At that moment several persons entered the hall, among them Paul Springer.
“Are you playing surgeon, Don Paco?” asked the Swiss with a mocking smile.
“Sí, Señor; one must strike kings in the head.”
After cutting the canvas, the porter took the piece in his hand, and hesitatingly asked Don Paco:
“Now what will I do with it?”
“Take that head,” roared Don Paco in a harsh voice, “to the President of the Revolutionary Junta.”
Quentin looked at the Swiss and saw him smile ironically.
“How do you like this execution in effigy of yonder chubby Marie Antoinette?”
“Magnificent.”
“Just as I said. We are the City of the Discreet.”