These were the words which met my eyes:--
'Fellow-citizens of France. The deed of to-day has proved that, even in
the midst of his troops, a tyrant is unable to escape the vengeance of
an outraged people. The committee of three, acting temporarily for the
Republic, has awarded to Buonaparte the same fate which has already
befallen Louis Capet. In avenging the outrage of the 18th Brumaire--'
So far I had got when my heart sprang suddenly into my mouth and the
paper fluttered down from my fingers. A grip of iron had closed
suddenly round each of my ankles, and there in the light of the fire I
saw two hands which, even in that terrified glance, I perceived to be
covered with black hair and of an enormous size.
'So, my friend,' cried a thundering voice, 'this time, at least, we have
been too many for you.'
CHAPTER IV
MEN OF THE NIGHT
I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating
position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as
if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the
room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the
breath from my body.
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