Nor, listening, could he hear the sinister voices of men and boys

calling extra editions of the papers. There seemed to be no need for

the raising of hoarse and threatening voices in the soundless capital.

Men and youths of all ages traversed the avenues and streets with

sheafs of fresh, damp newspapers over their ragged arms, but it was

the populace who crowded after and importuned them, not they the

people; and no sooner did a paper-seller appear than he was stripped

of his wares and was counting his coppers under the trees before

hurrying away for a fresh supply.

Neeland dressed himself in sections, always returning to the window to

look out; and in this manner he achieved his toilet.

Marotte, the old butler, was on the floor below, carrying a tea tray

into the wide, sunny sitting-room as Neeland descended.

"I overslept," explained the young American, "and I'm nearly starved.

Is Mademoiselle Carew having tea?"

"Mademoiselle requested tea for two, sir, in case you should awake,"

said the old man solemnly.

Neeland watched him fussing about with cloth and table and silver.

"Have you any news?" he asked after a moment.

"Very little, Monsieur Neeland. The police have ordered all Germans

into detention camps--men, women, and children. It is said that there

are to be twelve great camps for these unfortunates who are to

assemble in the Lycée Condorcet for immediate transportation."

Neeland thought of Ilse Dumont. Presently he asked whether any message

had been received from the Princess Mistchenka.

"Madame the Princess telephoned from Havre at four o'clock this

afternoon. Mademoiselle Carew has the message."

Neeland, reassured, nodded: "No other news, Marotte?"

"The military have taken our automobiles from the garage, and have

requisitioned the car which Madame la Princess is now using, ordering

us to place it at their disposal as soon as it returns from Havre.

Also, Monsieur le Capitaine Sengoun has telephoned from the Russian

Embassy, but Mademoiselle Carew would not permit Monsieur to be

awakened."

"What did Captain Sengoun say?"

"Mademoiselle Carew received the message."

"And did anyone else call me up?" asked Neeland, smiling.

"Il y avait une fe--une espèce de dame," replied the old man

doubtfully, "--who named herself Fifi la Tzigane. I permitted myself

to observe to her," added the butler with dignity, "that she had the

liberty of writing to you what she thought necessary to communicate."

He had arranged the tea-table. Now he retired, but returned almost

immediately to decorate the table with Cloth of Gold roses.




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