|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 76
"You say exists?" interjected Cathewe.
"Exists," laconically.
"You have proofs?" demanded Fitzgerald.
"The very best in the world. I have not only seen those patents, but I
have seen the man."
"Very interesting," agreed Breitmann, brushing the crumbs into his hand
and dropping them on his plate. "But, go on."
"What a man!" breathed Fitzgerald, who began to see the drift of things.
"I proceed, then. Two generations passed. I doubt if the third
generation of this family has ever heard of the affair. One day the
last of his race, in clearing up the salable things in his house--for
he had decided to lease it--stumbled on the scant history of his
forebears. He was at school then; a promising youngster, brave,
cheerful, full of adventure and curiosity. Contrary to the natural
sequence of events, he chose the navy, where he did very well. But in
some way Germany found out what France already knew. Here was a fine
chance for a stroke of politics. France had always watched; without
fear, however, but with half-formed wonder. Germany considered the
case: why not turn this young fellow loose on France, to worry and to
harry her? So, quietly Germany bore on the youth in that cold-blooded,
Teutonic way she has, and forced him out of the navy.
"He was poor, and poverty among German officers, in either branch, is a
bad thing. Our young friend did not penetrate the cause of this at
first; for he had no intention of utilizing his papers, save to dream
over them. The blood of his great forebear refused to let him bow
under this unjust stroke. He sought a craft, an interesting one. The
net again closed in on him. He began to grow desperate, and
desperation was what Germany desired. Desperation would make a tool of
the young fellow. But our young Napoleon was not without wit. He
plotted, but so cleverly and secretly that never a hand could reach out
to stay him. Germany finally offered him an immense bribe. He threw
it back, for now he hated Germany more than he hated France. You
wonder why he hated France? If France had not discarded her empire--I
do not refer to the second empire--he would have been a great personage
to-day. At least this must be one of his ideas.
"And there you are," abruptly. "Here we have a Napoleon, indeed with
all the patience of his great forebear. If Germany had left him alone
he would to-day have been a good citizen, who would never have
permitted futile dreams to enter his head, and who would have
contemplated his greatness with the smile of a philosopher. And who
can say where this will end? It is pitiful."
"Pitiful?" repeated Breitmann. "Why that?" calmly.
M. Ferraud repressed the admiration in his eyes. It was a singular
duel. "When we see a madman rushing blindly over a precipice it is a
human instinct to reach out a hand to save him."
"But how do you know he is rushing blindly?" Breitmann smiled this
question.
Hildegarde sent him a terrified glance. But for the stiff back of her
chair she must have fallen.
M. Ferraud demolished an olive before he answered the question. "He
has allied himself with some of the noblest houses in France; that is
to say, with the most heartless spendthrifts in Europe. Napoleon IV?
They are laughing behind his back this very minute. They are making a
cat's-paw of his really magnificent fight for their own ignoble ends,
the Orleanist party. To wreak petty vengeance on France, for which
none of them has any love; to embroil the government and the army that
they may tell of it in the boudoirs. This is the aim they have in
view. What is it to them that they break a strong man's heart? What
is it to them if he be given over to perpetual imprisonment? Did a
Bourbon ever love France as a country? Has not France always
represented to them a purse into which they might thrust their
dishonest hands to pay for their base pleasures? Oh, beware of the
conspirator whose sole portion in life is that of pleasure! I wish
that I could see this young man and tell him all I know. If I could
only warn him."
Breitmann brushed his sleeve. "I am really disappointed in your
climax, Mr. Ferraud."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|