will be a hornets' nest before noon to-morrow, if the
Church's hand hasn't lost its cunning--and we
know it hasn't. Now you write and I'll dictate thus:

"PROCLAMATION

"BE IT KNOWN UNTO ALL. Whereas the king having
died and left no heir, it becomes my duty to continue the execu-
tive authority vested in me, until a government shall have
been created and set in motion. The monarchy has lapsed, it
no longer exists. By consequence, all political power has re-
verted to its original source, the people of the nation. With
the monarchy, its several adjuncts died also; wherefore there is
no longer a nobility, no longer a privileged class, no longer an
Established Church; all men are become exactly equal; they are
upon one common level, and religion is free. A Republic is
hereby proclaimed, as being the natural estate of a nation when
other authority has ceased. It is the duty of the British people
to meet together immediately, and by their votes elect repre-
sentatives and deliver into their hands the government."

I signed it "The Boss," and dated it from Merlin's
Cave. Clarence said:

"Why, that tells where we are, and invites them
to call right away."

"That is the idea. We strike--by the Proclama-
tion--then it's their innings. Now have the thing
set up and printed and posted, right off; that is,
give the order; then, if you've got a couple of bi-
cycles handy at the foot of the hill, ho for Merlin's
Cave!"

"I shall be ready in ten minutes. What a cyclone
there is going to be to-morrow when this piece of
paper gets to work! . . . It's a pleasant old palace,
this is; I wonder if we shall ever again--but never
mind about that."

-427-