which have changed the system of Government. The party you

represent no longer exists. The side I represent now comes into
power. Under these sad, but decisive circumstances, I come to

demand you, in the name of the Republic, to put in my hand the
authority vested in you by the outgoing power."

M. de Varnetot replied: "Doctor Massarel, I am mayor of
Canneville, so placed by the proper authorities, and mayor of

Canneville I shall remain until the title is revoked and replaced
by an order from my superiors. As mayor, I am at home in the

mairie, and there I shall stay. Furthermore, just try to put me
out." And he closed the window.

The Commander returned to his troops. But, before explaining
anything, measuring Lieutenant Picard from head to foot, he said:

"You are a numskull, you are,--a goose, the disgrace of the army.
I shall degrade you."

The Lieutenant replied: "I'll attend to that myself." And he went
over to a group of muttering civilians.

Then the doctor hesitated. What should he do? Make an assault?
Would his men obey him? And then, was he surely in the right? An

idea burst upon him. He ran to the telegraph office, on the other
side of the square, and hurriedly" target="_blank" title="ad.仓促地，忙乱地">hurriedly sent three dispatches: "To the

Members of the Republican Government, at Paris"; "To the New
Republican Prefect of the Lower Seine, at Rouen"; "To the New

Republican Sub-Prefect of Dieppe."
He exposed the situation fully; told of the danger run by the

commonwealth from remaining in the hands of the monarchistic
mayor, offered his devout services, asked for orders and signed

his name, following it up with all his titles. Then he returned
to his army corps and, drawing ten francs out of his pocket,

said:
"Now, my friends, go and eat and drink a little something. Only

leave here a detachment of ten men, so that no one leaves the
mayor's house."

Ex-Lieutenant Picard chatting with the watch-maker, overheard
this. With a sneer he remarked:

"Pardon me, but if they go out, there will be an opportunity for
you to go in. Otherwise, I can't see how you are to get in

there!"
The doctor made no reply, but went away to luncheon. In the

afternoon, he disposed of offices all about town, having the air
of knowing of an impending surprise. Many times he passed before

the doors of the mairie and of the church, without noticing
anything suspicious; one could have believed the two buildings

empty.
The butcher, the baker, and the apothecary re-opened their shops,

and stood gossiping on the steps. If the Emperor had been taken
prisoner, there must be a traitor somewhere. They did not feel

sure of the revenue of a new Republic.
Night came on. Toward nine o'clock, the doctor returned quietly

and alone to the mayor's residence, persuaded that his adversary
had retired. And, as he was trying to force an entrance with a

few blows of a pickaxe, the loud voice of a guard demanded
suddenly: "Who goes there?" Monsieur Massarel beat a retreat at

the top of his speed.
Another day dawned without any change in the situation. The

militia in arms occupied the square. The inhabitants stood around
awaiting the solution. People from neighboring villages came to

look on. Finally, the doctor, realizing that his reputation was
at stake, resolved to settle the thing in one way or another. He

had just decided that it must be something energetic, when the
door of the telegraph office opened and the little servant of the

directress appeared, holding in her hand two papers.
She went directly to the Commander and gave him one of the

dispatches; then, crossing the square, intimidated by so many
eyes fixed upon her, with lowered head and mincing steps, she

rapped gently at the door of the barricaded house, as if ignorant
that a part of the army was concealed there.

The door opened slightly; the hand of a man received the message,
and the girl returned, blushing and ready to weep, from being

stared at.
The doctor demanded, with stirring voice: "A little silence, if

you please." And, after the populace became quiet, he continued
proudly:

"Here is a communication which I have received from the
Government." And raising the dispatch, he read:

"Old mayor deposed. Advise us of what is most necessary,
Instructions later.

"For the Sub-Prefect,
"SAPIN, Counselor."

He had triumphed. His heart was beating with joy. His hand
trembled, when Picard, his old subaltern, cried out to him from a

neighboring group: "That's all right; but if the others in there
won't go out, your paper hasn't a leg to stand on." The doctor

grew a little pale. If they would not go out --in fact, he must
go ahead now. It was not only his right, but his duty. And he

looked anxiously at the house of the mayoralty, hoping that he
might see the door open and his adversary show himself. But the

door remained closed. What was to be done? The crowd was
increasing, surrounding the militia. Some laughed.

One thought, especially, tortured the doctor. If he should make
an assault, he must march at the head of his men; and as, with

him dead, all contest would cease, it would be at him, and at him
alone that M. de Varnetot and the three guards would aim. And

their aim was good, very good! Picard had reminded him of that.
But an idea shone in upon him, and turning to Pommel, he said:

"Go, quickly, and ask the apothecary to send me a napkin and a
pole."

The Lieutenant hurried off. The doctor was going to make a
political banner, a white one, that would perhaps, rejoice the

heart of that old legitimist, the mayor.
Pommel returned with the required linen and a broom handle. With

some pieces of string, they improvised a standard, which Massarel
seized in both hands. Again, he advanced toward the house of

mayoralty, bearing the standard before him. When in front of the
door, he called out: "Monsieur de Varnetot!"

The door opened suddenly, and M. de Varnetot and the three guards
appeared on the threshold. The doctor recoiled, instinctively.

Then, he saluted his enemy courteously, and announced, almost
strangled by emotion: "I have come, sir, to communicate to you

the instructions I have just received."
That gentleman, without any salutationwhatever, replied: "I am

going to withdraw, sir, but you must understand that it is not
because of fear, or in obedience to an odious government that has

usurped the power." And, biting off each word, he declared: "I do
not wish to have the appearance of serving the Republic for a

single day. That is all."
Massarel, amazed, made no reply; and M, de Varnetot, walking off

at a rapid pace, disappeared around the corner, followed closely
by his escort. Then the doctors slightly dismayed, returned to

the crowd. When he was near enough to be heard, he cried:
"Hurrah! Hurrah! The Republic triumphs all along the line!"

But no emotion was manifested. The doctor tried again. "The
people are free! You are free and independent! Do you understand?

Be proud of it!"
The listless villagers looked at him with eyes unlit by glory. In

his turn, he looked at them, indignant at their indifference,
seeking for some word that could make a grand impression,

electrify this placid country and make good his mission. The
inspiration come, and turning to Pommel, he said: "Lieutenant, go

and get the bust of the ex-Emperor, which is in the Council Hall,
and bring it to me with a chair."

And soon the man reappears, carrying on his right shoulder,
Napoleon III. in plaster, and holding in his left hand a

straw-bottomed chair.
Massarel met him, took the chair, placed it on the ground, put

the white image upon it, fell back a few steps and called out, in
sonorous voice: