Thisvineisplantedonthespotwheretheirfatherhadbeenshot.
　　Itwasduringthewarof1870.ThePrussianswereoccupyingthewholecountry.GeneralFaidherbe，withtheNorthernDivisionofthearmy，wasopposingthem.
　　ThePrussianshadestablishedtheirheadquartersatthisfarm.Theoldfarmertowhomitbelonged，FatherPierreMilon，hadreceivedandquarteredthemtothebestofhisability.
　　ForamonththeGermanvanguardhadbeeninthisvillage.TheFrenchremainedmotionless，tenleaguesaway;andyet，everynight，someoftheUhlansdisappeared.
　　Ofalltheisolatedscouts，ofallthosewhoweresenttotheoutposts，ingroupsofnotmorethanthree，notoneeverreturned.
　　Theywerepickedupthenextmorninginafieldorinaditch.Eventheirhorseswerefoundalongtheroadswiththeirthroatscut.
　　Thesemurdersseemedtobedonebythesamemen，whocouldneverbefound.
　　Thecountrywasterrorized.Farmerswereshotonsuspicion，womenwereimprisoned;childrenwerefrightenedinordertotryandobtaininformation.Nothingcouldbeascertained.
　　But，onemorning，FatherMilonwasfoundstretchedoutinthebarn，withaswordgashacrosshisface.
　　TwoUhlanswerefounddeadaboutamileandahalffromthefarm.Oneofthemwasstillholdinghisbloodyswordinhishand.Hehadfought，triedtodefendhimself.Acourt—martialwasimmediatelyheldintheopenair，infrontofthefarm.Theoldmanwasbroughtbeforeit.
　　Hewassixty—eightyearsold，small，thin，bent，withtwobighandsresemblingtheclawsofacrab.Hiscolorlesshairwassparseandthin，likethedownofayoungduck，allowingpatchesofhisscalptobeseen.
　　Thebrownandwrinkledskinofhisneckshowedbigveinswhichdisappearedbehindhisjawsandcameoutagainatthetemples.Hehadthereputationofbeingmiserlyandhardtodealwith.
　　Theystoodhimupbetweenfoursoldiers，infrontofthekitchentable，whichhadbeendraggedoutside.Fiveofficersandthecolonelseatedthemselvesoppositehim.
　　ThecolonelspokeinFrench：
　　"FatherMilon，sincewehavebeenherewehaveonlyhadpraiseforyou.
　　Youhavealwaysbeenobligingandevenattentivetous.Butto—dayaterribleaccusationishangingoveryou，andyoumustclearthematterup.Howdidyoureceivethatwoundonyourface？"
　　Thepeasantanswerednothing.
　　Thecolonelcontinued：
　　"Yoursilenceaccusesyou，FatherMilon.ButIwantyoutoanswerme！
　　Doyouunderstand？DoyouknowwhokilledthetwoUhlanswhowerefoundthismorningnearCalvaire？"
　　Theoldmanansweredclearly"Idid."
　　Thecolonel，surprised，wassilentforaminute，lookingstraightattheprisoner.FatherMilonstoodimpassive，withthestupidlookofthepeasant，hiseyesloweredasthoughheweretalkingtothepriest.Justonethingbetrayedanuneasymind;hewascontinuallyswallowinghissaliva，withavisibleeffort，asthoughhisthroatwereterriblycontracted.
　　Theman’sfamily，hissonJean，hisdaughter—in—lawandhistwograndchildrenwerestandingafewfeetbehindhim，bewilderedandaffrighted.
　　Thecolonelwenton：
　　"Doyoualsoknowwhokilledallthescoutswhohavebeenfounddead，foramonth，throughoutthecountry，everymorning？"
　　Theoldmanansweredwiththesamestupidlook：
　　"Idid."
　　"Youkilledthemall？"
　　"Uhhuh！Idid."
　　"Youalone？Allalone？"
　　"Uhhuh！"
　　"Tellmehowyoudidit."
　　Thistimethemanseemedmoved;thenecessityfortalkinganylengthoftimeannoyedhimvisibly.Hestammered：
　　"Idunno！Isimplydidit."
　　Thecolonelcontinued：
　　"Iwarnyouthatyouwillhavetotellmeeverything.Youmightaswellmakeupyourmindrightaway.Howdidyoubegin？"
　　Themancastatroubledlooktowardhisfamily，standingclosebehindhim.Hehesitatedaminutelonger，andthensuddenlymadeuphismindtoobeytheorder.
　　"Iwascominghomeonenightataboutteno’clock，thenightafteryougothere.Youandyoursoldiershadtakenmorethanfiftyecusworthofforagefromme，aswellasacowandtwosheep.Isaidtomyself：’Asmuchastheytakefromyou;justsomuchwillyoumakethempayback.’
　　AndthenIhadotherthingsonmymindwhichIwilltellyou.JustthenInoticedoneofyoursoldierswhowassmokinghispipebytheditchbehindthebarn.Iwentandgotmyscytheandcreptupslowlybehindhim，sothathecouldn’thearme.AndIcuthisheadoffwithonesingleblow，justasIwouldabladeofgrass，beforehecouldsay’Booh！’Ifyoushouldlookatthebottomofthepond，youwillfindhimtiedupinapotato—sack，withastonefastenedtoit.
　　"Igotanidea.Itookallhisclothes，fromhisbootstohiscap，andhidthemawayinthelittlewoodbehindtheyard."
　　Theoldmanstopped.Theofficersremainedspeechless，lookingateachother.Thequestioningbeganagain，andthisiswhattheylearned.
　　Oncethismurdercommitted，themanhadlivedwiththisonethought：
　　"KillthePrussians！"Hehatedthemwiththeblind，fiercehateofthegreedyyetpatrioticpeasant.Hehadhisidea，ashesaid.Hewaitedseveraldays.
　　Hewasallowedtogoandcomeashepleased，becausehehadshownhimselfsohumble，submissiveandobligingtotheinvaders.Eachnighthesawtheoutpostsleave.Onenighthefollowedthem，havingheardthenameofthevillagetowhichthemenweregoing，andhavinglearnedthefewwordsofGermanwhichheneededforhisplanthroughassociatingwiththesoldiers.
　　Heleftthroughthebackyard，slippedintothewoods，foundthedeadman’sclothesandputthemon.Thenhebegantocrawlthroughthefields，followingalongthehedgesinordertokeepoutofsight，listeningtotheslightestnoises，aswaryasapoacher.
　　Assoonashethoughtthetimeripe，heapproachedtheroadandhidbehindabush.Hewaitedforawhile.Finally，towardmidnight，heheardthesoundofagallopinghorse.Themanputhiseartothegroundinordertomakesurethatonlyonehorsemanwasapproaching，thenhegotready.
　　AnUhlancamegallopingalong，carryingdespatches.Ashewent，hewasalleyesandears.Whenhewasonlyafewfeetaway，FatherMilondraggedhimselfacrosstheroad，moaning："Hilfe！Hilfe！"（Help！Help！）Thehorsemanstopped，andrecognizingaGerman，hethoughthewaswoundedanddismounted，comingnearerwithoutanysuspicion，andjustashewasleaningovertheunknownman，hereceived，inthepitofhisstomach，aheavythrustfromthelongcurvedbladeofthesabre.Hedroppedwithoutsufferingpain，quiveringonlyinthefinalthroes.Thenthefarmer，radiantwiththesilentjoyofanoldpeasant，gotupagain，and，forhisownpleasure，cutthedeadman’sthroat.Hethendraggedthebodytotheditchandthrewitin.
　　Thehorsequietlyawaiteditsmaster.FatherMilonmountedhimandstartedgallopingacrosstheplains.
　　AboutanhourlaterhenoticedtwomoreUhlanswhowerereturninghome，sidebyside.Herodestraightforthem，oncemorecrying"Hilfe！
　　Hilfe！"
　　ThePrussians，recognizingtheuniform，lethimapproachwithoutdistrust.Theoldmanpassedbetweenthemlikeacannon—ball，fellingthemboth，onewithhissabreandtheotherwitharevolver.
　　Thenhekilledthehorses，Germanhorses！Afterthathequicklyreturnedtothewoodsandhidoneofthehorses.Helefthisuniformthereandagainputonhisoldclothes;thengoingbackintobed，hesleptuntilmorning.
　　Forfourdayshedidnotgoout，waitingfortheinquesttobeterminated;butonthefifthdayhewentoutagainandkilledtwomoresoldiersbythesamestratagem.Fromthattimeonhedidnotstop.
　　Eachnighthewanderedaboutinsearchofadventure，killingPrussians，sometimeshereandsometimesthere，gallopingthroughdesertedfields，inthemoonlight，alostUhlan，ahunterofmen.Then，histaskaccomplished，leavingbehindhimthebodieslyingalongtheroads，theoldfarmerwouldreturnandhidehishorseanduniform.
　　Hewent，towardnoon，tocarryoatsandwaterquietlytohismount，andhefeditwellasherequiredfromitagreatamountofwork.
　　Butoneofthosewhomhehadattackedthenightbefore，indefendinghimselfslashedtheoldpeasantacrossthefacewithhissabre.
　　However，hehadkilledthemboth.Hehadcomebackandhiddenthehorseandputonhisordinaryclothesagain;butashereachedhomehebegantofeelfaint，andhaddraggedhimselfasfarasthestable，beingunabletoreachthehouse.
　　Theyhadfoundhimthere，bleeding，onthestraw.
　　Whenhehadfinishedhistale，hesuddenlylifteduphisheadandlookedproudlyatthePrussianofficers.
　　Thecolonel，whowasgnawingathismustache，asked：
　　"Youhavenothingelsetosay？"
　　"Nothingmore;Ihavefinishedmytask;Ikilledsixteen，notonemoreorless."
　　"Doyouknowthatyouaregoingtodie？"
　　"Ihaven’taskedformercy."
　　"Haveyoubeenasoldier？"
　　"Yes，Iservedmytime.Andthen，youhadkilledmyfather，whowasasoldierofthefirstEmperor.Andlastmonthyoukilledmyyoungestson，Francois，nearEvreux.Iowedyouoneforthat;Ipaid.Wearequits."
　　Theofficerswerelookingateachother.
　　Theoldmancontinued：
　　"Eightformyfather，eightfortheboy——wearequits.Ididnotseekanyquarrelwithyou.Idon’tknowyou.Idon’tevenknowwhereyoucomefrom.Andhereyouare，orderingmeaboutinmyhomeasthoughitwereyourown.Itookmyrevengeupontheothers.I’mnotsorry."
　　And，straighteninguphisbentback，theoldmanfoldedhisarmsintheattitudeofamodesthero.
　　ThePrussianstalkedinalowtoneforalongtime.Oneofthem，acaptain，whohadalsolosthissonthepreviousmonth，wasdefendingthepoorwretch.Thenthecolonelaroseand，approachingFatherMilon，saidinalowvoice：
　　"Listen，oldman，thereisperhapsawayofsavingyourlife，itisto——"
　　Butthemanwasnotlistening，and，hiseyesfixedonthehatedofficer，whilethewindplayedwiththedownyhaironhishead，hedistortedhisslashedface，givingitatrulyterribleexpression，and，swellingouthischest，hespat，ashardashecould，rightinthePrussian’sface.
　　Thecolonel，furious，raisedhishand，andforthesecondtimethemanspatinhisface.
　　Alltheofficershadjumpedupandwereshriekingordersatthesametime.
　　Inlessthanaminutetheoldman，stillimpassive，waspushedupagainstthewallandshot，lookingsmilinglythewhiletowardJean，hiseldestson，hisdaughter—in—lawandhistwograndchildren，whowitnessedthissceneindumbterror.
　　ACOUPD’ETAT
　　ParishadjustheardofthedisasteratSedan.Arepublichadbeendeclared.AllFrancewaswaveringonthebrinkofthismadnesswhichlasteduntilaftertheCommune.Fromoneendofthecountrytotheothereverybodywasplayingsoldier.
　　Cap—makersbecamecolonels，fulfillingthedutiesofgenerals;revolversandswordsweredisplayedaroundbig，peacefulstomachswrappedinflamingredbelts;littletradesmenbecamewarriorscommandingbattalionsofbrawlingvolunteers，andswearinglikepiratesinordertogivethemselvessomeprestige.
　　Thesolefactofhandlingfirearmscrazedthesepeople，whouptothattimehadonlyhandledscales，andmadethem，withoutanyreason，dangeroustoall.Innocentpeoplewereshottoprovethattheyknewhowtokill;inforestswhichhadneverseenaPrussian，straydogs，grazingcowsandbrowsinghorseswerekilled.
　　Eachonethoughthimselfcalledupontoplayagreatpartinmilitaryaffairs.Thecafesofthesmallestvillages，fullofuniformedtradesmen，lookedlikebarracksorhospitals.
　　ThetownofCannevillewasstillinignoranceofthemaddeningnewsfromthearmyandthecapital;nevertheless，greatexcitementhadprevailedforthelastmonth，theopposingpartiesfindingthemselvesfacetoface.
　　Themayor，ViscountdeVarnetot，athin，littleoldman，aconservative，whohadrecently，fromambition，goneovertotheEmpire，hadseenadeterminedopponentariseinDr.Massarel，abig，full—bloodedman，leaderoftheRepublicanpartyoftheneighborhood，ahighofficialinthelocalmasoniclodge，presidentoftheAgriculturalSocietyandofthefiremen’sbanquetandtheorganizeroftheruralmilitiawhichwastosavethecountry.
　　Intwoweeks，hehadmanagedtogathertogethersixty—threevolunteers，fathersoffamilies，prudentfarmersandtownmerchants，andeverymorninghewoulddrilltheminthesquareinfrontofthetown—hall.
　　When，perchance，themayorwouldcometothemunicipalbuilding，CommanderMassarel，girtwithpistols，wouldpassproudlyinfrontofhistroop，hisswordinhishand，andmakeallofthemcry："LonglivetheFatherland！"Andithadbeennoticedthatthiscryexcitedthelittleviscount，whoprobablysawinitamenace，athreat，aswellastheodiousmemoryofthegreatRevolution.
　　OnthemorningofthefifthofSeptember，thedoctor，infulluniform，hisrevolveronthetable，wasgivingaconsultationtoanoldcouple，afarmerwhohadbeensufferingfromvaricoseveinsforthelastsevenyearsandhadwaiteduntilhiswifehadthemalso，beforehewouldconsultthedoctor，whenthepostmanbroughtinthepaper.
　　M.Massarelopenedit，grewpale，suddenlyrose，andliftinghishandstoheaveninagestureofexaltation，begantoshoutatthetopofhisvoicebeforethetwofrightenedcountryfolks：
　　"LonglivetheRepublic！longlivetheRepublic！longlivetheRepublic！"
　　Thenhefellbackinhischair，weakfromemotion.
　　Andasthepeasantresumed："Itstartedwiththeants，whichbegantorunupanddownmylegs———"Dr.Massarelexclaimed：
　　"Shutup！Ihaven’tgottimetobotherwithyournonsense.TheRepublichasbeenproclaimed，theemperorhasbeentakenprisoner，Franceissaved！LonglivetheRepublic！"
　　Runningtothedoor，hehowled：
　　Celeste，quick，Celeste！"
　　Theservant，affrighted，hastenedin;hewastryingtotalksorapidly，thathecouldonlystammer：
　　"Myboots，mysword，mycartridge—boxandtheSpanishdaggerwhichisonmynight—table！Hasten！"
　　Asthepersistentpeasant，takingadvantageofamoment’ssilence，continued，"IseemedtogetbiglumpswhichhurtmewhenIwalk，"thephysician，exasperated，roared：
　　"Shutupandgetout！Ifyouhadwashedyourfeetitwouldnothavehappened！"
　　Then，grabbinghimbythecollar，heyelledathim：
　　"Can’tyouunderstandthatwearearepublic，youbrass—platedidiot！"
　　Butprofessionalsentimentsooncalmedhim，andhepushedthebewilderedcoupleout，saying：
　　"Comebackto—morrow，comebackto—morrow，myfriends.Ihaven’tanytimeto—day."
　　Asheequippedhimselffromheadtofoot，hegaveaseriesofimportantorderstohisservant：
　　"RunovertoLieutenantPicartandtoSecondLieutenantPommel，andtellthemthatIamexpectingthemhereimmediately.AlsosendmeTorchebeufwithhisdrum.Quick！quick！"
　　WhenCelestehadgoneout，hesatdownandthoughtoverthesituationandthedifficultieswhichhewouldhavetosurmount.
　　Thethreemenarrivedtogetherintheirworkingclothes.Thecommandant，whoexpectedtoseetheminuniform，feltalittleshocked.
　　"Don’tyoupeopleknowanything？Theemperorhasbeentakenprisoner，theRepublichasbeenproclaimed.Wemustact.Mypositionisdelicate，Imightevensaydangerous."
　　Hereflectedforafewmomentsbeforehisbewilderedsubordinates，thenhecontinued：
　　"Wemustactandnothesitate;minutescountashoursintimeslikethese.Alldependsonthepromptnessofourdecision.You，Picart，gotothecureandorderhimtoringthealarm—bell，inordertogettogetherthepeople，towhomIamgoingtoannouncethenews.You，TorchebeufbeatthetattoothroughoutthewholeneighborhoodasfarasthehamletsofGerisaieandSalmare，inordertoassemblethemilitiainthepublicsquare.You，Pommel，getyouruniformonquickly，justthecoatandcap.Wearegoingtothetown—halltodemandMonsieurdeVarnetottosurrenderhispowerstome.Doyouunderstand？
　　Yes."
　　"Nowcarryoutthoseordersquickly.Iwillgoovertoyourhousewithyou，Pommel，sinceweshallacttogether."
　　Fiveminuteslater，thecommandantandhissubordinates，armedtotheteeth，appearedonthesquare，justasthelittleViscountdeVarnetot，hislegsencasedingaitersasforahuntingparty，hisgunonhisshoulder，wascomingdowntheotherstreetatdouble—quicktime，followedbyhisthreegreen—coatedguards，theirswordsattheirsidesandtheirgunsswungovertheirshoulders.
　　Whilethedoctorstopped，bewildered，thefourmenenteredthetown—hallandclosedthedoorbehindthem.
　　"Theyhaveoutstrippedus，"mutteredthephysician，"wemustnowwaitforreenforcements.Thereisnothingtodoforthepresent."
　　LieutenantPicartnowappearedonthescene.
　　"Thepriestrefusestoobey，"hesaid."Hehasevenlockedhimselfinthechurchwiththesextonandbeadle."
　　Ontheothersideofthesquare，oppositethewhite，tightlyclosedtown—
　　hall，stoodthechurch，silentanddark，withitsmassiveoakdoorstuddedwithiron.
　　Butjustastheperplexedinhabitantswerestickingtheirheadsoutofthewindowsorcomingoutontheirdoorsteps，thedrumsuddenlybegantobeheard，andTorchebeufappeared，furiouslybeatingthetattoo.Hecrossedthesquarerunning，anddisappearedalongtheroadleadingtothefields.
　　Thecommandantdrewhissword，andadvancedalonetohalfwaybetweenthetwobuildingsbehindwhichtheenemyhadintrencheditself，and，wavinghisswordoverhishead，heroaredwithallhismight：
　　"LonglivetheRepublic！Deathtotraitors！"
　　Thenhereturnedtohisofficers.
　　Thebutcher，thebakerandthedruggist，muchdisturbed，wereanxiouslypullingdowntheirshadesandclosingtheirshops.Thegroceralonekeptopen.
　　However，themilitiawerearrivingbydegrees，eachmaninadifferentuniform，butallwearingablackcapwithgoldbraid，thecapbeingtheprincipalpartoftheoutfit.Theywerearmedwitholdrustyguns，theoldgunswhichhadhungforthirtyyearsonthekitchenwall;andtheylookedagooddeallikeanarmyoftramps.
　　Whenhehadaboutthirtymenabouthim，thecommandant，inafewwords，outlinedthesituationtothem.Then，turningtohisstaff："Letusact，"hesaid.
　　Thevillagersweregatheringtogetherandtalkingthematterover.
　　Thedoctorquicklydecidedonaplanofcampaign.
　　"LieutenantPicart，youwilladvanceunderthewindowsofthistown—hallandsummonMonsieurdeVarnetot，inthenameoftheRepublic，tohandthekeysovertome."
　　Butthelieutenant，amastermason，refused：
　　"You’resmart，youare.Idon’tcaretogetkilled，thankyou.Thosepeopleinthereshootstraight，don’tyouforgetit.Doyourerrandsyourself."
　　Thecommandantgrewveryred.
　　"Icommandyoutogointhenameofdiscipline！"
　　Thelieutenantrebelled：
　　"I’mnotgoingtohavemybeautyspoiledwithoutknowingwhy."
　　Allthenotables，gatheredinagroupnearby，begantolaugh.Oneofthemcried：
　　"Youareright，Picart，thisisn’ttherighttime."
　　Thedoctorthenmuttered：
　　"Cowards！"
　　And，leavinghisswordandhisrevolverinthehandsofasoldier，headvancedslowly，hiseyefastenedonthewindows，expectinganyminutetoseeaguntrainedonhim.
　　Whenhewaswithinafewfeetofthebuilding，thedoorsatbothends，leadingintothetwoschools，openedandafloodofchildrenranout，.
　　boysfromoneside，girlsfromtheether，andbegantoplayaroundthedoctor，inthebigemptysquare，screechingandscreaming，andmakingsomuchnoisethathecouldnotmakehimselfheard.
　　Assoonasthelastchildwasoutofthebuilding，thetwodoorsclosedagain.
　　Mostoftheyoungstersfinallydispersed，andthecommandantcalledinaloudvoice：
　　"MonsieurdeVarnetot！"
　　AwindowonthefirstflooropenedandM.deVarnetotappeared.
　　Thecommandantcontinued：
　　"Monsieur，youknowthatgreateventshavejusttakenplacewhichhavechangedtheentireaspectofthegovernment.Theonewhichyourepresentednolongerexists.TheonewhichIrepresentistakingcontrol.Underthesepainful，butdecisivecircumstances，Icome，inthenameofthenewRepublic，toaskyoutoturnovertometheofficewhichyouheldundertheformergovernment."
　　M.deVarnetotanswered：
　　"Doctor，IamthemayorofCanneville，dulyappointed，andIshallremainmayorofCannevilleuntilIhavebeendismissedbyadecreefrommysuperiors.Asmayor，Iaminmyplaceinthetownhall，andhereIstay.
　　Anyhow，justtrytogetmeout."
　　Heclosedthewindow.
　　Thecommandantreturnedtohistroop.Butbeforegivinganyinformation，eyeingLieutenantPicartfromheadtofoot，heexclaimed：
　　"You’reagreatone，youare！You’reafinespecimenofmanhood！You’readisgracetothearmy！Idegradeyou."
　　"Idon’tgivea————！"
　　Heturnedawayandmingledwithagroupoftownspeople.
　　Thenthedoctorhesitated.Whatcouldhedo？Attack？Butwouldhismenobeyorders？Andthen，didhehavetherighttodoso？
　　Anideastruckhim.Herantothetelegraphoffice，oppositethetown—
　　hall，andsentoffthreetelegrams：
　　TothenewrepublicangovernmentinParis.
　　TothenewprefectoftheSeine—Inferieure，atRouen.
　　Tothenewrepublicansub—prefectatDieppe.
　　Heexplainedthesituation，pointedoutthedangerwhichthetownwouldrunifitshouldremaininthehandsoftheroyalistmayor;offeredhisfaithfulservices，askedforordersandsigned，puttingallhistitlesafterhisname.
　　Thenhereturnedtohisbattalion，and，drawingtenfrancsfromhispocket，hecried："Here，myfriends，goeatanddrink;onlyleavemeadetachmentoftenmentoguardagainstanybody’sleavingthetown—hall."
　　Butex—LieutenantPicart，whohadbeentalkingwiththewatchmaker，heardhim;hebegantolaugh，andexclaimed："ByJove，iftheycomeout，it’llgiveyouachancetogetin.OtherwiseIcanseeyoustandingouttherefortherestofyourlife！"
　　Thedoctordidnotreply，andhewenttoluncheon.
　　Intheafternoon，hedisposedhismenaboutthetownasthoughtheywereinimmediatedangerofanambush.
　　Severaltimeshepassedinfrontofthetown—hallandofthechurchwithoutnoticinganythingsuspicious;thetwobuildingslookedasthoughempty.
　　Thebutcher，thebakerandthedruggistoncemoreopeneduptheirstores.
　　Everybodywastalkingabouttheaffair.Iftheemperorwereaprisoner，theremusthavebeensomekindoftreason.Theydidnotknowexactlywhichoftherepublicshadreturnedtopower.
　　Nightfell.
　　Towardnineo’clock，thedoctor，alone，noiselesslyapproachedtheentranceofthepublicbuilding，persuadedthattheenemymusthavegonetobed;and，ashewaspreparingtobatterdownthedoorwithapick—axe，thedeepvoiceofasentrysuddenlycalled：
　　"Whogoesthere？"
　　AndM.Massarelretreatedasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.
　　Daybrokewithoutanychangeinthesituation.
　　Armedmilitiaoccupiedthesquare.Allthecitizenshadgatheredaroundthistroopawaitingdevelopments.Evenneighboringvillagershadcometolookon.
　　Thenthedoctor，seeingthathisreputationwasatstake，resolvedtoputanendtothematterinonewayoranother;andhewasabouttotakesomemeasures，undoubtedlyenergeticones，whenthedoorofthetelegraphstationopenedandthelittleservantofthepostmistressappeared，holdinginherhandstwopapers.
　　Firstshewenttothecommandantandgavehimoneofthedespatches;thenshecrossedtheemptysquare，confusedatseeingtheeyesofeveryoneonher，andloweringherheadandrunningalongwithlittlequicksteps，shewentandknockedsoftlyatthedoorofthebarricadedhouse，asthoughignorantofthefactthatthosebehinditwerearmed.
　　Thedooropenedwideenoughtoletaman’shandreachoutandreceivethemessage;andtheyounggirlreturnedblushing，readytocryatbeingthusstaredatbythewholecountryside.
　　Inaclearvoice，thedoctorcried：
　　"Silence，ifyouplease."
　　Whenthepopulacehadquieteddown，hecontinuedproudly：
　　"HereisthecommunicationwhichIhavereceivedfromthegovernment."
　　Andliftingthetelegramheread：
　　Formermayordismissed.Informhimimmediately，Moreordersfollowing.
　　Forthesub—prefect：
　　SAPIN，Councillor.
　　Hewas—triumphant;hisheartwasthrobbingwithjoyandhishandsweretrembling;butPicart，hisformersubordinate，criedtohimfromaneighboringgroup：
　　"That’sallright;butsupposingtheothersdon’tcomeout，whatgoodisthetelegramgoingtodoyou？"
　　M.Massarelgrewpale.Hehadnotthoughtofthat;iftheothersdidnotcomeout，hewouldnowhavetotakesomedecisivestep.Itwasnotonlyhisright，buthisduty.
　　Helookedanxiouslyatthetown—hall，hopingtoseethedooropenandhisadversarygivein.
　　Thedoorremainedclosed.Whatcouldhedo？Thecrowdwasgrowingandclosingaroundthemilitia.Theywerelaughing.
　　Onethoughtespeciallytorturedthedoctor.Ifheattacked，hewouldhavetomarchattheheadofhismen;andas，withhimdead，allstrifewouldcease，itwasathimandhimonlythatM.deVarnetotandhisthreeguardswouldaim.Andtheyweregoodshots，verygoodshots，asPicarthadjustsaid.Butanideastruckhimand，turningtoPommel，heordered：
　　"Runquicklytothedruggistandaskhimtolendmeatowelandastick."
　　Thelieutenanthastened.
　　Hewouldmakeaflagoftruce，awhiteflag，atthesightofwhichtheroyalistheartofthemayorwouldperhapsrejoice.
　　Pommelreturnedwiththeclothandabroom—stick.Withsometwinetheycompletedtheflag，andM.Massarel，graspingitinbothhandsandholdingitinfrontofhim，againadvancedinthedirectionofthetown—
　　hall.Whenhewasoppositethedoor，heoncemorecalled："MonsieurdeVarnetot！"ThedoorsuddenlyopenedandM.deVarnetotandhisthreeguardsappearedonthethreshold.
　　Instinctivelythedoctorsteppedback;thenhebowedcourteouslytohisenemy，and，chokingwithemotion，heannounced："Ihavecome，monsieur，tomakeyouacquaintedwiththeorderswhichIhavereceived."
　　Thenobleman，withoutreturningthebow，answered："Iresign，monsieur，butunderstandthatitisneitherthroughfearof，norobedienceto，theodiousgovernmentwhichhasusurpedthepower."And，emphasizingeveryword，hedeclared："Idonotwishtoappear，forasingleday，toservetheRepublic.That’sall."
　　Massarel，stunned，answerednothing;andM.deVarnetot，walkingquickly，disappearedaroundthecornerofthesquare，stillfollowedbyhisescort.
　　Thedoctor，puffedupwithpride，returnedtothecrowd.Assoonashewasnearenoughtomakehimselfheard，hecried："Hurrah！hurrah！
　　VictorycrownstheRepubliceverywhere."
　　Therewasnooutburstofjoy.
　　Thedoctorcontinued："Wearefree，youarefree，independent！Beproud！"
　　Themotionlessvillagerswerelookingathimwithoutanysignsoftriumphshiningintheireyes.
　　Helookedatthem，indignantattheirindifference，thinkingofwhathecouldsayordoinordertomakeanimpressiontoelectrifythiscalmpeasantry，tofulfillhismissionasaleader.
　　Hehadaninspirationand，turningtoPommel，heordered："Lieutenant，gogetmethebustoftheex—emperorwhichisinthemeetingroomofthemunicipalcouncil，andbringitherewithachair."
　　Themanpresentlyreappeared，carryingonhisrightshouldertheplasterBonaparte，andholdinginhislefthandacane—seatedchair.
　　M.Massarelwenttowardshim，tookthechair，placedthewhitebustonit，thensteppingbackafewsteps，headdresseditinaloudvoice：
　　"Tyrant，tyrant，youhavefallendowninthemud.Thedyingfatherlandwasinitsdeaththroesunderyouroppression.VengefulDestinyhasstruckyou.Defeatandshamehavepursuedyou;youfallconquered，aprisonerofthePrussians;andfromtheruinsofyourcrumblingempire，theyoungandgloriousRepublicarises，liftingfromthegroundyourbrokensword————"
　　Hewaitedforapplause.Notasoundgreetedhislisteningear.Thepeasants，nonplussed，keptsilent;andthewhite，placid，well—groomedstatueseemedtolookatM.Massarelwithitsplastersmile，ineffaceableandsarcastic.
　　Thustheystood，facetoface，Napoleononhischair，thephysicianstandingthreefeetaway.Angerseizedthecommandant.Whatcouldhedotomovethiscrowdanddefinitelytowinoverpublicopinion？
　　Hehappenedtocarryhishandtohisstomach，andhefelt，underhisredbelt，thebuttofhisrevolver.
　　Notanotherinspiration，notanotherwordcanetohismind.Then，hedrewhisweapon，steppedbackafewstepsandshottheformermonarch.
　　Thebulletmadealittleblackhole：，likeaspot，inhisforehead.Nosensationwascreated.M.Massarelshotasecondtimeandmadeasecondhole，thenathirdtime，then，withoutstopping，heshotoffthethreeremainingshots.Napoleon’sforeheadwasblownawayinawhitepowder，buthiseyes，noseandpointedmustacheremainedintact.
　　Theninexasperation，thedoctorkickedthechairover，andplacingonefootonwhatremainedofthebustinthepositionofaconqueror，heturnedtotheamazedpublicandyelled："Thusmayalltraitorsdie！"
　　Asnoenthusiasmwas，asyet，visible，thespectatorsappearingtobedumbwithastonishment，thecommandantcriedtothemilitia："Youmaygohomenow."Andhehimselfwalkedrapidly，almostran，towardshishouse.
　　Assoonasheappeared，theservanttoldhimthatsomepatientshadbeenwaitinginhisofficeforoverthreehours.Hehastenedin.Theywerethesametwopeasantsasafewdaysbefore，whohadreturnedatdaybreak，obstinateandpatient.
　　Theoldmanimmediatelybeganhisexplanation：
　　"Itbeganwithants，whichseemedtobecrawlingupanddownmylegs————"
　　LIEUTENANTLARE’SMARRIAGE
　　SincethebeginningofthecampaignLieutenantLarehadtakentwocannonfromthePrussians.Hisgeneralhadsaid："Thankyou，lieutenant，"andhadgivenhimthecrossofhonor.
　　Ashewasascautiousashewasbrave，wary，inventive，wilyandresourceful，hewasentrustedwithahundredsoldiersandheorganizedacompanyofscoutswhosavedthearmyonseveraloccasionsduringaretreat.
　　Buttheinvadingarmyenteredbyeveryfrontierlikeasurgingsea.
　　Greatwavesofmenarrivedoneaftertheother，scatteringallaroundthemascumoffreebooters.GeneralCarrel’sbrigade，separatedfromitsdivision，retreatedcontinually，fightingeachday，butremainingalmostintact，thankstothevigilanceandagilityofLieutenantLare，whoseemedtobeeverywhereatthesamemoment，bafflingalltheenemy’scunning，frustratingtheirplans，misleadingtheirUhlansandkillingtheirvanguards.
　　Onemorningthegeneralsentforhim.
　　"Lieutenant，"saidhe，"hereisadispatchfromGeneraldeLacere，whowillbedestroyedifwedonotgotohisaidbysunriseto—morrow.HeisatBlainville，eightleaguesfromhere.Youwillstartatnightfallwiththreehundredmen，whomyouwillechelonalongtheroad.Iwillfollowyoutwohourslater.Studytheroadcarefully;Ifearwemaymeetadivisionoftheenemy."
　　Ithadbeenfreezinghardforaweek.Attwoo’clockitbegantosnow，andbynightthegroundwascoveredandheavywhiteswirlsconcealedobjectshardby.
　　Atsixo’clockthedetachmentsetout.
　　Twomenwalkedaloneasscoutsaboutthreeyardsahead.Thencameaplatoonoftenmencommandedbythelieutenanthimself.Therestfollowedthemintwolongcolumns.Totherightandleftofthelittleband，atadistanceofaboutthreehundredfeetoneitherside，somesoldiersmarchedinpairs.
　　Thesnow，，whichwasstillfalling，coveredthemwithawhitepowderinthedarkness，andasitdidnotmeltontheiruniforms，theywerehardlydistinguishableinthenightamidthedeadwhitenessofthelandscape.
　　Fromtimetotimetheyhalted.Oneheardnothingbutthatindescribable，namelessflutteroffallingsnow——asensationratherthanasound，avague，ominousmurmur.Acommandwasgiveninalowtoneandwhenthetroopresumeditsmarchitleftinitswakeasortofwhitephantomstandinginthesnow.Itgraduallygrewfainterandfinallydisappeared.
　　Itwastheechelonswhoweretoleadthearmy.
　　Thescoutsslackenedtheirpace.Somethingwasaheadofthem.
　　"Turntotheright，"saidthelieutenant;"itistheRonfiwood;thechateauismoretotheleft."
　　Presentlythecommand"Halt"waspassedalong.Thedetachmentstoppedandwaitedforthelieutenant，who，accompaniedbyonlytenmen，hadundertakenareconnoiteringexpeditiontothechateau.
　　Theyadvanced，creepingunderthetrees.Suddenlytheyallremainedmotionless.Aroundthemwasadeadsilence.Then，quitenearthem，alittleclear，musicalyoungvoicewasheardamidthestillnessofthewood.
　　"Father，weshallgetlostinthesnow.WeshallneverreachBlainville."
　　Adeepervoicereplied：
　　"Neverfear，littledaughter;IknowthecountryaswellasIknowmypocket."
　　Thelieutenantsaidafewwordsandfourmenmovedawaysilently，likeshadows.
　　Allatonceawoman’sshrillcrywasheardthroughthedarkness.Twoprisonerswerebroughtback，anoldmanandayounggirl.Thelieutenantquestionedthem，stillinalowtone：
　　"Yourname？"
　　"PierreBernard."
　　"Yourprofession？"
　　"ButlertoComtedeRonfi."
　　"Isthisyourdaughter？"
　　’Yes！’
　　"Whatdoesshedo？"
　　"Sheislaundressatthechateau."
　　"Whereareyougoing？"
　　"Wearemakingourescape."
　　"Why？"
　　"TwelveUhlanspassedbythisevening.Theyshotthreekeepersandhangedthegardener.Iwasalarmedonaccountofthelittleone."
　　"Whitherareyoubound？"
　　"ToBlainville."
　　"Why？"
　　"BecausethereisaFrencharmythere."
　　"Doyouknowtheway？"
　　"Perfectly."
　　"Wellthen，followus."
　　Theyrejoinedthecolumnandresumedtheirmarchacrosscountry.Theoldmanwalkedinsilencebesidethelieutenant，hisdaughterwalkingathisside.Allatonceshestopped.
　　"Father，"shesaid，"IamsotiredIcannotgoanyfarther."
　　Andshesatdown.Shewasshakingwithcoldandseemedabouttoloseconsciousness.Herfatherwantedtocarryher，buthewastoooldandtooweak.
　　"Lieutenant，"saidhe，sobbing，"weshallonlyimpedeyourmarch.Francebeforeall.Leaveushere."
　　Theofficerhadgivenacommand.Somemenhadstartedoff.Theycamebackwithbranchestheyhadcut，andinaminutealitterwasready.Thewholedetachmenthadjoinedthembythistime.
　　"Hereisawomandyingofcold，"saidthelieutenant."Whowillgivehiscapetocoverher？"
　　Twohundredcapesweretakenoff.Theyounggirlwaswrappedupinthesewarmsoldiers’capes，gentlylaidinthelitter，andthenfour’hardyshouldersliftedherup，andlikeanEasternqueenbornebyherslavesshewasplacedinthecenterofthedetachmentofsoldiers，whoresumedtheirmarchwithmoreenergy，morecourage，morecheerfulness，animatedbythepresenceofawoman，thatsovereigninspirationthathasstirredtheoldFrenchbloodtosomanydeedsofvalor.
　　Attheendofanhourtheyhaltedagainandeveryonelaydowninthesnow.Overyonderonthelevelcountryabig，darkshadowwasmoving.
　　Itlookedlikesomeweirdmonsterstretchingitselfoutlikeaserpent，thensuddenlycoilingitselfintoamass，dartingforthagain，thenback，andthenforwardagainwithoutceasing.Somewhisperedorderswerepassedaroundamongthesoldiers，andanoccasionallittle，dry，metallicclickwasheard.Themovingobjectsuddenlycamenearer，andtwelveUhlanswereseenapproachingatagallop，onebehindtheother，havinglosttheirwayinthedarkness.Abrilliantflashsuddenlyrevealedtothemtwohundredmetelyingonthegroundbeforethem.Arapidfirewasheard，whichdiedawayinthesnowysilence，andallthetwelvefelltotheground，theirhorseswiththem.
　　Afteralongrestthemarchwasresumed.Theoldmanwhomtheyhadcapturedactedasguide.
　　Presentlyavoicefaroffinthedistancecriedout："Whogoesthere？"
　　Anothervoicenearerbygavethecountersign.
　　Theymadeanotherhalt;someconferencestookplace.Ithadstoppedsnowing.Acoldwindwasdrivingtheclouds，andinnumerablestarsweresparklingintheskybehindthem，graduallypalingintherosylightofdawn.
　　Astaffofficercameforwardtoreceivethedetachment.Butwhenheaskedwhowasbeingcarriedinthelitter，theformstirred;twolittlehandsmovedasidethebigbluearmycapesand，rosyasthedawn，withtwoeyesthatwerebrighterthanthestarsthathadjustfadedfromsight，andasmileasradiantasthemorn，adaintyfaceappeared.
　　"ItisI，monsieur."
　　Thesoldiers，wildwithdelight，clappedtheirhandsandboretheyounggirlintriumphintothemidstofthecamp，thatwasjustgettingtoarms.PresentlyGeneralCarrelarrivedonthescene.Atnineo’clockthePrussiansmadeanattack.Theybeataretreatatnoon.
　　Thatevening，asLieutenantLare，overcomebyfatigue，wassleepingonabundleofstraw，hewassentforbythegeneral.Hefoundthecommandingofficerinhistent，chattingwiththeoldmanwhomtheyhadcomeacrossduringthenight.Assoonasheenteredthetentthegeneraltookhishand，andaddressingthestranger，said：
　　"Mydearcomte，thisistheyoungmanofwhomyouweretellingmejustnow;heisoneofmybestofficers."
　　Hesmiled，loweredhistone，andadded：
　　"Thebest."
　　Then，turningtotheastonishedlieutenant，hepresented"ComtedeRonfi—
　　Quedissac."
　　Theoldmantookbothhishands，saying：
　　"Mydearlieutenant，youhavesavedmydaughter’slife.Ihaveonlyonewayofthankingyou.Youmaycomeinafewmonthstotellme——ifyoulikeher."
　　Oneyearlater，ontheverysameday，CaptainLareandMissLouise—
　　Hortense—GenevievedeRonfi—QuedissacweremarriedinthechurchofSt.
　　ThomasAquinas.
　　Shebroughtadowryofsixthousandfrancs，andwassaidtobetheprettiestbridethathadbeenseenthatyear.
　　THEHORRIBLE
　　Theshadowsofabalmynightwereslowlyfalling.Thewomenremainedinthedrawing—roomofthevilla.Themen，seated，orastrideofgardenchairs，weresmokingoutsidethedoorofthehouse，aroundatableladenwithcupsandliqueurglasses.
　　Theirlightedcigarsshonelikeeyesinthedarkness，whichwasgraduallybecomingmoredense.Theyhadbeentalkingaboutafrightfulaccidentwhichhadoccurredthenightbefore——twomenandthreewomendrownedintheriverbeforetheeyesoftheguests.
　　GeneraldeG————remarked：
　　"Yes，thesethingsareaffecting，buttheyarenothorrible.
　　"Horrible，thatwell—knownword，meansmuchmorethanterrible.
　　Afrightfulaccidentlikethisaffects，upsets，terrifies;itdoesnothorrify.Inorderthatweshouldexperiencehorror，somethingmoreisneededthanemotion，somethingmorethanthespectacleofadreadfuldeath;theremustbeashudderingsenseofmystery，orasensationofabnormalterror，morethannatural.Amanwhodies，evenunderthemosttragiccircumstances，doesnotexcitehorror;afieldofbattleisnothorrible;bloodisnothorrible;thevilestcrimesarerarelyhorrible.
　　"Herearetwopersonalexampleswhichhaveshownmewhatisthemeaningofhorror.
　　"Itwasduringthewarof1870.WewereretreatingtowardPont—Audemer，afterhavingpassedthroughRouen.Thearmy，consistingofabouttwentythousandmen，twentythousandroutedmen，disbanded，demoralized，exhausted，weregoingtodisbandatHavre.
　　"Theearthwascoveredwithsnow.Thenightwasfalling.Theyhadnoteatenanythingsincethedaybefore.Theywerefleeingrapidly，thePrussiansnotbeingfaroff.
　　"AlltheNormancountry，sombre，dottedwiththeshadowsofthetreessurroundingthefarms，stretchedoutbeneathablack，heavy，threateningsky.
　　"Nothingelsecouldbeheardinthewantwilightbuttheconfusedsound，undefinedthoughrapid，ofamarchingthrong，anendlesstramping，mingledwiththevagueclinkoftinbowlsorswords.Themen，bent，round—shouldered，dirty，inmanycaseseveninrags，draggedthemselvesalong，hurriedthroughthesnow，withalong，broken—backedstride.
　　"Theskinoftheirhandsfrozetothebuttendsoftheirmuskets，foritwasfreezinghardthatnight.Ifrequentlysawalittlesoldiertakeoffhisshoesinordertowalkbarefoot，ashisshoeshurthiswearyfeet;
　　andateverystepheleftatrackofblood.Then，aftersometime，hewouldsitdowninafieldforafewminutes’rest，andhenevergotupagain.Everymanwhosatdownwasadeadman.
　　"Shouldwehaveleftbehindusthosepoor，exhaustedsoldiers，whofondlycountedonbeingabletostartafreshassoonastheyhadsomewhatrefreshedtheirstiffenedlegs？Butscarcelyhadtheyceasedtomove，andtomaketheiralmostfrozenbloodcirculateintheirveins，thananunconquerabletorporcongealedthem，nailedthemtotheground，closedtheireyes，andparalyzedinonesecondthisoverworkedhumanmechanism.
　　Andtheygraduallysankdown，theirforeheadsontheirknees，without，however，fallingover，fortheirloinsandtheirlimbsbecameashardandimmovableaswood，impossibletobendortostandupright.
　　’Andtherestofus，morerobust，keptstragglingon，chilledtothemarrow，advancingbyakindofinertiathroughthenight，throughthesnow，throughthatcoldanddeadlycountry，crushedbypain，bydefeat，bydespair，aboveallovercomebytheabominablesensationofabandonment，oftheend，ofdeath，ofnothingness.
　　"Isawtwogendarmesholdingbythearmacurious—lookinglittleman，old，beardless，oftrulysurprisingaspect.
　　"Theywerelookingforanofficer，believingthattheyhadcaughtaspy.
　　Theword’spy’atoncespreadthroughthemidstofthestragglers，andtheygatheredinagrouproundtheprisoner.Avoiceexclaimed：’Hemustbeshot！’Andallthesesoldierswhowerefallingfromutterprostration，onlyholdingthemselvesontheirfeetbyleaningontheirguns，feltallofasuddenthatthrilloffuriousandbestialangerwhichurgesonamobtomassacre.
　　"Iwantedtospeak.Iwasatthattimeincommandofabattalion;buttheynolongerrecognizedtheauthorityoftheircommandingofficers;
　　theywouldevenhaveshotme.
　　"Oneofthegendarmessaid：’Hehasbeenfollowingusforthethreelastdays.Hehasbeenaskinginformationfromeveryoneabouttheartillery.’
　　Itookitonmyselftoquestionthisperson.
　　"Whatareyoudoing？Whatdoyouwant？Whyareyouaccompanyingthearmy？"
　　"Hestammeredoutsomewordsinsomeunintelligibledialect.Hewas，indeed，astrangebeing，withnarrowshoulders，aslylook，andsuchanagitatedairinmypresencethatIreallynolongerdoubtedthathewasaspy.Heseemedveryagedandfeeble.Hekeptlookingatmefromunderhiseyeswithahumble，stupid，craftyair.
　　"Themenallroundusexclaimed.
　　"’Tothewall！Tothewall！’
　　"Isaidtothegendarmes：
　　"’Willyouberesponsiblefortheprisoner？’
　　"Ihadnotceasedspeakingwhenaterribleshovethrewmeonmyback，andinasecondIsawthemanseizedbythefurioussoldiers，throwndown，struck，draggedalongthesideoftheroad，andflungagainstatree.Hefellinthesnow，nearlydeadalready.
　　"Andimmediatelytheyshothim.Thesoldiersfiredathim，reloadedtheirguns，firedagainwiththedesperateenergyofbrutes.Theyfoughtwitheachothertohaveashotathim，filedoffinfrontofthecorpse，andkeptonfiringathim，aspeopleatafuneralkeepsprinklingholywaterinfrontofacoffin.
　　"Butsuddenlyacryaroseof’ThePrussians！thePrussians！’
　　"AndallalongthehorizonIheardthegreatnoiseofthispanic—strickenarmyinfullflight.
　　"Apanic，theresultoftheseshotsfiredatthisvagabond，hadfilledhisveryexecutionerswithterror;and，withoutrealizingthattheywerethemselvestheoriginatorsofthescare，theyfledanddisappearedinthedarkness.
　　"Iremainedalonewiththecorpse，exceptforthetwogendarmeswhosedutycompelledthemtostaywithme.
　　"Theylifteduptheriddledmassofbruisedandbleedingflesh.
　　"’Hemustbesearched，’Isaid.AndIhandedthemaboxoftapermatcheswhichIhadinmypocket.Oneofthesoldiershadanotherbox.Iwasstandingbetweenthetwo.
　　"Thegendarmewhowasexaminingthebodyannounced：
　　"’Clothedinablueblouse，awhiteshirt，trousers，andapairofshoes.’
　　"Thefirstmatchwentout;welightedasecond.Themancontinued，asheturnedouthispockets：
　　"’Ahorn—handledpocketknife，checkhandkerchief，asnuffbox，abitofpackthread，apieceofbread.’
　　"Thesecondmatchwentout;welightedathird.Thegendarme，afterhavingfeltthecorpseforalongtime，said：
　　"’Thatisall.’
　　"Isaid：
　　"’Striphim.Weshallperhapsfindsomethingnexthisskin."
　　"Andinorderthatthetwosoldiersmighthelpeachotherinthistask，I
　　stoodbetweenthemtoholdthelightedmatch.Bytherapidandspeedilyextinguishedflameofthematch，Isawthemtakeoffthegarmentsonebyone，andexposetoviewthatbleedingbundleofflesh，stillwarm，thoughlifeless.
　　"Andsuddenlyoneofthemexclaimed：
　　"’GoodGod，general，itisawoman！’
　　"Icannotdescribetoyouthestrangeandpoignantsensationofpainthatmovedmyheart.Icouldnotbelieveit，andIkneltdowninthesnowbeforethisshapelesspulpoffleshtoseeformyself：itwasawoman.
　　"Thetwogendarmes，speechlessandstunned，waitedformetogivemyopiniononthematter.ButIdidnotknowwhattothink，whattheorytoadopt.
　　"Thenthebrigadierslowlydrawledout：
　　"’Perhapsshecametolookforasonofhersintheartillery，whomshehadnotheardfrom.’
　　"Andtheotherchimedin：
　　"’Perhaps，indeed，thatisso.’
　　"AndI，whohadseensomeveryterriblethingsinmytime，begantocry.
　　AndIfelt，inthepresenceofthiscorpse，onthaticycoldnight，inthemidstofthatgloomyplain;atthesightofthismystery，atthesightofthismurderedstranger，themeaningofthatword’horror.’
　　"Ihadthesamesensationlastyear，whileinterrogatingoneofthesurvivorsoftheFlattersMission，anAlgeriansharpshooter.
　　"Youknowthedetailsofthatatrociousdrama.Itispossible，however，thatyouareunacquaintedwithoneofthem.
　　"ThecoloneltravelledthroughthedesertintotheSoudan，andpassedthroughtheimmenseterritoryoftheTouaregs，who，inthatgreatoceanofsandwhichstretchesfromtheAtlantictoEgyptandfromtheSoudantoAlgeria，areakindofpirates，resemblingthosewhoravagedtheseasinformerdays.
　　"TheguideswhoaccompaniedthecolumnbelongedtothetribeoftheChambaa，ofOuargla.
　　"Now，onedayweencampedinthemiddleofthedesert，andtheArabsdeclaredthat，asthespringwasstillsomedistanceaway，theywouldgowithalltheircamelstolookforwater.
　　"Onemanalonewarnedthecolonelthathehadbeenbetrayed.Flattersdidnotbelievethis，andaccompaniedtheconvoywiththeengineers，thedoctors，andnearlyallhisofficers.
　　"Theyweremassacredroundthespring，andallthecamelswerecaptured.
　　"ThecaptainoftheArabIntelligenceDepartmentatOuargla，whohadremainedinthecamp，tookcommandofthesurvivors，spahisandsharpshooters，andtheybegantoretreat，leavingbehindthemthebaggageandprovisions，forwantofcamelstocarrythem.
　　"Thentheystartedontheirjourneythroughthissolitudewithoutshadeandboundless，beneaththedevouringsun，whichburnedthemfrommorningtillnight.
　　"Onetribecametotenderitssubmissionandbroughtdatesasatribute.
　　Thedateswerepoisoned.NearlyalltheFrenchmendied，and，amongthem，thelastofficer.
　　"Therenowonlyremainedafewspahiswiththeirquartermaster，Pobeguin，andsomenativesharpshootersoftheChambaatribe.Theyhadstilltwocamelsleft.Theydisappearedonenight，alongwithtwo，Arabs.
　　"Thenthesurvivorsunderstoodthattheywouldbeobligedtoeateachother，andassoonastheydiscoveredtheflightofthetwomenwiththetwocamels，thosewhoremainedseparated，andproceededtomarch，onebyone，throughthesoftsand，undertheglareofascorchingsun，atadistanceofmorethanagunshotfromeachother.
　　"Sotheywentonallday，andwhentheyreachedaspringeachofthemcametodrinkatitinturn，assoonaseachsolitarymarcherhadmovedforwardthenumberofyardsarrangedupon.Andthustheycontinuedmarchingthewholeday，raisingeverywheretheypassed，inthatlevel，burntupexpanse，thoselittlecolumnsofdustwhich，fromadistance，indicatethosewhoaretrudgingthroughthedesert.
　　"Butonemorningoneofthetravellerssuddenlyturnedroundandapproachedthemanbehindhim.Andtheyallstoppedtolook.
　　"Themantowardwhomthefamishedsoldierdrewneardidnotflee，butlayflatontheground，andtookaimattheonewhowascomingtowardhim.
　　Whenhebelievedhewaswithingunshot，hefired.Theotherwasnothit，andhecontinuedthentoadvance，andlevellinghisgun，inturn，hekilledhiscomrade.
　　"Thenfromalldirectionstheothersrushedtoseektheirshare.Andhewhohadkilledthefallenman，cuttingthecorpseintopieces，distributedit.
　　"Andtheyoncemoreplacedthemselvesatfixeddistances，theseirreconcilableallies，preparingforthenextmurderwhichwouldbringthemtogether.
　　"Fortwodaystheylivedonthishumanfleshwhichtheydividedbetweenthem.Then，becomingfamishedagain，hewhohadkilledthefirstmanbegankillingafresh.Andagain，likeabutcher，hecutupthecorpseandofferedittohiscomrades，keepingonlyhisownportionofit.
　　"Andsothisretreatofcannibalscontinued.
　　"ThelastFrenchman，Pobeguin，wasmassacredatthesideofawell，theverynightbeforethesuppliesarrived.
　　"DoyouunderstandnowwhatImeanbythehorrible？"
　　ThiswasthestorytoldusafewnightsagobyGeneraldeG————.
　　MADAMEPARISSE
　　IwassittingonthepierofthesmallportofObernon，nearthevillageofSalis，lookingatAntibes，bathedinthesettingsun.Ihadneverbeforeseenanythingsowonderfulandsobeautiful.
　　Thesmalltown，enclosedbyitsmassiveramparts，builtbyMonsieurdeVauban，extendedintotheopensea，inthemiddleoftheimmenseGulfofNice.Thegreatwaves，cominginfromtheocean，brokeatitsfeet，surroundingitwithawreathoffoam;andbeyondtherampartsthehousesclimbedupthehill，oneaftertheother，asfarasthetwotowers，whichroseupintothesky，likethepeaksofanancienthelmet.AndthesetwotowerswereoutlinedagainstthemilkywhitenessoftheAlps，thatenormousdistantwallofsnowwhichenclosedtheentirehorizon.
　　Betweenthewhitefoamatthefootofthewallsandthewhitesnowonthesky—linethelittlecity，dazzlingagainstthebluishbackgroundofthenearestmountainranges，presentedtotheraysofthesettingsunapyramidofred—roofedhouses，whosefacadeswerealsowhite，butsodifferentonefromanotherthattheyseemedtobeofalltints.
　　AndtheskyabovetheAlpswasitselfofabluethatwasalmostwhite，asifthesnowhadtintedit;somesilverycloudswerefloatingjustoverthepalesummits，andontheothersideofthegulfNice，lyingclosetothewater，stretchedlikeawhitethreadbetweentheseaandthemountain.Twogreatsails，drivenbyastrongbreeze，seemedtoskimoverthewaves.Ilookeduponallthis，astounded.
　　Thisviewwasoneofthosesweet，rare，delightfulthingsthatseemtopermeateyouandareunforgettable，likethememoryofagreathappiness.
　　Onesees，thinks，suffers，ismovedandloveswiththeeyes.Hewhocanfeelwiththeeyeexperiencesthesamekeen，exquisiteanddeeppleasureinlookingatmenandthingsasthemanwiththedelicateandsensitiveear，whosesoulmusicoverwhelms.
　　Iturnedtomycompanion，M.Martini，apurebloodedSoutherner.
　　"Thisiscertainlyoneoftherarestsightswhichithasbeenvouchsafedtometoadmire.
　　"IhaveseenMontSaint—Michel，thatmonstrousgranitejewel，riseoutofthesandatsunrise.
　　"Ihaveseen，intheSahara，LakeRaianechergui，fiftykilometerslong，shiningunderamoonasbrilliantasoursunandbreathinguptowarditawhitecloud，likeamistofmilk.
　　"Ihaveseen，intheLipariIslands，theweirdsulphurcrateroftheVolcanello，agiantflowerwhichsmokesandburns，anenormousyellowflower，openingoutinthemidstofthesea，whosestemisavolcano.
　　"ButIhaveseennothingmorewonderfulthanAntibes，standingagainsttheAlpsinthesettingsun.
　　"AndIknownothowitisthatmemoriesofantiquityhauntme;versesofHomercomeintomymind;thisisacityoftheancientEast，acityoftheodyssey;thisisTroy，althoughTroywasveryfarfromthesea."
　　M.MartinidrewtheSartyguide—bookoutofhispocketandread："ThiscitywasoriginallyacolonyfoundedbythePhociansofMarseilles，about340B.C.TheygaveittheGreeknameofAntipolis，meaningcounter—
　　city，cityoppositeanother，becauseitisinfactoppositetoNice，anothercolonyfromMarseilles.
　　"AftertheGaulswereconquered，theRomansturnedAntibesintoamunicipalcity，itsinhabitantsreceivingtherightsofRomancitizenship.
　　"WeknowbyanepigramofMartialthatatthistime————"
　　Iinterruptedhim：
　　"Idon’tcarewhatshewas.ItellyouthatIseedownthereacityoftheOdyssey.ThecoastofAsiaandthecoastofEuroperesembleeachotherintheirshores，andthereisnocityontheothercoastoftheMediterraneanwhichawakensinmethememoriesoftheheroicageasthisonedoes."
　　Afootstepcausedmetoturnmyhead;awoman，alarge，darkwoman，waswalkingalongtheroadwhichskirtstheseaingoingtothecape.
　　"ThatisMadameParisse，youknow，"mutteredMonsieurMartini，dwellingonthefinalsyllable.
　　No，Ididnotknow，butthatname，mentionedcarelessly，thatnameoftheTrojanshepherd，confirmedmeinmydream.
　　However，Iasked："WhoisthisMadameParisse？"
　　HeseemedastonishedthatIdidnotknowthestory.
　　IassuredhimthatIdidnotknowit，andIlookedafterthewoman，whopassedbywithoutseeingus，dreaming，walkingwithsteadyandslowstep，asdoubtlesstheladiesofoldwalked.
　　Shewasperhapsthirty—fiveyearsoldandstillverybeautiful，thoughatriflestout.
　　AndMonsieurMartinitoldmethefollowingstory：
　　MademoiselleCombelombewasmarried，oneyearbeforethewarof1870，toMonsieurParisse，agovernmentofficial.Shewasthenahandsomeyounggirl，asslenderandlivelyasshehasnowbecomestoutandsad.
　　UnwillinglyshehadacceptedMonsieurParisse，oneofthoselittlefatmenwithshortlegs，whotripalong，withtrousersthatarealwaystoolarge.
　　AfterthewarAntibeswasgarrisonedbyasinglebattalioncommandedbyMonsieurJeandeCarmelin，ayoungofficerdecoratedduringthewar，andwhohadjustreceivedhisfourstripes.
　　Ashefoundlifeexceedinglytediousinthisfortressthisstuffymole—
　　holeenclosedbyitsenormousdoublewalls，heoftenstrolledouttothecape，akindofparkorpinewoodshakenbyallthewindsfromthesea.
　　TherehemetMadameParisse，whoalsocameoutinthesummereveningstogetthefreshairunderthetrees.Howdidtheycometoloveeachother？
　　Whoknows？Theymet，theylookedateachother，andwhenoutofsighttheydoubtlessthoughtofeachother.Theimageoftheyoungwomanwiththebrowneyes，theblackhair，thepaleskin，thisfresh，handsomeSoutherner，whodisplayedherteethinsmiling，floatedbeforetheeyesoftheofficerashecontinuedhispromenade，chewinghiscigarinsteadofsmokingit;andtheimageofthecommandingofficer，inhisclose—
　　fittingcoat，coveredwithgoldlace，andhisredtrousers，andalittleblondmustache，wouldpassbeforetheeyesofMadameParisse，whenherhusband，halfshavenandill—clad，short—leggedandbig—bellied，camehometosupperintheevening.