The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-WitnessHugo, Victor
History
The History of a Crime: The Testimony of an Eye-Witness
Hugo, Victor
France -- History -- 1789-1900
The smile of the daughter was as sweet as that of the mother, and more
fatal. The other was Madame K----, a Russian, fair, tall, blonde,
lighthearted, involved in the hidden paths of diplomacy, possessing and
displaying a casket full of love letters from Count Molé somewhat of a
spy, absolutely charming and terrifying.
The precautions which had been taken in case of accident were visible
even from outside. Since the preceding evening there had been seen from
the windows of the neighboring houses two post-chaises in the courtyard
of the Elysée, horsed, ready to start, the postilions in their saddles.
In the stables of the Elysée in the Rue Montaigne there were other
carriages horsed, and horses saddled and bridled.
Louis Bonaparte had not slept. During the night he had given mysterious
orders; thence when morning came there was on this pale face a sort of
appalling serenity.
The Crime grown calm was a disquieting symptom.
During the morning he had almost laughed. Morny had come into his private
room. Louis Bonaparte, having been feverish, had called in Conneau, who
joined in the conversation. People are believed to be trustworthy,
nevertheless they listen.
Morny brought the police reports. Twelve workmen of the National Printing
Office had, during the night of the Second, refused to print the decrees
and the proclamations. They had been immediately arrested. Colonel
Forestier was arrested. They had transferred him to the Fort of Bicêtre,
together with Crocé Spinelli, Genillier, Hippolyte Magen, a talented and
courageous writer, Goudounèche, a schoolmaster, and Polino. This last
name had struck Louis Bonaparte. "Who is this Polino?" Morny had
answered, "An ex-officer of the Shah of Persia's service." And he had
added, "A mixture of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza." These prisoners had
been placed in Number Six Casemate. Further questions on the part of
Louis Bonaparte, "What are these casemates?" And Morny had answered,
"Cellars without air or daylight, twenty-four mètres long, eight wide,
five high, dripping walls, damp pavements." Louis Bonaparte had asked,
"Do they give them a truss of straw?" And Morny had said, "Not yet, we
shall see by and by." He had added, "Those who are to be transported are
at Bicêtre, those who are to be shot are at Ivry."
Louis Bonaparte had inquired, "What precautions had been taken?" Morny
gave him full particulars; that guards had been placed in all the
steeples; that all printing-presses had been placed under seal; that
all the drums of the National Guard had been locked up; that there
was therefore no fear either of a proclamation emanating from a
printing-office, or of a call to arms issuing from a Mairie, or of
the tocsin ringing from a steeple.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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