The Minister in fact, utterly at sea as to what had befallen him, merely aware that he could not utter a word and that they would not let him get up, was writhing and wriggling like a man possessed. A frothy lather covered his cheeks and poured from between his lips. The spectators were of one mind, all repeating parrot-wise the same words: “It’s a man been taken ill, an epileptic just had an attack!” The taxi selected by old Moche drew up to the pavement. With the help of kind-hearted assistants, Paulet and his accomplice hoisted the Minister into the cab, still vainly resisting! The two brigands took their places inside with their victim; then, just as the vehicle got under weigh, old Moche with surprising agility sprang on the step and took his seat beside the chauffeur. The plot had succeeded—a triumph, indeed! But, after all, with what object had they kidnapped the Minister of Justice? What did they expect to make of it? In the Chamber at the Palais-Bourbon, excitement was at its height. There was a constant coming and going of Deputies, talking together eagerly without paying the smallest attention to the demand for silence from the President’s chair, whose bell rang out unceasingly. Presently, however, quiet was restored when the President of the Council, the much respected M. Monnier, mounted the tribune to make the following announcement: “Gentlemen, I regretted a while ago to have to inform you that our honourable colleague, M. Désiré Ferrand, Minister of Justice, had not returned to his house ... I have this moment received an extraordinary letter, so extraordinary in fact that I am tempted to believe it to be the work of a practical joker. Nevertheless, under present circumstances, I consider it my duty to make you acquainted with its contents.” “Read, read!” rose a unanimous cry—and in a voice trembling with emotion, M. Monnier read out: “—By my decree, Désiré Ferrand has been held prisoner since yesterday. Again by my decree, he will be released to-day at 5 o’clock. “By seizing the Minister of Justice and holding him at my disposition, I have merely desired to afford an indication of my power to compel the House to negotiate with me; I want money, I must have a million francs; let the Government decide to give me this sum, and I will disappear. If not, the direst consequences must be faced; I shall begin with the Minister of Justice, the entire Government will be dealt with in turn.” * * * * *