A Boy of the First Empire

n which faced the statued front of the City Hall, the boy's conductors pushed ahead without stopping, cut across into the long Street of the Temple, and as before them loomed the four gray turrets and the great central tower, Philip knew his destination to be the gloomy old Temple itself?the death-chamber of knights and kings. " Come, now, this is pleasant!" he said to himself, wondering why they should take him there. "What am I, then ? He who picks a pocket or steals a ride is surely too small game for the Temple. It is there they take traitors and assassins. And, surely, I am neither." So, wondering still, he passed through the frowning gateway of the Temple, and speedily stood within one of the "examination chambers," in which were gathered certain men, some in uniform and some in citizen's dress. Then, indeed, did Philip give a start of surprise, and fathom the reason for his forced march; for among thosegathered in the examination chamber he recognized at once "the three rascally ones " whom, in the wine-shop of Citizen Popon, he had heard conspiring against the Emperor. The boy was confronted with the men, and swore to their identity without hesitation. He could never have forgotten them. His testimony was almost unnecessary; for, so cleverly had they, with "the man from England," been entrapped upon the wharf of the Tower, that the police had a clear case against them from the start. But Philip's evidence was the connecting link, and the would-b...