PREFACE
Reading edition
As far as the writer knows, no treasure-trains were actually sent to the port of Lorient from the arsenal at Brest. The treasures remained at Brest.
Concerning the German armored cruiser Augusta, the following are the facts: About the middle of December she forced the blockade at Wilhelmshafen and ran for Ireland, where, owing to the complaisance of the British authorities, she was permitted to coal.
From there she steamed towards Brest, capturing a French merchant craft off that port, another near Rochefort, and finally a third. That ended her active career during the war; a French frigate chased her into the port of Vigo and kept her there.
To conclude, certain localities and certain characters have been sufficiently disguised to render recognition improbable. This is proper because “The Lizard” is possibly alive to-day, as are also the mayor of Paradise, Sylvia Elven, Jacqueline, and Speed, the latter having barely escaped death in the Virginius expedition. The original of Buckhurst now lives in New York, and remains a type whose rarity is its only recommendation.
Those who believe they recognize the Countess de Vassart are doubtless in error. Mornac, long dead, is safe in his disguise; Tric-Trac was executed on the Place de la Roquette, and celebrated in doggerel by an unspeakable ballad writer. There remains Scarlett; dead or alive, I wish him well.
Robert W. Chambers.
Ormond, Florida, Feb. 7, 1902.
CONTENTS
I. At the Telegraph 3
II. The Government Interferes 21
III. La Trappe 34
IV. Prisoners 50
V. The Immortals 65
VI. The Game Begins 87
VII. A Struggle Foreshadowed 110
VIII. A Man to Let 136
IX. The Road to Paradise 159
X. The Town-Crier 171
XI. In Camp 180
XII. Jacqueline 195
XIII. Friends 207
XIV. The Path of the Lizard 229
XV. Forewarned 253
XVI. A Restless Man 265
XVII. The Circus 280
XVIII. A Guest-Chamber 303
XIX. Trécourt Garden 318
XX. The Semaphore 339
XXI. Like Her Ancestors 353
XXII. The Secret 381
ILLUSTRATIONS
“‘LOOK THERE!' SHE CRIED, IN TERROR” Frontispiece
“‘ACROSS THAT MEADOW,' SAID THE YOUNG GIRL” Facing p. 22
“TO RIGHT AND LEFT, PRUSSIAN LANCERS WERE RIDING” Facing p. 62
“A COMPANY OF TURCOS CAME UP” Facing p. 74
“‘HALT! HALT!' HE SHOUTED” Facing p. 84
“EVERY BRIDGE WAS GUARDED” Facing p. 124
“SISTERS OF CHARITY WERE GIVING FIRST AID” Facing p. 132
“I WAS ON MY KNEES” Facing p. 298