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〃Gentlemen；〃 said he； 〃you and I have not； in most respects； the same political and social views； but there are points in which we may come to an understanding。 We have a common enemy。 The government exploits you and despises us。 Help us to overthrow it； we will supply you with the means so far as we are able； and you can in addition count on our gratitude。〃
〃Fork out the tin；〃 said Dagobert。
The Reverend Father placed on the table a bag which the distiller of Conils had given him with tears in his eyes。
〃Done！〃 said the three companions。
Thus was the solemn compact sealed。
As soon as the monk had departed； carrying with him the joy of having won over the masses to his cause； Dagobert； Tronc； and Balafille whistled to their wives； Amelia； Queenie； and Matilda； who were waiting in the street for the signal； and all six holding each other's hands； danced around the bag； singing：
J'ai du bon pognon； Tu n'l'auras pas Chatillon！ Hou！ Hou！ la calotte！
And they ordered a salad…bowl full of warm wine。
In the evening all six went through the street from stall to stall singing their new song。 The song became popular； for the detectives reported that every day showed an increase of the number of workpeople who sang through the slums：
J'ai du bon pognon； Tu n'l'auras pas Chatillon！ Hou！ Hou！ la calotte！
The Dracophil agitation made no progress in the provinces。 The pious Agaric sought to find the cause of this； but was unable to discover it until old Cornemuse revealed it to him。
〃I have proofs；〃 sighed the monk of Conils； 〃that the Duke of Ampoule； the treasurer of the Dracophils； has brought property in Porpoisia with the funds that he received for the propaganda。〃
The party wanted money。 Prince des Boscenos had lost his portfolio in a brawl and he was reduced to painful expedients which were repugnant to his impetuous character。 The Viscountess Olive was expensive。 Cornemuse advised that the monthly allowance of that lady should be diminished。
〃She is very useful to us；〃 objected the pious Agaric。
〃Undoubtedly；〃 answered Cornemuse； 〃but she does us an injury by ruining us。〃
A schism divided the Dracophils。 Misunderstandings reigned in their councils。 Some wished that in accordance with the policy of M。 Bigourd and the pious Agaric； they should carry on the design of reforming the Republic。 Others； wearied by their long constraint； had resolved to proclaim the Dragon's crest and swore to conquer beneath that sign。
The latter urged the advantage of a clear situation and the impossibility of making a pretence much longer； and in truth； the public began to see whither the agitation was tending and that the Emiral's partisans wanted to destroy the very foundations of the Republic。
A report was spread that the prince was to land at La Cirque and make his entry into Alca on a green horse。
These rumours excited the fanatical monks； delighted the poor nobles； satisfied the rich Jewish ladies； and put hope in the hearts of the small traders。 But very few of them were inclined to purchase these benefits at the price of a social catastrophe and the overthrow of the public credit； and there were fewer still who would have risked their money； their peace； their liberty； or a single hour from their pleasures in the business。 On the other hand； the workmen held themselves ready； as ever； to give a day's work to the Republic； and a strong resistance was being formed in the suburbs。
〃The people are with us；〃 the pious Agaric used to say。
However； men； women； and children； when leaving their factories； used to shout with one voice：
A bas Chatillon！ Hou！ Hou！ la calotte！
As for the government； it showed the weakness； indecision； flabbiness； and heedlessness common to all governments； and from which none has ever departed without falling into arbitrariness and violence。 In three words it knew nothing； wanted nothing； and would do nothing。 Formose； shut in his presidential palace； remained blind； dumb； deaf； huge； invisible； wrapped up in his pride as in an eider…down。
Count Olive advised the Dracophils to make a last appeal for funds and to attempt a great stroke while Alca was still in a ferment。
An executive committee； which he himself had chosen； decided to kidnap the members of the Chamber of Deputies； and considered ways and means。
The affair was fixed for the twenty…eighth of July。 On that day the sun rose radiantly over the city。 In front of the legislative palace women passed to market with their baskets； hawkers cried their peaches； pears； and grapes； cab horses with their noses in their bags munched their hay。 Nobody expected anything； not because the secret had been kept but because it met with nothing but unbelievers。 Nobody believed in a revolution； and from this fact we may conclude that nobody desired one。 About two o'clock the deputies began to pass； few and unnoticed； through the side…door of the palace。 At three o'clock a few groups of badly dressed men had formed。 At half past three black masses coming from the adjacent streets spread over Revolution Square。 This vast expanse was soon covered by an ocean of soft hats； and the crowd of demonstrators； continually increased by sight…seers； having crossed the bridge； struck its dark wave against the walls of the legislative enclosure。 Cries； murmurs； and songs went up to the impassive sky。 〃It is Chatillon we want！〃 〃Down with the Deputies！〃 〃Down with the Republicans！〃 〃Death to the Republicans！〃 The devoted band of Dracophils； led by Prince des Boscenos； struck up the august canticle：
Vive Crucho； Vaillant et sage； Plein de courage Des le berceau！
Behind the wall silence alone replied。
This silence and the absence of guards encouraged and at the same time frightened the crowd。 Suddenly a formidable voice cried out：
〃Attack！〃
And Prince des Boscenos was seen raising his gigantic form to the top of the wall； which was covered with barbs and iron spikes。 Behind him rushed his companions； and the people followed。 Some hammered against the wall to make holes in it； others endeavoured to tear down the spikes and to pull out the barbs。 These defences had given way in places and some of the invaders had stripped the wall and were sitting astride on the top。 Prince des Boscenos was waving an immense green flag。 Suddenly the crowd wavered and from it came a long cry of terror。 The police and the Republican carabineers issuing out of all the entrances of the palace formed themselves into a column beneath the wall and in a moment it was cleared of its besiegers。 After a long moment of suspense the noise of arms was heard； and the police charged the crowd with fixed bayonets。 An instant afterwards and on the deserted square strewn with hats and walking…sticks there reigned a sinister silence。 Twice again the Dracophils attempted to form； twice they were repulsed。 The rising was conquered。 But Prince des Boscenos； standing on the wall of the hostile palace； his flag in his hand； still repelled the attack of a whole brigade。 He knocked down all who approached him。 At last he； too； was thrown down； and fell on an iron spike； to which he remained hooked； sti