. ."
At the last words the loud report of a pistol sounded through the
building . . . there was a puff of smoke, a gleam of flame, and a bullet
whizzed straight at the head of the preacher! The congregation rose,
en masse, uttering exclamations of terror,--but before anyone could
know exactly what had happened the smoke cleared, and the Abbe
Vergniaud was seen leaning against the steps of the pulpit, pale but
uninjured, and in front of him stood the boy Manuel with arms
outstretched, and a smile on his face. The bullet had split the
pulpit immediately above him. An excited group assembled round them
immediately, and the Abbe was the first to speak.
"I am not hurt!--" he said quickly--"See to the boy! He sprang in
front of me and saved my life."
But Manuel was equally unhurt, and waived aside all enquiries and
compliments. And while eager questions were poured out and answered,
a couple of gendarmes were seen struggling in the centre of the
church with a man who seemed to have the power of a demon, so fierce
and frantic were his efforts to escape.
"Ah, voila! The assassin!" cried Miraudin, hastening to give
assistance.
"The assassin!" echoed a dozen other persons pressing in the same
direction.
Pages:
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311