by L. Mühlbach
CHAPTER XL.
THE CONSPIRATORS.
While the illumination, with which the good people of the French cityhad celebrated the arrival of the two emperors, was in full blaze on theprincipal thoroughfares, only a single dim light was to be seen in asmall building situated on the corner of one of the more quiet streets.The other windows of this house were dark, and all was silent as thoughno living beings were dwelling in it. From time to time, aclosely-veiled man appeared in the neighborhood, and, after glancing atthe light in the upper window, uttered a strange cry. A second lightwas soon moving to and fro, and disappearing again. The man approachedand knocked repeatedly at the door, which opened and admitted him.Twelve men had entered. The light was extinguished; the door bolted onthe inside, and profound silence reigned in the building.
The French police had devoted their whole attention to the principalstreets of the city, and to the vast crowds that followed the emperors,who, accompanied by kings and princes, proceeded to admire theillumination. There were no eyes for this small, dark house in anobscure alley--no ears to listen to what was going on within. The twelvemen who had entered in so mysterious a manner, had assembled in a largeback room. They had whispered the password into the ear of thedoor-keeper, and were at once admitted.
The windows of this room were covered with heavy black curtains, whichprevented sound, as well as light, from penetrating to the outside.Thirteen candlesticks were fixed at equal distances in the plain whitewalls. The man who had entered first approached the first candlestickand lighted the two tapers. He who came next did the same with the nextcandlestick, and the others followed their example. At this moment thetapers on twelve candlesticks wore burning; and only the thirteenth,which contained six tapers, had not yet been lighted. Around the longtable standing in the middle of the room, twelve grave and silent menwere sitting on cane-chairs, the high backs of which were carved in apeculiar, old-fashioned style; these men were closely wrapped in blackcloaks, the capes of which concealed their heads, and their faces werecovered with black half-masks, which they had put on immediately afterentering the house. At the upper end of the table stood a blackeasy-chair, which was alone unoccupied. The flashing eyes peering fromthe capes were directed to this chair; no word was spoken; a breath wasalmost audible in the motionless assembly. Suddenly a narrow, secretdoor opened in the opposite wall, and a tall man, dressed and veiledlike the others, made his appearance.
The assembly remained as before, and seemed to take no notice of thenew-comer. The latter quickly walked to the thirteenth candlestick, andlighted its tapers. The others immediately rose from their seats andbowed deeply. "The president!" they murmured. "We greet him who hascalled us--we greet the president!" He nodded, and then went to theupper end of the table. Before sitting down, he opened a little theblack cloak enveloping his whole form, and the others beheld a heavysilver chain adorning his breast, and to which was fastened a locket,decorated with diamonds. In the middle of it a skull was to be seen, andunder it the inscription of "Liberty or Death!" As soon as the restbeheld this, they also opened their cloaks. Each of them wore a similarchain, locket, and inscription.
"Resume your seats, brethren," said the president, sitting down in theeasy-chair. He then said in a loud, solemn voice, "The hour has come forus to act. Germany has called us, and, as obedient sons, we come!Germany, our beloved mother, is here in our midst, although we do notsee her. She stands with veiled head and tearful eyes before herchildren, and asks us to give her an account of what we have done andaccomplished. Brethren, are we ready?"
"We are!" all exclaimed, simultaneously.
"When we parted three months ago, my brethren," added the president, "weresolved to meet here to-day. I see that all have remained faithful totheir oath. Not one is absent. No taper is unlit--the seats areoccupied. Germania, that knows who are hers, and how to call them bytheir names, although they veil their heads,--Germania thanks you foryour fidelity. She awaits our report. Let us speak! He who arrived firstwill commence."
One at the lower end of the table rose and bowed respectfully. "Iarrived first," he said.
"You have the floor, then, my brother," said the president.
"Make your report. Where have you been? What connections did youestablish? What hopes do you bring?"
"I was in Northern Germany," he replied; "for that was the order which Idrew from the urn when we met here three months ago. In the envelopewhich I received, I found a paper containing the words: 'Ferdinand vonSchill at Kolberg.' The first lines of a song were affixed to thisaddress. I repaired immediately to Kolberg, and found Major von Schillengaged in equipping and drilling the second regiment of Brandenburghussars, of which the king has appointed him commander. The regimentconsists of the four brave companies of cavalry with which Lieutenantvon Schill undertook his bold and successful raids."
"And did you deliver your credentials to the major, my brother?"
"I did. He received me with a joyful salutation, and sends his greetingand fraternal kiss to the 'patriots.' He said to me: 'We pursue withzeal and courage the purpose which we have sworn to accomplish. Go tothe brethren--tell them that they may count on me and my men, and onthe people, who are gradually being inspired with the true spirit, andwho will rise when the alarm is sounded. When the time comes, the wholeof Germany will rise to a man, break her chains, and expel the tyrant.Let us prepare for this hour, in the North and South, in the East andWest, that the whole country may be armed at the first battle-cry offreedom! Let us work and toil, keeping each other well informed of ourprogress. We must all act on one and the same day!'"
"Did you hear the words and greetings of brave Schill, brethren?" askedthe president.
"We heard, and engraved them on our heart."
"It is now the turn of the brother who arrived next," said thepresident. "Make your report."
"Soul-stirring hopes! and I wish you joy of our prospects," said he whohad now risen. "At our last meeting I drew from the urn the order to goto Berlin and Koenigsberg. I was there! Oh, brethren, the days of freedomare near! In Berlin, I was introduced by one of our friends to a circleof patriots, who, like us, have formed a secret society for the purposeof promoting the welfare of the fatherland, and of ushering in the dayof freedom. Those patriots are in communication with men sharing theirsentiments throughout the whole of Northern Germany; committees areorganized everywhere to instruct the people, to disseminate patrioticviews, and to gain adherents to the great league of the defenders of thefatherland. Secret depots of arms are being established in every city.The central committee, sitting in Berlin, have taken upon themselves thetask of watching the French troops, their numbers, location, andstrength; of ascertaining the disposition of the people in theprovinces, and of transmitting the results of their observations to thebranches of their league, as well as to the other patriotic societies.Henceforth we shall also receive those reports, if one of our brethrenwill call for them in Berlin.
"Thence, well provided with recommendations by the committee, I repairedto Koenigsberg. From what I saw there I derived much consolation and hopefor the future of the country. The spirit of freedom is fermenting, andhigh-minded men have erected at Koenigsberg an altar on which they intendto kindle the sacred fire, that it may melt our chains. The name of thisaltar is the 'Tugendbund.'[39] Noble and illustrious men are at the headof this league; a prince is its president; Stein, the great minister, isits protector; brave General Bluecher, Gneisenau, the distinguishedofficer--in short, the most eminent and popular men of Prussia aremembers. King Frederick William has approved its by-laws; Queen Louisais enthusiastically in favor of its patriotic efforts. It does notintend to enter upon a violent struggle, but will prepare the people byits words and example for better days. It intends to increase the moralenergy of the nation, that it may also rise in its physical strength,and be able to cope with the invaders. This league, my brethren,purposes to propagate patriotism, courage, attachment to the sovereignand the constitution, love of virtue, art, science, and l
iterature. Itintends to cultivate the minds and hearts of the people, that they mayshrink from no sacrifice for the welfare of the country. My brethren,the 'Tugendbund' is the head and heart of us all; we shall one day beits arm and sword, and translate its teachings into heroic deeds. Itsends its greetings to the brethren, admonishing us never to ceaseworking and toiling, and to maintain a close connection with it, as wellas with all our friends, until the great day of deliverance dawns uponus. But I do not bring greetings from that league alone. I have seenalso the 'Knights of Louisa,'[40] and received their fraternal kiss.Brave Major von Nostitz, formerly an intimate friend and adjutant ofPrince Louis Ferdinand, is their president, and the noble queen haspermitted them the use of her name as a token of her sympathy. As afurther expression of her approval, she has presented the president witha silver chain, and all the members of the order wear, as their regalia,a silver chain and a locket with the queen's portrait. The 'Tugendbund'and the 'Knights of Louisa' send greetings to the brethren, and willunite with them in struggling for the same holy cause. They await ourmessengers, and will inform us of every thing that is done by them, aswell as receive information from us concerning our own efforts."
[Footnote 39: The celebrated "League of Virtue."] [Footnote 40: DieLouisenritter.]
"Your report is highly gratifying," said the president, after a pause."Deliverance will soon come, and true Germans will be prepared for it.We will now listen to the third brother."
"I was in Westphalia, and bring cheering tidings to the patrioticbrethren," said the third brother. "The chains are still clanking inunfortunate Westphalia, but the men are as undaunted as ever. NobleChevalier von Doernberg sends his greeting. He admonishes us to toil, andto be prepared. We shall have ready our swords and our strong arms.Thousands of noble and faithful Hessians belong to this league. Thehonest minds of the people cannot see what right the Corsican emperorhad to expel their legitimate ruler, and to place an Italian clown onhis throne. Intense indignation at the foreign yoke is prevailingthroughout Hessia and Westphalia, and every patriot rallies aroundDoernberg waiting for the signal to expel the oppressor. United with us,Doernberg sends his messengers and receives ours."
"Let the fourth brother make his report," said the president.
"I come from Bavaria, and bring greetings from the society of'Concordists,' founded by Chevalier von Lang. This society is strainingevery nerve to bring about the liberation of the country; it is, likeour league, preparing the people for their freedom. It is ready to enterinto relationship with us."
"And what brings the fifth of the brethren?"
"I bring fraternal kisses from the Rhine, where Jahn, the bold German,is organizing the legion of the 'Black Knights.' I bring also greetingsfrom the chivalrous Duke of Brunswick. The 'Corps of Vengeance,' withskulls on their black helmets, are rallying around the prince, who, withfiery zeal, is preparing for the day when he will avenge the despair anddeath of his father. The 'Black Knights' and the 'Corps of Vengeance'send us greetings, and are ready to toil with us for the deliverance ofour country, and the overthrow of the tyrant."
The president requested the sixth brother to take the floor, and he toostated that he had established connections with leagues having the samecommon object. The other six made similar statements. Everywhere inGermany they had found patriots, the same hatred of a foreign yoke, andthe most ardent longing for freedom.
When the twelfth brother had concluded his report, the president arose."Brethren," he said, encouragingly, "our night begins to brighten--theday is breaking. Let us, therefore, be vigilant, active, and undaunted.Gather around you the circles of the faithful; initiate and arm them;teach them to be ready for the battle-cry, that they may rise and fight,all for one, and one for all. Set out again on your travels; establishnew societies, and join, in a genuine spirit of brotherly love, such asare already in operation. Work for the honor and liberty of Germany.Thousands already belong to us, and you will still enlist thousandsmore; that, when the trumpet sounds, the brethren may reenforce the armyof German liberty, not with a battalion, but with legions of warriors.We have come hither to-day from all parts of Germany; we know not eachother's names, nor have we ever seen each other's faces; yet no one hasproved recreant. Go, then, again into the world, and pursue your sacredmission. Three months hence we will again meet at this house at the samehour, and confer as to what ought to be done. Bring the urn, and drawyour duties for the next three months."
The man who had last arrived rose and walked to the opposite wall, atwhich the president pointed, as he said, "Press the golden button whichyou see fixed in the wall."
The conspirator obeyed, and immediately a small door opened, revealing ablack urn, which he handed to the president, who said, "Come hither,brethren, and draw your lots."
The twelve men rose successively and stepped to the urn, from which eachdrew a small folded paper, and, approaching the light, immediatelylearned his mission by opening the lot; as soon as he had read itscontents, he burned it, extinguished his tapers, and withdrew, withoutword, glance, or gesture. Nine had already left. Only four candlesticksremained lighted--three of the conspirators, besides the president, werestill in the room. Each of these three men stood near the burningtapers, and looked in grave silence at the open paper in his hand.
"Why are you here still, brethren?" asked the president.
"My order says that I am to remain here," answered the man to whom thepresident addressed himself.
"My order says the same," exclaimed the second brother.
"Mine is the same," said the third.
"Come hither and listen to me, brethren," commanded the president. "Whatis the motto of our league?"
"'Liberty or death!'" exclaimed the three men, simultaneously. "Ourfortunes, our lives, our blood, for Germany! If need be, death for theattainment of liberty, whether it be on the field of battle, in adungeon, or on the scaffold!"
"Or on the scaffold!" echoed the president. "Do you remember, brethren,that, when we met for the first time, I told you Germany might stand inneed of a Mutius Scaevola, and require him to assassinate Porsenna? Doyou remember that we all swore, if the day should come to imitate thatancient patriot?"
"We do."
"That day has come," said the president, solemnly. "Germany requires aMutius Scaevola, to kill Porsenna, and, if he should miss him, to sufferas stoically as the Roman youth. Enough German blood has been shed.Thousands of our brethren would still have to die, if we meet the tyrantin open combat. We must do this, if we cannot get rid of him in anyother way. But before resorting to it, before permitting Germany to beagain devastated by revolution and war, we will try another way, thecourse pursued by the Roman. When the tyrant is dead, Germany will befree and happy, and the exultation of his countrymen will console theconscience of him whom the world will call an assassin."
"That is true," said the three conspirators.
"Yes," responded the president. "There are four of us here. Two shallavenge Germany. It is necessary that two should undertake the task, forif one should be unsuccessful, the other may not."
"But there are only three of us here," said one of the disguised men.
"No," replied the president, "there are four; I am the fourth. You mustnot prevent me from participating in a deed requiring intrepid courage,and which cannot but involve incalculable dangers. I insist on takingpart in it."
"But the league stands in need of your services. What would become of usif you should draw the lot, and, in carrying out the plan, fail and bearrested?"
"In that case, brethren, you will announce on the day of the nextmeeting, when the chair remains unoccupied, that the president has diedin the cause, and you will elect another chief. But, a truce to furtherobjections! Let us draw lots. Here are two white and two black ballswhich I put into the urn. Those who draw the black balls will leavetogether, and jointly concert a plan for the death of the tyrant. Theblow must be struck in the course of a week, while he is still in thiscity."
"It must be," echoed t
he three, in solemn tones.
"But let us swear not to attempt any life but his--that no innocentblood be shed--that the dagger or the pistol be aimed at him alone. Letus swear not to undertake any thing that might endanger others!"
"We do so swear, for to destroy any but the tyrant would be murder. Nowlet us extinguish all the lights save one, and simultaneously draw aball from the urn."
"Lift up your hands and let us see the balls!" said the president. Therewas a white ball in his own hand. "It was not God's will. He did notchoose me," he said, with a sigh.
"He has chosen us," said the two who held black balls. They grasped eachother's hands, and their eyes seemed to read each other's thoughts. Hewho had drawn the other white ball inclined his head and left the room.
"We go together; our ways do not separate," said the two who had drawnthe black balls, and walked arm in arm toward the door.
The president gazed after them until they had disappeared. Extinguishingthe last taper, he groped cautiously along until he reached the door,and stepping out into a corridor, hastened across it to the landing of astaircase, at the foot of which a small dim lamp was burning. Beforedescending, he took off the mask that had covered his face, and thecloak in which he had been wrapped, and, rolling them into a bundle, heconcealed it in a drawer fixed under the first step of the staircase,and which was visible only to initiated eyes. In the flickering light ofthe lamp the beholder might have discerned his tall, slender form, andyouthful countenance, whose manly expression contrasted with his longgolden hair. He hastened down-stairs, and crossed the hall into thestreet. The noise had ceased, and nearly all the lights had burnt out.As he turned a corner rapidly, he was attracted by a transparency. Theinscription, in large letters on a crimson ground, read: "_Gaeb's jetztnoch einen Goettersohn, so waere es Napoleon_!"[41]
[Footnote 41: "If there were now a son of the gods, he would beNapoleon."]
A flash of anger burst from the youth's eyes, and he raised his clinchedfist menacingly. "You miserable dogs," he said, in a low voice, "whenthe true Germans come, you will hide yourselves in the dust!" He walkedrapidly until he reached a small house at the lower end of the street,and softly entering, glided across the hall, cautiously ascended thestaircase, halted in front of a door up-stairs, and gently rapped. Itopened immediately, and a young woman of surpassing beauty appeared onthe threshold. "Oh, Frederick, is it really you?" she whispered,embracing him. "You are mine again, beloved Frederick! You did not drawthe fatal lot! Heaven refused the sacrifice which you were ready tomake."
"It is so, Anna," said the young man. "But why do you weep, dearest? Youwere formerly so courageous, and approved my determination to engage inthat desperate enterprise!"
She clasped her hands, lifting her large black eyes to heaven. "Abrahamwas ready to sacrifice his son," she said, "but when his offering wasnot accepted, he was thankful. Thus I also thank and praise God at thismoment!"
"Yes," said the young man, gloomily, "He rejected my offering, and forthe present I am free. I come to take leave of you, beloved Anna; I mustdepart this very night."
"You are going to leave me!" she exclaimed in dismay. "Ah, you havedeceived me, then--you have drawn the fatal lot! You come to bid mefarewell, because you are to perpetrate the terrible deed!"
"No, Anna. I swear to you by our love I am free! I did not draw the lot.But I must go to Leipsic. My mission here has been accomplished, and Imust be about my business. The president of the patriotic brethren mustdescend from his exalted position, and once more become a poorinsignificant merchant. But I know, and predict it, Anna, there will bea day when Germany will choose me to deliver her from the tyrant. Apresentiment tells me that the two who have drawn the black balls to-daywill not succeed. Their hands trembled when they held up the balls, andI saw that they started when they perceived them to be black. Yes, theywill fail; but I shall not! It is reserved for me; a shout of joy willresound throughout the country, and the people will exclaim, 'We aredelivered from the tyrant; Germany is free, and the name of ourdeliverer is Frederick Staps!'"
