"'It is not true,' replied the Archdeacon, 'I was alone in the church, and the keys were in my pocket.'
"The officer read upon the face of the priest the evident sincerity of his words.
"'Poor priest! Poor town!' he said pityingly, 'I believe you, but I must obey orders.'
"'How so?'
"'Because I am ordered to treat Senlis as was Louvain; by to-morrow there will remain not one stone upon another.'
"M. Douvlent pleaded eloquently for his parishioners, whose innocence he vouched for. The officer seemed impressed.
"'You are a Catholic priest, but alas, war is cruel, and orders are not to be ignored. This town merits chastisement.'
"'Take me before the General,' urged the priest, 'I am your prisoner, and I have the right to plead the cause of my innocent parishioners.'
"'No, sir,' retorted the officer frowningly, 'nothing of the sort; do you not realize that you are in great danger?'
"'Danger?' ejaculated the priest, 'I fear no danger, I have made my sacrifice; I have faced it all this morning.'