The Price He Paid — page 33: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

24 CARRYING OUT ORDERS. under all circumstances. I repeat, Mr. Mayor, that I regret to be under the necessity of ordering certain police regulations which may prove irksome and eh but the town has only itself to thank for them. “We know by experience that your excellency does not allow any considerations of public conveni- ence to influence you in such cases,” said the bur- gomaster, sharply. “I can do no more, therefore, than leave with you the entire responsiblity of such harsh proceedings—and with this, I think, our inter- view may come to an end.” The baron bowed stiffly. “T do not know that I have ever sought to evade the responsibility of my official acts. I certainly shall not do so in this instance. Good-morning, gentlemen.” The burgomaster and the superintendent of police left the room, and walked together through the broad galleries toward the entrance door. The former, a gray-haired and somewhat choleric old gentlemen, could not help giving vent by the way to his long pent-up anger. “So with all our prayers, our remonstrances, and representations, we have obtained nothing but this sovereign dictum, ‘My orders will be carried out,’” said he to his companion. “This famous phrase, a favorite with his excellency, seems to have had its effect even upon you. Your opposition was silenced by it in an instant.” , The superintendent of police, aman much younger in years, with a keen, cunning face and extremely polite manners, shrugged his shoulders, and an- swered, quietly: “The baron is at the head of the administration, and he has declared that in any ae IEA he will cover me from all responsibil- ity, Ee “You doas he bids you,” concluded the other. “ After all, one cannot wonder. Itis not likely you should wish to share the fate of your predecessor in office.” “In any case, I hope to show myself more com- petent to fulfil the duties of my post than he was.” Eomichbooks. co