Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/402



"'Oh! permit me,' I replied, coolly. 'If I entered here it was because I found neither servant nor usher. I am perfectly well acquainted with the usages of the Palace. I am an advocate and staffman of the order.'

"This reply instantly changed the situation.

"'What do you wish, citizen?'

"'To speak to the Procurator of the Commune.'

"'He is before you.'

"And excusing himself to his colleagues, the fierce Procurator made me pass before him, and enter his cabinet. He then seated himself, and said—

"'I beg your pardon, citizen, for having received you in this manner, but every day I am disturbed for the most absolutely useless objects. Would you believe it, there are people who come here to ask for passports?'

"I told him the object of my visit. He made not the slightest objection, and immediately began to write the permit I requested. While he wrote, I asked—

"'Do you think that these affairs will soon be brought before a jury? I have been told that the trials would take place on Monday.'

"'Oh, no! I will bring them on later. I do not wish them to be judged at present. Since we are alone, I will tell you that we have commenced negotiations with the Versaillese for an exchange of prisoners, and I hope that we shall succeed.'

"'But,' said I, 'this negotiation was attempted some time ago, and failed.'

"'Yes, because it was badly conducted; but we are now upon another ground.'

"'So much the better; it would be the solution most to be desired.'

"Profiting by the familiarity with which this high functionary seemed inclined to treat me, I added—

"'How many priests have you arrested?'