“Recriminations are useless. Let us act.” Daniel hastened to the telephone. He came back almost at once.
“Col. Brasin will march.... He asked for no explanations, and says that he has but to obey orders. But General Lavinge is surprised not to have seen General Mabel, and wants something in writing.”
“Frederic, this is where you come in. You must call on General Lavinge and show him the decree signed by the President of the National Assembly. And you must call at all the barracks and see all commanding officers. Tell them that you are making this round on General Mabel’s orders. I rely on you to fire them with enthusiasm....
“As to General Mabel, he is supposed to be waiting for them all in the Château. At the moment he cannot leave the Assembly, where he remains at the President’s orders.”
“Very good, Major.... With that order I will get them to support us to the last.”
“Wait while I give you a last order, for I shall not be able to devote any further attention to you. When you get back with the infantry this is what you must do: place a cordon of troops twenty yards from the Château walls. Three open passages in the parade-ground will allow Deputies and Senators and other authorized persons to enter.”
“I understand.”
“Frederic, they must not be able to come to us later and say we refused admittance to any Deputy or Senator. Do you see? You follow me?... And yet, as we are already three-quarters of an hour behind time, you must manage, without receiving any order to that effect, to prevent any more obtaining admission during the next half-hour.... All those who come along within the next half hour will probably not bear you any good will.... I am telling you things that I should have said to General Mabel.”
“I will act throughout as though he were here. And I’ll give all orders in his name.”
“Go, and good luck, old man.”
Five minutes later Jacques was loudly cheered in the courtyard of the barracks by the entire battalion under arms. An indescribable enthusiasm seized these men, and he had no need to explain what was required of them.
“Comrades, the moment is come to save France,” he cried. “Forward!... Follow your leaders!”
At once the battalion marched to the parade-ground to the sound of bugles and drums, arriving as Colonel Brasin came up at the head of his regiment. The effect was startling. Jacques seemed more than ever the master of the situation. He had promised them soldiers. He was coming back with them.
When members of both Houses saw the khaki uniforms of the colonial troops on the one hand and the great-coats of the regular infantry on the other, they could not restrain an almost childish enthusiasm.
So it was true? They had succeeded. They represented law and order imposed by force. And it no longer depended on them alone to relieve the country of those factions of whom they stood in terror.... They could not believe their own eyes.
In the Hall of Congress the great Republicans, such as Michel, Oudard and Barclef, had at last made up their minds to bring matters to a head and chance their luck without General Mabel, whose absence was as disturbing and unfortunate as Lavobourg’s. And they conceived the idea of replacing Lavobourg in the Provisional Government by Tissier, a staunch Republican, a friend of Pagès, who would not allow the Republic to be overthrown under the pretext of saving it.
When Tissier learnt of his nomination he was dumbfounded. In reality he continued to allow himself to be pushed forward by others, still unable to understand the course of events, forbearing to compromise himself by unnecessary speech, and seeming above all bored by being awakened so early. Just then Jacques came hurrying up:
“I bring you five thousand men ready to die for you, monsieur le President.”
The President entered the Hall of Congress accompanied by his escort. Just as Jacques himself reached the door he was not a little surprised to be saluted in military fashion by two stalwart ushers, magnificent in their chains of office. He recognized his faithful bodyguard, Jean Jean and Polydore, but needless to say did not stop to ask for an explanation....
Deputies and Senators rushed in after him to take their seats. A wan glimmer pierced the glass window in the roof and threw an ominous light on a group of “doubtfuls” and “late comers” who did not yet know “if they supported the movement,” and waited their time in an attitude of hostility. They said to those gathering round them:
“The law — the law must be respected.... Afterwards time will show.”
The President rose in his chair and read the clause in the Constitution in accordance with which the National Assembly was gathered at Versailles for the revision of the Constitution. Nothing could be more legal. What more did the sticklers for legality require?
Jacques mounted the tribune:
“Gentlemen, you are the representatives of the people, and you are here because in your heart and conscience you believe that the condition of affairs in which we are floundering cannot continue. It would lead at the end of three years to an unbearable despotism.
“We wish to see the Republic founded on equality, civil and religious liberty, and political toleration. With a sound administration all our citizens will forget the factions to which they belong and be permitted at last to be Frenchmen. Is it not shameful to see the country to-day terrorized by clubs and secret revolutionaries as in the worst periods of its history?
“It is time to restore to those who defend our native land the confidence to which they are entitled. If some of these factions are to be believed we ought to be looked upon as enemies of the Republic — we who have strengthened it by our labors and our courage.... Well, to-day once more we come forward to rescue you from the anarchy which is at your door and which if you delay will enter and obstruct your deliberations.
“France desires liberty for all men.
“The essential policy that confronts us is to revive in France the conception of government with the theory of ordered authority, a policy of continuity and that stability which the word State implies....
“Enough of this jerry-built system which sinks into impotence at the first breath! It is only a Government, limited by substantial safeguards, but strong and independent enough to govern by other means than tyranny and violence, that can ensure peace at home and abroad. Gentlemen, it is your duty to debate this question and to modify the Constitution.
“But problems of such a nature cannot be determined in twenty-four hours. In order to investigate them you need complete tranquility. Therefore I call upon you in the name of France, in the name of the Republic, to appoint a Provisional Government until the labors of the National Assembly are finished — a Provisional Government which under the high authority of the head of the State whose personality we leave entirely outside this struggle, will be in a position to protect you from your enemies.
“Gentlemen, two men will suffice for this task, which we must hope will soon be fulfilled.... It is for you to select them. Select them quickly and carefully, for I can even now hear disturbances in the streets from the fomenters of disorder.... Let these two men be strong and united.... Choose an old Republican like Tissier and a soldier. You need a soldier.... But if you know a soldier, a more devoted Republican than I am — elect him!”
It was on these words that he descended from the tribune. A thunder of applause greeted his peroration, while at the same time a great tumult swept through the Place d’Armes, the courtyard of the Château, the Gallery of Tombs — also called the Gallery of Busts — and reverberated as far as the Hall of Congress.
It was caused by the appearance of a dozen Deputies of the Left, led by Mulot and Coudry. They were foaming with rage.... They brought with them a wild-eyed member of the Government, the unfortunate Taburet, Minister of Public Works, the only Minister they were able to find in the course of their hurried rush to Versailles. They had learnt of the course of events through inevitable indiscretions, and feared lest they should arrive too late. Fortunately it was not so. They stated that Hérisson had lost his head and race
d from Government office to Government office like a man possessed. It was said that he had bundled the War Minister into his car, and both had arrived at Flottard’s office in a frantic state.... At last everything gradually leaked out and Deputies rushed off to Versailles from every side.
When Jacques saw the yelping crew burst into the Hall of Congress he realized that this particular dozen Deputies would be followed by others. He went over to the door and said to Jean Jean:
“Go at once to M. Frederic and tell him not to let anyone else pass through — you understand — not a single person.”
He returned to the sitting. Even now the struggle was beginning.
“You are thieves, assassins,” shouted Coudry and Mulot. “You are trying to subvert the Constitution — to assassinate the Republic.... But we will prevent you. Assassins! Assassins!”
Lespinasse flew at Coudry’s throat and Mulot tried to separate them. Meantime Jacques, Michel, Oudard, Barclef forced the pace. They had a majority; they would have to make quick use of it.
The President put to the vote a Bill backed by twenty well-known Republicans, appointing a Provisional Government for so long as the deliberations of the National Assembly lasted.
For a while certain astute Deputies thought that they ought to take Jacques at his word and nominate another member with Tissier to form the Duumvirate, but at the last moment the wild uproar caused by the arrival of Coudry’s men flung them back into Jacques’ arms.
The President realized that not a moment was to be lost, and thus the idea of summoning a Commission which should hold a five minutes’ meeting and return with a hurriedly dispatched report was shelved.
It would be necessary to proceed to the vote on the proposal at once and give effect to it there and then. The National Assembly in the exercise of its full powers was bound to take whatever steps it might think fit to ensure the safety of the State.
Those who wavered most would have asked nothing better than for the vote to be taken “seated or standing,” but the President set himself against it. He feared these shirkers later on, and refused to allow the comedy to degenerate into farce. And besides, the entire authority of the coup d’état would be derived from an honest scrutiny of the voting papers and an ordered and public vote.
Once more, what had they to fear? They had only to let the democrats and their keeper Coudry roar themselves hoarse while the others recorded their votes. For the rest, they drew up without delay the names of thirty-six tellers whose duty it would be to scrutinize the voter and check the voting papers.
The nominal roll-call was begun. At the rate at which the vote was being taken the whole proceedings would be over probably in three-quarters of an hour, for the members hurried to the tribune to record their vote and not a moment was wasted. Fortunately there were absentees. The rest all wished to set up a Provisional Government, and all voted for Major Jacques and Tissier to form the Duumvirate.
It was then that Pagès, appearing from no one knew where, burst into the Hall of Congress like a jack-in-the-box. His eyes were starting from his head, his hair stood on end with horror at the outrage that had been perpetrated, and with amazement at his own ignorance of the plot. He pointed to Major Jacques and shouted: “Outlawed!”
CHAPTER XVIII
OUTSIDE THE CHTEAU
OUTSIDE THE RAILINGS of the Château, behind the impassive troops not yet knowing what orders they would have to obey, the entire town was congregated.
To begin with, the people, awakened in such extraordinary circumstances, had crowded to the spot to discover what was taking place. The most contradictory rumors were current.
Members of the advanced clubs in the town rushed up in search of information with vigorous demonstrations of loyal revolutionism. From every suburb of Paris groups of citizens flocked to Versailles.
Public officials, too, arrived by train from Paris with distraught faces and made their way to the railings, where, like the rest, they were brought up short by the soldiers. No position, no rank enabled them to pass the barrier.
Frederic had thoroughly carried out his orders in accordance with Jacques’s instructions, and after the first body of Deputies from Paris had gained admission he closed every entrance. When the second batch appeared with Pagès at their head there was a pretty tussle.
Pagès, trailing his men after him, asked to see first Colonel Brasin and then General Lavigne. The two officers were inflexible. They had received their orders. They were there to make them respected. They were, in fact, there only for that purpose. And their orders were to allow no one to pass.
“Who gave you those orders?”
“General Mabel.”
“Impossible; General Mabel has been arrested.”
“Mabel arrested! What nonsense! He is in the Hall of Congress.”
“Have you seen him?”
“No, but his orders were transmitted to us. That is enough, gentlemen. I am only a soldier and take no part in politics. I was ordered here with my men. I am here. I was to allow no one to pass. No one will pass. I obey my orders.”
So saying he turned on his heel.
“He is mad,” said Pagès between his teeth. “Come, all of you. We will manage to find an opening and get through.”
They went away, but the rumor of Mabel’s arrest spread, and the officers present, who had not seen their chief at all, began to discuss this extraordinary piece of news.
Brasin and Lavigne felt much less assured. Had someone in reality been making fools of them by issuing orders in General Mabel’s name? They were now inclined to think so.
They determined to take no further steps without a proper written order, and regretted omitting to insist on this safeguard from the beginning; all the more so, they thought, for if General Mabel was indeed under arrest the affair would fail, whatever Major Jacques might do.
Echoes of the rumors reached the crowd. At certain windows in the square peaceable citizens, armed with opera glasses, watched attentively what was passing in the courtyard of the Château, and drew conclusions more or less contrary to common sense. Moreover, it was as though the whole capital was flowing in a stream into Versailles.
In the streets motor-cars clattered, dashed forward, sounded their hooters. Taxis crowded with patriots or revolutionaries, singing or shouting, blocked the avenues. Here and there free fights broke out. The amazing news of the coup d’état had roused the people of Paris from their beds at an early hour, hurried them into all sorts of conveyances, and brought them to Versailles, either as sightseers or partisans.
Many women of fashion and actresses arrived in cars clad hastily in anything that came to hand. The restaurants were flooded with visitors.
One well-known hotel was filled with a smart crowd, all the more densely packed since it occupied the best place for gathering the latest news, and it was almost impossible to go further afield.
Suddenly a man with his soft felt hat pulled over his eyes and the collar of his great-coat turned up, crossed one of the rooms, and certain persons recognizing him, exchanged glances: “Lavobourg! So he is not in it!”
It was indeed Lavobourg who strode quickly into the courtyard. Here he encountered some twenty sturdy fellows with a hang-dog look about them, who had ordered a snack of lunch in company with cabmen and chauffeurs.
The waiters at first raised some difficulty, for they were little desirous of serving gentlemen who were not of the class of their ordinary customers. But a certain peanut dealer who was present said to the head waiter with meaning:
“You are very particular to hesitate to deal with the foremost patriots of the Arsenal Club. You are certainly now aware that these respectable citizens are friends of this gentleman, here, who is the secretary to the committee of the Arsenal Club — in other words, my dear man, he is somebody, and in these times it is well to have friends in every camp.”
The head waiter grasped the point and hastened to serve them with whatever they required.
Lavobourg seemed
slightly taken aback to come upon such gentry in so smart a restaurant, but they quickly made way for a gentleman who doubtless had “an assignation with a lady.” He passed through.
“No need for you to disguise yourself. You’ve been recognized,” said the peanut dealer.
Lavobourg quickened his step. He made his way to a pavilion which was built in days of old for Madame la Pompadour. Some of its rooms led directly through French windows to the park. The door opened. A hollow exclamation was heard. The door was closed after him.
“He has the look of a traitor,” said one.
“It seems he’s a friend of Major Jacques,” said another.
“Down with the Major!”
“Long live the social revolution!”
“Long live the Arsenal Club!”
One man among them remained silent. It was M. Hilaire. He could not help thinking, though he was surrounded with friends, of the serious disadvantages of taking an active part in politics which occupied so many hours that might have been profitably devoted to business. And then he was obliged to tell himself that Daddy Peanuts made use of his political influence and his club membership cards with an amazing freedom.
Who were all these persons? And in what way would Chéri-Bibi make use of them for the good of France as he maintained? Moreover, M. Hilaire was no longer unaware that within a few yards from him a most audacious coup d’état was being attempted and that, thanks to Chéri-Bibi, his own responsibility was involved to an extent impossible for him to estimate.
If to these troubles of a public nature he added the fact that he had little reason to rejoice after the conjugal scene which had introduced discord into the “Up-to-date Grocery Stores,” M. Hilaire’s dejection may easily be understood.
As he looked up, a prey to these lugubrious reflections, he was not a little surprised to descry on the open front of a café opposite the simple faces of his two friends of the night before, MM. Barkimel and Florent, who at once rose to their feet and took their departure as though they had not seen him.
Collected Works of Gaston Leroux Page 220