Part 18 (2/2)
As the workman, astride on his coping, showed no sign of budging, the prince climbed quickly up the staircase of the tower and attacked the singer. He gave him a blow that broke his jaw-bone and sent him rolling into a water-spout. At that moment seven or eight carpenters, who were working on the rafters, heard their companion's cry and looked through the window. Seeing the prince on the coping they climbed along a ladder that was leaning on the slates and reached him just as he was slipping into the tower. They sent him, head foremost, down the one hundred and thirty-seven steps of the spiral staircase.
IV. VISCOUNTESS OLIVE
The Penguins had the finest army in the world. So had the Porpoises. And it was the same with the other nations of Europe. The smallest amount of thought will prevent any surprise at this. For all armies are the finest in the world. The second finest army, if one could exist, would be in a notoriously inferior position; it would be certain to be beaten. It ought to be disbanded at once. Therefore, all armies are the finest in the world. In France the ill.u.s.trious Colonel Marchand understood this when, before the pa.s.sage of the Yalou, being questioned by some journalists about the Russo-j.a.panese war, he did not hesitate to describe the Russian army as the finest in the world, and also the j.a.panese. And it should be noticed that even after suffering the most terrible reverses an army does not fall from its position of being the finest in the world. For if nations ascribe their victories to the ability of their generals and the courage of their soldiers, they always attribute their defeats to an inexplicable fatality. On the other hand, navies are cla.s.sed according to the number of their s.h.i.+ps. There is a first, a second, a third, and so on. So that there exists no doubt as to the result of naval wars.
The Penguins had the finest army and the second navy in the world.
This navy was commanded by the famous Chatillon, who bore the t.i.tle of Emiralbahr, and by abbreviation Emiral. It is the same word which, unfortunately in a corrupt form, is used to-day among several European nations to designate the highest grade in the naval service. But as there was but one Emiral among the Penguins, a singular prestige, if I dare say so, was attached to that rank.
The Emiral did not belong to the n.o.bility. A child of the people, he was loved by the people. They were flattered to see a man who sprang from their own ranks holding a position of honour. Chatillon was good-looking and fortune favoured him. He was not over-addicted to thought. No event ever disturbed his serene outlook.
The Reverend Father Agaric, surrendering to M. Bigourd's reasons and recognising that the existing government could only be destroyed by one of its defenders, cast his eyes upon Emiral Chatillon. He asked a large sum of money from his friend, the Reverend Father Cornemuse, which the latter handed him with a sigh. And with this sum he hired six hundred butcher boys of Alca to run behind Chatillon's horse and shout, ”Hurrah for the Emiral!” Henceforth Chatillon could not take a single step without being cheered.
Viscountess Olive asked him for a private interview. He received her at the Admiralty* in a room decorated with anchors, sh.e.l.ls, and grenades.
* Or better, Emiralty.
She was discreetly dressed in greyish blue. A hat trimmed with roses covered her pretty, fair hair, Behind her veil her eyes shone like sapphires. Although she came of Jewish origin there was no more fas.h.i.+onable woman in the whole n.o.bility. She was tall and well shaped; her form was that of the year, her figure that of the season.
”Emiral,” said she, in a delightful voice, ”I cannot conceal my emotion from you. . . . It is very natural . . . before a hero.”
”You are too kind. But tell me, Viscountess, what brings me the honour of your visit.”
”For a long time I have been anxious to see you, to speak to you. . . .
So I very willingly undertook to convey a message to you.”
”Please take a seat.”
”How still it is here.”
”Yes, it is quiet enough.”
”You can hear the birds singing.”
”Sit down, then, dear lady.”
And he drew up an arm-chair for her.
She took a seat with her back to the light.
”Emiral, I came to bring you a very important message, a message. . .”
”Explain.”
”Emiral, have you ever seen Prince Crucho?”
”Never.”
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