Part 26 (1/2)
”Gentlemen,” said the monk who seemed to fill the role of president, ”quick, your hoods and masks. We do not know who may be coming to us.”
CHAPTER VIII. HOW THE MONEY OF THE DIRECTORY WAS USED
Every one hastened to obey. The monks lowered the hoods of their long robes over their faces, Morgan replaced his mask.
”Enter!” said the superior.
The door opened and the serving-brother appeared.
”An emissary from General Georges Cadoudal asks to be admitted,” said he.
”Did he reply to the three pa.s.swords?”
”Perfectly.”
”Then let him in.”
The lay brother retired to the subterranean pa.s.sage, and reappeared a couple of minutes later leading a man easily recognized by his costume as a peasant, and by his square head with its shock of red hair for a Breton. He advanced in the centre of the circle without appearing in the least intimidated, fixing his eyes on each of the monks in turn, and waiting until one of these twelve granite statues should break silence.
The president was the first to speak to him.
”From whom do you come?” he asked him.
”He who sent me,” replied the peasant, ”ordered me to answer, if I were asked that question, that I was sent by Jehu.”
”Are you the bearer of a verbal or written message?”
”I am to reply to the questions which you ask me, and exchange a slip of paper for some money.”
”Very good; we will begin with the questions. What are our brothers in the Vendee doing?”
”They have laid down their arms and are awaiting only a word from you to take them up again.”
”And why did they lay down their arms?”
”They received the order to do so from his Majesty Louis XVIII.”
”There is talk of a proclamation written by the King's own hand. Have they received it?”
”Here is a copy.”
The peasant gave a paper to the person who was interrogating him. The latter opened it and read:
The war has absolutely no result save that of making the monarchy odious and threatening. Monarchs who return to their own through its b.l.o.o.d.y succor are never loved; these sanguinary measures must therefore be abandoned; confide in the empire of opinion which returns of itself to its saving principles. ”G.o.d and the King,”
will soon be the rallying cry of all Frenchmen. The scattered elements of royalism must be gathered into one formidable sheaf; militant Vendee must be abandoned to its unhappy fate and marched within a more pacific and less erratic path. The royalists of the West have fulfilled their duty; those of Paris, who have prepared everything for the approaching Restoration, must now be relied upon--
The president raised his head, and, seeking Morgan with a flash of the eye which his hood could not entirely conceal, said: ”Well, brother, I think this is the fulfilment of your wish of a few moments ago.
The royalists of the Vendee and the Midi will have the merit of pure devotion.” Then, lowering his eyes to the proclamation, of which there still remained a few lines to read, he continued: