so early an
age. Spring has no flowers for the exile, and autumn no fruits. Prince
Crucho has sound views; he respects the clergy; he practises our
religion; besides, he consumes a good deal of my little products."

"Cornemuse, in many homes, both rich and poor, his return is hoped for.
Believe me, he will come back."

"May I live to throw my mantle beneath his feet!" sighed Cornemuse.

Seeing that he held these sentiments, Agaric depicted to him the state
of people's minds such as he himself imagined them. He showed him the
nobles and the rich exasperated against the popular government; the army
refusing to endure fresh insults; the officials willing to betray their
chiefs; the people discontented, riot ready to burst forth, and the
enemies of the monks, the agents of the constituted authority, thrown
into the wells of Alca. He concluded that it was the moment to strike a
great blow.

"We can," he cried, "save the Penguin people, we can deliver it from
its tyrants, deliver it from itself, restore the Dragon's crest,
re-establish the ancient State, the good State, for the honour of the
faith and the exaltation of the Church. We can do this if we will. We
possess great wealth and we exert secret influences; by our evangelistic
and outspoken journals we communicate with all the ecclesiastics
in towns and county alike, and we inspire them with our own eager
enthusiasm and our own burning faith. They will kindle their penitents
and their congregations. I can dispose of the chiefs of the army; I have
an understanding with the men of the people. Unknown to them I sway
the minds of umbrella sellers, publicans, shopmen, gutter merchants,
newspaper boys, women of the streets, and police agents. We have more
people on our side than we need. What are we waiting for? Let us act!"

"What do you think of doing?" asked Cornemuse.

"Of forming a vast conspiracy and overthrowing the Republic, of
re-establishing Crucho on the throne of the Draconides."

Cornemuse moistened his lips with his tongue several times. Then he said
with unction:

"Certainly the restoration of the Draconides is desirable; it is
eminently desirable; and for my part, desire it with all my heart. As
for the Republic, you know what I think of it. . . . But would it not te
better to abandon it to its fate and let it die of the vices of its own
constitution? Doubtless, Agaric, what you propose is noble and generous.
It would be a fine thing to save this grea