It flashed, and produced forthwith a feeling
of joyous elation at the prospect of lively events in the near
future--of a battle between the Vatican and the Quirinal. Coming on the
top of Muhlen's murder--which was a decided improvement upon his alleged
flight--it caused the citizens to talk in excited and almost random
fashion about what was coming next. Alone, the members of the Alpha and
Omega Club, thanks to the benign influence of Parker's poison, received
the successive waves of information with composure, and preserved from
beginning to end their sense of proportion.
"Heard the news? Muhlen's bolted."
"I thought he would."
"They say he owes a good deal."
"Obviously. Else he wouldn't have bolted. Good riddance, anyhow."
"That's what I say. But he owes me a lot of whiskies, the blighter."
"You're lucky. Gone off with thirty francs of mine."
"Damn his eyes. I expect we're not the only ones."
"Not by a long chalk. Come and have a drink."
"Heard the news? Muhlen's murdered.
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