Part 11 (1/2)

”_Fourthly:_ We are determined to stand firmly against the entrance of foreign compet.i.tors in the country's trade and business. All heads and ruling companies of firms employing foreigners instead of native workmen, are marked out by us as traitors, and are reserved for traitors' punishment.

”_Fifthly:_ We are sworn to exterminate the existing worthless Government, and to replace it by a working body of capable and intelligent men, elected by the universal vote of the entire country.

Such elections must take place freely and openly, and no secret influence shall be used to return any one person or party to power.

Those attempting to sway opinion by bribery and corruption, will be named to the public, and exposed to disgrace and possible death.

”_Sixthly:_ We are resolved to unmask to the public the duplicity, treachery, and self-interested motives of the Secretary of State, Carl Perousse.

”_Seventhly:_ We are sworn to bring about such changes as shall elevate a Republic to supreme power, and for this purpose are solemnly pledged to destroy the present Monarchy.”

”These,” said Sergius Thord, ”are the princ.i.p.al objects of our Society's work. There are other points to be considered, but these are sufficient for the present. I will now read the rules, which each member of our Brotherhood must follow if he would serve us faithfully.”

He turned over another leaf of the parchment scroll he held, and continued, reading very slowly and distinctly:

”_Rule 1_.--Each member of the Revolutionary Committee shall swear fidelity to the Cause, and pledge himself to maintain inviolable secrecy on all matters connected with his members.h.i.+p and his work for the Society.

”_Rule 2_.--No member shall track, follow, or enquire into the movements of any other member.

”_Rule 3_.--Once in every month all members are expected to meet together at a given place, decided upon by the Chief of the Committee at the previous meeting, when business will be discussed, and lots drawn, to determine the choice of such members as may be fitted to perform such business.

”_Rule_ 4.--No member shall be bound to give his address, or to state where he travels, or when or how he goes, as in all respects save that of his members.h.i.+p he is a free man.

”_Rule_ 5.--In this same respect of his members.h.i.+p, he is bound to appear, or to otherwise report himself once a month at the meeting of the Committee. Should he fail to do so either by person, or by letter satisfactorily explaining his absence, he will be judged as a traitor, and dealt with accordingly.

”_Rule_6.--In the event of any member being selected to perform any deed involving personal danger or loss to himself, the rest of the members are pledged to shelter him from the consequences of his act, and to provide him with all the necessaries of life, till his escape from harm is ensured and his safety guaranteed.”

”You have heard all now,” said Thord, as he laid aside the parchment scroll; ”Are you still willing to take the oath?”

”Entirely so!” rejoined Pasquin Leroy cheerfully; ”You have but to administer it.”

Here a man, who had been sitting in a dark corner apart from the table, with his head buried in his hands, suddenly looked up, showing a thin, fine, eager face, a pair of wild eyes, and a tumbled ma.s.s of dark curly hair, plentifully sprinkled with grey.

”Ah!” he cried,--”Now comes the tragic moment, when the spectators hold their breath, and the blue flame is turned on, and the man manages the lime-light so that its radiance shall fall on the face of the chief actor--or Actress! And the ba.s.soons and 'cellos grumble inaudible nothings to the big drum! Administer the oath, Sergius Thord!”

A smile went the round of the company.

”Have you only just wakened up from sleep, Paul Zouche?” asked Zegota.

”I never sleep,” answered Zouche, pus.h.i.+ng his hair back from his forehead;--”Unless sleep compels me, by force, to yield to its coa.r.s.e and commonplace persuasion. To lie down in a s.h.i.+rt and snore the hours away! Faugh! Can anything be more gross or vulgar! Time flies so quickly, and life is so short, that I cannot afford to waste any moment in such stupid unconsciousness. I can drink wine, make love, and kill rascals--all these occupations are much more interesting than sleeping.

Come, Sergius! Play the great trick of the evening! Administer the oath!”

A frowning line puckered Thord's brows, but the expression of vexation was but momentary. Turning to Leroy again he said:

”You are quite ready?”

”Quite,” replied Leroy.

”And your friends----?”

Leroy smiled. ”They are ready also!”