About: Uncle Bernac by Arthur Conan Doyle
UNCLE BERNAC
Produced by Lionel G. Sear
UNCLE BERNAC
A MEMORY OF THE EMPIRE
CONTENTS
ChapterI. THE COAST OF FRANCE
II. THE SALT MARSH
III. THE RUINED COTTAGE
IV. MEN OF THE NIGHT
V. THE LAW
VI. THE SECRET PASSAGE
VII. THE OWNER OF GROSBOIS
VIII. COUSIN SYBYLLE
IX. THE CAMP OF BOULOGNE
X. THE ANTE ROOM
XI. THE SECRETARY
XII. THE MAN OF ACTION
XIII. THE MAN OF DREAMS
XIV. JOSEPHINE
XV. THE RECEPTION OF THE EMPRESS
XVI. THE LIBRARY OF GROSBOIS
XVII. THE END
CHAPTER I
THE COAST OF FRANCE
I dare say that I had already read my uncle's letter a hundred times,and I am sure that I knew it by heart. None the less I took it out ofmy pocket, and, sitting on the side of the lugger, I went over it againwith as much attention as if it were for the first time. It was writtenin a prim, angular hand, such as one might expect from a man who hadbegun life as a village attorney, and it was addressed to Louis deLaval, to the care of William Hargreaves, of the Green Man in Ashford,Kent. The landlord had many a hogshead of untaxed French brandy fromthe Normandy coast, and the letter had found its way by the same hands.
'My dear nephew Louis,' said the letter, 'now that your father is dead,and that you are alone in the world, I am sure that you will not wish tocarry on the feud which has existed between the two halves of thefamily. At the time of the troubles your father was drawn towards theside of the King, and I towards that of the people, and it ended, as youknow, by his having to fly from the country, and by my becoming thepossessor of the estates of Grosbois. No doubt it is very hard that youshould find yourself in a different position to your ancestors, but I amsure that you would rather that the land should be held by a Bernac thanby a stranger. From the brother of your mother you will at least alwaysmeet with sympathy and consideration.
'And now I have some advice for you. You know that I have always beena Republican, but it has become evident to me that there is no use infighting against fate, and that Napoleon's power is far too great to beshaken. This being so, I have tried to serve him, for it is well tohowl when you are among wolves. I have been able to do so much forhim that he has become my very good friend, so that I may ask him whatI like in return. He is now, as you are probably aware, with the armyat Boulogne, within a few miles of Grosbois. If you will come over atonce he will certainly forget the hostility of your father inconsideration of the services of your uncle. It is true that your nameis still proscribed, but my influence with the Emperor will set thatmatter right. Come to me, then, come at once, and come with confidence. 'Your uncle, 'C. BERNAC.'
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