the rendezvous of the upper class of aris- 
 tocrary, where they would assemble and pass the 
 time away at gaming and rioting. Many a 
 scandal had its germ planted there and many the 
 fortunes that had been lost and won over the 
 tables. Duels, the outcome of scandal, were 
 frequent, suicide had its share, but all would 
 be so skillfully covered and concealed that sel- 
 dom the outside world knew of them. Glasses 
 would clink after the games were finished. 
 Loser drank with winner, bankrupt with million- 
 aire, the one perhaps moody, silent and melan- 
 choly, the other joyous, happy and content. 
 
 Princes, Barons, Dukes, men and women of 
 rank assembled here and shuffled the paste- 
 boards, played the colors, or rolled the dice and 
 either won or lost. Generals, marshals, captains,
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 79 
 
 all frequented this place and gossip and rumor 
 .held high sway. No one or no action was let 
 pass by without some remark. The latest topic 
 and it had the honor of having more discussion 
 than any since the Emperor's marriage, was the 
 appearance of the Prince de Tristesse, the 
 strange occupant of the mysterious "Alhambra" 
 and on this evening all were in expectation, for 
 it was announced that he would appear. The 
 gamesters lacked interest in the play and the 
 betting was light ; all had their eyes on the door 
 when any one was announced. Madame de 
 Ebersville had not yet begun to play but sat 
 nervously picking at her fan, for it was by her 
 he was to be introduced. M. le Baron was not 
 there but Eugenie was by her side, closely 
 watching the curtains of the doorway, but Ma- 
 dame was too much engrossed in hei own 
 thoughts to notice the battle which Engenie was 
 waging in her heart. 
 
 At last there was a rumble of wheels outside 
 as a carriage drove up the road leading to the 
 entrance and a short time after, the porter at 
 the door, called out "Le Prince de Tristesse" and 
 all arose, something which had never happened 
 before. Madame advanced to the door-way as
 
 8o The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the curtains were drawn aside and the prince 
 dressed in faultless black, advanced and extended 
 his hand to her. 
 
 "I hope that I am not late" he said in his 
 musical voice. 
 
 " 'It is never late at Madame Stilsits" is our 
 motto Monsieur, but come and I shall introduce 
 
 you." 
 
 He was then introduced to the company and 
 created quite a sensation by his ready wit and 
 his acquaintance and reference to each one's 
 title and bits of history. Eugenie was seated at 
 the end of the room nervously playing with her 
 fan, her large gray eyes following the prince 
 about the room. "No" echoed the inward 
 voice but it was drowned out by the shrill "yes" 
 which was sounding in her mind. The battle 
 was at its height. The prince was now ap- 
 proaching in her direction. 
 
 "Ah Madamoiselle you have come, I am de- 
 lighted with my reception, such galantry and 
 beauty have seldom done me honor before." 
 
 "Prince of Sadness as you style yourself you 
 must be mistaken," said Madamoiselle, "for if 
 I err not there are all ranks and oftentimes the
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 81 
 
 best classes present at your fancied court of 
 sadness." 
 
 "You are right in that respect, for at that 
 court all classes have their places. On the right 
 hand is a pauper who looks across at the king or 
 queen on the left and amidst sighs says; "I am 
 not happy, why am I not like him, he has luxury, 
 wealth and plenty," while the nobility on their 
 part look over and say, "Look at that pauper, no 
 wealth to worry him, no diplomatic schemes to 
 follow, look at his healthy body and mind; why 
 am I not like him?" There the disappointed fall 
 with their burden and the unhappy sink beneath 
 its weight and ask for rest. Have you ever 
 stopped to think how few times in the seventy 
 years, that are allotted to man, that he can say 
 'now I am truly happy?' The young wish to 
 have the experience of years upon them and old 
 age prays and sighs for the buoyant grace and 
 steps of his youth."* 
 
 "But what consolation does the Prince of Sad- 
 ness give these poor wretches who can find no 
 rest?" asked Eugenie. 
 
 "None, none at all, and were I to give con- 
 solation and advice they would not follow it,
 
 82 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 they would say 'my malady is incurable, I am 
 doomed and must submit to its ravings.' ' 
 
 "Come come" said Madame "this is not the 
 time or place to preach a sermon." 
 
 "True we must game. Eugenie do you not 
 play?" 
 
 "No I find more pleasure by looking on." 
 
 "That is right, watch the fire but do not step 
 too closely or pick up the glowing coal to "view 
 its beauty or try to solve its mystery. Then it 
 will not harm you, but take care do not look at 
 it too much or too long, lest it dazzle and blind 
 your eyes. But Madame a word with you ere 
 we go to the tables" and he and Madame walked 
 arm in arm towards the other room. 
 
 "You have money?" he asked. 
 
 "Some." 
 
 "How much?" 
 
 "About 6,000 francs. 
 
 "That will do. Stake high every other time 
 I deal, take no chances at other times." 
 
 They entered the room and accepted places 
 which brought them directly opposite. The 
 deal was to the Prince's right two players, the 
 cards were dealt, the bets were made and the 
 player next to him won. His turn came to deal
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 83 
 
 but the betting was light and only small sums 
 were staked. Next the prince dealt. A player 
 several seats to his left drew a king, that 
 amounted to seven points, the man next to him 
 also drew a king and both bet high. The banker 
 who was of course the prince bet double the 
 amount. It was becoming interesting. Neither 
 of the two opponents drew cards while the prince 
 did. Then came the decision, both opponents 
 had seven points, the card the prince drew made 
 his seven and a half and he won. So the game 
 progressed and so it came his deal again. Ma- 
 dame staked high against three opponents and 
 won a nice sum. The game was steadily increas- 
 ing in interest, both Madame and the prince 
 waging small sums, when any one else dealt. 
 
 Once Madame was given a king amounting to 
 seven. She staked high and was met by several 
 other players. She drew no cards the second 
 deal and some one held seven and a half so 
 consequently she lost. The prince's eyes flashed 
 fire as his met her's and she understood. After 
 that she followed his instructions more explicitly 
 and when the game was finished she had won a 
 good round sum. 
 
 Then they wandered back to the ante chamber
 
 84 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 and on the way Madame said "yon are indeed 
 strange, prince bnt I feel that I have done 
 wrongly." 
 
 "Why, may I ask." 
 
 "Well to play." 
 
 "Has Madame never played before?" 
 
 "Yes er bnt " 
 
 "You are wondering how you came to win 
 every time I dealt?" 
 
 "To be frank yes." 
 
 "The Prince of Sadness has magic in his 
 touch. Did the players distrust me? No, then 
 why should you?" 
 
 "Well enough of this but you are too kind 
 to me." 
 
 "Not at all, you shall amply repay me. The 
 Emperor is now moving on to Russia." 
 
 "How do you know." 
 
 "Details are too long. But what I want to 
 know is for what reason. You can learn the 
 reason for me can you not?" 
 
 "I am a spy." 
 
 "No Madame only a debtor paying a debt." 
 
 "Well then if I can find out you shall know 
 tomorrow night. But where?"
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 85 
 
 "Here. You have not jet met all your hus- 
 band's reverses, we shall play some more." 
 
 The news of Madame's winnings had come to 
 the ears of her husband and as answer to his 
 questions she turned over the sum to him. 
 Well, at this stage of his financial state it made 
 little difference where the money came from and 
 besides it was considered no wrong to gamble 
 and Madame attributed her winnings to a phe- 
 nomenal run of luck. Although in her own 
 mind she had wished herself out of the bargain 
 a thousand times, for she saw the prince's hold 
 becoming tighter upon her, but now that she 
 had once started she must make the best of it. 
 The renewal had been given, thanks to the 
 prince's presence in the box and the plan of the 
 gift to the prima donna. 
 
 The next night she and Eugenie were again 
 at Madame Stilsits anxiously waiting for the 
 prince to come. She had spent the greater part 
 of the afternoon with the Empress and had 
 gained the information she desired. The in- 
 ward voice of Eugenie had been almost silenced 
 and she had gradually surrendered to the malady 
 that was preying on her heart. 
 
 At last the prince came. As he entered the
 
 86 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 room his eyes met with those of a certain captain 
 who was leaning on the back of a chair, convers- 
 ing with the wife of his general. The prince's 
 face brightened while that of the captain's be- 
 came clouded as if some uncertainty of convic- 
 tion still remained in his mind as to whether he 
 had seen the prince's face before. The prince 
 then approached Madame and Eugenie and ex- 
 tended to them his greeting. The captain saun- 
 tered closer and his eyes seemed never to leave 
 the prince's face. The subject on which Ma- 
 dame and Eugenie had been conversing was 
 jewelry and as the prince approached Madame 
 said, "we have just been trying to decide whether 
 or not my theory of that one can tell one's dis- 
 position by the jewelry one wears, is true or not." 
 
 "Pray explain yourself Madame and let me 
 be your judge." 
 
 "Well I claim that one can read the tempera- 
 ment and disposition of a person by the jewelry 
 or the kind of jewelry one most admires. For 
 instance take our hostess, she is fond of opals, 
 they flash fire, are brilliant, mysterious and gay ; 
 is she not all of that? Then, Eugenie here, her 
 favorite jewels are rubies and pearls, they are 
 so deep and burning in one respect, but do not
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 87 
 
 give out any fire, and pearls are always the sig- 
 nificant of tears, silent and lasting. While you 
 prince wear no jewelry whatever that I have 
 noticed, excepting- that cameo on the little finger. 
 It is the head of a warrior, and from it I should 
 read you as reserved, melancholy, and by the 
 figure still a lover of a fair fight." 
 
 "Madame has a good theory and in most cases 
 it holds good. As for you admiring this cameo, 
 you are not the first to do so. Kings, emperors, 
 queens and nobles of all rank have tried to pur- 
 chase it or to solve its secret. There is also a 
 history connected with it that makes it doubly 
 valuable. 
 
 One day there came to the shop of an alchem- 
 ist, here in the heart of your beautiful city, a 
 man of ordinary dress and requested of the chem- 
 ist that he form a drug that would be deadly 
 poison, but in such a form that it would, before 
 being dissolved, appear as a gem, and secondly, 
 that there should be no traces of poison left in 
 the stomach or blood of the victim." The man 
 offered a vast reward and the chemist devoted all 
 his time to this one end. Day and night he 
 labored without success and one midnight, after 
 failure after failure, as he was despairing and had
 
 88 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 almost decided to take the virus he had just 
 prepared from many acids and poisons, a drop 
 from a retort over the table fell into the paste 
 he was mixing. Out of despair he tried the new 
 mixture on some animals which he kept for that 
 purpose and to his astonishment it was the very 
 poison he had sought for so long. But as that, 
 one drop, which completed his compound had 
 fallen from one or perhaps several of the retorts, 
 above the table, he knew not its composition, 
 but the poison was his. He then moulded it 
 into a cameo and when the man came again it 
 was given to him for a vast sum after a trial of 
 its strength. The chemist never knew the iden- 
 tity of the man to whom he had sold the poison- 
 ous ring. But some years later, the ring was 
 found on the hand of the dead statesman and 
 priest, who had lived through one whole intri- 
 gue and plot, the Cardinal Armond de Richelieu. 
 Several years ago it came into my possession and 
 I have worn it ever since, more as a curiosity 
 than a precaution." 
 
 "That is indeed strange, but how does it 
 work,'' asked Madame. 
 
 "By a spring here at the side the set is forced 
 from its place. But come I see they are form- 
 ing a game."
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 89 
 
 The captain had advanced to inform them 
 that they were making a set to play. 
 
 "Allow me" said Madame "to introduce to 
 you, prince, the Captain Moran of Napoleon's 
 own guard." 
 
 "We have met before, have we not, but under 
 a different name?" asked the captain fastening 
 his eyes firmly on those of the prince, but no 
 change was perceptible as the prince answered. 
 
 "Perhaps, but at any rate if an old acquaint- 
 ance I am pleased to renew it, and if new, I am 
 happy to begin it" and they went on to the 
 tables while the prince murmured to himself: 
 "sacre, I did not think he would remember 
 Mario; he is still uncertain." 
 
 All began gaming and the bets that night were 
 unusually large. The prince was quiet and 
 several times he seemed to awaken from reveries 
 when addressed. What plan was he now re- 
 volving in his mind? The captain lost steadily 
 when the prince dealt and Madame won con- 
 tinually. The captain's loss was already counted 
 by the thousand francs, while Madame's gain 
 was that and far more and "when the game 
 stopped,, the captain was moody and showed his 
 heavy "loss, for in fact he was bankrupt and
 
 90 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 many others at the table were heavy losers, the 
 prince losing about a thousand francs and Ma- 
 dame's winnings were something unheard of 
 before at Madame Stilsits'. 
 
 When they stopped gaming they grouped 
 about in small companies and refreshments were 
 served. Madame did not seem joyous over her 
 winnings and the captain had almost ceased to 
 talk and sat brooding. The wine was passed 
 and it so happened, that there were not enough 
 glasses by one, on the tray which the waiter had 
 brought for the group where the prince and the 
 captain sat, and it also happened, that it was the 
 captain who was not served. Madame was look- 
 ing directly at the prince, she saw the lines in 
 his face set firm, the steely glitter in his eye was 
 brighter than usual. "What was he doing? She 
 saw the cameo slip from its setting in the ring 
 and fall lightly into the blood red wine. There 
 was but one bubble and the deadly poison was 
 dissolved. 
 
 "What is he going to do" thought she spell- 
 bound. 
 
 "Here captain, heavy losers should drown 
 their sorrows first." Madame was in agony, it 
 was going too far she would cry out and de-
 
 The Cardinal's Cameo. 91 
 
 nounce him. No she could not do that. That 
 would only be denouncing herself. She must 
 calmly sit by and see that man poisoned. 
 
 "No, I shall be served soon" Madame heard, 
 as in a dream the captain say. But the prince 
 had no turning back now. 
 
 "I deem it an honor, for who serves Napoleon 
 is with me an equal and a compatriot, even if I 
 do not take the field as you do. Thereby do me 
 the honor accept it and I will offer a toast. 
 
 Here's to the bowl of nectar sweet 
 
 Around which again, old friendships meet. 
 
 Heap high its rim with laurel leaf 
 
 And though our meeting here be brief, 
 
 This hour's remembrance shall linger still, 
 
 As the ivy clings to the mouldering mill. 
 
 And though our joy and wassail be not long 
 
 For what is life but a short sad song; 
 
 Its notes now shrill and loud now but a sad refrain; 
 
 Let's bump, for who knows when we will meet again. 
 
 Then think not of the morrow's dawn or set, 
 
 We're glad to meet again and part with a regret." 
 
 Without suspicion the captain accepted the 
 ;lass just as the servant brought one to the 
 prince. Madame could not drink her's, there 
 was an awful lump in her throat and her mind 
 was whirling. The captain raised the glass to
 
 92 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 liis lips, a few inarticulate cries broke from 
 Madame and she sank unconscious to the floor 
 and in so doing knocked the glass from the cap- 
 tain's hand and shattered it on the floor. Stim- 
 ulants were supplied and Madame gradually 
 came to, looking about her with a wild stare. The 
 prince came forward and leaning on his and 
 Eugenie's arms they led her to the carriage and 
 the prince accompanied them on their journey 
 home ordering his own vehicle to follow.
 
 Madame Speculates. 93 
 
 CHAPTER YH. 
 
 MADAME SPECULATES. 
 
 M adame's nerves had received a severe shock 
 but it gradually wore away. It all seemed to 
 her like some horrible dream, for there beside 
 her in the carriage was the prince, so attentive 
 and soothing her with pleasing words. She 
 could hardly believe what had happened and as 
 if to convince herself, she glanced at the prince's 
 hand; which in the excitement of assisting her 
 to the coach he had neglected to glove. Sure 
 enough there was the ring without its cameo 
 set. Again that horrible scene rushed before 
 her eyes. 
 
 "Prince your cameo is missing," she meekly 
 said in an undertone for her head was resting 
 on his shoulder and the noise of the wheels made 
 her voice inaudible to Eugenie. 
 
 "Jewelry like poisons are sometimes worth- 
 less. But how is Madame now?"
 
 94 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Much better. The captain is he well?" 
 
 "Perfectly, you are a good doctor." This was 
 all the reference made to the affair. 
 
 "Madame has made a big winning tonight. 
 But the debts are not yet paid." 
 
 "Prince, I shall never again enter Madame 
 Stilsits." 
 
 "That is not necessary. Madame will do well 
 by buying silks tomorrow. Buy at nine in the 
 morning as much as you have won tonight and 
 sell at two in the afternoon." 
 
 "What do you mean?" 
 
 "I mean that you should buy all the silks avail- 
 able and you can buy much for now they are 
 Very low, but sell promptly at two in the after- 
 noon at the highest price. But the reason of 
 Napoleon's visit into Russia, what does he 
 mean?" 
 
 "I visited the Empress this afternoon." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "She wondered at my strange acquaintance at 
 the "Alhambra." 
 
 "I knew that." 
 
 So the plot was thickening. Madame could 
 not now play him false for she saw by his last 
 remark that there must be another source from
 
 Madame Speculates. 95 
 
 which he also gained information, probably a 
 spy watching a spy. 
 
 "In the course of the conversation I learned 
 that Napoleon's main reason was to conquer 
 Alexander because" 
 
 "He loves Josephine and Napoleon is jealous 
 even with his new love." 
 
 "I also learned that he shall march on and 
 take all the cities, ending with Moscow, which 
 will place the entire country in his power." 
 
 Then a silence. 
 
 "I may soon leave Paris." 
 
 "So soon?" came to Eugenie's ears as the 
 horses had slackened into a walk. She did not 
 know that they had been conversing. 
 
 "I have business somewhere else." 
 
 "And in the meantime?" 
 
 "If you gain news of any movements, a mes- 
 sage to the "Alhambra will reach me," pursued 
 the two not noticing that the brougham did not 
 make enough noise to completely drown their 
 voices. 
 
 A suspicion was dawning upon Eugenie's 
 mind. Either Madame was faithless to her hus- 
 band, an old ill-humored man or there may be 
 something deeper. "No, it could not be either,"
 
 96 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 she thought "Madame is the soul of honor 
 and the prince is the same." The inward voice 
 could not be heard. Eugenie was rushing on at 
 a tremendous rate and even if she thought, that 
 she was mistaken nevertheless the suspicion re- 
 mained. "He is going away? Where? To 
 some mistress?" She had never thought of that 
 before. Her love had grown so strong for him 
 that she had not even given it a thought, that he 
 might care for some one else. Then besides he 
 had never encouraged her, rather the opposite. 
 "Love is but the prelude to marriage as the first 
 act to a tragedy, shun the prelude and the play 
 will cease." He posed as a single man, but may 
 he not even be married for all she knew. "No, 
 he is honorable, it cannot be, but still he is going 
 away. Where ?" Suspicion, to lovers is the rack 
 of the inquisition of love and it tortured and rent 
 the fibers of her brain until she felt that she 
 would go mad. The carriage stopped at Ma- 
 dame's and they entered the house after making 
 an engagement with the prince. 
 
 The next morning, through her lawyer, a poor 
 struggling honest young man, who had inces- 
 santly tried to get into the good graces of Eu- 
 genie's favor and Madame was not at all adverse
 
 Madame Speculates. 97 
 
 to this, but had so far failed completely, bought 
 up all the available silks and that was much, for 
 the market was stocked with silks and the price 
 was at a fabuously low ebb. He went about 
 it in a quiet way and in an hour had bought over 
 thirty thousand francs worth of the fabric, when 
 suddenly there was a rush. 
 
 The price of silks immediately jumped to 
 twice its former station, then three times as 
 much and steadily advanced. He at first won- 
 dered at Madame's strange actions but he was 
 told with such force to buy all the available silks, 
 as if she doubted if he w r ould explicitly follow 
 her dictates, for he had tried to dissuade her 
 when she informed him of his mission. Know- 
 ing his kindly feeling towards her, she thought 
 that he may only invest a small amount in order, 
 as he thought, to save the rest for her. But now 
 that the order's were so forcibly impressed upon 
 his mind, he went ahead as she had bid him, but 
 not without hesitancy. 
 
 Madame did not for one moment mistrust the 
 prince's counsel, for she felt that he had dealt 
 squarely with her and would not betray so valu- 
 able a tool. Steadily the price of silks went up. 
 Jean congratulated himself that he had invested
 
 98 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the whole sum and had not followed his first im- 
 pulse. At noon the stock suddenly came to a 
 standstill and he drove pell mell to Madame. 
 
 "Madame," he shouted as he rushed into the 
 house, "the stock is at a stand. Your instruc- 
 tions were not to sell until two precisely. My 
 advice is to sell without delay." Madame was 
 wavering. 
 
 "Perhaps it would be best?" she half asked 
 herself. Then the remembrance of the conver- 
 sation with the prince came back to her and she 
 was again firm. "No, wait until two. Not a 
 moment sooner." 
 
 "Madame has heard my advice; you run your 
 own risk." 
 
 "It is my own money invested and if I lose, 
 it is my own money lost, you will get your fee 
 the same." 
 
 "Oh Madame you have grossly misjudged 
 me. It was not for my fee that I thought, it was 
 
 only your own welfare and that of " he 
 
 hesitated. 
 
 "Of Eugenie" Madame finished. Pardon 
 me, my words were hasty and as far as Eugenie 
 is concerned, you know how my feelings are 
 toward you, but it seems of no avail." 
 
 "Not until then?"
 
 Madame Speculates. 99 
 
 "Not until two." 
 
 "But if the stock begins to decline." 
 
 "Not until two." 
 
 He came back and on the way he met a friend 
 who rushed up to him exclaiming: "Silks are 
 still going up, up, up, it seems as though they 
 will never stop, why, the paper published an 
 account this morning, directly after you bought 
 the silks, that Le Prince de Tristesse had invested 
 a fortune and that he had received word from a 
 reliable source, that silks would rise higher than 
 they had ever before. A reporter had seen the 
 letter on the prince's desk with his own eyes." 
 
 Higher and higher the price arose until by two 
 o'clock they had reached a stage unheard of be- 
 fore. Buyers were plentiful, but sellers few. 
 Those who had stock would not sell. Precisely 
 at two, Jean sold the entire amount and not a 
 moment too soon, for the silks began to decline 
 as speadily as they had risen, until at midnight 
 they were back again to their first price, or very 
 near it. Madame had gained a fortune, which 
 far exceeded the one her husband had lost on 
 the same article. Those who did not sell, lost 
 and those who did not buy early in the day, lost 
 vast amounts of money.
 
 ioo The Clash of Steel. 
 
 That evening Madame, Engenie and a gather- 
 ing of friends assembled at the "Alhambra" and 
 viewed again its beauties and its mysteries. The 
 prince met Madame with a smile, "You made a 
 fortune this morning did you not?" 
 
 "Yes thanks to your advice. But how did 
 you know all beforehand?" 
 
 "Nothing was easier it is very simple. The 
 people are interested it seems, intensely inter- 
 ested in Le Prince de Tristesse, is it not so?" 
 
 "They are." 
 
 "Because I am rich, strange and mysterious." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well, I am daily beset by reporters and tale- 
 bearers until I have closed my doors against 
 them. Well yesterday one visited me, a letter 
 was on my desk, presumably addressed to me, 
 telling me to buy all silk possible as there would 
 be a great jump in the price. Reporters' eyes 
 are for their papers, this one saw the dispatch, 
 just what I wanted, while I of course was oc- 
 cupied. He read it, his eyes bulged, he fidgeted 
 in his chair to get away. Finally I gave him 
 my attention, then seeing the dispatch, I quickly 
 tore it into fragments as though it were for no 
 one but myself to see. Then I kept him occu-
 
 Madame Speculates. 101 
 
 pied long enough until I was certain that he 
 would have no time to invest what little money 
 he might have saved. And then it was all over. 
 His paper gave an account how the Prince de 
 Tristesse had received a dispatch, then there was 
 a rush for the stock with the result. But come, 
 let us mingle with the crowd, the next dance is 
 about to begin and I must find Engenie.
 
 IO2 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTEE vrn. 
 
 LOVE OR DUTY. 
 
 The "Alhambra" was ablaze with light, its 
 chandeliers were sparkling and glittering and 
 the sweet strains of music swelled and died 
 throughout the grand reception room of pure 
 white marble. The musical tinkle of the foun- 
 tain echoed through the hall a pleasant accom- 
 paniment. Gracefully the dancers swayed and 
 glided in perfect rythm with the music of the 
 hidden orchestra. Eugenie, leaning lightly on 
 the prince's arm, entered the hall and prepared 
 to dance. 
 
 The conversation of the night before between 
 Madame and the prince was still ringing in her 
 ears and poisoning her brain with suspicion. 
 "Would some one else be leaning on his arm to- 
 morrow night, some one he loved dearly?" she 
 asked herself, "some one he did not dissuade 
 from loving him, but rather encouraged?" For
 
 Love or Duty. 103 
 
 some reason she was in a mood for melancholy. 
 "Was it because he was going away, or was it 
 that she might never see him again?" she won-* 
 dered. 
 
 That music, that intoxicating swell of har- 
 mony, now rising and thundering like a turbu- 
 lent battle, then sinking to a low mournful ca- 
 dence like the pleading of a soul in agony. Oh 
 the tears were ready to start at any moment. 
 What a power this man had to conjure up her 
 feelings of love without the least encouragement, 
 but rather by its discouragement. Would he 
 not breathe one word of love, one embrace, one 
 glance, to say that "It is not another I go to see ; 
 it is duty that calls me hence." No, not a word, 
 nor a glance, nor a sigh. Onward they floated 
 as a boat glides in silence over the mirror-like 
 surface of the silent lake, giving not the least 
 ripple to warn its dreamers of the depth they 
 were gliding to. She could not believe it was 
 another he was going to, it could not be. To- 
 night she must know. That feeling of jealousy 
 and love was driving her on. But how was she 
 to find out? 
 
 "]\Iadamoiselle is quiet." 
 
 "Monsieur is going to leave?"
 
 IO4 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Late tonight." 
 "You will come again?" 
 "Perhaps, no one can tell his fate." 
 "Monsieur you are always gloomy." 
 Silence. The music ceased. Eugenie ex- 
 cused herself, the tears were ready to start at 
 any time she could not trust herself longer. 
 "He was going away to some one else." Hurry- 
 ing along the hall, choking back her sobs, seek- 
 ing some place to give free vent to her feelings, 
 she sought the secluded spot of the library and 
 throwing herself into the great chair before the 
 desk, she laid her head upon her arms and her 
 whole frame shook with anguish. The hot tears 
 sprang from her eyes upon her bare arms, her 
 hand clutched a bundle of papers as if for sup- 
 port. 
 
 Slowly the storm of anguish began to pass 
 away. Her weakness turned to firmness. 
 
 "Why should I love this man ?" she asked her- 
 self. "I have only known him for a short space 
 of time, let him go to his mistress' embraces. 
 Let him shower her mouth with his kisses; I 
 shall not show the weakness of my sex, I can- 
 not, no I will not confess to a soul my feelings. 
 In the whirlpool of my love I shall sink without
 
 Love or Duty. 105 
 
 a cry for mercy upon my lips, or reach out a 
 hand for assistance. I shall sink it deep in my 
 heart and bury it there, then no one can " 
 
 The room was dimly lighted, her eyes had 
 fallen upon the papers which she had by chance 
 held in her hand, which she had grasped with 
 the frenzy of her anguish. The music floated 
 upon her ears like a strange weird accompani- 
 ment to her recital. Slowly her hand relaxed its 
 grasp, a pallor over-spread her face, for she rec- 
 ognized the seal of the exiled king. By the dim 
 light she read: "Go at once to Russia. Na- 
 poleon is pressing on" then the seal. 
 
 The words were few but she interpreted their 
 meaning. Suddenly there came over her a 
 strange feeling, from a chill it turned to burning 
 hot, it seemed as though the penetrating glance 
 oi a pair of eyes were upon her; the door was at 
 her back, she arose and there stood the prince, a 
 smile upon his beautiful face. The paper fell 
 from her hand and fluttered to the floor. She 
 was as if pinioned to the spot whereon she stood. 
 The conversation of the night before flashed 
 through her mind. Madame was then also a 
 spy. The silence was awkward ; finally the voice 
 of the prince, low, firm and musical sounded in 
 the room.
 
 io6 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Madamoiselle understands the paper she has 
 read?" The answer was a nod. 
 
 "Madamoiselle wondered at my strange de- 
 parture. She knows now why?" 
 
 Again a nod. Then she spoke. 
 
 "You are a spy." 
 
 "A spy must never acknowledge it, even if 
 it is true." 
 
 "It is then duty that calls you away?" 
 
 "Yes Madamoiselle." 
 
 "I am a loyal subject to Napoleon, one cry 
 would place you in the hands of the authorities." 
 
 "I am at your mercy" said he calmly. 
 
 Then silence. 
 
 "Disclosure would mean ?" 
 
 "Death to me." 
 
 There was an awful struggle in her mind. 
 It was the old battle between love and duty. 
 
 "This is the only proof to compromise you?" 
 
 "Here. Yes." " 
 
 Slowly she stooped and hesitatingly picked up 
 the scrap of paper which lay between them. 
 Like a statue she stood for a moment, then slowly 
 she raised the paper, until it reached the flame 
 of light and a few charred crisps fell at her feet. 
 "Monsieur has his freedom. Once I give it but
 
 Love or Duty. 107 
 
 once only, and if it ever so happens that I should 
 be in such a position again, I would be forced 
 to act differently." 
 
 "The cause Mademoiselle, I cannot under- 
 stand?" 
 
 "Never mind the cause, the action is enough. 
 Call it weakness, call it mercy, they are often- 
 times the same. But by this action, judge me 
 not as you would judge Madame. She may be 
 your spy but I am not." 
 
 "Madamoiselle has my deepest gratitude. 
 The workings and caprices of fate we know not. 
 I leave tonight, perhaps never to return again. 
 A spy's life is not his own. It may be his king's, 
 it may be his country's, mine is neither. It be- 
 longs to that passion which drives one on and on, 
 until he either accomplishes his end or falls in 
 the attempt. Revenge, revenge, strong, burn- 
 ing, glowing runs in my veins and forces me on- 
 ward. Napoleon's ambition is favor, wealth and 
 greatness. I like a vampire will fasten my 
 fangs upon it and suck its strength away, or die 
 in the attempt. To die? What is it, but the 
 cessation of pain and passion. Enough Madam- 
 oiselle the night grows late and ere the morn I 
 shall be on my way to accomplish my end and
 
 io8 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 should we never meet again, place love in 
 shackles of forgetfulness and let honor be your 
 only shrine of worship." He stooped and kissed 
 her hand quickly, she making no resistance but 
 stood as if petrified and he was slowly with- 
 drawing when she raised her head. 
 
 "Monsieur has an affair of honor at day- 
 break." 
 
 An expression of astonishment and embarrass- 
 ment overspread his face. 
 
 "How know you that?" 
 
 "I saw the exchange of cards." 
 
 "Madamoiselle will favor me by keeping this 
 affair quiet. It will soon be over and I shall be 
 lying on the ground or on my way by day- 
 break." 
 
 Monsieur Andre is a fine swordsman." 
 
 "You fear for me?" 
 
 "N o, I do not know your ability." 
 
 "Trust it to me. Au revoir Madamoiselle, 
 au revoir, perhaps forever," and he was gone.
 
 The Nicked Rapier. 109 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 THE NICKED RAPIER. 
 
 That night Madame de Ebersville and Eu- 
 genie rode home together. At Madame's door 
 Eugenie made the strange request to spend the 
 night with her and Madame surmised correctly 
 that something was amiss, for all the way home 
 Eugenie had nervously played with the trim- 
 ming on her cape which protected her bare 
 shoulders from the cool morning air. It was 
 almost two in the morning when they entered 
 Madame's home. 
 
 "Eugenie what is it? I can see something is 
 worrying you." 
 
 "Oh Madame something awful, something be- 
 yond comprehension. Monsieur Le Prince 
 fights Monsieur Andre at sun-rise." 
 
 "Is that all ? He is capable of taking care of 
 himself, do you not think? But how did you 
 find this out?"
 
 no The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "I saw the cards exchanged. But that is not 
 all. I warned the prince of Monsieur's ability 
 as a swordsman. I did not see the prince after 
 that. I was strolling down through the conserv- 
 atory, when in a secluded nook, hidden by palms 
 I heard voices in a guarded conversation. It 
 was Monsieur Andre and his second the Le Cap- 
 tain Moran making arrangements for the duel." 
 
 "Moran" he said "I know it will succeed. He 
 must be put out of the way." 
 
 "But Monsieur that is not fair, can you not 
 kill him in a fair duel, you who are considered 
 the best swordsman of France? I do not like 
 this work at all." 
 
 "I tell you I do not trust him. I have seen 
 him use a foil at play with Monsieur Edmonds, 
 and he uses it excellently. My plan will suc- 
 ceed admirably, a little niche with a file will 
 be made close to the hilt of one of the rapiers. 
 You will hold three for the choice. As he has 
 first pick, hold the one with the nicked blade 
 closer to him than the others. If he chooses 
 that one, well and good. If he does not I will 
 have to rely upon my skill. Should I see him 
 take the defective weapon I will know my 
 game. So there is not such a bad business about
 
 The Nicked Rapier. 1 1 1 
 
 it. If he chooses the nicked rapier, a quick 
 stroke, after a few feints, will snap it close to the 
 hilt. There will be no suspicion. It will be 
 attributed to the steel being cold or a flaw. 
 Come what do you say?" 
 
 "No I do not like it." 
 
 "Besides I suspect him." 
 
 "Of what?" 
 
 "A spy to the king." 
 
 "Are you sure?" 
 
 "No. I am not positive. Come you have lost 
 much the last few days, play this thing through 
 and you will be amply rewarded." 
 
 "Then" said Eugenie "I rushed out to find 
 Le prince but he was not to be found. The 
 butler said that he had left in a carriage. Oh 
 Madame what shall I do?" 
 
 "Trust to his good luck." 
 
 "What and let him be foully murdered?" 
 
 "What do you care?" 
 
 "What do I care? Honor is enough to care 
 for." 
 
 "Perhaps it is more than honor, which makes 
 you so impatient to save him." 
 
 "I am not a spy as others are" was the cold 
 retort.
 
 ii2 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 Madame's face flushed but she let the taunt 
 go by unheeded. 
 
 "You go rest yourself and tomorrow all will 
 be well. You are excited and nervous and per- 
 haps it is not as bad as you think." 
 
 Eugenie saw plainly that Madame was not 
 much concerned about the prince's safety, for 
 should he be killed then a great secret would 
 be taken from her mind. So Eugenie formed 
 her own plans and withdrew to her room in 
 silence. 
 
 About an half hour before dawn a figure in 
 black stole from Eugenie's room and quietly 
 hastened along the corridors, out into the open 
 air. For a moment she paused and then she 
 hurried through the court-yard to the stable. It 
 would take too much time to wake the groom. 
 A window was silently opened, applying her 
 strength it opened wide enough to admit her. 
 
 Madame had in her stable a beautiful black 
 horse for her own pleasure riding. In climbing 
 through the window, Eugenie over-turned an 
 obstacle which made much noise. For a mo- 
 ment she stood and held her breath but every- 
 thing was silent. Could she find Madame's sad- 
 dle ? She was rumaging about in the dark when
 
 The Nicked Rapier. 113 
 
 suddenly a light flashed in her face and the bar- 
 rel of a pistol was pointed straight at her. At 
 the sight of Eugenie the groom lowered the 
 weapon. 
 
 "Madame is very ill, and I am going fo,r some 
 medicine from the doctor. Quick saddle her 
 horse." 
 
 "Madamoiselle I will go for you." 
 "No that will not do, you do not know what 
 she requires. Quick, saddle him." There was 
 no alternative so he quickly followed her in- 
 structions. All through the operation of sad- 
 dling the horse, the animal stood champing his 
 bit and violently pawing the floor. 
 
 "Madamoiselle he is wild this morning, it is 
 best you let me go." 
 
 "No I cannot; I will manage him all right." 
 Helping her slight figure into the saddle, he 
 let loose the rein and the animal sped along the 
 driveway at a rapid rate. It was a full half 
 hour's ride from Madame's home to the forest 
 where the bout was to be held and Eugenie knew 
 that she had no time to lose. A cold breeze was 
 stirring and the noise of the clattering hoofs, on 
 the pavements, awoke the echoes. The animal 
 needed no encouragement, only too glad to have
 
 H4 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 his freedom he sped along the road at a terrific 
 gait, Madamoiselle riding him gracefully. 
 After awhile she reached the edge of the forest 
 and followed the little winding pathway, the 
 over-hanging boughs at times just grazed her 
 head. The morning twilight was just breaking 
 and here and there a red streak, like a smear of 
 blood, flashed on the horizon. ISTow and then 
 a twitter of the birds in the trees sounded as she 
 passed in her hurried flight. 
 
 "They must have begun" she murmured to 
 herself. A few moments later and she heard in 
 the distance the cold rasp of steel. Her face 
 was burning hot and the breeze was a welcome 
 balm. 
 
 "Mon Dieu ! what if he has chosen the nicked 
 rapier." Now for the first time, she urged the 
 horse to quicken his speed. The clash came 
 louder and nearer at every stride. "Mon Dieu ! 
 any moment may be the end." The sound had 
 ceased, her face turns from fire to cold. Was it 
 over? She could draw the picture in her mind, 
 of the prince laying on the ground, the soil about 
 him dyed crimson with his fast ebbing life, the 
 handle of the broken rapier in his hand good 
 God why had she not started sooner . "What
 
 The Nicked Rapier. 115 
 
 was that? Xo it was not over yet, again the 
 sound caught her ear, they were at it once more. 
 Probably the last pause was caused by a touch. 
 
 Onward the horse staggered, weak with his 
 exhaustion; another moment and she rushed 
 into the open spot, riding between the astonished 
 combatants who, at the sound of her approach 
 had ceased their onslaught. Hastily she dis- 
 mounted. "Madamoiselle de Yere," all ex- 
 claimed. She was cold and deliberate but it was 
 forced. 
 
 "Madamoiselle" the prince said "I asked and 
 you promised that this affair of honor would be 
 uninterrupted." 
 
 "Monsieur, this is not an affair of honor. It 
 is murder, base murder." 
 
 "Well then do not disturb us" said Andre 
 coldly, "come Monsieur we will finish" and he 
 brushed Madamoiselle roughly aside. There 
 was a swish and Eugenie's riding whip fell full 
 across his face and left its mark. 
 
 "Stop" she cried "you murderer and coward." 
 
 Had Madamoiselle been a man, she would 
 have been killed on the spot. As it was, Andre 
 rushed forward, and no one knows how the affair 
 would have ended, but Captain Moran wrenched
 
 n6 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the rapier from his hand and stood between him 
 and Eugenie, his handsome face beaming with 
 rage. 
 
 "Is it not enough to make one attempt?" he 
 asked. 
 
 "What is the meaning of this Madamoiselle, 
 the endangerment of your life?" enquired the 
 prince. 
 
 "It means Monsieur, that I have come to save 
 you from being murdered." 
 
 "I do not understand?" 
 
 "Monsieur will try his weapon over his knee, 
 if it does not break he may resume the bout 
 without interruption and I will withdraw. I 
 mean that if you have not chosen the nicked 
 rapier " 
 
 "What is this about a nicked rapier?" 
 
 "You have almost been the victim of a base 
 plot. Monsieur will do me the honor to try his 
 sword." 
 
 Andre, during the conversation, was slowly 
 edging from the group towards where the horses 
 which had brought them were tethered to a tree. 
 The prince bent his weapon across his knee and 
 it snapped like a twig. Just then there was a 
 shout and Andre who had gained his horse leaped 
 into the saddle and dashed away.
 
 An Act of Pity. 1 1 7 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AN ACT OF PITY. 
 
 The frozen stillness of the north was disturbed 
 by the rumbling wheels of artillery and the 
 tramp of armed men. "Russia must be con- 
 quered," was Napoleon's thought. "The world 
 must bow at my feet." Campaigning in Russia 
 was bound to try his patience and control, it was 
 not the same as fighting over ground which was 
 well known, where there was an abundance of 
 provisions and where there was not the sting of 
 bitter cold. Only Napoleon's prestige and the 
 constant hope of victory led the weakened army 
 onward. The suffering was almost unendurable. 
 True, battles were won, but at what cost? A 
 cost so great that they were almost as much as 
 a defeat. Each day brought fresh misfortune 
 and new dissatisfaction. Soldiers dreamed of 
 home and dear ones. The camp-fires only served 
 to bring happy recollections of the past. But
 
 n8 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 Napoleon said, Alexander must be humbled and 
 Moscow must fall, if he must do it himself. 
 
 Thus far he had met with stern resistance but 
 always was he victorious. Moscow must fall in 
 a short time, for he was now not more than a 
 night's march from his destiny. The city must 
 be taken eitKer by surprise or by force, but sur- 
 render it must, for Napoleon's mind was set and 
 nothing could dissuade him. 
 
 Just as dusk was falling, a man wrapped deep 
 in a long red cloak, his face almost hidden in its 
 folds, sat near to the smouldering embers of a 
 dying fire, shaded so as not to attract attention. 
 Near by sat another, warming his tingling fingers 
 at the fire, a youth with a slender, light figure 
 and an honest open face. The ground was 
 covered for miles and miles, as far as the eye 
 could reach, with a white coating of snow. At 
 times flakes would descend and strike the face 
 with a stinging coldness. Suddenly the youth 
 raised his head and spoke: "Mario, will Na- 
 poleon move on Moscow tonight, do you think?" 
 
 "Nothing is more probable Frangois, he will 
 take it by surprise if we do not warn the city." 
 
 At this point the army was divided. Some 
 camped at one place and the other half was fur- 
 ther in advance. Between these two sat Mario
 
 An Act of Pity. 1 1 9 
 
 and Frangois, the King's servant. The soldiers 
 were of better spirit for shelter was near at hand 
 and Napoleon had promised them that, that 
 night they should have plenty of comfort. 
 
 Suddenly ' hoof falls were audible in the dis- 
 tance. Quickly the two quietly slid from the 
 fire into the darkness. Soon the rider came 
 nearer, changing his course to find the meaning 
 of the dying embers. Suddenly, from the dark- 
 ness came a Hand, which seized the bridle, send- 
 ing the horse back upon his haunches with such 
 force that it unseated its rider. A curse broke 
 from the man as he sprawled upon the snow. 
 For a moment he was stunned, but for a moment 
 only and he was on his feet, his hand on his 
 sword, but he was not quick enough. A strong 
 hand gripped his throat and another held his 
 wrist as in a vice of steel. Strangely there was 
 not the least noise. 
 
 Hand to hand they struggled, but the dis- 
 mounted rider was no match for his opponent, 
 and he was soon on his back, the man pressing 
 heavily upon his breast with his knee. 
 
 "Come your orders," panted the captor. 
 
 "I have none." 
 
 "You lie. Produce them. Quick ! Your 
 life depends upon it. There is not a moment to
 
 I2O The Clash of Steel. 
 
 lose, you are the messenger to order the advance 
 guard to move, and Napoleon may now he 
 inarching on to join them and then take Mos- 
 cow." 
 
 "I have no orders" panted the man. 
 
 The figure made no answer, but from heneath 
 his cloak drew his dagger and pressed it to the 
 prostrate man's neck. 
 
 "Quick not a moment must be lost." The 
 man felt the point uncomfortably near his jug- 
 gler and said: 
 
 "In my bosom." 
 
 With a quick, dexterous movement the man 
 ripped the doublet clean and reached the order. 
 Then by the light of the fire, still holding the 
 man beneath him he read: 
 
 "Will join you soon, then take Moscow by 
 surprise at daybreak." 
 
 As the light flashed up the men's eyes met, 
 and almost simultaneously, they exclaimed 
 "Pierre;" "Mario." These were the only words 
 spoken and Mario and Francois quickly bound 
 Captain Moran hand and foot with their sword 
 belts, but not without a struggle for he recog- 
 nized the result should Napoleon's army not 
 stumble upon him. 
 
 "Napoleon will take Moscow at day-break, I
 
 An Act of Pity. 121 
 
 surmised as much. Au revoir Monsieur le 
 Captain," and with a triumphant laugh Mario 
 disappeared. From a clump of trees Mario led 
 his horse and waited for Frangois, who had re- 
 mained behind, to scatter the still glowing em- 
 bers. It seemed as though the last spark of the 
 Captain's hope was dying. He understood his 
 fate, should he not be discovered ere morning. 
 The Captain's eyes followed Frangois' every 
 movement with entreaty plainly written in them, 
 but he said nothing. 
 
 "Monsieur, you are brave" whispered Fran- 
 cois. 
 
 No answer. 
 
 "I cannot see a brave man die of starvation 
 and cold without a chance." 
 
 "Come. Come," shouted Mario. Frangois 
 stood hesitatingly. One stroke of his knife 
 would free the man. Pity was working in his 
 mind. Mario was again calling him to hasten 
 and he started to follow him. When, suddenly, 
 as if his mind had been made up, he retraced 
 the few steps he had taken, he stooped over the 
 prostrate man and drew his knife from its sheath. 
 "I will release you" he whispered "but do not 
 move until we are gone." 
 
 "Sacre are you coming?" cried Mario impati-
 
 122 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 ently. The bonds were cut the man was free, but 
 he lay still and as Frangois bounded away the 
 cold wind brought him the heartfelt words, 
 "Merci, merci Monsieur." 
 
 Mounting his horse, he and Mario dug their 
 spurs into the flanks and away they dashed to 
 warn Moscow of its impending danger. On- 
 ward they struggled through the deep snow, 
 while the cold cutting wind brought fresh flakes 
 to blind them and hinder their progress. The 
 darkness was intense, not a spark was discerni- 
 ble and they relied wholly upon Mario's knowl- 
 edge of the way they were traveling. Onward 
 they rode in silence, every now and then giving 
 their horses a breathing spell. They had ridden 
 an hour or so when Mario suddenly stopped, 
 "What is it?" Francois asked. 
 
 "Do you not hear anything?" 
 
 "No" he answered. 
 
 "Faster faster," was all Mario said but in such 
 a way that meant to serve as a warning. On- 
 ward they rushed while the snow began to fall 
 heavier and heavier, their horses at times stumb- 
 ling into drifts, which the wind had heaped high. 
 After awhile they stopped again. This time 
 sure enough, there came to Frangois' ears a low
 
 An Act of Pity. 1 23 
 
 ominous sound, a sound of terror and horror, 
 but lie could not make it out. Was it the rum- 
 ble of cannon wheels, or the trampling of cav- 
 alry? He could not interpret the sound. 
 
 "It cannot be the army?" he asked. 
 
 "Worse. We must move faster, or we will 
 never reach Moscow." 
 
 "What is it?" asked the terrified Frangois. 
 
 Mario gave no time for explanation as every 
 moment was valuable, but Francois heard the 
 word "wolves." Louder and louder that low 
 muttering growl grew. But Moscow must be 
 warned. 
 
 Already Francois' horse was stumbling with 
 weakness and every moment brought the blood 
 thirsty pack nearer to its prey and it would only 
 be a short time when there would be an en- 
 counter. 
 
 Suddenly without warning Francois' horse 
 stumbled, but regained itself, but was lagging 
 far behind Mario. "Had the pack stumbled 
 upon the Captain? Praise God, his conscience 
 was clear but Mario's how was his?" It did not 
 seem to bother him the least, this disciple of the 
 devil. The next moment Mario drew rein. 
 The snarling and snapping was clearly audible.
 
 124 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "Dismount. Your horse can no longer carry 
 you," he said and coolly drew his sword from its 
 sheath and thrust the cold steel through its pant- 
 ing sides. The animal sank to the ground. 
 "That will serve to hold them for a time. But 
 if we do not soon come upon a village we are 
 lost. Mount back of me." 
 
 The growls were louder now, as the beasts 
 fought over the carcass of the horse but it would 
 only be a moment's respite and a whetting to 
 their appetite. Mario's horse labored faithfully 
 onward under its double weight but the pack was 
 soon again moving. 
 
 "Use your spurs." Mario shouted and the 
 blood came faster from the already bleeding 
 sides of the horse, but of no avail. The leaders 
 of the pack were already upon them and one 
 sprang forward at the laboring beast's neck, but 
 found the needle point of Mario's blade and 
 sank down, to have its life blood drank by its 
 followers and serve as another respite. Sud- 
 denly there loomed up a hut before them, then 
 a larger house. They were saved, it was the 
 outskirts of Moscow, into the yard of an inn they 
 rushed and Moscow was warned.
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 THE BURNING OF MOSCOW. 
 
 Some time afterwards, the advancing army 
 stumbled upon Pierre's benumbed body. After 
 awhile he was revived and his first words were: 
 "the man in the red cloak," but that was enough, 
 all understood. 
 
 A curse broke from Napoleon, "Sacre, he is 
 everywhere, we must move faster." 
 
 Napoleon's dilapidated army the next day, the 
 5th of September entered Moscow and to his sur- 
 prise was met with no resistance, the first time 
 in his Russian campaign. The authorities were 
 gone and everything was quiet. 
 
 Darkness had just settled over the city. The 
 soldiers were comfortable and praised their 
 leader. Rioting was at its height, the discarded 
 
 dice were brought into play, the cards were shuf- 
 
 125
 
 126 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 fled and the noise within, drowned out the noise 
 without. Cellars were looted of their stock 
 and store of delicacies and wines. Soldiers 
 chattered of their great victory. Officers con- 
 gregated together, bumped their glasses, con- 
 gratulated themselves, little doubting or little 
 thinking of the great plot that was working 
 against them. 
 
 Suddenly in the midst of this revelry and was- 
 sail, there came the cry of, "fire, fire." All 
 rushed out to extinguish the blaze, but it was 
 too late. That same cry sounded in every street, 
 to the consternation of the whole army. The 
 conflagration spread with such rapidity that soon 
 the whole city was a sea of flame and smoke, 
 fanned into greater fierceness by the strong wind. 
 Mario had gained his point. 
 
 Building after building fell midst showers of 
 sparks, it seemed as if it were a huge funeral 
 pyre, built to cremate Napoleon's ambition. 
 Street after street became impassable. Horse- 
 men dashed through the burning embers, shout- 
 ing command after command, which were un- 
 heeded. Men rushed hither and thither, but 
 to no effect. Napoleon was stationed in the 
 highest part of the city, reviewing the grand but
 
 The Burning of Moscow. 127 
 
 awful and distracting sight before him, Dark 
 figures were seen, flitting about in the shadows 
 with fire-brands in their hands, setting fire to the 
 parts of the city which were not yet consumed or 
 being consumed. The army was in a wretched 
 state. They had plenty of fire, but provisions 
 were being taken right from their grasp. Every 
 now and then a deafening explosion was heard, 
 showing that powder was also used in the de- 
 struction. 
 
 In the midst of the falling buildings, a figure 
 with a fluttering cloak, was making his way to 
 the place where ISTapoleon was stationed. 
 ISTearer and nearer he came, dodging into the 
 shadows. Once a house toppled and fell amidst 
 a burst of flame and revealed this man to Na- 
 poleon. 
 
 "Stop him. Stop him" he shouted "stop the 
 man in the red cloak, he has caused all this." 
 
 Several rushed forward, but were driven back 
 by the awful heat. One dashed through the 
 circle and met the approaching man. With 
 their swords they fought, "the man ir the red 
 cloak" carrying in his other hand a flaming torch. 
 What his motive might be was not exactly clear, 
 but he met his opponent and their swords
 
 128 The Clash of Steel 
 
 crossed. Stroke after stroke, parry after parry, 
 iunge after lunge and the man in the red cloak 
 was slowly but surely forcing his opponent to re- 
 treat into the circle of flame, which was separat- 
 ing Napoleon and him more and more. 
 
 Now they were treading the very sparks, so 
 close were they to the fire. The heat was al- 
 most unbearable but they fought on, the one with 
 desperation, for death stared him in the face. 
 The other with determination to gain his end. 
 Suddenly a building fell and hid them from 
 Napoleon's view, but after the sparks were gone 
 and the smoke was driven away, he saw the nut- 
 ter of a cloak to his left and its wearer was 
 alone. 
 
 Then there was a cry "save yourself Majesty: 
 save yourself Napoleon, the house is undermined 
 with powder." 
 
 Napoleon retreated hastily through the outlet 
 which was kept open for him. Hardly had he 
 reached a place of safety, when there was a ter- 
 rific explosion and the spot whereon he stood was 
 a mass of smouldering ruins. Sullenly the 
 lorces followed Napoleon upon that famous re- 
 creat. Those who were not killed by the cos-
 
 The Burning of Moscow. 129 
 
 sacks, who constantly hovered around the rear of 
 the army, either died on the road from starva- 
 tion and cold, or dragged themselves half dead 
 after their defeated general. That was a mem- 
 orable night, for it was the beginning of the end.
 
 130 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 EXILE. 
 
 It seemed as if Napoleon's career was checked, 
 even if not forever, for a time at least. De- 
 jected and defeated, the victor of so many 
 battles dragged himself homeward, followed by 
 his dilapidated and bewildered army. The men 
 were glad to hear once again the command that 
 they were on their way to home and loved ones, 
 their ardor and spirit had forsaken them and 
 dejectedly they followed the conquered con- 
 queror on his famous retreat. 
 
 Peace was again, if such it may be styled, for 
 Napoleon was vanquished and had surrendered 
 and was sent into an exile, which to many others 
 would not have been an exile: but to this Em- 
 peror of Emperors and soldier of soldiers it was 
 bitter humiliation. He was made an officer 
 of the little Isle of Elba. 
 
 The Bourbons ascended the throne they had
 
 Exile. 131 
 
 lost, but it was not Louis XVI, lie had died and 
 it was his brother Louis XVIII who was propped 
 upon the vacant, insecure throne. The flag of 
 the Bourbons floated and revelry and victorious 
 joy, like the smouldering fires of a volcano, burst 
 forth with renewed energy and force. 
 
 Everywhere was pleasure and enjoyment with 
 the Bourbons, while the Napoleonic followers 
 quietly left their posts of honor and settled into 
 silent submission. An entirely new regime was 
 taking place and everything was changed. Na- 
 poleon was an exile. Josephine was retired in 
 the solitude of Malmaison, dreaming of happy 
 days gone by, the Prince de Tristesse was absent 
 from the "Alhambra," no one knew where, 
 Mario was buried in the silent shadow of Chateau 
 de Nuit. Thus for a time silent, peaceful pleas- 
 ure, rested over the country so rent and torn by 
 strife and war. 
 
 But Napoleon on the island of Elba, like a 
 lion rising from its night of restful slumber, 
 hungry and impatient for another conflict to as- 
 sert its powers, was silently and securely gather- 
 ing about him an army to regain what he 
 had lost. That restless spirit could not be satis- 
 fied to remain within its bounds, that spirit
 
 132 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 longed for contests it had so often fought. That 
 warrior feeling arose in his hreast and longed for 
 the din of battle, for the thunder of cannon and 
 the rattle of musketry. His dreams must be 
 realized. When Napoleon said must, there was 
 no retraction, his will must either be fulfilled, or 
 unconditional surrender. 
 
 Suddenly Paris was thrown into a great state 
 of excitement. Humors spread from mouth to 
 mouth that Xapoleon had left the island with a 
 handful of men and was on his way to the con- 
 tinent. It was indeed true. On the 26th day 
 of February, 1815, he set sail with a few barks 
 conveying his little band. He passed the vigi- 
 lance of those set to watch him and had gained a 
 good start. What must have been his feelings 
 on that day? Returning to a country where he 
 did not know whether the people would meet him 
 with resistance or with open arms. He returned 
 to France and at Grenoble the troops sent out to 
 prevent his entrance to the land he had caused 
 so much suffering and pain, when they saw the 
 gray coat of the Emperor and heard the voice 
 which had commanded them above volleys of 
 musketry, dropped their arms and shouted in one
 
 Exile. 133 
 
 voice, "vive L' Empereur" and gathered about 
 his standards. The French people are a strange 
 nation and are ever ready for a change and now 
 there was a chance. By this time they were dis- 
 satisfied with the Bourbon regime and the old 
 spirit of past days was again awakened and Xa- 
 poleon had won the first victory in his new cam- 
 paign without a struggle. One alone stood firm 
 and he had promised to bring back the Corsican 
 in an iron cage. But he was only firm, until he 
 saw the colors under which he had so often 
 fought and until he heard the shouts of his men, 
 he had so often led beneath those colors, and he 
 was again Marshall Xey. 
 
 Like the rays of the morning sun, as they burst 
 forth in the east, first playing along the horizon 
 and then over-spreading all the heavens with a 
 welcome light, so the news of Napoleon's return 
 spread over all France. Hamlet and city joined 
 in one acclamation of gladness at the Emperor's 
 return. Onward Xapoleon went and nearer and 
 nearer he came to Paris. Troops, that were sent 
 out against him, were only sent to re-inforce his 
 fast growing army, and generals who had in- 
 tended to raise their swords against ^Napoleon,
 
 134 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 broke their blades across their knees and joined 
 with their soldiers to fight for the Emperor. 
 The corporal violet had appeared, about whom a 
 certain class of people had spoken, and the mean- 
 ing of the bunches of violets, worn in the lapel 
 or on the breast or in the hair was explained. 
 Paris was terror stricken at the conqueror's near 
 approach. Louis fled and the city was placed in 
 the hands of Marshal Soult and the police. On- 
 ward Napoleon came on his triumphal march, 
 until once again he sat upon the throne, until 
 once again he was Emperor of France. But his 
 triumph was of short duration. It arose in a 
 night and it was destined to fall in almost as 
 short a time, but there was more action crowded 
 into the hundred days following his return than 
 any other space of time of the same duration. 
 
 It was not the Frenchmen who defeated Na- 
 poleon, it was not one nation that humbled the 
 Emperor, but four. Alexander could not forget 
 and the old feeling of hatred arose and would not 
 be silenced. There was another, who could not 
 smother out his feelings and gave them full play ; 
 stronger than ever Mario again threw himself 
 into the conflict, stronger than ever and with
 
 Exile. 135 
 
 more cunning and daring. Through the com- 
 bined efforts of these two, although working sep- 
 arately, the old coalation of 1813, consisting of 
 Russia, Prussia, England and Sweden was again 
 renewed and again the joint forces took the field 
 to conquer once more the conqueror.
 
 136 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 CAUGHT IN A NET. 
 
 The lily, the emblem of the House of Bour- 
 bon, which had flourished at the breast of fair 
 women at the court balls, began to fade and 
 droop until it was succeeded entirely by the 
 violet. Mario was again at work. He had been 
 in Paris several days and, after ascertaining the 
 strength of his adversary and in what manner to 
 act, he decided to leave the city. At last when 
 he arrived at the outskirts he was confronted by 
 a soldier. 
 
 "I beg Monsieur's pardon but does he leave 
 the city?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Then you have the password ?" 
 
 "Password? Is then Paris guarded?" 
 
 "Yes Monsieur. We have orders to let no 
 one pass without the word." 
 
 "Whose orders are they?"
 
 Caught in a Net. 137 
 
 "I received mine from the Captain, from 
 whom he has them I do not know." 
 
 "But if I have not the word?" 
 
 "Then you cannot pass," said the guard reso- 
 lutely. 
 
 Several soldiers were at a distance and slowly 
 approaching the two. 
 
 "Be careful, I have my sword and may pass 
 by that countersign." 
 
 "Monsieur forgets that soldiers carry swords 
 to enforce orders." 
 
 "Come, away with idle words, I have great 
 interests in leaving Paris, the affair is urgent and 
 I have not time enough to return and get the 
 password, but I have money." 
 
 "Money may buy you into heaven, through 
 the church, but money cannot buy you out of 
 Paris." 
 
 "Well, then I shall pass otherwise." 
 
 "N"ot until you cross my dead body, the orders 
 are strict and I shall not break them." 
 
 It was too late for Mario to retreat, undoubt- 
 edly Napoleon had thrown Paris into a sort of 
 drag-net and it would not do for him to be caught 
 in it. He had but one alternative and this he 
 chose. By this time both had their swords in
 
 138 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 hand and the fight was progressing rapidly, when 
 the soldiers seeing their comrade engaged ran 
 up. Then began a fight in which all partici- 
 pated. Mario backed against a wall so as to 
 keep them from forming a circle around him and 
 fight him from all sides. The sentry fell with a 
 deep wound in his neck and Mario fought like a 
 demon the remaining three. Another fell but 
 fatigue was fast showing itself and soon he 
 fainted to the ground and the others rushed upon 
 him and bound his hands behind his back. As 
 one was kneeling over his prostrate body he 
 sprang up with a cry. "It is Mario, the man in 
 the red cloak, the Emperor will pay well for this 
 capture." They carried him to an impromptu 
 prison, formed from an old strongly built cha- 
 teau, which had been changed into a prison dur- 
 ing these stormy times as was often the case. A 
 strong guard was placed about the prison and 
 Mario was conveyed to a room, well guarded by 
 bars and oaken doors. To make things more 
 certain, for they trusted not this man, they man- 
 acled his hands in strong irons. 
 
 Like wild fire the news spread of Mario's 
 strange capture. It was first whispered from 
 mouth to mouth with uncertainty, for the cap-
 
 Caught in a Net. 139 
 
 ture of such a dare-devil was so doubtful that few 
 gave it credence, but soon the news was con- 
 firmed and all the Emperor's followers shouted 
 it aloud through the streets. "Mario is taken; 
 Mario is taken," came from every corner and 
 the Emperor and his army breathed freer, for 
 there was not one who did not fear to meet this 
 unknown, mysterious spy. 
 
 A man, young, slender, more fit for a play- 
 thing for the hearts of women than to carry a 
 sword, was mingling in the crowd when suddenly 
 a great burley soldier next to him shouted: 
 "Mario is taken." 
 
 "What is it you shout?" cried the young man. 
 
 "Is it not good news for you? You who 
 flashed your eyes on me in such a manner?" 
 
 "Pardon, but did I hear you correctly, did 
 you say that Mario, the man in the red cloak 
 was captured?" 
 
 "Those were my words and God be praised, 
 for he causes more harm to our cause than all 
 the armies put together and his sword in 
 single combat is twice as long as any other." 
 
 Francois, for it was he, the King's valet, and 
 one of Mario's able assistants, whom we have al- 
 ready met on the way to Moscow, when his pity
 
 140 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 overcame him and he saved the Captain Pierre 
 Moran's life, did not deem it wise to ask too many 
 questions of one person so he procured the de- 
 tails from many sources and being in possession 
 of the pass-word he mounted his horse and left 
 Paris. Once out of the city he pushed his horse 
 at utmost speed for he knew that if Mario was to 
 be saved it must be done quickly, for the Em- 
 peror would not let this opportunity slip, to put 
 this obstruction to his ambition and once its 
 thwarter out of the way.
 
 Chateau De Nuit. 141 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHATEAU DE NUIT. 
 
 In the midst of a dense forest, secluded and 
 hidden by nature's screen, dark with the waring 
 of time and the elements, .in a location solemn 
 and quiet and still not far distant from the center 
 of three states, stood an old stone chateau. Sit- 
 uated near the boundary of three nations, it com- 
 manded a source for information of these states, 
 France, the seat of war and its beginning, Ger- 
 many, the hot-bed of opposition and Belgium, 
 the final scene for Napoleon's great tragedy. 
 
 Surrounded by its moats and walls, protected 
 by its turrets, it gave the appearance of a huge 
 monument of the medieval times, times of the 
 crusades. From its stately, frowning and scowl- 
 ing, dark exterior it took from the depths of tra- 
 dition, the characteristic name of Chateau de 
 Xuit, figuratively meaning the "Palace of Mys- 
 tery." Here was Mario's favorite rendezvous,
 
 142 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 this was the base of his operations, here his orders 
 were given and here his information was learned, 
 from his band of characters peculiarly like him- 
 self, silent, stern and quick of action. The band 
 was formed of men of all nations. There were 
 Swiss, driven into exile, French from hatred to 
 Napoleon, Austrians from their love of daring 
 and war, Germans to escape forced militarism 
 only to take it up of their own free will and 
 others, but all resolute and trained to action. 
 
 Chateau de Xuit seemed to be a place of mys- 
 tery and enchantment, the lord of this place, who 
 was of course Mario, had often been suspected 
 of treason, and detachments had, with their own 
 eyes seen spies enter this old building but upon 
 searching it the place would be found vacant of 
 any person but the old gray-haired butler, who 
 admitted them. It could not be understood; 
 but tales of ghostly weirdness were current 
 among the peasant people and soldiers to the 
 effect that at midnight, chains could be heard 
 clanking in the corridors and the dungeons, 
 shrieks of victims being murdered without pity, 
 figures in white were said to have been seen to 
 walk the ramparts, holding their arms to heaven 
 as if imploring mercy. Then the tramp of
 
 Chateau De Nuit. 143 
 
 armed men, the clink of steel, the rasping of 
 blades and then all would die off into silence, ex- 
 cept when an owl would hoot in the distance or 
 the clock in the dark ghostly tower would sound 
 the time. 
 
 These manifestations were attributed to the 
 crimes committed by the former lord of the 
 chateau. As far as the traditions were con- 
 cerned, there was some truth in many of the 
 statements. No figures were seen to walk the 
 walls, nor the clank of chains ever echoed 
 through the rooms, but the clash of steel was 
 not at all infrequent, neither the tramp of armed 
 men. 
 
 Admittance few could gain, but one word and 
 the door would be opened, but without that word 
 they would, like the ponderous jaws of some 
 sleeping beast, remain closed. There were five 
 secret under-ground passways from the Chateau, 
 the walls were all hollow with secret doors that 
 would defy the ax or hammer, but would open 
 with no noise and easily, let the right spring be 
 touched. The rooms were of massive dimen- 
 sions, high rough ceilings, floors well carpeted 
 and finely furnished. On the walls hung mas- 
 sive paintings, usually of some noble ancestor.
 
 144 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 In the corners, like mute sentries stood full suits 
 of armor straight and erect, with closed visors 
 and sword and spear in hand. The least noise 
 would set these spectral sentries whispering 
 throughout the rooms and all in general had such 
 a wierd aspect that it cast a clammy cold fear of 
 mystery over all. 
 
 It stood on a hill solemn, black, looking over 
 the surrounding country. Spies were often 
 traced to this place, but once the doors had 
 opened their ponderous jaws and admitted them 
 into the chateau's mysterious gloom, they would 
 disappear as if the earth had opened and swal- 
 lowed them from sight. On the wainscoating 
 at one side of the room in which the climax of 
 our tale will be played, on a high wooden panel 
 were dull red spots which time had almost oblit- 
 erated. 
 
 If one would ask the butler of their origin, 
 he would shake his head and say: "Monsieur, 
 it was before my time, they were when I came, 
 but the story has been handed down, that many 
 years before while the lord of the chateau, 
 in the midst of an assembly of banqueting 
 guests on his wedding night, had, midst the 
 silence of the assembly raised on high his
 
 Chateau De Nuit. 145 
 
 goblet of blood red wine, to offer a toast. 
 Ere he had uttered a word there was a shriek and 
 a bat had dashed out its life against the glitter- 
 ing goblet and its contents dyed the bridal robe 
 of his bride with the blood red wine. That 
 night, after the guests had left, still thinking of 
 the omen, a masked man entered the deserted 
 banquet hall and hand to hand he fought with 
 the lord. Long and fiercely they fought, the 
 lord slowly edging toward the wall, towards the 
 secret panel which if he could reach, one touch 
 of the spring would put him safely out of his 
 opponent's reach. But the sword sheathed itself 
 in his breast just as he reached the coveted spot 
 and his blood dyed the wall." 
 
 Here was Mario's headquarters, from here he 
 operated. Fleur de Lis would often come to see 
 him here, on important matters from the king 
 and also to tell him of her love and devotion; 
 the first receiving his immediate attention the 
 
 last seemingly his disdain. 
 10
 
 146 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTEK V. 
 
 THE RED SILK LADDER. 
 
 Dusk was slowly settling about the somber 
 brow of Chateau de Nuit. The sun had already 
 set and twilight was sinking slowly into deeper 
 shadows over the world. In the great banquet 
 hall of the Chateau, sat Fleur de Lis, idly dream- 
 ing and musing what work was again before her; 
 but she knew not how to begin as Mario had not 
 yet returned to direct her movements. Suddenly 
 she was awakened from her musings by the clat- 
 ter of hoofs on the stones in the court-yard be- 
 neath. She saw through the gloom a rider, 
 hastily dismount and hurriedly enter the build- 
 ing. She heard footsteps, anxiously coming up 
 the stairs and soon a knock sounded on the daor 
 and Frangois entered and threw himself breath- 
 lessly in a chair to regain his composure. Fleur 
 de Lis arose excitedly from where she sat, for 
 she saw something was wrong and asked "what
 
 The Red Silk Ladder. 147 
 
 brings you here in such haste Franc, ois? Is the 
 king ill or dead?" 
 
 "Neither. Mario is taken, all is lost." 
 
 "Mario taken?" she cried, "it cannot be true, 
 he is too shrewd to let such bunglers as those 
 Frenchmen catch him." 
 
 "It is true, he is now a captive in Paris and 
 the whole city is rejoicing. There is no time to 
 lose, they will either hang or shoot him soon. 
 We must release him in some way." 
 
 "But how?" 
 
 "I am at a loss to know. Plan after plan has 
 been passing through my mind on my way here, 
 but none seemed plausible or capable of freeing 
 him. He is strongly guarded and manacled. 
 That makes the task all the harder," and he 
 paced the length of the room impatiently. 
 
 Lily sat in quiet, a look of hate playing over 
 her white temples and her forehead was con- 
 tracted into a deeper frown. Her clenched hand 
 lay upon the table, showing with what resolu- 
 tion she planned to accomplish the end which 
 was revolving in her mind, how to gain Mario's 
 release. Suddenly she looked up. 
 
 "Where is he confined?"
 
 148 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "In the outskirts of Paris, in a chateau lately 
 converted into a prison." 
 
 "Do you know the place?" 
 
 "Very well, I passed it on my way here and 
 as I went by a crowd of gossiping soldiers, who 
 now and then made gestures towards a narrow 
 window on the third floor I learned the exact 
 place where he is held." 
 
 "Is there a guard about the place?" 
 
 "TJiere are five sentries who continually pace 
 the wall around the building. There is the de- 
 tail at the entrance one at every corner and one 
 at the door of Mario's cell. These are relieved 
 every hour. It seems impossible to get him 
 out." 
 
 "Nothing is impossible. We will try. I 
 have a plan. Call up the Swiss he is here is he 
 not?" 
 
 "Yes I saw him as I entered. I will have him 
 here directly," and he hurriedly left the room 
 while Lily again resumed her musings. 
 
 Soon Frangois returned followed by a great 
 powerful fellow, full six feet and as straight as 
 a young sapling. He was a Swiss and emigrat- 
 ing from his native country, he entered France 
 during these stormy times and had allied himself
 
 The Red Silk Ladder. 149 
 
 with Mario's little band of spies. As he entered 
 he made an awkward bow to Lily and remained 
 standing before her, waiting to hear what she 
 wanted with him. 
 
 "Andreas, can you shoot an arrow?" 
 
 "Madamoiselle am I a Swiss or not? Every 
 Swiss can shoot an arrow, it is a characteristic 
 of our nation, it is learned from childhood." 
 
 "Are you sure of your aim?" 
 
 "As sure as Tell was." 
 
 "You are conceited my man, but I only hope 
 that your boasting is true. At least we will give 
 you a trial of your skill. But have you a bow?" 
 
 "Yes Madamoiselle one with which I amuse 
 myself at leisure moments to recall days when I 
 was at home." 
 
 "Is it a toy?" 
 
 "If toys will kill at a hundred paces, then it is 
 such." 
 
 "Well we will not stretch the bow to such a 
 trial as that, the arrow will go less than that 
 distance. Go bring it with a bunch of arrows 
 and order four horses, for soon we will give a 
 test to your skill." 
 
 The man left wondering as he went what his 
 task would be, but he obeyed and soon returned
 
 150 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 bearing his bow and a bunch of arrows. After he 
 had left to fulfill Fleur de Lis' orders, Frangois 
 turned to her: "of what use can this man be to 
 us with his arrows? They are out of date." 
 
 "I shall tell you later" and she went to a side 
 panel, pressed a spring and the wall opened, re- 
 vealing a beautiful inlaid casket. From this 
 she took a long light silk ladder, a small round 
 file and some silk thread. Then she seated her- 
 self at the table and on a small piece of paper 
 wrote a few lines. By this time the Swiss had 
 returned and she said: "now on to Paris at full 
 speed." 
 
 Frangois was full of curiosity to know the 
 plan, but he knew it would not do to ask her. 
 So he remained quiet. The Swiss followed 
 dumb with curiosity, for to ask would do no 
 good. They rode hard and in due time entered 
 Paris. Darkness was just falling and with their 
 faces muffled in their cloaks and as Francois had 
 the pass-word they were admitted without any 
 trouble. After awhile they arrived near the 
 Chateau where Mario was confined and fastening 
 their horses to a clump of trees on a vacant lot 
 some distance away, they made ready to put 
 Lily's plan into operation.
 
 The Red Silk Ladder. 151 
 
 The night was very dark and a low muttering 
 sounded in the west, announcing a coming storm. 
 The prison loomed up dark and gloomy, only 
 in a window in the third story was a light. The 
 sentry was slowly pacing his beat about a hun- 
 dred yards in length, at each end he would meet 
 another sentry and after the challenge would 
 pass over the same course again. All was quiet 
 but for the tread of the sentry and now a distant 
 clock struck ten. Three figures were behind a 
 bush which grew on a vacant lot adjoining the 
 prison. 
 
 "There where you see the light is his cell" said 
 Frangois. Lily then turned to the Swiss. "An- 
 dreas do you see that window with a light in it?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Can you shoot an arrow through it?" 
 
 "With ease Madamoiselle," said the crafty 
 man measuring the distance with his eyes. 
 
 "Then take an arrow, tie this note to it with 
 this silk cord and fire it through the window. 
 But take care, do not miss, for the life of your 
 lord depends upon your skill. The note reads, 
 there you need not strike a light I know it 
 by memory." 
 
 "Mario: two more arrows will follow this one,
 
 152 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 the first will bear a file in the bottom of its shaft, 
 the second will bring you a silk cord, pull it up 
 when you are ready to descend. When you re- 
 ceive the first arrow, darken the window for a 
 second to let us know that you have received it 
 safely. "When the next comes do the same, then 
 file the links of your manacles and the bars at 
 your window. When you are ready for the 
 third, again darken the window for a moment 
 and we will fire it. Then when you are ready 
 to descend extinguish the light. You must cross 
 the wall as best you can, it is rough and you can 
 easily climb it. Trust to the signal to find us. 
 We are directly opposite your window. Signed, 
 Fleur de Eis." 
 
 The note was carefully bound with a piece of 
 silk cord and the archer, stepping aside so as not 
 to have anything obstruct his aim, sprung the 
 bow and waited for Lily to give the word when 
 the guard was at the further end of his beat. 
 
 "Shoot sure and quick," came the word. 
 
 The archer stood for a moment immovable, 
 but the bow bent slowly and steadily by hi? 
 strong arm. Suddenly there was a sharp twang 
 as the tension was released. The arrow sped 
 forth with a hiss and all eyes were directed witli
 
 The Red Silk Ladder. 153 
 
 close attention to the window. Almost at the 
 same time as the twang of the string, a shadow 
 spread through the frame of light. Shortly 
 after, the light in the window was darkened for 
 an instant. 
 
 "He understands, now let's prepare the other 
 arrow here is the file." 
 
 "The shaft was neatly hollowed out and the 
 file placed in it and tightly bound by a silk cord. 
 This was the hardest test of the Swiss's skill ; but 
 he never wavered and strung the arrow in his 
 bow and prepared to fire. The sentry had just, 
 passed when Lily gave the word. The twang of 
 the string sounded again and the arrow went 
 whistling through the air with a clearly audible 
 hum, and entered the window. The sentry 
 stopped and looked about him, for he had heard 
 the noise, but by this time the lightning began 
 to play and the thunder rolled louder at regular 
 intervals, so he soon dismissed all suspicion. 
 
 "There is the signal, he has it all right," cried 
 FranQois. 
 
 "]STow we must wait for the signal for the third 
 arrow, but the elements are going to war against 
 us. It is good that the string is silk, it will not 
 be heavy," said Lily. Large drops of rain be-
 
 154 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 gan to fall and the group sought shelter under 
 the nearby trees, where they still could command 
 a view of the window. 
 
 Up in the cell, Mario had been sitting in a 
 dejected mood. Plan after plan had been re- 
 volving through his mind how to escape. But 
 his hands were chained or undoubtedly he would 
 have put some of them to test. Fate seemed 
 against him. That night the jailer had come, 
 to tell him that the Emperor had signed his death 
 warrant and he should be shot in the court-yard 
 below at sunrise. Though hope was gone, de- 
 spair never once showed on his face, he was too 
 brave to wince and thanked the jailor for his 
 kindness to inform him of the fact and not to 
 keep him in ignorance of his fate until he faced 
 the soldiers, which was often the case. Once 
 he had taken up the pen intending to confess all 
 and disclose his identity but then he threw it 
 down and said, "I have not yet accomplished my 
 task and rather than leave it unfinished I shall 
 die unknown." Hardly had the words been 
 spoken when a deep thud sounded in the room 
 and in the panel of the strong oaken door op- 
 posite the window, he saw an arrow still quiver- 
 ing. With an exclamation of joy, he sprang to
 
 The Red Silk Ladder. 155 
 
 the door and withdrew the shaft. "Ah ! a note ; 
 I thought something would happen. Lily would 
 not leave me here to die, if she could help it" 
 and he read the note which we have heard before. 
 An exclamation of joy burst from him and he 
 darkened the window to let them know that he 
 had received the note and understood how to 
 act. Then he stepped aside to let the other ar- 
 row pass. After a short time it came and struck 
 the door in exactly the same place. He then 
 removed the file and set to work. The guard 
 at the door never disturbed him and as the storm 
 had now broken with all its fury, the file began 
 to grate at the first link of his hand-cuffs with 
 telling effect and in the course of an hour, the 
 link was cut through and his hands were free to 
 act. In less than another hour, an opening w r as 
 made at the window, large enough to allow his 
 body to pass through. 
 
 Outside, the watchers could see him earnestly 
 at work, stopping long enough to let the guard 
 pass out of sight, then the file would grate away 
 with renewed vigor. Finally the light was 
 darkened as the signal for the third arrow. 
 
 "He has filed the bars, now for the third ar- 
 row, all goes well," said Lily as she fastened the
 
 156 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 silk thread to the end of the third shaft. They 
 then approached almost under the wall and the 
 bowman took his stand, the arrow on the string 
 and his bow bent waiting for Lily's command. 
 
 "Shoot." 
 
 The arrow left the bow, dragging the silk cord 
 after it like a tail. Suddenly the tightness of 
 the silk loosened and the thread fell across the 
 wall. 
 
 "It has reached all right" said the Swiss. 
 
 "Andreas, I fear not, the string is loose." 
 
 "Just so, it was tight until it struck, the force 
 carrying more cord than is needed. That is why 
 there is the slack. See I am right, there is the 
 signal." 
 
 Then they felt a tug at the string and it be- 
 gan slowly to be pulled upwards. The silk 
 ladder of flaming red was then attached to the 
 end of the cord and was pulled up to the window 
 where Mario was stationed. Then the light 
 went out as the signal that he was ready to 
 descend.
 
 The Wrong Man. 157 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE WRONG MAN. 
 
 The rain was now falling in torrents. Sharp 
 flashes of lightning came and died at regular 
 intervals, followed by loud burst of thunder. 
 Up in the cell, when Mario had made everything 
 in preparation and had pulled up the red silk 
 ladder, he fastened it securely and barricaded the 
 door so as to prevent any attack from that part. 
 Then he pushed his body through the space his 
 file had cleared and placed his foot on the first 
 rung of the ladder. A sense of giddiness seized 
 him, as he swung out into space. The rain 
 dashed against his face and matted his hair, for 
 he wore no hat. Then he began slowly to de- 
 scend, his only hope was that the guard should 
 not see him by the flashes of lightning, clinging 
 to the sides of the building. In the shadow of 
 the wall Fleur de Lis, Frangois and the Swiss 
 were watching in breathless suspense, the cling-
 
 158 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 ing figure as he was shown to them by the light- 
 ning flashes, suspended between heaven and 
 earth. The Swiss had an arrow strung, closely 
 watching the guard. 
 
 "If the sentry sees him, shoot before he has 
 time to challenge/' said Lily in breathless anxi- 
 ety. 
 
 Mario was about half way down when the 
 guard suddenly stopped his walk and turned his 
 face towards the building. Just then a sharp 
 flash revealed Mario clinging to the ladder. The 
 next moment the twang of a string was heard and 
 the guard, without a cry tumbled into the court- 
 yard, his sword clattering on the stones as he 
 fell. Still Mario kept steadily descending and 
 finally reached the ground; but now a new 
 danger presented itself. The guard failing to 
 challenge at the end of his beat, created suspi- 
 cion in the mind of the other sentry, who started 
 out to find the reason of the non-appearance of 
 his comrade. Mario had now crossed the court- 
 yard and having heard the guard fall on the 
 stones, guessed the reason and thought the coast 
 clear and immediately scaled the rough wall. 
 Just as he reached the top he came face to face 
 with the other sentry. So close were they and
 
 The Wrong Man. 159 
 
 so taken by surprise that for a moment, both 
 stood immovable. Mario was first to act, he 
 was unarmed but immediately his hands caught 
 the man's arms and pinned them to his sides be- 
 fore he could reach his sword. A struggle en- 
 sued. 
 
 Hand to hand they fought, neither gaining a 
 point. Mario's companions stood silently watch- 
 ing the conflict, by the almost constant flashes of 
 lightning but were unable to lend any assistance 
 to their imperiled master. Finally Mario was 
 slowly sliding his hand along the other's arm. 
 ISTow he reached the elbow, but still the hand 
 steadily moved upward, until with a sudden 
 lurch it reached the shoulder. Then with a 
 quick spring his hand clasped the sentry's throat. 
 Tighter and tighter became his grip until the 
 veins in the neck stood out like whip cords. 
 Weaker and weaker the man became, his strug- 
 gling ceased, his face was black, his tongue pro- 
 truded, his body relaxed, the eyes were fixed, 
 bulging from his head, then the lifeless form 
 sank to the wall with the death rattle in his 
 throat. With a mocking laugh Mario heaved a 
 sigh of relief and removing the hat and cloak, he 
 put them on, then stepping over the prostrate
 
 160 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 body he began to descend on the other side of 
 the wall to join his companions. After Mario 
 had reached the other side of the wall, he stopped 
 for a moment. A hand from the darkness took 
 his and led him to a clump of bushes, where his 
 liberators were waiting for him. Then they 
 mounted hurriedly and started, for there was no 
 time to be lost as it would only be a short time 
 until his escape would be discovered and the 
 gendarmes would be in full chase. The rain 
 was still falling but the lightning and thunder 
 had subsided. Onward they urged their horses, 
 along the muddy streets. Suddenly there 
 sounded behind them the clatter of horses' hoofs 
 in hot pursuit. They were the gendarmes, com- 
 ing sooner than expected. 
 
 'Taster faster," shouted Mario and the rowles 
 of his spurs dug deeper into his laboring horse's 
 flanks. The sound in the distance grew nearer 
 and nearer and the gendarmes were fast gaining 
 upon them. Fleur de Lis was riding gracefully, 
 urging her horse with word and whip. The 
 Swiss coolly drew his weapon in preparation for 
 the meeting. Every now and then Mario would 
 cry to them to follow him with greater speed. 
 Suddenly, without warning, Francois' horse
 
 The Wrong Man. 161 
 
 stumbled, fell to his knees, rolled over and was 
 unable to rise. Mario seeing his distress, drew 
 rein and turned back to assist him. 
 
 "Leave me my lord; leave me or they will 
 capture you." 
 
 Every moment brought the gendarmes closer. 
 It was too late. They were upon them. There 
 was clanking of swords, cries of pain and curses. 
 But an awful mistake was being made. Hav- 
 ing seen the man fall from his horse and the 
 others turn back, they felt certain that it was 
 Mario who had been unseated, for they felt that 
 this dare-devil would not stop to save another 
 man's life at the risk of his own and so they 
 paid but little attention to the man who was play- 
 ing so much havoc about them, in endeavoring to 
 capture the unseated rider. Mario and the rest 
 of the band, seeing that all hope for Frangois 
 was cut off, fought their way through the circle 
 and dashed away at full speed. The gendarmes 
 paid little attention to them, but directed all 
 their energy in capturing Frangois, who strug- 
 gled gracefully, drawing with his arm his cloak, 
 more and more about his face so that they would 
 not recognize him, in order to give Mario time 
 
 to get a greater distance between them. His 
 n
 
 1 62 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 plan was succeeding admirably and at last he 
 surrendered. He was blindfolded in the dark- 
 ness and still holding his cloak about his face, he 
 was mounted on a horse and guarded by the 
 gendarmes, was conveyed toward the chateau. 
 As they reached the court-yard it was almost 
 day. 
 
 They forced him to dismount, led him to the 
 rear of the building and forced him to stand 
 and wait their further pleasure. Never once did 
 they doubt that they did have the mysterious 
 man in the red cloak. 
 
 In silence, save for the echo of the foot-steps 
 of the sentry set to watch him, Francois stood 
 waiting for the time to disclose himself; only 
 when he was certain that all capture of Mario 
 was out of the question. In the distance after 
 a short time, he heard the regular step of a squad 
 of soldiers approaching him. He heard the dull 
 thud of a pick at work. But never once did he 
 realize that he was playing his game too far. 
 Then he heard the order of a captain, he heard 
 the click of musketry, he straightened up and 
 the realization of what was going on about him, 
 suddenly flashed through his mind, but it was 
 too late. There was another sharp order, there
 
 The Wrong Man. 163 
 
 was a terrible roar and Frangois fell forward 
 his breast pierced by many bullets. 
 
 A detail of three or four men were left to 
 place his remains in the grave that had been 
 dug for them. As they drew the cloak from the 
 man's face, there was an awful expression of 
 horror and terror depicted in the features now 
 becoming cold and rigid. With a cry they 
 sprang back. It was the wrong man.
 
 164 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "THEN SIRE I DISOBEY." 
 
 Paris was in a state of excitement at the an- 
 nouncement of Mario's escape. The Emperor's 
 followers were sullen and fearful. The Bour- 
 bons received the news in joyous silence. In 
 the few days that followed, the news of Mario's 
 escape was felt and confirmed more strongly by 
 this character's actions and achievements. This 
 mysterious dare-devil was working harder than 
 ever before. He would make his appearance it 
 seemed, at places where he was least expected, 
 striking here and there but, always single- 
 handed. He was a valuable tool in the hands 
 of the king and the allied forces. Not a bit of 
 information ever escaped him. He would enter 
 an enemy's camp, converse with the soldiers, 
 plan with the generals, but always to his own 
 advantage. The name of Mario was better 
 known. It was feared from the lowest private
 
 "Then Sire I Disobey." 165 
 
 to the Emperor himself. If ever a messenger 
 was found dead, the name of Mario and the sight 
 of the man in the red cloak, with his devilish 
 grinning face would flash through every mind. 
 If a courier was so fortunate as to return, after 
 having met him, all that he could say, was that 
 his orders were gone and that the man in the 
 red cloak had taken them. He would enter a 
 camp at day-break, disguised of course, stay all 
 day, gain information, leave late at night by 
 some sleeping sentry's post, and then to make 
 him sleep sounder, the sentry would be found the 
 next morning with a dagger in his breast with a 
 dainty red bow tied to the hilt. The bow of 
 ribbon, always red, answered all questions and 
 left no doubt as to who had committed the 
 deed. 
 
 A reward had been placed upon his head but 
 every one smiled at the idea of taking this dare- 
 devil and no one cared to measure swords with 
 him because they said, that his sword could al- 
 ways reach just twice as far as theirs. So a few 
 days passed. It was now the last days of May 
 and Napoleon was fast losing his prestige. The 
 coalition consisting of England, Austria, Prussia 
 and Sweden as we have said before, was formed,
 
 1 66 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 and so far had been very successful. Welling- 
 ton was at the head of the forces and the king 
 had retired to Ghent to await results. Mario was 
 at the Chateau de Nuit, while Lily went to the 
 King's hiding place. It was now evident that 
 there would be a battle which would soon settle 
 all strife, for both sides were now massing their 
 forces, by marching into Belgium. General 
 Grouchy had been detached with about thirty- 
 four thousand men to detain Bliicher and both 
 Generals were now near Chateau de Nuit, closely 
 watching each other's actions. Then a week in 
 June wore away and orders were given to 
 Grouchy to detain Bliicher, then defeat him in 
 battle, then to join Napoleon, who was now near 
 Waterloo. 
 
 One evening the King was sitting in a room of 
 the chateau. He was musing, idly drumming 
 on the arm of his chair, lost in a dream, absently 
 looking through the open door, through which 
 the rays of the setting sun were streaming. 
 Silently he sat for some time and dusk was 
 slowly falling. Suddenly, the silhouette of a 
 woman was seen, outlined against the rosy sky. 
 It was Fleur de Lis. Her face was flushed and 
 excitement was plainly written on her features.
 
 "Then Sire I Disobey." 167 
 
 Bowing to the "King she said: "Sire, I have 
 news." 
 
 "From "Wellington?" he asked looking to- 
 wards her. 
 
 "Yes and he says, that we must act quickly. 
 Napoleon is now near Waterloo and a clash is 
 inevitable. General Grouchy has been detached 
 to keep Bliicher in check. Wellington desires 
 that by some means, Grouchy must be detained, 
 so as to let Bliicher join him." 
 
 "But how shall this be accomplished, we have 
 but little time and Grouchy may be marching 
 now? Perhaps by false orders?" 
 
 "That may do. But at any rate Mario must 
 know and at once. There is no time to be lost; 
 he must understand Wellington's orders." 
 
 "But there is no one to carry the order, 
 Francois is not here. We must wait for him 
 to return." 
 
 "Sire Francois will never come." 
 
 "What do you mean?" 
 
 "He was killed at Paris, because he was mis- 
 taken for Mario." 
 
 "Poor fellow! Do you know Fleur de Lis, 
 that he was a brave man, a good friend, a good 
 companion, and there were none better or more 
 loyal in serving his king. I regret this very
 
 1 68 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 much; but such is the fate of one who follows 
 the wars" said the King, and he again resumed 
 the revery he had been in before Fleur de Lis 
 came, and a large tear was brushed from his eye. 
 
 "But Sire we must act, and at once" said Fleur 
 de Lis disturbing the silence. 
 
 "I know not what to do; I have none here 
 that I can trust with the order, it will have to 
 wait." 
 
 "To wait may cost you your throne, we must 
 act, or all may be lost, there is but one who can 
 carry that order." 
 
 "Who?" 
 
 "Louis the Eighteenth must carry that order 
 or sacrifice his throne." 
 
 "I? Lily you are mad." 
 
 "I may be Sire, but that is all that will save 
 your throne, for if Grouchy joins Napoleon all 
 will be lost. Sire will you go ?" 
 
 "No. I shall trust to fate." 
 
 "Fate seldom favors cowards. Sire will you 
 go?" 
 
 "No; I shall wait, life is more precious than 
 a kingdom. I would rather lose." 
 
 "No, Sire you shall not lose. I will deliver 
 the order." 
 
 "You shall not,"
 
 "Then Sire I Disobey." 169 
 
 "Your success demands it. I will go." 
 
 "You shall not, I command you." 
 
 "Then Sire, I disobey," and she disappeared 
 through the door. Soon a clatter of hoofs was 
 heard and Louis nervously paced the floor, every 
 now and then approaching the window. Lily 
 rode hard and in due time, just as dusk was 
 settling about the forest, she came in sight of the 
 chateau. She knew that the place was guarded, 
 so she decided to take the tunnel. Her horse 
 was now covered with foam ; the night was grow- 
 ing dark and she cautiously rode up to the en- 
 trance of the tunnel. 
 
 Although he was in ignorance of the fact, a 
 guard was standing not more than a few yards 
 from its entrance. Lily had advanced and see- 
 ing the danger turned and started in the opposite 
 direction, urging on the tired beast. The guard 
 challenged and seeing the figure flee, leveled his 
 gun and fired, but Lily went on untouched. 
 She now tried the next, but advanced more cau- 
 tiously this time but met with the same result, 
 only a little closer call, for the ball passed 
 through the rim of her hat. There was no use 
 to try the tunnels, there was a guard at every 
 fifty yards, so she withdrew a distance to think 
 of some plan.
 
 170 The Clash of Steel 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 
 A WAKNING IN TIME. 
 
 In the window of the banquet hall she could 
 see a light burning and felt that Mario was there. 
 She also wondered if he knew how closely his 
 chateau was guarded, for already Grouchy be- 
 gan to suspect that the Lord of Chateau de Nuit 
 and Mario were one and the same person. She 
 knew that he must be warned and also that he 
 must have the order, so she decided upon a bold 
 stroke. She would make a dash for the main 
 gate of the court-yard and try to surprise the 
 guard. Once within the enclosure she would 
 be safe, for the danger lay in passing the line. 
 So she slowly cantered about the building until 
 on a direct line with the gate. Then she dis- 
 mounted and took off her outer skirt and tore it 
 into four pieces. Then she tore up some grass 
 and filled each piece of cloth and bound one on 
 each of the horse's hoofs. Then she took her
 
 A Warning in Time. 171 
 
 pistol in hand and sent the tired beast forward 
 with a bound. The horse made little noise with 
 his muffled hoofs and she rode furiously. When 
 about two hundred yards from the gate she un- 
 expectedly ran aside of two guards, who had 
 been carrying on a conversation. Like an arrow 
 she was past them, but they had heard her com- 
 ing for she was so close to them. They did not 
 wait to challenge, but fired at the disappearing 
 figure. Lily leaned forward in the saddle, over 
 the horse's neck and the first ball sped wide its 
 mark, but the next struck above the temple, just 
 grazing the skull and leaving a furrow in the 
 flesh, from which the blood flowed furiously. 
 
 She reeled in the saddle for a moment but still 
 remained conscious, slightly benumbed by the 
 blow. Still she rode on. There was a numb- 
 ness about her head and a sense of giddiness over- 
 came her mind but she remained seated, brush- 
 ing away with her arm the blood which blinded 
 her. After a few moments she reached the 
 court-yard and dismounting she set the horse 
 free. At the door the old gray haired man met 
 her but she brushed him aside and mounted the 
 stairs. Her head was whirling and she stag- 
 gered on, the wound in her head bleeding furi-
 
 172 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 ously, covering her face. Mario was sitting in 
 a chair in a state of study. As he heard her 
 enter he raised his head. Lily staggered to the 
 table for support. Her lips had lost their color 
 and her voice was weak. 
 
 "Mario the chateau is guarded on all sides, be 
 careful," she was reeling and she wiped away 
 the blood from her eyes. 
 
 '1 come from the King and bring orders from 
 Wellington. Grouchy, Grouchy," her voice 
 was choked and her hand trembled with weak- 
 ness. "Grouchy you must detain ," and be- 
 fore he could reach her she fell heavily to the 
 floor. Mario and the old man rushed to her. 
 "Gaston call one of the monks." The man 
 obeyed and descended the steps. "She is a true 
 good girl and could I love ." Mario mur- 
 mured ; but the old man entering with the priest, 
 cut short his musings. 
 
 "Take care of her, my Father. Remove her 
 to a secret chamber, she is wounded in the head, 
 spare no care to restore her as speedily as you 
 can." Mario and the priest then carried her to 
 the secret chamber, lighted by the old tottering 
 man. 
 
 The next day was the 14th of June and it
 
 A Warning in Time. 173 
 
 wore itself away and night set in with a drench- 
 ing rain and high wind, that whistled and 
 moaned in the tree tops, driving dark banks of 
 clouds from the west, giving promise of a wild 
 night of thunder storm. For days both 
 Grouchy's forces and those of Bliicher lay 
 quietly, only now and then a skirmish or a picket 
 shot at his post by some sharp-shooter. 
 
 One cannot tell what the dice of fate will 
 decide. Misfortune's strokes are sharp and give 
 no warning, they are like lightning, first blind 
 the victim then strike, leaving only blackened 
 hopes. Some people are doomed to misfortune 
 and always follow its dictations. One of this 
 class was General Grouchy and just at this 
 period, he was singled out, to make the mistake 
 which has changed the fate of the world and will 
 be talked about for ages and ages. 
 
 He decided upon a bold stroke. That night 
 he had intended to attack Chateau de Nuit, take 
 its lord, whom he suspected to be Mario, then 
 he would return late that same night and attack 
 Bliicher. Then when he had defeated him in 
 battle, he would march on and join Napoleon, 
 who was now near Waterloo, where it was but a 
 question of a short time when a conflict would 
 take place,
 
 174 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 With a detachment of fifty cavalrymen, he 
 set out wrapped deep in his cloak to ward off the 
 drenching rain. It was just the kind of night 
 to make his secret arrest and then his bold at- 
 tack, but fortune also had a hand in the game. 
 They struck an easy canter, it being very hard 
 for the horses to make much headway over the 
 soggy ground. The rain had died down into a 
 steady drizzle, but the clouds growing darker on 
 the horizon and an occasional mutter of thunder, 
 gave the assurance that nature promised a war 
 of the elements. 
 
 He reached and entered the court-yard with 
 a rush. He dismounted and knocked heavily on 
 the strong wooden door. A voice within called 
 out: "Who is there?" 
 
 "Open and you shall see" cried Grouchy in 
 harsh tones not enjoying the rush of the wind 
 and hoping to take the place by surprise, rather 
 than by force. The door slowly swung open and 
 an old gray haired man, stood holding a flaming 
 torch high in air. 
 
 "Is your Lord here?" 
 
 "Xo Monsieur, he has gone on to Paris." 
 
 "Come that lie may cost you your head. Re- 
 veal his whereabouts or you are lost."
 
 A Warning in Time. 175 
 
 "I ani telling the truth," said the old man 
 very firmly. 
 
 "What proof can you give ?" 
 
 "Search," said the old man. 
 
 "These chateaux often have secret hiding 
 places, but should he be -found in the building, 
 that lie will be your condemnation. Your old 
 withering body shall grace the boughs of some 
 old oak out yonder," said Grouchy as he began to 
 search. 
 
 The General watched him closely as his men 
 began to search the building, but the old gray 
 haired man still retained that same firmness, 
 which seemed to make him half believe, that the 
 old man told the truth. Search where they 
 would, no one could they find in the building, 
 but the old man who admitted them, and he 
 looked on in silence as doors were torn open and 
 the house ransacked in general. 
 
 Grouchy was baf&ed. He knew not what to 
 do. Finally he concluded to remain an hour or 
 so, as he thought that possibly the spy might re- 
 turn in the meantime and as he did not care to 
 encounter the storm, which would soon burst in 
 all its fury. He had an abundance of time, 
 for he would not attack Bliicher until midnight,
 
 176 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 so he thought that he might as well spend the 
 time in a comfortable place and enjoy a good 
 meal. 
 
 His men were made comfortable in the base- 
 ment, while he mounted the steps to the hall on 
 the second floor and ordered the old man to 
 bring a supper and build a fire in the huge fire- 
 place, in order to dry his wet clothes. This the 
 old man did, bringing him a good meal and set- 
 ting a flask of wine on the table, he left without 
 a word. Then he sat at the table and ate and 
 drank, never once giving it a thought, that the 
 wine might be drugged. He could hear his men 
 down below, bumping their glasses, praising the 
 wine of the Lord of Chateau de ISTuit and crying 
 loudly for more. He finished his meal and pull- 
 ing a great arm chair before the hearth, sat 
 smoking a cigarette and gazing about him. 
 
 The room of massive dimensions, was but illy 
 lighted by a candelabrum on the table and the 
 fire-light in the grate cast fitful figures on the 
 high and rough looking ceiling. On the walls 
 hung massive paintings of soldiers, probably 
 ancestors of some of the lords of the chateau. 
 The room had an uncanny wierd appearance, but 
 to a soldier these things appear for a moment,
 
 A Warning in Time. 177 
 
 only for a moment and then pass away. How 
 slowly an hour passed. He looked at his watch 
 and saw that it was nearly half past nine. By 
 midnight he meant to have Bliicher defeated 
 and then be on his way to Napoleon. Drawing 
 a chair to the table, which had been cleared by 
 the old man, with pen and paper he began to 
 plan his movements against Bliicher and soon be- 
 came so interested in his work that he began to 
 murmur aloud as he planned. 
 
 Slowly he began to become drowsy and to 
 arouse himself, he began to pace the floor. 
 Often, he would stop and be aroused from his 
 reveries, by what seemed to be the penetrating- 
 gaze of a pair of sharp eyes. His drowsiness 
 steadily increased and soon he became so sleepy, 
 that he fell in the chair, still standing before the 
 hearth, over which hung a huge picture of some 
 noble ancestor. Soon he fell asleep. 
 
 12
 
 iy8 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 CHAPTEK IX. 
 
 VICTORY AND DEATH. 
 
 Only a few moments seemed to have passed, 
 when he was suddenly awakened by the clock 
 in the tower striking eleven. The drowsiness 
 had not completely left him. He stretched and 
 yawning said: "I must go, or by midnight 
 BKicher will be on his way to Wellington," and 
 he started to arise. 
 
 "Do not go yet," said a stern voice as slowly 
 the great picture over the fire-place swung back. 
 A strong well-built cavalier, stood behind in a 
 niche in the wall which led to a secret passage- 
 way. Grouchy rubbed his eyes and tried to 
 convince himself that he was only dreaming, and 
 that perhaps the drug in the wine had forced the 
 delirium. He reached for his weapon, but be- 
 fore eating, he had lain aside all his arms on the 
 table, many feet away. The man stood like a 
 statue, his head erect, his eyes sparkling and a
 
 Victory and Death. 179 
 
 malicious smile playing about his lips. At his 
 side he wore his sword, which clanked loudly as 
 he climbed from the niche in the wall, never 
 once removing his eyes from those of the Gen- 
 eral, pushing the picture back into place as he 
 did so. 
 
 It was Mario. 
 
 The General was dumbfounded. He could 
 not move. With what grace Mario seated him- 
 self in a chair near the General. The malicious 
 smile never left his face, but seemed to mock his 
 captive in his misery. At last the General found 
 his speech. 
 
 "I have come to arrest you sir." 
 
 "On what grounds?" 
 
 "That you are a spy." 
 
 Mario only smiled. "But before going away 
 to captivity and death, let us have a little con- 
 versation." 
 
 The General did not dare to move for Mario's 
 hand touched his sword at the least stir he made. 
 Thus they sat talking, while time rolled on, and 
 Grouchy upon whom Napoleon's fate rested was 
 utterly helpless. Mario seemed to delight in
 
 180 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 his misery, for he watched his anxiety with pleas- 
 ure. The rain began to swish against the win- 
 dows and loud bursts of thunder vibrated 
 through the great hall, while flashes of lightning 
 seemed to cleave the heaven's breast and make 
 the world as light as day for an instant. 
 
 "Napoleon and Wellington will soon meet 
 who will be the victor?" Mario tauntingly 
 asked. 
 
 "Napoleon" said the General sullenly. 
 
 "Were you not to attack Bliicher and then 
 join Napoleon?" 
 
 "I intend to attack him tonight." 
 
 "You have not much time. He leaves to join 
 Wellington at midnight." 
 
 Things were getting desperate, great drops 
 of sweat stood on the General's forehead. Some- 
 thing must be done he thought. Already the 
 clock was striking the quarter before twelve. 
 The storm still raged in unabated fury and 
 flashes of lightning came and died at regular 
 intervals. Grouchy could bear it no longer. 
 He arose suddenly and Mario did likewise and 
 facing the General began: 
 
 "There is but one way. You have me in your 
 power and I have you in mine. I am a spy in
 
 Victory and Death. 181 
 
 the hands of "Wellington and the King. Your 
 men are drugged on the floor below and of the 
 same wine you drank, but not as much as they. 
 Come" said he never once removing his glance, 
 "to this balcony." 
 
 The General obeyed him and stepped out into 
 the cool air, hoping that by surprise he might 
 strangle Mario; but he had probably foreseen 
 this for he kept the General at a sword's dis- 
 tance. The rain drove against their faces and 
 the thunder rolled with a deafening noise, that 
 shook the whole building. A clear piercing note 
 of a bugle sounded in the distance and just then 
 the heavens opened with a glaring light and 
 revealed a line of struggling cavalry and cannon, 
 laboring through the mud and rain. . 
 
 Mario stood with his hand out-stretched, point- 
 ing to the struggling mass which the lightning 
 had shown the amazed General. That same 
 ghastly smile played across his features and his 
 eyes glittered with a malicious light. Grouchy 
 was desperate. He felt that there might still 
 be time enough for him to reach his camp and 
 overtake Bliicher. Suddenly Mario turned to 
 him and said: "I will give you one chance. 
 By midnight the last soldier will have left
 
 1 82 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 Blucher's camp. You still have time enough to 
 overtake him. Come, we, will fight the battle 
 which shall decide the fate of nations." 
 
 He took from the wall an old pair of rapiers 
 that showed a stain of blood. He gave the 
 choice and Grouchy selected. 
 
 "Come," said the General "on guard." 
 Mario did not seem to be in a hurry, but 
 slowly raised his rapier, letting the blade slide 
 through his hand until it bent in an arch above 
 his head, never once removing his eyes from 
 those of the General, he suddenly loosed the 
 blade, which released from its tension hissed 
 through the air and struck the guard with a 
 ringing click. The wind moaned dolefully 
 around the old building, loud peals of thunder 
 rolled along the heavens and the lightning 
 seemed to play on their blades as they slid along 
 each other with a rasping sound. Now Mario 
 thrusts and the General parries; now the General 
 lunges and Mario guards: but neither gains a 
 point. Mario was fighting for time, w r hile 
 Grouchy was battling with despair to save his 
 commander from defeat. Time went on ; slowly 
 but surely Mario was forcing him step by step 
 to the wall as they slowly circled around the
 
 Victory and Death. 183 
 
 room. Nearer and nearer his blade came to 
 the heart at every stroke. Mario was a master 
 hand at the art and never did he show himself to 
 better advantage. Never once did that smile 
 leave his face or his eye lose its brightness. 
 Their breath came hard and heavy, a loud peal 
 of thunder died away in the distance, just as the 
 clock in the tower tolled the hour of midnight. 
 A low laugh broke from Mario and through his 
 labored breathing he hissed "it is too late; 
 Napoleon is defeated." 
 
 The General began to despair and felt that 
 it would be better to throw aside his rapier and 
 let him kill him, than to meet his disgrace. The 
 fate of his commander depended on a stroke, 
 and a bold one and he again took heart. But 
 should that stroke fail, all would be lost. He 
 watched and soon an opportunity presented itself, 
 either Mario felt too certain that the affair would 
 end in his favor, or now because he was so sure 
 of Napoleon's defeat and that he had gained his 
 point, he became reckless. With a quick rasp- 
 ing stroke the General sent Mario's rapier hissing 
 across the room, and his blade sank deep in his 
 heart. He released his hold on the rapier and 
 Mario slowly tottered, swayed, staggered and
 
 184 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 fell in a heap on the floor, the weapon still quiver- 
 ing in his breast. 
 
 Grouchy did not wait for his hat or cloak but 
 started for the door with a bound. A figure 
 barred his way. It was the old tottering, gray 
 haired man and in his hand he held a long 
 glittering knife. Mario now writhing in agony, 
 raised himself on his elbow and turned his glassy 
 eyes to the door and saw the old man raising the 
 knife. 
 
 "Let him pass Gaston; let him pass. It is too 
 late Napoleon has lost and I have won," and 
 he again sank to the floor writhing in his blood. 
 The old man reluctantly lowered the knife and 
 stepped aside to let Grouchy pass. 
 
 Mario's life was fast ebbing and he called for 
 a priest. Soon the old man returned with a 
 monk who knelt beside the dying man. His 
 speech was now broken and weak; but he still 
 wore the smile of triumph. 
 
 "Father are you here, I cannot see. Come 
 closer." 
 
 "I am right by your side, what is your wish? 
 Shall we remove the rapier?" 
 
 "No, no, let it be, it ends a life of misery and 
 trouble. My work is finished, now let me die in 
 peace."
 
 Victory and Death. 185 
 
 His eyes were glassy and his mind wandered. 
 He was continually reaching with his trembling 
 hand to his breast as if in search of something. 
 His lips were pale and trembled as he spoke. 
 
 "Father in my doublet, near my heart, quick, 
 quick I cannot live long." 
 
 The priest hastily opened the doublet and saw 
 hanging to a golden chain a locket which was 
 now covered with blood. This he removed from 
 the dying man's neck. "Weaker and weaker 
 Mario's voice became. Suddenly, he staggered 
 to his feet. He seized the rapier which had 
 fallen from his hand, and assuming a position for 
 attack, his eyes flashing, he began to lunge and 
 parry and retreat, staggering with weakness. 
 "Come on, come on, I'll fight you now to the 
 end, here's where I gain my victory of 
 vengeance or I die without it. Go back to her 
 Napoleon, go back to her defeated, disgraced, 
 dishonored. You have won in one battle, you 
 have gained the spoils of one victory, but I now 
 have mine. Come on" he shouted, "come on, 
 our score is almost settled. Go back to her and 
 tell her that you have lost; you have lost to me, 
 to me the " he tottered, struggled to raise from 
 his knees on which he had fallen, but death was
 
 1 86 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 conquering him and he fell to the floor. Then 
 he raised his head, a calmness had come over him 
 and the film was already on his eye. 
 
 "Take that my Father, just as it is to the 
 Empress Maria Louisa. You are a monk, you 
 will gain admittance. Tell her that I the 
 count " A shudder passed over his body his 
 eyes became fixed and Mario was dead, without 
 giving his name to the listening monk, but he 
 knew his commission.
 
 A Mystery Revealed. 187 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A MYSTERY REVEALED. 
 
 Some time after a monk called upon the de- 
 throned Empress and asked for an audience. 
 This was gained and he entered a room finely 
 furnished and a woman approached him and 
 bowed low. 
 
 "What do you desire, my good Father?" 
 
 "My lady, I come with a strange message and 
 my duty is indeed hard for me to bear. But I 
 never fail to fulfill a dying man's last request." 
 
 "A dying man? But who can he be?" 
 
 "A character strange and mysterious and 
 although I have been with him for some time, 
 he has seemed to me more of fanciful or super- 
 natural creation." 
 
 "But his name?" 
 
 "I knew him by many. Mario." 
 
 "Mario?" 
 
 "Yes my lady, the man in the red cloak."
 
 1 88 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 "But what does this concern me?" 
 
 "He sends a message." 
 
 "To me?" 
 
 "Yes to you and desired me to give unto you 
 this locket, which was about his neck and is dyed 
 with his blood, which he shed for the King, but I 
 should judge more for revenge." 
 
 The woman took the locket. It was covered 
 with stains of blood, which the monk had not 
 erased. It was beautifully set with diamonds 
 and rubies. She idly, as in a dream turned it 
 over and over in her hands. She then opened it 
 and staggered to a chair for support an exclama- 
 tion breaking from her lips, "Eugene." After 
 awhile she regained her self-possession. 
 
 "But how did he die my Father?" 
 
 "By the sword." 
 
 "At whose hands?" 
 
 "General Grouchey's of Napoleon's army." 
 
 "He is a traitor. He failed to appear." 
 
 "He failed to appear Madame, but he is no 
 traitor; he was detained." 
 
 "By Mario?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "My Father I am about to tell you a story, 
 which I trust you shall never breathe to another
 
 A Mystery Revealed. 189 
 
 living being. You are in mystery and doubt as 
 to who this strange man was. As you will re- 
 member when I was a princess at the court of 
 Austria, my hand was sought by Xapoleon. I 
 accepted his suit and joined iny life with his 
 and ascended the throne of France, as Empress. 
 Several years before this, while yet but a young 
 girl, I was riding one day in a coach through 
 the streets of Vienna. The people on all sides 
 were bowing and cheering me, for I was a 
 favorite. Suddenly, the horses took fright and 
 started to run at a terrific speed. The carriage 
 swayed from side to side and the spectators stood 
 by dumbfounded, unable to lend assistance. The 
 coachman was hurled from the box and died 
 beneath the wheels. Onward the maddened 
 team rushed. I was told that a certain noble- 
 man, the Count Eugene was riding on horse 
 back followed by his courtiers, when he came 
 upon the crowds of terrified citizens. Erom 
 several he gained the information, that the 
 Princess Maria Louisa was being drawn to death 
 and destruction by a pair of maddened horses. 
 Waiting to hear no more he dashed the rowels in 
 the horse's flanks and at break neck speed pur- 
 sued the fleeing team. Then began a race of
 
 190 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 life and death. Onward we rushed for quite a 
 distance, but the count was fast gaining upon 
 the team. A few moments after I heard the 
 clatter of hoofs in hot pursuit and then I fainted 
 and knew no more. I was told afterward, how 
 urging his noble beast forward he had gained so 
 closely upon the team, that but a few strides 
 more and he would reach the. reins. The foam 
 was flowing from his horse's flanks, its nostrils 
 were dilated, its eyes bulging, but he forced him 
 onward, until he reached one of the horses' 
 bridles then, leaning over he seized it by the 
 bit and just as his horse sank to the ground, 
 bleeding from its nostrils and mouth, he con- 
 quered the maddened team and thus saved my 
 life. 
 
 A short time after that I met my rescuer at 
 a court ball. Immediately a love affair sprang 
 up between us and we were secretly betrothed. 
 Then came Napoleon and offered his hand. I 
 refused the count and accepted Napoleon's offer. 
 Some time after that the Count Eugene dis- 
 appeared and no one knew where he had gone. 
 This, my Father, has been a revelation to me, 
 although many and many a time has suspicion 
 lurked in my mind, that this strange, mysterious
 
 A Mystery Revealed. 191 
 
 man in the red cloak might be my former 
 betrothed. Go now, my Father, let this be a 
 secret between thee and me, let no one know of 
 this. Here is a goodly sum to reward you. 
 Bowing low, he kissed Madame's hand. Her 
 head was turned away, suppressed sobs broke 
 the silence in the room and he withdrew. 
 
 At last the moment came and the battle which 
 decided the fate of the world was begun. The 
 night before the battle of Waterloo, the Duke 
 of Wellington was in the midst of the gayety 
 and splendor of a grand ball, given in his honor 
 by the Duchess of Richmond. Lightly the 
 dancers swayed in perfect rythm to the strains 
 of sweet music. IsTewly made sweethearts hung 
 on the soldier lover's arm. Glances were ex- 
 changed and love words were spoken, little know- 
 ing that perhaps they might be their last. 
 Suddenly, above the laughter and gayety of this 
 grand splendor, there burst upon their ears a 
 loud, deep sound. For a moment all paused and 
 then suspicions were again cast to the winds. 
 But there it was again, there was no doubting 
 this time, "It is, it is the cannon's opening roar"
 
 192 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 came the whispered words from every month. 
 Officers and soldiers bid hasty farewells, many of 
 them their last and dashed to the front. Charge 
 after charge was made and repulse after repulse 
 was given. Blow after blow was dealt and 
 received, as the day wore itself away. All day 
 long they battled. There were volleys of 
 musketry, there was booming of cannon, there 
 were riderless horses dashing hither and thither, 
 only a few drops of crimson on the saddle to 
 tell the tale. There were groans on every side. 
 There were men, rambling in unconsciousness, 
 seeing in their dreams their homes in France, 
 their loved ones about them, their sweethearts, 
 their wives, the prattling children, as the scenes 
 of quiet and peace arose in a mist before their 
 eyes on this turbulent battlefield. Day wore 
 itself slowly away. Wellington looked and 
 longed for night and Bliicher, while Kapoleon 
 sent messenger after messenger to recall Grouchy 
 to his aid, but in vain. That General, that 
 Emperor, that Conqueror, stood on the field with 
 folded arms, a frown on his face, viewing the 
 awful carnage before him, seeing victory within 
 his grasp, if that one man would only come. 
 Fate, it seemed, had played against him this day.
 
 A Mystery Revealed. 193 
 
 Just as dusk, as if ashamed of her day's work 
 of destruction, was slowly spreading the folds of 
 her inky mantle over "the dead and dying in one 
 red burial blent," Napoleon made one more 
 effort. He drew that old guard, which had 
 served him so faithfully and well in days gone 
 by, into one solid phalanx and addressed them in 
 tones of determination and pathos. He drew 
 for them pictures, where they could see them- 
 selves fighting an enemy which they had con- 
 quered years before. Then he gave the order 
 to charge. That grand and noble line of soldiers, 
 who had followed him from victory to victory 
 and had lost with him at Moscow, made their 
 last charge. 
 
 Up to the muzzles of the guns the exhausted 
 men staggered, some tottering and falling 
 beneath the shower of bullets, before they 
 reached the line. Again and again they charged 
 and again and again they were repulsed. Officer 
 after officer was shot down and at last all seemed 
 lost. ISTo one was there to lead. The soldiers 
 began to fall back, awful holes were made in 
 the line, when suddenly a figure sprang forward, 
 seized the standard and rushed into the thickest 
 of the fight, shouting for them to follow. It 
 
 13
 
 194 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 was the Captain Pierre Moran. For a moment 
 everything seemed to vanish before them. 
 Volley after volley rang out. Pierre staggered 
 and tottered, but onward he led his few follow- 
 ers. Another volley and he fell, bleeding from 
 wounds in his breast and head, the colors which 
 had seen so many victories completely covering 
 him in their folds. Heavy cannonading was 
 heard. "It is Grouchy" cried the French with 
 joy. It was Bliicher. The soldiers were as if 
 struck dumb. The lines swayed for an instant, 
 tottered, then broke and fled. It was all over 
 the die had been cast, and Napoleon had lost, 
 and all because Grouchy failed to appear.
 
 In Morte Quietus Est. 195 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 IN MORTE QUIETUS EST. 
 
 Day was slowly waning and the tired sun was 
 slowly sinking to rest. Fleecy clouds near the 
 horizon were tinged with rose. Chateau de Nuit 
 stood black and solemn, as if mourning for its 
 dead master. Up in the banquet room he lay 
 in his coffin of black, draped with fiery silk. 
 Its folds falling loosely to the floor in solemn 
 grandeur. He was dressed in the garb of a 
 cavalier, of red, all red and the cloak of the 
 same color, was carefully draped about him, with 
 its flaming elegance drooping in folds as he was 
 wont to wear it in life. Even in death his face 
 still held his last smile of contented victory. 
 
 The high rough walls looked upon the dead 
 with solemn silence. No more would the echoes 
 awaken to his footfalls and out of respect for 
 their absent lord, it seemed they held a deep 
 silence, as if they had forgotten all else but the
 
 196 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 reverence due their silent master. At his head 
 and feet stood two soldiers, in full armor, their 
 visors closed, and immovable as statues. 
 
 Dusk had almost lengthened its shadows into 
 the silent gloom of night when the clatter of 
 horses' hoofs sounded in the court-yard below. 
 Two figures mounted the stairs and at the door, 
 they uncovered, before entering the chamber of 
 the dead. They were Wellington and the King. 
 Slowly they approached the bier and stood in 
 silence, gazing on the waxy features of the man 
 to whom they owed their greatness. Thus they 
 stood for some time, until they were interrupted 
 by foot-steps. A figure entered the room, her 
 hair loose, falling about her shoulders and 
 temples with lustrous black curls. Her eye was 
 wild and wandering. Above her temple on her 
 pallid face gleamed a scar with a brilliant 
 redness. 
 
 "Where is Mario? Why doesn't he come? 
 Why doesn't he come ?" and her articulation was 
 broken, now with sobs and then with a peal of 
 musical laughter. The King and Duke stood 
 aside with bowed heads to let her pass. She 
 seemed to take no notice of them, she sought only 
 one person and him she could not find.
 
 In Morte Quietus Est. 197 
 
 "Where is he ? Do you not know ? Where is 
 Mario; can no one tell? He will come. He 
 loves me. I know he will come. He will 
 come," and she broke into a ringing laugh, which 
 soon changed into sobbing. 
 
 "Do you not know me Fleur de Lis?" asked the 
 King. She started as from a dream and looked 
 up into his face 'with her sad searching eyes. 
 "No I No ! You are not Mario. You are not 
 Mario," and she approached .the bier. Suddenly 
 she stopped and fixed her eyes upon the dead. 
 A shriek broke from her lips and she threw her- 
 self upon the coffin, sobbing and laughing in 
 turn. "I knew he would come. I knew he 
 would not leave me," she murmured. "He is 
 not dead. He is not dead. Mario ! Mario !" 
 and the echoes only made answer by repeating 
 the name she had shrieked aloud. Then she 
 arose, her eye wildly wandering, she slowly left 
 the room. 
 
 A low chant swelled along the halls and a 
 procession with solemn, swinging, steps and 
 their heads cowled, six monks entered the room 
 and stood by the coffin. Then the King ad- 
 vanced and unbuckled his sword, placed the 
 jeweled hilt in the hands of the dead man and
 
 198 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 withdrew a step or two. Then a deep muttering 
 drum rolled loud and long, then at regular 
 intervals. The monks took up the dead and with 
 solemn and measured steps bore it from the room, 
 followed by the guard of honor and the King and 
 Wellington. A few men followed closely 
 behind, amongst these was the old tottering gray 
 haired man. 
 
 Slowly the procession pursued their walk to 
 the court-yard and crossing the stone pavement, 
 they came to the newly made grave. Slowly, 
 amidst the rolling of the drum and the sobs of 
 the followers, he was lowered into the grave. 
 The King then approached and after a short 
 prayer, ending with the words " in morte 
 quietus est " and with a parring glance they 
 left. In silence the King and the Duke rode 
 for awhile, then the King spoke : " He was a 
 strange man." 
 
 " Very. Who was he ? " 
 
 " I do not know." Then darkness and silence 
 closed around them. 
 
 In the outskirts of Paris, in the heart of a 
 forest, stood an old nunnery. One could see the 
 good sisters, moving about in the garden and
 
 In Morte Quietus Est. 199 
 
 whenever the angelus sounded, one would single 
 out in particular a maiden, beautiful, with down- 
 cast glances, cross herself devoutly and count 
 her beads. Could we draw nearer and hear her 
 prayer we would be stirred by its pathos and 
 melancholy. One day the Mother Superior 
 found her in the shadow of the wall, seeking 
 comfort from the rays of the mid-summer's sun 
 and bending over her asked her, "sister why did 
 you ever take our vows?" A tear-drop hung on 
 her long lashes her breath came fast, for that 
 question probably awoke dreams of past days. 
 For a moment she remained in silence, a silence 
 so deep one could hear the rippling of the dis- 
 tant brook and the call of a bird for its lost 
 mate. Then she raised her eyes and turning 
 towards her Mother Superior she said, "I will 
 give you an answer which you might think 
 strange but I will say only these few words then 
 ask me no more. 'Love is but the prelude to 
 marriage as the first act to a tragedy; shun the 
 prelude and the play will cease.' ' 
 
 This was all she said. Hiding her face in her 
 hands she sobbed bitterly and again she broke 
 the silence saying, "I am following the advice 
 of a very dear friend, which was, 'place love
 
 200 The Clash of Steel. 
 
 in the shackles of forgetfulness and let honor 
 be your only shrine of worship.' ' Without 
 a word the Mother Superior withdrew, leav- 
 ing her to dream and forget the days which 
 brought pain and joy and thus we leave her 
 with silence drawing her curtain about her feel- 
 ings and her life. 
 
 For many years after when strangers passed 
 near the Chateau de Nuit, a figure in white 
 would stop them and looking into their faces 
 would turn away with a look of disappointment 
 and murmur: "No it is not Mario, but he will 
 come, he will come." Then an old gray haired 
 man, leaning on a cane would tell them "she 
 will not harm you; she is only mad." At night 
 a song would be heard from the dark walls of 
 Chateau de Nuit, the air wild and sad, then the 
 peasants would shake their heads and say, "it is 
 the voice of night in song."
 
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