The enemies of the Republic were triumphant.
On the eighteenth of September the news ran in Alca that Chatillon had taken flight.

Everywhere there was surprise and astonishment.

People doubted, for they could not understand.
This is what had happened: One day as the brave Under-Emiral Vulcanmould happened, as if by chance, to go into the office of M.Barbotan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he remarked with his usual frankness: "M.

Barbotan, your colleagues do not seem to me to be up to much; it is evident that they have never commanded a ship.

That fool Chatillon gives them a deuced bad fit of the shivers." The Minister, in sign of denial, waved his paper-knife in the air above his desk.
"Don't deny it," answered Vulcanmould.