Page:The Rise and Fall on the Paris Commune in 1871.djvu/460

 side lay a cane which he had carried for ten years, and which first led to his recognition.

After the discovery of his body he was immediately searched. He had with him his nomination as Delegate of War, his passport as member of the Commune, and letters from La Cecilia, Lisbonne, and other chiefs of the band.

Among the remaining papers there were several both mysterious and interesting:

", May 16,1871, (Tuesday, 7 ).

":—A citoyenne who is entirely devoted to you, has a most serious communication to make you; only as she wishes to make it to you alone, she begs you to keep absolutely secret the reception of these few lines, and also to find yourself to-morrow (Wednesday, 17th) in the Rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, at No. 48, under the entrance to the Ventadour Baths. You must appear to be strolling, and no one will pay you any attention; be there at four o'clock; you may have to wait five or six minutes at the most. A carriage will stop before you, and you must enter.

"Be without fear; the person who wishes to speak to you will be alone. Put a flower of some kind in your left button-hole, so that the coachman may distinguish you at once.

"Above all, discretion. Not a word of this to those surrounding you.

"Yours with all my heart,

"

"P. S.—Burn this."

The second letter is still more interesting, and shows with what confidence these people inspired each other:

":—A vast conspiracy is being