Nor, listening, could he hear the sinister voices of men and boys
calling extra editions of the papers. There seemed to be no need for
the raising of hoarse and threatening voices in the soundless capital.
Men and youths of all ages traversed the avenues and streets with
sheafs of fresh, damp newspapers over their ragged arms, but it was
the populace who crowded after and importuned them, not they the
people; and no sooner did a paper-seller appear than he was stripped
of his wares and was counting his coppers under the trees before
hurrying away for a fresh supply.
Neeland dressed himself in sections, always returning to the window to
look out; and in this manner he achieved his toilet.
Marotte, the old butler, was on the floor below, carrying a tea tray
into the wide, sunny sitting-room as Neeland descended.
"I overslept," explained the young American, "and I'm nearly starved.
Is Mademoiselle Carew having tea?"
"Mademoiselle requested tea for two, sir, in case you should awake,"
said the old man solemnly.
Neeland watched him fussing about with cloth and table and silver.
"Have you any news?" he asked after a moment.
"Very little, Monsieur Neeland. The police have ordered all Germans
into detention camps--men, women, and children. It is said that there
are to be twelve great camps for these unfortunates who are to
assemble in the Lycée Condorcet for immediate transportation."
Neeland thought of Ilse Dumont. Presently he asked whether any message
had been received from the Princess Mistchenka.
"Madame the Princess telephoned from Havre at four o'clock this
afternoon. Mademoiselle Carew has the message."
Neeland, reassured, nodded: "No other news, Marotte?"
"The military have taken our automobiles from the garage, and have
requisitioned the car which Madame la Princess is now using, ordering
us to place it at their disposal as soon as it returns from Havre.
Also, Monsieur le Capitaine Sengoun has telephoned from the Russian
Embassy, but Mademoiselle Carew would not permit Monsieur to be
awakened."
"What did Captain Sengoun say?"
"Mademoiselle Carew received the message."
"And did anyone else call me up?" asked Neeland, smiling.
"Il y avait une fe--une espèce de dame," replied the old man
doubtfully, "--who named herself Fifi la Tzigane. I permitted myself
to observe to her," added the butler with dignity, "that she had the
liberty of writing to you what she thought necessary to communicate."
He had arranged the tea-table. Now he retired, but returned almost
immediately to decorate the table with Cloth of Gold roses.