RICHARD WAGNER. 1877.
THE ABBÉ LISZT. 1886.
"In '87, just before the Queen's Jubilee, a good deal of alarm was experienced in consequence of the Fenian outrages, and the very frequent discoveries of clockwork bombs in black bags. Previous to the Royal visit, the Abbey was closed to the public and the utmost precautions were taken by the officials to ensure the Royal safety, by the order of Colonel Majendie (another of my victims) the Chief Inspector of Explosives. Every portion of the choir stand was examined, and even the organ pipes and every corner of the Abbey was subjected to vigorous inspection. The day before the Royal ceremony, I called a rehearsal of the band, and after their departure I remained in the organ loft to look over my music for the next day, in the company of a young pupil, who interrupted me when I was engrossed in my music, by calling my attention to a strange noise.
"'Listen, Doctor,' he said, 'don't you hear a ticking?'
"'Ticking!' I shouted. 'Where?'
"Jumping out of my seat, I listened intently, and sure enough, I heard a faint sound that was strangely ominous, and in the corner of the loft I saw that fateful sight—a little black bag.
"I confess I behaved very badly, for instead of waiting to be blown to pieces for my country, I left the loft as quickly as possible and hastened into the Cloister, where I met an old servant. He was a comfortable looking old creature with a glass eye.
"'Graves,' I said, 'go up into the organ loft and fetch a little black bag that you will find in the corner.'