A Conspiracy of the Carbonari

and lackeys were gliding noiselessly through the empty rooms to extinguish the lights in the c

eautiful face; her eyes sparkled as brightly as they had just flashed upon her guests, and there was no change in the proud carriage of her head, or of the tall, slender figure, still robed

or to listen, then with panting breath resumed her restless movement to and fro, while her scarlet lips murmured: "He does not come yet. Something extraord

h a single bound like a l

you,

ntering the room and cautiousl

e here, father!" she sigh

hter that she is anxious about her father if he is suddenly called away at nig

e. Tell me that he is not in danger, that he has nothing to do w

eep your head clear, if your heart is burning with such impetuous fire that the rising smoke must becloud your brai

rn by it," she murmured. "But let us not talk about

d. The emperor sent for m

What did he

covered, Leonore-a murderer w

shuddering; "my God, s

come to Sch?nbrunn to murder him.[D] I suppose that this comes directly from the Emperor Francis' court at Totis. Some fanatic has told the Emp

ing, under her breath, "and he told me that

" asked her father. "Have

in her eyes. "I have many things to tell you, many important things," she

t oa

y who comes to murder Napoleon, yo

the probability is that, if I really catch

t him escape at that mom

nore! You will understand yo

k me to communicate my discoveries. Good-nig

r. But just as she was about to open it, h

ce you to speak. Well, then, I swear that, if the person who comes to murder Na

y mother's spi

d memory. But now, Leonore, speak. Hav

y, reckless affair. Father, you can tell Napoleon that a widespread conspiracy exists, and that it even has numerous adherents in his own army. The most aristocratic members of i

he little red drawi

g-room, which is reached from this boud

l conspiracy?" asked her

warn the Emperor Napoleon, unless you save him, he will be a lost man

h. The emperor is generous; he loves life. I will set a high price upon it. By heaven, the C?sar's head is well worth four hu

You will not forget that you are to permit me to escape, with the man I love, from this false, pitiful world, and fly with him to some remote, secluded nook, where no one knows me-no one can betr

of the proud baroness is no other than the well-known spy Schulmeister, who has rendered the Emperor Napoleon so many useful services, and whose name Kolbielsky has so often mentioned in my presence with scornful execration. No, he must not learn all this. We will conceal our past, we will begin a new lif

sday next the emperor is t

ere?" asked Schu

ll Europe. Heligoland is the meeting-place for the envoys of the conspirators throughout Europe; there the central committee always assembles at certain times, and from there by confidential messengers and fellow conspirators issues its commands and directions to the members in all places; there is the depot of the arms, ammunition, and other military stores. Thither England has sent General Bathurst; Spain, General B

nment this evening? I saw several gentlemen who were strangers to me, and whose names

stroll along the lovely, shady paths, talking with his generals. To his surprise he will find a most charming little hut which he has not seen before-for the very good reason that it was erected only the previous day. The emperor, as is well-known, is curious, and he will go to it. The conspirators-and his entire suite is composed of them-the conspirators will propose going in. A French song, the signal that everything is ready, will be heard within. The emperor will enter, his companions will follow. Inside the hut armed conspirators will be stationed, who, as soon as the emperor enters, will seize and gag him, bind him hand and foot, and thus render him harmless. Then one of the party who entered with the emperor, Colonel Lejeune, whose figure is

bout the continuation. Would Roustan, who undresses the emperor every evening, also be deceived by the masquerade, or would the conspirators attempt to ab

no further reports to him that evening, as he was wearied and therefore wished to go to rest early. The Mameluke Roustan could not be bribed, and therefore the attempt was relinquished. B

Constant one of

the following day at nine o'clock, when the generals arrive. What will happen then, whether Eugene is declared emperor or the Bourbons are again summoned to the throne, will depend upon what occurs in Franc

I am as anxious about the progress of this matter as if it were the development of a drama, and that I a

ride all night long, relays will be ready everywhere at the appointed spots, and, when morning dawns, they will have reached the house of a conspirator near Gratz, and spend the day there. At nightfall the journey will be continued in the same way, and so, constantly traveling by night and resting by day in the house of a conspirator, until Tri

ther companions of t

d instigator of the whole plan. Then there are two subaltern officers in the Frenc

I will discover them; and I am glad that there is some speci

two French lieutenants, will take passage in her for Genoa, where another vessel, furnished by the Swedish members of the league, is ready to convey the party further. Count von Kotte has alr

the goal of

touch. There the emperor will be put ashore and left to support

boldness and calculation. Only I should like to know why so much ado is mad

d mankind a service full of blessing; but they will not anticipate fate; they will leave it to God to end a life which they merely desire to render harmless to God and men. This is the first motive for not killing the emperor, the second is that they believe a speedy death would be no fit punishment fo

ll now fall the vast, the priceless happiness of preserving the emperor from such martyrdom. I say the priceless happiness, but I shall take good care that the emperor pays me for it as dearly as possible, an

h you made; when, after I have made you rich, you make me free and permit me to go with the man whom I

your past and mine will both be effaced, and we will enter upon a new life, in a new world! Let the spy, Schulmeister, the adventuress Leonore de Simonie; be buried, and new people, new names, rise from the budding seeds of the half million. But now farewell, my daughter, my beautiful Leonie. I must begin the work, must summon all my assistants and subordinates, and assign their tasks, for the next few days will bring much work. It is not enough for me to inform the emperor of the existence of a conspiracy, and the plan of the accomplices, but

have suffered, oh, and what mortal anguish! Yes, let them die and rot; I shall at last be happy, free, and beloved. Oh, God be praised that the man whom I love is not entangled in this conspi