Part 12 (1/2)

”Be off.”

There were there thirty-five munic.i.p.al guards, commanded by a lieutenant, and with a drum at their head.

”But----” said the President.

The Commissary interrupted him with these words, which are literally given,--

”Mr. President, I am not going to enter upon an oratorical combat with you. I have my orders, and I transmit them to you. Obey.”

”Whom?”

”The Prefect of Police.”

The President asked this strange question, which implied the acceptance of an order,--

”Have you a warrant?”

The Commissary answered,--

”Yes.”

And he handed a paper to the President.

The judges turned pale.

The President unfolded the paper; M. Cauchy put his head over M.

Hardouin's shoulder. The President read but,--

”You are ordered to dissolve the High Court, and, in case of refusal, to arrest MM. Beranger, Rocher, De Boissieux, Pataille, and h.e.l.lo.”

And, turning towards the judges, the President added,--

”Signed, Maupas.”

Then, addressing himself to the Commissary, he resumed,--

”There is some mistake, these are not our names. MM. Beranger, Rocher, and De Boissieux have served their time and are no longer judges of the High Court; as for M. h.e.l.lo, he is dead.”

The High Court, in reality, was temporary and renewable; the _coup d'etat_ overthrew the Const.i.tution, but did not understand it. The warrant signed ”Maupas” was applicable to the preceding High Court. The _coup d'etat_ had been misled by an old list. Such is the heedlessness of a.s.sa.s.sins.

”Mr. Commissary of Police,” continued the President, ”you see that these names are not ours.”

”That does not matter to me,” replied the Commissary. ”Whether this warrant does or does not apply to you, disperse, or I shall arrest all of you.”

And he added,--

”At once.”