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"There are many people who 'think' all their lives and 'do' nothing!" said Axel Regor languidly. "True, my friend! But their thought may lead, while, they themselves remain passive," joined in Pasquin Leroy sotto-voce; "It is not at all impossible that if Lotys bade these five thousand here assembled burn down the citadel, it would be done before daybreak!"
Max Graub and Axel Regor sprang up with a kind of smothered cry, but Leroy stood immovable. Instead of returning to his seat as the others had done, he remained standing on the platform in front of the Committee table, between Lotys and Sergius Thord. A strange smile rested on his lips, his attitude was inexplicable.
Every man 'rushed' for the platform and Max Graub and Axel Regor, taking swift and conscious possession of their true personalities as Professor von Glauben and Sir Roger de Launay, fought silently and determinedly to keep back the crowding hands that threatened instant violence to the person of their Royal master.
As he said this, Lotys leaned forward impulsively and stretched out her hand, a beautiful hand, well-shaped and white as a white rose petal. "I like you for that!" she said "It is the natural attitude of a brave man!" A slight colour warmed his bronzed skin as he took her hand, pressed it gently, and let it go again. Axel Regor looked up defiantly.
"When you please," replied Axel Regor irritably, "The sooner the better for me! Here we are probably watched, we had best go down to the quay, and from thence " He did not finish his sentence, but Graub evidently understood its conclusion and they walked quickly away together in quite an opposite direction to that in which Leroy had gone.
Max Graub, or, to give him his right name, Heinrich von Glauben, has a high reputation in this country for his learning, apart from his position as Household Physician to our Court; Axel Regor is my very good friend Sir Roger de Launay, who is amiable enough to support the monotony of his duty as one of my equerries in waiting. Now you know us as we are!
"By favours bestowed, or favours to come?" queried Thord, smiling, "However, without any argument, Axel Regor, I am inclined to think you are right!" "Then a weapon is permissible here?" asked Graub. "Not only permissible, but necessary," replied Thord. "As members of this Brotherhood we live always prepared for some disaster, always on our guard against treachery.
"True! my genius is of an absorbing quality! Silence, gentlemen! Silence for our new comrade! 'Pasquin' stands for the beginning of a jest so we may hope he will be amusing, 'Leroy' stands for the king, and so we may expect him to be non-political!" As Leroy rose to speak, there was a little commotion. Max Graub upset his glass, and seemed to be having a struggle under the table with Axel Regor.
"You are acting on compulsion!" said Lotys, addressing him in a low tone; "Your compliance is in obedience to some other command than ours! And you will do well to remain obedient!" Axel Regor gave her an amazed glance, but she paid no heed to it, and binding her arm with her kerchief, let her long white sleeve fall over it.
He was followed by his comrades, Max Graub and Axel Regor, and Thord felt a warm glow of contentment in the consciousness that these lately enrolled members of the Revolutionary Committee were so far faithful to their bond.
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