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ng for the struggle with the anxiety of a punctilious business man wishing to cancel a former debt as soon as possible。
In the streets of Paris he met many groups of fugitives。 They were from the North and East of France； and had escaped before the German advance。 Of all the tales told by this despondent crowdnot knowing where to go and dependent upon the charity of the peoplehe was most impressed with those dealing with the disregard of property。 Shootings and assassinations made him clench his fists； with threats of vengeance； but the robberies authorized by the heads； the wholesale sackings by superior order； followed by fire； appeared to him so unheard…of that he was silent with stupefaction； his speech seeming to be temporarily paralyzed。 And a people with laws could wage war in this fashion； like a tribe of Indians going to combat in order to rob！ 。 。 。 His adoration of property rights made him beside himself with wrath at these sacrileges。
He began to worry about his castle at Villeblanche。 All that he owned in Paris suddenly seemed to him of slight importance to what he had in his historic mansion。 His best paintings were there； adorning the gloomy salons； there； too； the furnishings captured from the antiquarians after an auctioneering battle； and the crystal cabinets； the tapestries； the silver services。
He mentally reviewed all of these objects； not letting a single one escape his inventory。 Things that he had forgotten came surging up in his memory； and the fear of losing them seemed to give them greater lustre； increasing their size； and intensifying their value。 All the riches of Villeblanche were concentrated in one certain acquisition which Desnoyers admired most of all； for； to his mind； it stood for all the glory of his immense fortunein fact； the most luxurious appointment that even a millionaire could possess。
〃My golden bath；〃 he thought。 〃I have there my tub of gold。〃
This bath of priceless metal he had procured； after much financial wrestling； from an auction； and he considered the purchase the culminating achievement of his wealth。 No one knew exactly its origin； perhaps it had been the property of luxurious princes； perhaps it owed its existence to the caprice of a demi…mondaine fond of display。 He and his had woven a legend around this golden cavity adorned with lions' claws； dolphins and busts of naiads。 Undoubtedly it was once a king's！ Chichi gravely affirmed that it had been Marie Antoinette's； and the entire family thought that the home on the avenue Victor Hugo was altogether too modest and plebeian to enshrine such a jewel。 They therefore agreed to put it in the castle； where it was greatly venerated； although it was useless and solemn as a museum piece。 。 。 。 And was he to permit the enemy in their advance toward the Marne to carry off this priceless treasure； as well as the other gorgeous things which he had accumulated with such patience Ah； no！ His soul of a collector would be capable of the greatest heroism before he would let that go。
Each day was bringing a fresh sheaf of bad news。 The papers were saying little； and the Government was so veiling its communications that the mind was left in great perplexity。 Nevertheless； the truth was mysteriously forcing its way； impelled by the pessimism of the alarmists； and the manipulation of the enemy's spies who were remaining hidden in Paris。 The fatal news was being passed along in whispers。 〃They have already crossed the frontier。 。 。 。〃 〃They are already in Lille。〃 。 。 。 They were advancing at the rate of thirty…five miles a day。 The name of von Kluck was beginning to have a familiar ring。 English and French were retreating before the enveloping progression of the invaders。 Some were expecting another Sedan。 Desnoyers was following the advance of the Germans； going daily to the Gare du Nord。 Every twenty…four hours was lessening the radius of travel。 Bulletins announcing that tickets would not be sold for the Northern districts served to indicate how these places were falling； one after the other； into the power of the invader。 The shrinkage of national territory was going on with such methodical regularity that； with watch in hand； and allowing an advance of thirty…five miles daily； one might gauge the hour when the lances of the first Uhlans would salute the Eiffel tower。 The trains were running full； great bunches of people overflowing from their coaches。
In this time of greatest anxiety； Desnoyers again visited his friend； Senator Lacour； in order to astound him with the most unheard…of petitions。 He wished to go immediately to his castle。 While everybody else was fleeing toward Paris he earnestly desired to go in the opposite direction。 The senator couldn't believe his ears。
〃You are beside yourself！〃 he exclaimed。 〃It is necessary to leave Paris； but toward the South。 I will tell you confidentially； and you must not tell because it is a secretwe are leaving at any minute； we are all going； the President； the Government； the Chambers。 We are going to establish ourselves at Bordeaux as in 1870。 The enemy is surely approaching； it is only a matter of days 。 。 。 of hours。 We know little of just what is happening； but all the news is bad。 The army still holds firm； is yet intact； but retreating 。 。 。 retreating； all the time yielding ground。 。 。 。 Believe me； it will be better for you to leave Paris。 Gallieni will defend it； but the defense is going to be hard and horrible。 。 。 。 Although Paris may surrender； France will not necessarily surrender。 The war will go on if necessary even to the frontiers of Spain 。 。 。 but it is sad 。 。 。 very sad！〃
And he offered to take his friend with him in that flight to Bordeaux of which so few yet knew。 Desnoyers shook his head。 No； be wanted to go the castle of Villeblanche。 His furniture 。 。 。 his riches 。 。 。 his parks。
〃But you will be taken prisoner！〃 protested the senator。 〃Perhaps they will kill you！〃
A shrug of indifference was the only response。 He considered himself energetic enough to struggle against the entire German army in the defense of his property。 The important thing was to get there； and thenjust let anybody dare to touch his things！ 。 。 。 The senator looked with astonishment at this civilian infuriated by the lust of possession。 It reminded him of some Arab merchants that he had once known； ordinarily mild and pacific； who quarrelled and killed like wild beasts when Bedouin thieves seized their wares。 This was not the moment for discussion； and each must map out his own course。 So the influential senator finally yielded to the desire of his friend。 If such was his pleasure； let him carry it through！ So he arranged that his mad petitioner should depart that very night on a military train that was going to meet the army。
That journey put Don Marcelo in touch with the extraordinary movement which the war had developed on the railroads。 His train took fourteen hours to cover the distance normally made in two。 It was made up of freight cars filled with provisions and cartridges； with the doors stamped and sealed。 A third…class car was occupied by the train escort； a detachment of provincial guards。 He was i