.. The Order has
been given.... There are celebrations among the banditti.... there are
moistened eyes among many peasants; there are strong men and gallant
men among the gang out yonder whose very looks betray the HATRED they
entertain for the suspected _executioner_ of their former ruler and
his excited family.... They fear, they try to avoid me; and I can
see in their looks that, given a favorable opportunity, they _will
hang me to the highest electric wire pole_ in the city!...
"I am not so certain, though, that EVERYONE outside will accept my
theatric 'slaughter' as the Gospel truth.
"Diagonally across the way there has been a Red Cross nurse eternally
peeking through her window in this direction.... If we go out into the
courtyard she can see us plainly behind the other buildings, for there
is nothing to obstruct her vision.... and she seems mighty anxious to
keep tab on all proceedings in the yard.... I have tried to figure
out a resemblance between this nurse and the capricious Metropole
Baroness, but the nurse _seems_ much older.... Perhaps she is
disguised.... If she ever reveals her identity she will remember me as
the man who tipped _my_ cap to her after posting the two sentries
in front of the palisade between the telephone poles and the British
Consulate.... If she remembers me she will also recall the drillings
I gave my awkward squad for the few days I kept them parading after my
prisoners in the yard.
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