of famous names in war and in diplomacy who were the pillars of the new
Empire. What in the world could this pretended merchant of coffee have
to write to all these great notables about? The other paper would
explain, no doubt. I laid the letters upon the shelf and I unfolded the
paper which had been enclosed with them. It did not take more than the
opening sentence to convince me that the salt-marsh outside might prove
to be a very much safer place than this accursed cottage.

These were the words which met my eyes:--

'Fellow-citizens of France. The deed of to-day has proved that, even in
the midst of his troops, a tyrant is unable to escape the vengeance of
an outraged people. The committee of three, acting temporarily for the
Republic, has awarded to Buonaparte the same fate which has already
befallen Louis Capet. In avenging the outrage of the 18th Brumaire--'

So far I had got when my heart sprang suddenly into my mouth and the
paper fluttered down from my fingers. A grip of iron had closed
suddenly round each of my ankles, and there in the light of the fire I
saw two hands which, even in that terrified glance, I perceived to be
covered with black hair and of an enormous size.

'So, my friend,' cried a thundering voice, 'this time, at least, we have
been too many for you.'



CHAPTER IV