ng
man who had tried to assassinate him. "He is really but a child, and
looks very innocent," exclaimed the emperor, shrugging his shoulders; "I
do not believe that he is an assassin."

"Sire, here is the knife that was found on his person," said Savary,
handing it to the emperor.

"That is, indeed, a strong proof of his intention," replied Napoleon.
"But who tells you that this knife was designed for me? I will myself
speak to the man. Rapp, are you sufficiently familiar with the German
language to be my interpreter?"

"Yes, sire, I speak German."

"Come, then," said the emperor, quickly approaching Staps, whose hands
had been tied behind him.

"Whence do you come, and what is your name?"

"I come from Naumburg, and my name is Frederick Staps," was the calm
reply.

"What is your father?"

"He is a clergyman."

"A clergyman! and he has taught his son so little religion! For I am
told you intended to assassinate me. Is that true?"

"It was the last means that I had resolved upon to save my unfortunate
native land," replied Staps, in a gentle voice. "But before doing so, I
was determined to try another."

"What?"

"To implore you, in the name of my country, humanity, and your own
future, to give peace to the world," responded Staps, enthusiastically.
"I hoped that Heaven would impart strength to my words, so that they
would be able to move your heart; that your eyes would see the fountains
of blood your accursed hand has opened on the peaceful plains of
Germany; that the armies of the dead lying in our fields might satisfy
your desire for war. Sire, have mercy on Germany and on yourself! There
are thousands of unburied corpses accusing Napoleon as their murderer!
Our cities and villages are filled with weeping mothers, and widows, and
children, arraigning you as the destroyer of their sons, husbands, and
fathers. Sire, have mercy on your own conscience, and restore peace to
the world!"

"He is assuredly insane," murmured Napoleon to himself. At this moment
he cast his eyes on a miniature, fastened to a string, and lying on the
table.

"What locket is that?" he asked.

"Sire," replied Rapp, "we took it from the assassin; he wore it on his
neck."

Napoleon examined it. It contained the portrait of a beautiful woman.
"Whose portrait is it?"

"Sire," said Staps, in a solemn voice, "it is the portrait of my
betrothed--my dearly beloved Anna."

"What!" exclaimed the emperor. "You have a sweet-heart--y