This story takes us back to the time of the French Revolution. Raymond, a lieutenant in the army, disgusted with the horrors of the revolution, organizes a revolt and informs Sparon, his father, owner of the "Chat Noir," that his men would...See moreThis story takes us back to the time of the French Revolution. Raymond, a lieutenant in the army, disgusted with the horrors of the revolution, organizes a revolt and informs Sparon, his father, owner of the "Chat Noir," that his men would meet that night in the inn to make preparations for the insurrection. Their conversation is overheard by Peter, the late executioner of Paris, who being avoided by everyone, has taken up his abode in the deserted Vampire's Tower, which had a secret passage leading direct to the inn. Peter returns to his dwelling-place and while searching through the tower discovers the great hidden treasures of the Abbey. One day he meets Fornarina. He gives her some of the valuable jewels he had found, and these she gladly accepts. The time for the meeting has arrived and Raymond and his followers set out for the inn, unaware that two spies of the "Terror" were following them. In the name of his people Raymond places his signature to an oath that they would annihilate and destroy the government of the "Terror." The executioner, having seen the spies and being averse to the revolutionary government, quickly makes for the inn and saves the conspirators by means of the secret passage just as the spies and a small army enter the room. On his way through the passage Raymond drops the note which contains his signature to the oath. And now it is in the hands of the executioner. About a month later Peter discovers that Fornarina is in love with Raymond and swears to avenge himself, remembering that he is in possession of a compromising paper. Going to the "Terror's" court of justice, he denounces Raymond as a conspirator and demands that he be his executioner. Raymond and Fornarina are just returning from their marriage amidst the joyful greetings of their friends, when he is put under arrest and torn from the arms of his young bride. It is some time later. Raymond is brought to trial and sentenced to death, and it is then that Fornarina learns his executioner would be the man who pretended to love her. She goes to the Tower and pleads for the life of Raymond, promising to marry Peter if he would save him. Peter leaves her in his room while he goes to the prison to free his rival. Fornarina waits for his return in deep anguish. He comes back ready to claim his reward, but the brokenhearted girl desires a proof that Raymond is safe. Peter takes her to a high cliff projecting from the side of the Tower. Yes, Raymond was sailing away toward England, and they wave their last good-bye. She turns around and sees Peter waiting with outstretched arms. Preferring death to the man who had blighted her young life, she throws herself over the cliff into the deep water below. Written by
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