The statements made to us are so strange, that we defer details
till to-morrow, not having time to send for fuller information now."
These lines startled Hector. They were his death sentence, not to
be recalled, signed by the tyrant whose obsequious courtier he had
always been--public opinion.
"They will never cease talking about me," he muttered angrily. Then
he added, firmly, "Come, I must make an end of this."
He soon reached the Hotel Luxembourg. He rapped at the door, and was
speedily conducted to the best room in the house. He ordered a fire
to be lighted. He also asked for sugar and water, and writing
materials. At this moment he was as firm as in the morning.
"I must not hesitate," he muttered, "nor recoil from my fate."
He sat down at the table near the fireplace, and wrote in a firm
hand a declaration which he destined for the police.
"No one must be accused of my death," he commenced; and he went on
by asking that the hotel-keeper should be indemnified.
The hour by the clock was five minutes before eleven; he placed his
pistols on the mantel.
"I will shoot myself at midnight," thought he. "I have yet an hour
to live.
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