THE APOSTLE 
 
 Paul Hyacinthe Loyson
 
 THE APOSTLE 
 
 VOLUME XV 
 The Drama League Series of Plays
 
 VOLUMES IN 
 THE DRAMA LEAGUE SERIES OF PLAYS 
 
 I. Kindling By Charles Kenyon 
 
 II. A Thousand Years Ago . By Percy MacKaye 
 
 III. The Great Galeoto . . By Jose Echegaray 
 
 IV. The Sunken Bell . . By Gerhart Hauptmann 
 
 V. Mary Goes First . . By Henry Arthur Jones 
 
 VI. Her Husband's Wife . . . By A. E. Thomas 
 
 VII. Change By J. 0. Francis 
 
 VIII. Marta of the Lowlands . . By Angel Guimerd 
 
 IX. Patrie! By Victorien Sardou 
 
 X. The Thief By Henry Bernstein 
 
 XI. My Lady's Dress . . . By Edward Knoblauch 
 
 XII. The Trail of the Torch . . By Paul Hervieu 
 
 XIH. A Woman's Way . . By Thompson Buchanan 
 
 Other Volumes in Preparation
 
 THE APOSTLE 
 
 A MODERN TRAGEDY 
 IN THREE ACTS 
 
 by 
 PAUL HYACINTHE LOYSON 
 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 BARRETT H. CLARK 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 
 
 PROFESSOR GEORGE PIERCE BAKER 
 
 Garden City New York 
 
 DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 
 
 1916
 
 Copyright, 1916, by 
 DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 
 
 In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading 
 public only, and no performances of it may be given, 
 except by special arrangement with the owner of the 
 acting rights, who may be addressed in care of the 
 publishers. 
 
 Section 28. That any person who wilfully and for profit shall 
 infringe any copyright secured by tliis Act. or who shall know- 
 ingly and wilfully aid or abet such infringement, shall be 
 deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof 
 shall be punished by imprisonment for not exceeding one year 
 or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than 
 one thousand dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. 
 
 Section 29. That any person, who, with fraudulent intent, 
 shall insert or impress any notice of copyright required by this 
 Act, or words of the same purport, in or upon any uncopyrighted 
 article, or wilh fraudulent intent shall remove or alter the copy- 
 right notice upon any article duly copyrighted shall be guilty 
 of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one 
 hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. 
 
 Act of At arch k, 1909
 
 To 
 RICHARD E. MYERS 
 
 THIS TRANSLATION IS 
 
 AFFECTIONATELY 
 
 DEDICATED
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 The four plays of Paul Hyacinthe Loyson are 
 studies in tragedy resulting, not, as we are accus- 
 tomed to expect, from folly and unreason, but from 
 proper self-respect and reason. Nor, though he wrote 
 his first play some thirteen years ago, is Mr. Loyson 
 a prolific playwright. "The Apostle" is only his 
 fourth play. He has been busy with many activities, 
 more recently as a fearless fighter for new ideas and 
 the causes of the downtrodden, in the paper of which 
 he has been the editor-in-chief, Le Droit de V Homme. 
 In 1897 he printed a poem, "Les Deux Coupes"; 
 in 1899, "Magor," a dramatic pamphlet; in 1900, 
 his first play, "L'Evangile du Sang"; and in the 
 following year some poems, "Sur les Marges d'un 
 Drame." Almost from the beginning of his publica- 
 tion, then, his chief thought has been for the drama. 
 It was not, however, till 1902, at an experimental 
 performance by Le Cercle des Escholiers, at the 
 Nouveau Theatre, that he had his first production, 
 [vii]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 the "Dramatic Episode in One Act, L'Evangile du 
 Sang." 
 
 The work of Miss Emily Hobhouse in behalf of the 
 Boers gave him the hint for his subject. An English 
 admiral, Jack Mansfield, is waiting for daybreak to 
 attack the forts and fleet of the enemy. To him 
 comes his wife, Jane, who has been serving in the 
 hospital corps. A short time before, the English, in 
 pity for the sufferings of the wounded among their 
 foes, whose hospital equipment is almost nil, placed 
 an ambulance at their service. Jane has been in 
 charge of it. She has been so affected by what she 
 has seen and heard among the enemy that she has 
 been protesting to the Government against the war 
 as oppression. The play is her struggle to convince 
 her husband that under no circumstances must he 
 order the bombardment. Though he is himself no 
 lover of war and is devoted to his wife, he is firm in 
 his sense of duty. When she goes, defeated, she 
 leaves a note of final farewell. This the admiral 
 finds just as distant cannonading warns him that the 
 English land forces have been attacked by the enemy. 
 As he is about to give orders to fire on Fort Blanc, a 
 lieutenant rushes in to say that his wife's boat is 
 making straight for that fort. To fire is probably to 
 [ viii ]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 kill her. There is a long pause. Then the play 
 closes thus: 
 
 "L'Amiral, au porte-voix. 
 Faites ouvrir le feu! 
 
 Une Voix au dehors. 
 Ouvrez le feu! 
 
 Une Autre Voix. 
 Feu! 
 
 (Detonation puissante)." 
 In 1903 "Le Droit des Vierges" was produced in 
 Geneva and published in Paris. The play is a protest 
 against parent-made marriages. It has obvious re- 
 lations with "Un Gant" of Bjornson and "Les Trois 
 Filles de M. Dupont" of M. Brieux. The ambitious 
 Brousseau and the wife he dominates are making 
 preparations for the marriage of their daughter, 
 Simonne, to Stephane de Senlis, a leader in the 
 world of fashion and a very successful author of 
 erotic, not to say decadent, novels. Simonne, who 
 does not love De Senlis, has forebodings about 
 the marriage. Possessing herself of one of his books, 
 "L 'Invitation," she finds in it evidence that her 
 marriage is to be for the author but one more ex- 
 periment in sex. Her vindication of her right to 
 her own person and soul makes the crisis of the 
 [ix]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 play. Both these pieces may be regarded as prom- 
 ising but tyro work. 
 
 The dramatist of large accomplishment first re- 
 vealed himself when "Les Ames Ennemies" was 
 produced at the The&tre Antoine, May 15, 1907, 
 dedicated "To those who believe passionately, to 
 those who deny with energy, to those who investigate 
 loyally." It is the first of three plays intended by 
 the author to study as many aspects of the tragedy 
 of those to-day who honestly and high mindedly 
 would live without conventional religion. "Les 
 Ames Ennemies" treats such a struggle from an in- 
 tellectual point of view; "L'Apotre" from a moral 
 point of view; the third play will present the social 
 aspect. Daniel Servan, scientist, the central figure 
 in "Les Ames Ennemies," returns after two years 
 in Java, famous because of his discovery of the 
 pithecantropus erectus, a skeleton which he believes 
 the missing link between man and monkey. In his 
 absence his Breton mother-in-law, fearing his frank 
 radicalism, has, with the connivance of Servan's wife, 
 been giving the granddaughter, Florence, the strict- 
 est training as a Roman Catholic. Servan finds the 
 delicate, sensitive child absorbed in devotional ob- 
 servances, and talking of entering a convent. Deeply 
 [x]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 annoyed, he insists that the child shall at least hear 
 both sides. The mother-in-law promptly leaves the 
 house. The wife, torn between love for her husband 
 and for her religion, asks the confessor of Florence to 
 intervene. This provokes a quarrel between husband 
 and wife which the child overhears. Madeleine, 
 fearing for her own soul and that of her child, wishes 
 to leave the house, taking Florence with her. Servan 
 will not permit this. Even as the parents contend 
 for her, the overwrought child falls fainting at their 
 feet. In the last act she is hovering between life 
 and death. In a heartrending scene she tells the 
 adoring Servan that his example and his words have 
 undermined her old beliefs, that she, too, has no God. 
 Dying she pleads for reconciliation between the 
 parents. They yield; but even as the child breathes 
 her last, the wife leaves the father standing alone at 
 the foot of the bed, and turns to the entering priest 
 with the cry, 
 
 "Ah! mon pere! mon pere! . . ." 
 Critics differed widely in their estimate of the play 
 according to their conservative or radical bent. 
 Favorable and unfavorable comment alike, however, 
 showed that the play by its reality of characteriza- 
 tion, its thoughtfulness, its outspokenness, its firm 
 [a]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 grasp on certain highly dramatic moments, stirred 
 all hearers deeply. In Belgium, Switzerland, and 
 Italy it had decided success. In this country it has 
 had a private performance by the students of the 
 Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Were the 
 interests of our theatre-goers as broad as the founders 
 of the Drama League hope to make them, we should, 
 before this, have seen "Les Ames Ennemies" on our 
 professional stage. We are told, however, that our 
 public would not care for this play because religious 
 differences between parents are fortunately too rare 
 in this country to be of general interest. Such pro- 
 vincialism is the reason why we see so few foreign 
 dramatic masterpieces. Though we have learned to 
 travel, we have not yet as a nation acquired the in- 
 tellectual sympathy which makes us eager to know 
 the emotional experiences of others even when these 
 experiences have not been and may never be our own. 
 The day of Bowdlerizing great foreign plays because 
 we are so much more moral than our neighbors is well- 
 nigh over. Nor do we as frequently as in the past 
 insist that these foreign plays shall be adapted to fit 
 American conditions, thus twisting them, often, out 
 of all semblance to the original. However, till as a 
 people we can enjoy plays unchanged, which do not 
 f xii 1
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 reflect us as in a mirror, we can in no proper sense 
 call ourselves real lovers of drama. 
 
 "L'Apotre" had its first representation May 3, 
 1911, at the Odeon, Paris. With Silvaine and Mme. 
 Silvaine of the Comedie Francaise as Baudouin and 
 Clotilde, it made a strong impression on press and 
 public. Like "Les Ames Ennemies" it was well re- 
 ceived elsewhere in Europe. 
 
 Evidently M. Loyson does not belong to the 
 dramatists of entertainment, such as Sardou, nor to 
 the jugglers of the old situation a, trois, who for a 
 generation have supplied " L'lllustration Theatrale" 
 with old material made to seem new by illuminating 
 characterization, audacious frankness, or a delicate 
 feeling for phrase. He is of the line of Dumas fits 
 and Brieux, the men who, thinking fearlessly of 
 weaknesses in the national life, state without fear or 
 favor what they see and what they believe. Such 
 men are, of course, misunderstood. It was the fate of 
 Dumas fits; it has been the fate of Brieux; it is the 
 fate of M. Loyson. 
 
 Both "Les Ames Ennemies" and "L'Apotre" 
 have been hailed as thesis plays. The author, in 
 writing of the first play, protested against this, say- 
 ing, "A considerable portion of the general public has 
 [ xiii ]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 wished to see in a play of ideas a thesis play. . . . 
 If such had been my intention, I should never have 
 endowed my hero with certain ideas which are not 
 mine at all, as for instance his atheism, so unqualified 
 and unyielding that it makes him resemble closely a 
 number of real and illustrious scientists of the nine- 
 teenth century; I should never have shown him, in the 
 third act, dumb as he faces the enigma of life; nor in 
 the last act distracted as he faces the enigma of 
 death." That is, M. Loyson does not write to offer 
 a solution. Like the safe scientist, he states what he 
 sees; he does not risk conclusions which might be dan- 
 gerous to humanity in general because based on the 
 few individual cases with which the drama must 
 always work. As a genuine dramatist he does not 
 preach, but moves us deeply by pictures of living 
 men and women struggling with some of the vast 
 problems of the day. Naturally he protested also 
 when critics and even some of his enthusiastic friends 
 declared "Les Ames Ennemies" to be a representa- 
 tion of the present-day conflict between science and 
 religion. The controversy led to the publication of 
 a brochure, "La Critique des Ames Ennemies," a 
 collection of letters and critical notices; and an essay 
 defending M. Loyson, "A Propos des Ames Enne- 
 [xiv]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 mies," by M. Bornand, a clergyman. The upshot of 
 the two publications is that M. Servan is scientific 
 only in his discovery of the pithecantropus erectus. 
 His thinking as to religion does not represent all 
 scientists, but is individual. The opposing religious 
 view is not that of religion in general but of the more 
 rigid type of Catholicism. Inotherwords, M. Loyson 
 sees agnosticism and atheism around him. He sees 
 the bigoted type of Catholic. He sees the woman, 
 who, though rigidly trained, is yet temporarily drawn 
 aside by affection, only to return instinctively, in a 
 crisis, to her original training. He tells a story of 
 these three types in the Breton grandmother; Made- 
 leine, the wife; and Servan, the husband. He does 
 not say that any one of the three is right or wrong. 
 He merely illustrates the utter misery religious dis- 
 sention in the family may bring father, mother, and, 
 above all, child. 
 
 It has been said that "L'Apotre" illustrates the 
 cruel injustice done a child who is brought up without 
 religious faith. "Surely," it is urged, "the great 
 speech of Eugenia in the last act can mean only this." 
 Not at all. M. Loyson does not hold a brief for any 
 one idea or figure. His sympathies are with the 
 mother, the wife, the poor little secretary, Remillot, 
 [xvl
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 and Baudouin himself. What he does imply is three- 
 fold. He who comes to free thought compelled by his 
 own nature may be able to follow it safely as guide. 
 That is Baudouin. Whoever throws aside religion, 
 not compelled by the force of his own thinking but 
 because of affection for another, is in any great crisis 
 nearly sure to turn back instinctively to old beliefs. 
 That is Eugenie. He who foregoes religion un- 
 thinkingly, not moved by deep affection, but because 
 he has never known it, is likely to mistake his inheri- 
 tance for license. That is Octave. 
 
 It is certainly striking that M. Loyson in both his 
 recent plays writes tragedies resulting from the 
 agnosticism or atheism of his heroes. It is his own 
 early experience which colors his work. His father, 
 Pcre Hyacinthe, coming out of the Church of Rome 
 when his ideas no longer made it possible for him to 
 stay in it, became a leader in French advanced relig- 
 ious thought. He married an American of Puritan 
 stock. Their son, Paul, grew up amidst advanced 
 but high-minded thinking on religious matters. He 
 saw what his father had to undergo because of his 
 change in belief. Naturally the people who gathered 
 about such a leader as Pere Hyacinthe gave the 
 son opportunities to watch many tragedies growing 
 [xvil
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 out of differences in religious belief or failure to 
 accept religion. Fiction and poetry are filled with 
 the idea that most men look back upon their child- 
 hood as a time of happy memory, but many a man in 
 middle life, as the subjects of the recent plays of M. 
 Loyson show, still feels the shadows from stern scenes 
 of his childhood. 
 
 Technically the two significant plays of M. Loyson 
 are not faultless, but such weaknesses are bound 
 to disappear the more he writes. On the other hand, 
 he has great power of characterization and remark- 
 able skill in writing scenes that will not out of the 
 memory. In " L 'Evangile du Sang," Admiral Mans- 
 field reads the morning service to his men just at 
 daybreak. His wife, listening from the cabin, cries 
 out in horror at what seems to her the blasphemy of 
 the calm assumption of commander and men that the 
 Lord is with them in their slaying of other human 
 beings. Like an obligato sound the words of the 
 sanguinary passage from the Bible, as, indignant, 
 protesting, Jane repeats the gentle, merciful words of 
 the Lord's Prayer. In "Le Droit des Vierges" there 
 is a remarkably fresh and moving treatment of the 
 old subject a nurse of many years' standing parting 
 with the woman on the eve of marriage who seems to 
 [ xvii ]
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 her still but a child. In " Les Ames Ennemies " there 
 is rare power in the scene when Servan instinctively 
 recoils at his own work as Florence tells him that 
 his teachings have left her no God. In "L'Apotre" 
 is it possible to read dry eyed the scene in which 
 Baudouin and Eugenie, agonized by the thought of 
 what their son has become, discuss, dispute, and just 
 when a quarrel seems imminent, fall weeping into each 
 other's arms? 
 
 Perhaps the most marked characteristic of M. 
 Loyson is what French critics have called his elo- 
 quence. They do not mean the facile use of catch 
 phrases to stir our emotions nor even rich and happy 
 phrase for its own sake. They do mean that here is a 
 man in whom thought and emotion combine so per- 
 fectly that as he thinks deeply on high things, stirred 
 profoundly by his thinking, he finds words so apt 
 that they stir us deeply on unaccustomed themes. 
 Reading his plays rightly, we come away sober, 
 even sad, but somehow strengthened. After all, in 
 " Les Ames Ennemies " the child Florence dies crying, 
 "I am not afraid there is light"; and in "L'Ap6tre" 
 Baudouin does the utmost that Christianity has 
 taught us to do, sacrifices all for an ideal. Un- 
 doubtedly M. Loyson has been sounding certain 
 [ xviii 1
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 depths of modern emotional experience, but he knows 
 well that often a depth is but the measure of an un- 
 seen height. 
 
 Since the war began M. Loyson has been serving 
 his government wherever a specially skilled interpre- 
 ter has been needed. His home in the Rue du Bac, 
 under the guidance of Mme. Loyson, is now a hospital 
 for convalescent but hopelessly maimed soldiers where 
 they are kept till feasible work be found for these 
 men whose scars forbid their returning to their accus- 
 tomed labors. Until the war is ended there can be for 
 M. Loyson no thought of his beloved art. Surely, 
 however, when peace comes again, all that this sym- 
 pathetic, thoughtful, fearless observer of his fellows 
 has seen and felt in this time of cataclysm must have 
 its fruit in plays of great significance. 
 
 Geo. P. Baker. 
 
 Boulder Farm, 
 
 Madison, N. H. 
 
 [m]
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS 
 
 Baudouin, a Senator; later, Minister of Public Instruction 
 
 Arnaut, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies 
 
 Octave Baudouin, a Deputy 
 
 Puylaroche, a Solicitor 
 
 Ferrand, Senator; later, Prime Minister 
 
 Michu, on the "Avant Garde" 
 
 Galimard, a Deputy 
 
 Roquin, a Deputy 
 
 Pratt. Secretary of the Interior of the Cabinet from which 
 he has just resigned 
 
 Latouche, Baudouin's Secretary 
 
 Meyerheim, a Banker 
 
 Duval-Porcheret, President of one of the electoral com- 
 mittees 
 
 A Servant 
 
 Clotilde, Wife of the Younger Baudouin 
 
 Eugenie, Wife of Henri Baudouin 
 
 The Children of the Younger Baudouin and Clotilde 
 
 A Maid 
 
 Senators, Deputies, Delegates, etc.
 
 act 1.
 
 ACT I 
 
 An office the appearance of which immediately pro- 
 claims it as distinctly middle-class. There is a dis- 
 orderliness which might well be the result of the 
 carelessness of a bachelor. The desk is covered with 
 papers of various kinds, some of which have fallen to 
 the floor. The well-worn carpet is strewn with crum- 
 pled newspapers. The compartments of the book- 
 case, which is an open one, are filled with unbound 
 volumes, well used, and piled pell-mell with no 
 regard to order or neatness. On the walls are pic- 
 tures of Gambetta, Thiers, and the " Taking of the 
 Bastille." On the mantel above the fireplace is an 
 empty shell, a relic of the Siege. Through the window 
 is a panorama of the left bank of the river, at Paris. 
 Above the roofs and chimneys is distinguished the 
 cupola of the "Observatoire." To the left is a door 
 leading to the antechamber; to the right, that leading 
 to the living-rooms. 
 
 As the curtain rises, Baudouin is seated at 
 [3]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 his desk, a skullcap on his head and a pipe in 
 his mouth. From time to time he stops uniting, 
 blows a puff of smoke into the air, and reads a 
 sentence. Eugenie discreetly opens the door to the 
 left, and hesitates a moment before interrupting 
 Baudouin. 
 
 Eugenie. Baudouin? [He gives vent to a little 
 grunt.] Time for the paper: Michu is here. 
 
 Baudouin. Tell him to come in. 
 
 [Eugenie introduces Michu and goes out. 
 
 Michu. I'm sorry, boss, I'm early 
 
 Baudouin [continuing his writing]. Wait. 
 
 Michu [after a pause in an undertone]. Yes, I 
 am, I'm three minutes ahead of time. There's going 
 to be an exciting session in the Chamber to-morrow 
 make no mistake about that! and when the Re- 
 public is going through what she is these here days, 
 we on the paper would rather go without our drinks 
 than not get your copy. Don't let me disturb you, 
 though! [There is another pause.] 
 
 Baudouin [signing his article]. I was late, Michu. 
 
 [He passes the blotter over the last page.] There you 
 
 are. [Handing Michu the manuscript.] Take it. 
 
 It'll never go into two columns, and you'll have a 
 
 [4]
 
 I THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 hard time cutting it [He takes off his skullcap 
 
 and throws it onto the table.] 
 
 Michu. Well see you get all the place you want; 
 you're the boss! We'll put the news on the second 
 page 
 
 Baudouin. Who does the leader to-morrow? 
 
 Michu [disdainfully]. Little Remillot we got the 
 copy this morning. 
 
 Baudouin. I shan't allow you to do that. Tell 
 Savinet to let the leader go in its usual place. Re- 
 millot's stuff is as good as mine. 
 
 Michu. Nonsense! These young fellows, they 
 want to save the Republic and they never even 
 helped make the Commune! 
 
 Baudouin. Well, Michu, neither did I! Let's 
 keep straight on that point. 
 
 Michu [pointing to the shell on the mantel]. Ask 
 him if he collects vegetables of that kind ! 
 
 Baudouin. That's different that came from the 
 Siege. Ask them to set my article in small type and 
 take out the leads. I refuse to have the younger 
 men make way for me. See you to-morrow, old man. 
 
 Michu. Boss, you'll always be "Father Con- 
 science." They ought to put up a bust of you in the 
 Palais de Justice! 
 
 [5]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Michu, my friend, I've told you I 
 don't like that nickname. Do you want me to get 
 angry? 
 
 Michu. Look here now, can't I defend you now 
 that the Clericals are down on you? Have you seen 
 La Croix this morning? 
 
 Baudouin [with indifference]. No, what does it 
 say? [He looks for "La Croix" amid the heap of news- 
 papers.] 
 
 Michu. They know very well that it's you who've 
 kept the cures shut out, and how you've forgotten to 
 leave the key under the doormat. 
 
 Baudouin [still looking for the paper]. I get all the 
 papers everything is so upside down here 
 
 Michu. Want me to help you arrange things? 
 
 Baudouin. Hm, will you? There you are talk- 
 ing like Madame Baudouin. I'd never find anything 
 then! 
 
 Michu. Come now, boss, give me the word ; that's 
 what the people are making such a fuss about! 
 You're not proud, the Republic has made a leader of 
 you; you're a senator, and people come in here and 
 make themselves quite at home. 
 
 Baudouin. Thanks, Michu, you're most kind. 
 Well, I'll see you to-morrow. 
 [6]
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad I 
 
 Michu [about to go, looking at the manuscript]. 
 Begging your pardon, you've forgot the title. 
 
 Baudouin [returning to his desk with the manu- 
 script]. Well, well, I didn't know you could read! 
 [Pen in hand, he sits trying to think of a title.] 
 
 Michu. I'm studying at night school. One 
 morning I says to myself : "The devil! Things are 
 happening to the Republic and you ain't any more 
 advanced than you was under the Empire!" 
 
 [Baudouin strikes out the title he has just set 
 down.] 
 Why, it's the strangest thing that's happened to me 
 the words make a noise on paper like when you 
 speak 'em now I'm beginning to know the words 
 it's like reading with your ears and when I take up 
 
 a paper, look [He takes up a paper in order to 
 
 demonstrate.] Why, it's like a crowd talking all at 
 once! 
 
 Baudouin [again striking out a title]. It won't 
 come! [Rising and going to Michu.] How would 
 you phrase this, Michu: "The Church claims the 
 right to instruct the people in order to prevent their 
 learning to read." 
 
 Michu. That's true enough. Like Tartuf e teach- 
 ing school! 
 
 m.
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. "Tartufe the Schoolmaster!" Per- 
 fect! Do they teach you to write at your night 
 school? Can you write? 
 
 Michu [describing vast circles in the air]. Look! 
 
 Baudouin [jokingly]. Sit there, in my place 
 write just what you told me 
 
 Michu [awed]. No, boss, you're fooling! 
 
 Baudouin. Did you hear what I said? Sit 
 down ! 
 
 Michu [going toivard tlie table]. Well, Michu, if 
 some one'd told you [He sits down.] 
 
 Baudouin. There, right under your nose, is 
 the pen inkstand to the right. Ready? Are 
 you? 
 
 Michu [dipping the pen in the ink]. Well, well, 
 Michu 
 
 Baudouin [dictating, as he lights his pipe]. "Tar- 
 tufe " 
 
 Michu. Oh, there goes a blot! 
 
 Baudouin. That makes no difference, that'll l>e 
 your signature. "The Schoolmaster." Sc-h-o-o-1- 
 m-a-s-t-e-r. There, people, it's the Republic that's 
 given you a scrubbing! [He puffs his pipe.] 
 
 Michu. There, boss, you are a funny man. I 
 tell you I'm mighty proud of that. [He rises and, 
 [8]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 hands the manuscript timidly to Baudouin, who reads 
 and makes a pencil correction.] Are there two f's to 
 Tartufe? 
 
 Baudouin. Three, if you like. 
 
 Michu. That's right, we'll give 'em a he a 
 devil of a lot of f's ! By God, this is the happiest day 
 of my life since the Fourth of September! 
 
 Baudouin. The Fourth of September? 
 
 Michu. You know, I'll never forget that. It 
 was thirty-eight years ago I met you for the first 
 time by the tribune of the Palais-Bourbon! 
 
 Baudouin. That's so 
 
 Michu. Lord, what excitement! The Empire on 
 the ground and the people on top. Crowds every- 
 where: on the railings and the cornices why, the 
 walls was one living mass of heads. And what en- 
 thusiasm! I was hot all over. Then, all at once 
 you came with your father. " The Two Baudouins, 
 proscripts of the Empire." Ha, you was both lifted 
 up by the crowd. I was only a little kid, I didn't 
 know you, but I wanted to do my share, and I wrig- 
 gled my way through the mass and touched you I 
 caught hold of your leg is that the one there? You 
 know, I got that leg next to my heart it's there 
 always! 
 
 [9]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin [suddenly]. What is the Republic, 
 Michu? 
 
 Michu. The Republic? It's when the people 
 are right and the others are wrong! 
 
 Baudouin. Not quite, but there's little difference. 
 The Republic stands for reason; we must not allow 
 ourselves to relinquish that principle. 
 
 Michu. Long live the Republic, boss! 
 
 Baudouin [offering his hand to Michu]. Long live 
 the Republic, Michu. 
 
 [Michu, deeply touched, wrings Baudouin 's 
 hand and goes out] 
 
 Eugenie [entering from the right, carrying an over- 
 coat, a hat, a cane, and a pair of boots]. Don't worry, 
 you're not going to the Senate, you're going to take a 
 little walk. Poor Baudouin, what a life you lead; if 
 I didn't look after your health, the way you work 
 and slave your life out 
 
 Baudouin. Don't worry, we manage to have 
 enough bread and butter 
 
 Eugenie. Here, your shoes 
 
 Baudouin. Thank you, Mother. [He sits down 
 and changes his shoes.] I'll walk around to the 
 Chamber and see what they're doing. They must 
 be on Article 7. 
 
 [10]
 
 THE APOSTLE 4ct I 
 
 Eugenie [quickly]. Octave doesn't speak to-day, 
 does he? 
 
 Baudouin. The son speaks to-morrow; you'll be 
 there, Mother, in the front box. 
 
 Eugenie. Well, if it isn't till to-morrow, I'm not 
 going to have you asphyxiate yourself in that stable. 
 It's enough to be condemned to go there three 
 times a week. What you need is air, fresh air. Now 
 do take a stroll to Passy; go and see your grand- 
 children 
 
 Baudouin. It sounds tempting, I admit. We 
 don't see them any more now during this infernal 
 session 
 
 Eugenie. Then go do. 
 
 Baudouin. What can I do? This law on lay 
 education is something of a family matter for us 
 
 Eugenie. Indeed it is she's a daughter who will 
 end by killing her father. 
 
 [There is a knock at the door.] 
 Come in. 
 
 The Maid [entering with a packet of letters and a 
 pile of newspapers]. The mail, Monsieur. 
 
 Eugenie [inspecting the overcoat which Baudouin 
 has put on]. But you're not going out like that? 
 
 Baudouin. What's the trouble? 
 [11]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 Eugenie. Look at this huge mud spot. [To the 
 Maid.] Do you mean to say you have brushed this 
 coat? 
 
 Baudouin. Never mind, Eugenie. It's been 
 raining this morning, and people will imagine it's 
 from that. 
 
 Eugenie [scandalized]. The idea! I never heard 
 
 of Take it off, quick don't argue! I'll give 
 
 you your papers hand me the coat 
 
 Baudouin [allowing Eugenie to take off his coat]. 
 How troublesome to have a neat woman about the 
 house! 
 
 Eugenie [handing the coat to the Maid]. Hurry up 
 about it! [The Maid goes out. 
 
 Baudouin. Let's see the mail. [Reading the 
 addresses.] "Monsieur Baudouin," "Monsieur 
 Baudouin," "Monsieur Baudouin," "Madame Bau- 
 douin" That's queer La Croix is addressed 
 
 to you ! 
 
 Eugenie. To me? 
 
 Baudouin. "Madame Baudouin, 126 Boulevard 
 Arago " [Jokingly.] Are you a subscriber? 
 
 Eugenie. Why ! [She takes the paper, breaks 
 
 the band, and imfolds it.] What does it mean? 
 
 Baudouin. That's so Michu warned me what 
 [12]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 good soul has taken it into his head to do you the 
 favor? 
 
 Eugenie. But it's about you. Look at the 
 picture! And all these lines marked with a blue 
 pencil! [Reading in an undertone; then.] The low 
 scoundrels! This is really infamous! You must 
 sue them! 
 
 Baudouin. Well, well, well, well! 
 
 Eugenie. Don't laugh, please! You are too 
 
 patient, too generous. I can't stand this I I 
 
 [She sinks into a chair and continues to read.] 
 
 Baudouin. I see, my dear, I see. We must look 
 into this. [He takes the paper from her.] Let us see 
 the cartoon: "The Ruffians' School." Not bad. 
 The artist is improving. 
 
 Eugenie [taking back the paper]. Don't you un- 
 derstand? See that leader of the gallows' gang giving 
 a lesson to those little urchins it's you, Baudouin! 
 
 Baudouin. So it seems Do I frighten you? 
 
 Eugenie. No you mustn't talk like that it 
 hurts me to hear you joke about it. Read the article, 
 if you don't believe me. They accuse the Republi- 
 can schools of educating " a nation of savages," and 
 say that you "have given an example" in the "edu- 
 cation of your son." 
 
 [13]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. What? Is that all? Am I not 
 accused of murder? 
 
 Eugenie. My little Octave, the best boy who 
 ever lived! Tell me, isn't he? Have we educated 
 him like a little savage? How can those people at- 
 tack him ? 
 
 Baudouin. Because he is a deputy. Are you 
 surprised at that? Because he is going to make a 
 speech to-morrow that will be their deathblow. 
 Do you expect the Church to thank him? 
 
 Eugenie. I say it's infamous, outrageous. You 
 won't read it. You always think your own thoughts, 
 and never pay attention to what others are saying. 
 There is even a direct allusion to me "Godless 
 mothers " " Renegades " 
 
 Baudouin. Show me 
 
 Eugenie [showing him the passage]. Just at the 
 end the last lines. And it's signed by an abbe! 
 
 Baudouin. Is that what offended you? Look 
 at me, does the word renegade offend you? 
 
 Eugenie. No, I promise you it doesn't! I 
 should leave the Church again if I had to, and say, 
 "Yes, my husband converted me! I am a free- 
 thinker! Show me your children educated by the 
 Jesuits and compare them with Octave!" 
 [14]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Baudouin. Very well, then! [Crumpling up the 
 paper and throwing it to the floor.] Give this to 
 Justine with the rest of the waste paper. You have 
 gone through forty years of struggles with me, and 
 it seems you haven't yet fortified yourself against 
 these attacks! I shall have to buy a steel-ribbed 
 corset for you, Mother! 
 
 Eugenie. Let me tell you that this politics is 
 disgusting. What good will it do you to sweat out 
 your life's blood for your principles? Are you a 
 Minister yet? You're not even a retired Minister 
 like your old friends, who don't count for anything 
 now. 
 
 Baudouin. Perhaps that is the reason why I do 
 count for something now 
 
 Eugenie. You made no efforts; that was all very 
 well I agree with you, but what is the good in being 
 as poor now as you were under the Empire when 
 you gave private lessons in London? And here we 
 are living up five flights, and you give half your 
 income to the cause. Why, people don't even 
 give you credit for being honest any more. You 
 never get the credit and you always get the 
 blows. 
 
 Baudouin. There is one thing better than being 
 [15 1
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Minister, and that is to be able to say that I have 
 refused. Do you know why? Because of my son! 
 I said to myself: "Baudouin, you must remain the 
 pioneer who has fought his way through the desert, 
 in order that your son may arrive in the Promised 
 Land." And my reward is in finding that I was 
 right not quite that, but having the right to say, " I 
 have always been right! J have believed in a Re- 
 public run by the people, in Republican schools and 
 Republican morality, and I know that these have 
 come into being partly through my help ! I have al- 
 ways been right ! " You can have no idea what joy I 
 feel in being able to think that! 
 
 Eugenie. You are so wonderful that you always 
 carry me away with your enthusiasm! 
 
 The Maid [returning with the overcoat]. I've 
 cleaned it thoroughly, Madame. 
 
 Eugenie. Good. In the future try to do it well 
 the first time. 
 
 [A bell rings near the door leading into the ante- 
 chamber.] 
 
 Baudouin. A visitor I'll escape through the 
 dining-room. 
 
 The Maid. I believe it is Madame Octave; I saw 
 her coming upstairs. 
 
 [16]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Eugenie. Open the door. 
 
 [The Maid goes out. 
 Baudouin. I do hope it's Clotilde, the dear child ! 
 [Eugenie goes to the door to meet Clotilde, 
 who enters precipitately. She wears an ele- 
 gant walking suit and carries a leather port- 
 folio under her arm.] 
 
 Clotilde. Hello, Grandmother 
 
 Eugenie. You are in a hurry. Aren't you going 
 to kiss me? 
 
 [Clotilde gives her a hurried kiss.] 
 Baudouin. And what about me? 
 Clotilde. Hello, Grandfather. [She kisses him 
 as she did Eugenie.] Don't you know the news? 
 Octave's secretary has disappeared! 
 Eugenie. Little Remillot? 
 Baudouin. Disappeared? 
 Clotilde. Yes, this morning he didn't come as 
 
 usual, and he's never late a minute, so 
 
 Baudouin [looking at his watch]. Have you seen 
 him at all during the day? 
 
 Clotilde. No 
 
 Baudouin. Extraordinary. He is most exact 
 and punctual. He's just written his article to the 
 
 Avant Garde he must be sick 
 
 [17]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Clotilde. He's not at home. Octave and I 
 went to see him. The concierge told us he hadn't 
 come in the night before 
 
 Baudouin. She might have been mistaken. 
 
 Clotilde. No: she had his key, and we went to 
 his rooms. His own was empty 
 
 Eugenie. Well, well ! 
 
 Baudouin. Very strange. If we weren't talking 
 about Remillot, I should say the man had gone on a 
 spree. 
 
 Clotilde. Please, Father! 
 
 Baudouin. It looks like it " 
 
 Clotilde. But he would never think of leaving 
 Octave on the eve of a session like to-morrow's. He 
 has all the notes for the speech Octave is furious! 
 He'll have to sit up all night to get them into shape 
 again. 
 
 Baudouin. Let's not give up hope. Little 
 Remillot is not lost. He is coming here to-night. 
 By now he may have joined Octave at the Chamber. 
 
 Clotilde. But he wasn't there at two: Octave 
 took me with him, then he gave me any namber of 
 errands to do. I'm his secretary for the time be- 
 ing. [Shewing her portfolio filled with papers and 
 documents.] This contains his solicitor's notes for a 
 [18]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act J. 
 
 big trial in which he pleads next Saturday, and the 
 new notes that we've been trying to put together for 
 the speech to-morrow. By the way, have you Jules 
 Ferry's speech on the what law is it? I don't 
 remember I forget everything 
 
 Baudouin. The Education Bill of '82? 
 
 Clotilde. Yes, have you it? 
 
 Baudouin. I'll see [He stands on a chair and 
 
 looks on a high shelf of the bookcase.] 
 
 Eugenie. How awful to have Remillot run away! 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, don't say anything more about it ! 
 
 Eugenie. Octave is killing himself. He looks so 
 preoccupied and tired. Ah, politics 
 
 Clotilde. Don't I know? There's a terrible 
 row in the Chamber now. 
 
 Baudouin [finding the book, and knocking the dust 
 from it with the palm of his hand]. For a change 
 
 Clotilde. No, I mean it seriously. It's very 
 serious. Pratt was there nearly worn out, too, 
 waiting in front of the building for Octave. The 
 session began and they went in together. 
 
 Baudouin [calmly]. That will not prevent the 
 
 law's passing 
 
 [There are four quick and imperative rings of 
 the bell, from the side of the living-rooms.] 
 [19]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Eugenie. What's that? [Voices are heard in the 
 antechamber.] It sounds like Octave's voice! 
 
 Clotildk. Yes, it is Octave 
 
 Baudouin. Good. 
 
 Eugenie [opening the antechamber door and speaking 
 
 to Octave, who enters]. Take care you'll fall 
 
 Why, he hasn't even closed the hall door! 
 
 [Octave comes quickly in. He is evidently 
 under great emotional stress.] 
 
 Baudouin [coming dovm from the chair and laying 
 the book on the table]. What is it? 
 
 Octave. It's all over! Our Education Bill is 
 lost! 
 
 Baudouin. What are you saying? 
 
 Octave. The Cabinet is all changed! 
 [General exclamations.] 
 
 Baudouin. The hell it is! 
 
 Clotilde. Why ! 
 
 Eugenie. Oh 
 
 Octave. Only an hour ago why don't you have 
 a telephone? Infamy! Treason! 
 
 Baudouin. The Cabinet that favored us! Im- 
 possible! Out of the question ! 
 
 Octave [quickly casting aside his overcoat and 
 throuring it onto the table]. The damned rascals! 
 [20]
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad I 
 
 The dirty, low To have the cheek to do that! 
 
 It's a cowardly dagger-thrust in the dark 
 
 Baudouin. But, tell us! 
 
 Octave. Give me a drink, Mother, I'm parched ! 
 
 Eugenie. Let me make you some tea. 
 
 Octave. No, no, water! I want only water! 
 [Eugenie goes into the dining-room with Clo- 
 tilde.] 
 
 Baudouin. I don't understand at all. They are 
 not discussing the Bill to-day, are they? Tell me! 
 
 Octave. This has nothing to do with the Bill 
 proper. It's an incident a personal matter. They've 
 invented another Panama! 
 
 Baudouin. Another Panama? 
 
 Octave. Oh, a everything's upside down. Our 
 men are coming here to consult with you. The situa- 
 tion is extremely grave. And then my idiot of a 
 secretary leaves me in the lurch. [A number of 
 voices are heard in heated conversation in the ante- 
 chamber.] There! There they are! 
 
 [A group of parliamentarians, friends of Bau- 
 douin, quickly invade the room.] 
 
 Galimard [who has the Midi accent]. Ah, my 
 friends, what a mess! 
 
 First Deputy. A deathblow from the Clericals! 
 [211
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Second Deputy. Scandalous! 
 
 Third Deputy. Puts the quietus on the Bill! 
 
 Gaumard. Let it be, and it will land on its fore- 
 paws ! 
 
 Fourth Deputy. And to think it was Roquin 
 who left us! 
 
 Fifth Deputy. Serves the Cabinet right! I've 
 never heard of a meaner trick! Never! 
 
 Sixth Deputy. Nastier than Roquin himself, 
 which is saying a good deal! 
 
 Baudouin. But tell me, Messieurs, what hap- 
 pened? A catastrophe, it seems? Is the Cabinet 
 out? 
 
 Pratt [a young man, elegantly dressed]. Yes, and 
 Clement-Moulin is done for! 
 
 [Eugenie and Clotilde come in from the 
 dining-room, one carrying a tumbler, the 
 other a carafe filled with water.] 
 
 Eugenie [offering Octave the glass which Clotilde 
 has filled]. Here, dear 
 
 Pratt [to Baudouin]. Here it is it's really ridic- 
 ulous 
 
 Eugenie [to Octave, wlw has taken the glass]. 
 Not so fast why, the perspiration is running off 
 you! 
 
 [22]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Baudouin. I must hear this Mother, please let 
 us discuss this matter by ourselves. 
 [General confusion again.] 
 
 Eugenie. We're goiug, we're going 
 
 Octave [to Clotilde]. Have you that speech of 
 Jules Ferry? 
 
 Clotilde. Yes. 
 
 Octave. On my desk, with the other papers. 
 Don't forget to see the solicitor. 
 
 Eugenie. Oh, dear! oh, dear, what a day! 
 
 [The two women go out. 
 
 Pratt [resuming to Baudouin]. You have no 
 idea what! Not long ago, as the session opened, 
 Roquin asked to have the floor in order to make a 
 revelation of a fact which was intimately concerned 
 with the honor of the Government and the Chamber. 
 
 Baudouin. The idea! 
 
 Pratt. Roquin maintains that the Clericals of 
 the Rue de Varenne made overtures to the Depart- 
 ment of the Interior regarding the offer of a million 
 [laughs, protestations, and general confusion, and ex- 
 clamations of "A million /" spoken with sarcasm] 
 in order to escape the proscription of the religious 
 establishments which are under government regula- 
 tion, according to the Public Instruction laws, 
 [23]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Try to bribe a Minister like Clement- 
 Moulin! It's downright madness! 
 
 Pratt. Idiotic, as I said! 
 
 Baudouin. And is that the reason for the fall? 
 
 Pratt. One moment. It was supposed to be 
 with'the complicity of several parties, politicians, and 
 officeholders, who are charged by the Clericals with 
 having influenced opinion or tampering with the 
 reports. 
 
 Baudouin. And does Roquin, one of our men, 
 make the charge? 
 
 Pratt. You know what he's like, a mere figure- 
 head who thinks he's still at school in Pontoise 
 
 Octave. An incapable idiot who is looking for 
 popularity. He wants cheap advertisement at the 
 expense of the party. 
 
 Baudouin. The fool! To start a reaction and 
 pose as a little Robespierre. [Laughing, then.] Now, 
 Pratt, you are chief Secretary of the Interior, did you 
 ever hear the slightest ? 
 
 Pratt. Nothing at all. It's a fairy tale, every 
 word 
 
 Octave. And think, would the Clericals sacrifice 
 a million in order to stay in France? 
 
 Baudouin. You don't know as much about that 
 1241
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 as I do, my boy. The whole Faubourg has gone to 
 school there. For the right to teach the bourgeoisie 
 and the aristocracy, a million to the "black band" is 
 nothing. 
 
 Pratt. But if they are willing to buy, there is no 
 salesman. 
 
 Baudouin. Of course, of course 
 
 The Maid [announcing]. Monsieur Roquin. 
 [Confusion.] 
 
 A Deputy. The idea! 
 
 Galimard. The nerve! 
 
 Pratt. I'll talk to him. 
 
 [Enter Roquin. He is tall and lean, and looks 
 like the man already referred to in the fore- 
 going dialogue. Pratt advances toward him 
 and says threateningly.] 
 Monsieur, you have done a low and mean trick! 
 
 Roquin [angrily]. What's this? 
 
 Baudouin. Now, Roquin, what have you been 
 saying? 
 
 Roquin. The impure truth, boss. [Protesta- 
 tions.] 
 
 Pratt. Nonsense! You like a scandal. In your 
 attempt to help the Republic you'll end by throwing 
 her to the dogs. 
 
 [25]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 Roquin. She will drown herself in a mire of 
 bribery! 
 
 [More general confusion. Pratt is about to 
 throw himself on Roquin, but is prevented by 
 the others from doing so.] 
 
 Baudouin [interposing], Pratt, if you please! 
 
 Galimard [to Roquin]. Go to hell with those 
 stories of yours! 
 
 Pratt. I refuse to allow him to say what he did ! 
 [To Roquin.] Tell me to my face that you suspect 
 me? I'm a member of the Department of the In- 
 terior. I'm the secretary. 
 
 Roquin. Pardon me, but you are not the only 
 official in the Place Bauveau. 
 
 Galimard. Come, now, don't fight among our- 
 selves. We must stand together against the Clericals. 
 
 Octave [to Roquin]. Then who are the guilty 
 parties? Give us the names! 
 
 Roquin. My investigation will reveal the guilty 
 parties. 
 
 Octave. You see, you can't. The whole thing is 
 only an invention of your diseased brain. 
 
 Pratt. You missed your vocation, my dear man; 
 you belong on the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Roquin [with crushing directness]. Allow me, 
 [26]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Monsieur! As recently as this morning some one 
 came to solicit from me 
 
 Several Deputies. What? You? Nonsense! 
 
 Roquin. Yes, me! I had a visit from a certain 
 Puylaroche a thin Jesuit, with any number of orders 
 and decorations looks like a retired cavalry officer. 
 I pretended to fall in with his plans in order to get 
 as much evidence as possible. Then, when I got all 
 I needed, I showed him the door. He had time, 
 however, to give me information which certain of our 
 colleagues have not given me 
 
 Pratt. My dear friend, I think you capable of 
 finding fleas on a china dog! 
 
 [Laughter and sounds of approbation.] 
 
 Roquin [to Pratt]. Are you bothered with them? 
 [Again Pratt is about to strike Roquin, and 
 again he is prevented from doing so. Confu- 
 sion and loud talking.] 
 
 Baudouin. Please, Messieurs, you are in ray 
 home! How did the Cabinet break up? 
 
 Galimard. I'll tell you. I've been wanting to 
 speak for the past five minutes and you won't listen. 
 [Laughter.] 
 
 A Deputy. Clement-Moulin was mistaken in 
 
 refusing salvation, that is, an investigation 
 
 [27]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Galimard [offended]. Oh, my! This is- 
 
 The Same Deputy. Which was wanted by the 
 majority. To clear his own reputation as well as 
 that of the Cabinet he took away the means, and 
 the majority overthrew him in order to save its own 
 
 face 
 
 [Laughter.] 
 
 Another Deputy. He lacked a majority by five 
 voices 
 
 Roquin. Six mine ! 
 
 Baudouin. What! Did the Chamber vote for 
 an investigation? 
 
 Galimard [finally taking the floor]. My friend, 
 that was the cause of the mischief it was like a cold 
 shower over the whole Chamber. The entire Left 
 rose as one man, and demanded the names! The 
 names! The Right shouted for an investigation. 
 The speaker pounded his gavel so hard that he dis- 
 located his wrist. Word of honor, he was like 
 
 this [He seizes his right wrist with his left hand, 
 
 picks up a paper-knife, which he swings in the air, and 
 imitates the voice of the speaker.] "Messieurs, Mes- 
 sieurs, I beg you !" [Laughter.] 
 
 Baudouin. What did Clement-Moulin answer? 
 
 Pratt. He made a most feeble defence 
 
 [28]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 A Deputy. He wouldn't be sorry to resign now, 
 
 he's found positions for his whole family 
 
 Baudouin. Clement-Moulin is an honest 
 man! 
 
 A Young Deputy. When a parliamentarian is 
 fifty, he's no good! 
 
 [Protestations of "Oh, oh!" The Young 
 
 Deputy is made to realize that Baudouin 
 
 is a man 'past middle age.] 
 
 Baudouin. What did he answer? 
 
 Galimard. He declared his innocence. He had a 
 
 clear conscience before Panama that was twenty 
 
 years ago, but to-day 
 
 Roquin. We hardly know what to swear by ! 
 All. That's enough, now! 
 
 Galimard. To-day, Messieurs, an investigation 
 was voted; the result is the same: investigation means 
 
 death 
 
 Roquin. We shall see! 
 
 Pratt. Especially as the only thing revealed will 
 
 be the shame of the defamers 
 
 Roquin. We shall see! 
 
 The Maid [announcing]. Senator Ferrand! 
 
 [Conversation and general approval. Enter 
 Ferrand, a staid man of fifty-five. He 
 [29]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 is followed by a number of parliamentarians, 
 who appear to be more reserved and are better 
 dressed than those who came in before.] 
 
 Baudouin [going to greet Ferrand]. Well, my 
 friend, is it the downfall of the Cabinet? 
 
 Ferrand. I think it only a poor move. I fore- 
 saw it the moment the vote was taken. Clement- 
 Moulin was not watching his game any too carefully. 
 Now, when a Minister is in power for two years, he 
 imagines he's playing dominoes 
 
 Baudouin. What? Are these gentlemen ? 
 
 How are you, Messieurs? 
 
 Ferrand. I have brought them as delegates from 
 the Left 
 
 Baudouin. Why, may I ask? 
 
 Ferrand. This is why: the presence of our col- 
 leagues here does not in the least prevent my making 
 you a proposal in the name of the entire Republican 
 party 
 
 Baudouin. What is it? 
 
 Ferrand. Let me tell you. Immediately after 
 the session, the Speaker asked me to step in and see 
 him; there he told me that this evening I should be 
 proposed by him at the Elysee to make up a Cabinet. 
 You are well acquainted with the good will that the 
 [30]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 President of the Republic has toward me for what he 
 calls my old professional qualities ? 
 
 Baudouin. My congratulations! [He grasps 
 Ferrand's hands and shakes them.] 
 
 Ferrand. But wait! I shan't accept unless I 
 have you at my side. I have come to offer you a 
 position on the Cabinet. 
 
 [Murmurs of approval. Octave starts.] 
 
 Baudouin [stupefied]. Never! You can't really 
 mean it! 
 
 Ferrand. My dear friend, let us not waste time. 
 If I run any risk with the party, I hope to make up 
 the loss with you. 
 
 Baudouin. Messieurs, are you in earnest? 
 
 A Delegate. Of course we are. 
 
 Ferrand. I am not in the habit of joking. 
 
 Baudouin. But you know this is out of the ques- 
 tion! 
 
 All. Why? Out of the question? 
 
 Baudouin. Because I have always refused : it is a 
 matter of principle. 
 
 Ferrand. You will change. 
 
 Baudouin. Then I'm a free lance. Let me 
 strike my blows alone. If I were put in command, I 
 might fire on my own men. 
 [31]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 [Laughs and exclamations.] 
 Ferrand. Now you are pleading my cause. You 
 are a new man, and that is just what I need to make 
 an entirely new split. 
 
 [Cries of "Bravo! Bravo!"] 
 
 Baudouin. But I have no aptitude 
 
 [Protestations.] 
 Ferrand. I offer you the Department of Religion 
 and Instruction! 
 
 [Cries of "Bravo! Bravo!"] 
 First Delegate. This is exactly your job. You, 
 a former Director of Primary Education ! 
 [Murmurs of approval.] 
 Second Delegate. Think of your campaign in 
 the "Avant Garde" against religious instruction! 
 Ferrand. And your manual of lay instruction, 
 
 that's used in every school in France 
 
 [Exclamations: "Ah! Ah!"] 
 
 Here's a copy [He takes from his pocket a small 
 
 bound booklet.] A teacher in the Basse-Loire gave 
 it to me; this copy belonged to one of his pupils 
 whose father is a member of the Association of 
 Catholic Vigilance. Every sentence of yours is 
 marked and corrected, and, furthermore, here are the 
 
 Church's answers to your charges 
 
 [32]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 Baudouin [interested]. Let me see- 
 
 Ferrand. Listen to this: [He reads.] "Is the 
 feeling of duty a natural one to man?" Answer, in 
 handwriting: "The sentiment of duty is inseparable 
 
 from religion " 
 
 [Exclamations and murmurs.] 
 
 Baudouin. Idiot! 
 
 Ferrand [reading]. " Can one fulfil his duties with 
 no hope of reward? " Answer, in handwriting : " With- 
 out the sanction of a future life man would be hope- 
 lessly wrong not to live like a brute in the present 
 life." 
 
 [Excited exclamations.] 
 
 Baudouin. Pretty kind of morality! Never 
 mind reading any more. [He tries to take the booklet 
 from Ferrand's hands.] 
 
 Ferrand. No; let's end with this question that 
 you ask: "What should be man's guide?" You 
 answer: "Reason." The father replies: "God." 
 [Laughter and jeering.] 
 
 Baudouin. Nonsense, nonsense, nonsense! 
 
 Ferrand. Well, my dear friend, you are the 
 father of the laiety [murmurs of approval] and I 
 now call upon you to put your theories into practice 
 as Minister of Public Instruction. 
 [33 1
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 [Applause and cries of "Bravo!"] 
 
 Baudouin [disturbed]. Listen to me, my friends; 
 this is the greatest decision I have ever been forced 
 to make. Before giving you my final answer, allow 
 me to consult one whose conscience will help me to 
 see clearly into my own 
 
 Ferrand. Who is that? 
 
 Baudouin. My son. 
 
 [Every one turns toward Octave.] 
 
 Octave. I? 
 
 Baudouin. What do you think? 
 [Octave hesitates.] 
 
 Ferrand. Well? 
 
 Galimard. Tell him. 
 
 Pratt. Speak. 
 
 Roquin. Go ahead. 
 
 Baudouin. What's the trouble? Tell me. 
 
 Octave [perplexed]. Well, Father, I hardly know 
 what to say. My judgment is less free than your 
 own. I have ambitions for you that you haven't for 
 yourself. I am afraid of advising you to do what I 
 want. 
 
 Ferrand. That is what we are asking for. 
 
 Octave. But that would not be the right way to 
 treat his confidence. The political situation just 
 [34]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 at present is so serious [to his father] and your 
 accepting this office would entail such responsibili- 
 ties 
 
 All. No, no! Not at all! Don't discourage 
 him! 
 
 Baudouin. Let him speak! 
 
 Octave. Messieurs, you must see that I am sacri- 
 ficing my own interests. [To his father.] You are a 
 mystic of the Democracy; you have fought your fight 
 on the heights with ideas. Now it is a question of 
 coming down into the depths [protestations] yes, 
 into the depths. 
 
 Roquin. You are very severe, young man. 
 
 Octave. Yes, yes, Messieurs, to ask him to come 
 face to face with all the sordid realities of man-to- 
 man disputes that is far below his capacity, his 
 character no, I cannot advise him to accept. 
 
 All [disappointed]. Oh! Oh! 
 
 Baudouin [with deep feeling, as he goes to Octave 
 and takes both his hands]. Thank you, son! 
 
 The Maid [entering]. The Speaker of the Cham- 
 ber 
 
 [Excitement, then a pause.] 
 
 Baudouin [shaking his finger at his friends]. I tell 
 you, if it was you who 
 
 [35]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 Ferrand. No, no, we have nothing to do with 
 this. 
 
 Galimard. It's a surprise. 
 
 A Delegate. I swear it is. 
 
 Roquin. Come, Baudouin, you will accept 
 
 Baudouin [hastening to the door]. The idea! You 
 here, after the session! 
 
 [Enter Arnaut. He can scarcely speak. 
 Every one bows deferentially. A chair is 
 offered him. He falls wearily into it.] 
 
 Baudouin. You must be worn out. 
 Arnaut. Baudouin accept? 
 Ferrand. No not yet. 
 
 Baudouin. So you have come to worry me ? 
 
 Arnaut. What reasons? 
 
 Galimard. Incompetence ! 
 
 Ferrand. He prefers to sit back quietly 
 
 Baudouin. What the devil! Why don't you 
 take Bernard, or Juliaux, or Marchand? 
 
 Arnaut. Listen to me, please ! I'm nearly worn 
 out my voice is I've not come here to use any 
 undue influence or pressure: you may decide as you 
 like. I've come to ask you to look into your own 
 
 conscience 
 
 [36]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act 1 
 
 [Sounds of approbation: " Bravo I " then " Shh 1 "] 
 
 Baudouin. But it is precisely my conscience 
 
 Arnaut. Allow me, please 
 
 All. Listen to him! Listen to him! 
 
 Arnaut [his voice becoming a little stronger as he 
 proceeds]. Dear old friend, you and I have seen little 
 of each other these past twenty years; each of us has 
 had his life to lead, each of us has fought in the thick 
 of the struggle. But aren't we always sure to find 
 ourselves side by side in the hour of need, under the 
 flag isn't that true, Baudouin? 
 
 Baudouin. It is, Arnaut. 
 
 Arnaut. I am asking for a sacrifice, my friend. 
 It's an ungrateful task I am asking you to undertake. 
 You are going to be a buffer to the whole opposition. 
 All the hopeless rage of the enemy will be spent on 
 you, but you know what cause you will be defend- 
 ing: the education law is in danger. [Baudouin 
 starts.] I appeal, Baudouin, to your conscience. 
 
 [Sounds of approval again, and cries of 
 "Bravo!"] 
 
 Baudouin. Why to me rather than to some one 
 else? There are always enough candidates for the 
 offices. 
 
 Arnaut. Because you are poor, Henri Baudouin ! 
 [37]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 Because at this time, in order to give the lie to the 
 ever-increasing reports of a new scandal, and in 
 order to guarantee that the investigation will be 
 rigorously carried out. There is no man who can do 
 that so well as you: you will inspire confidence in 
 enemies as well as in friends. Let me call you what 
 the people call you: "Father Conscience!" [Ap- 
 plause.] 
 
 Baudouin. This is very annoying ! I'll be stoned 
 some day because of that name. Do you believe in 
 that scandal? 
 
 [Every one turns toward Arnaut.] 
 
 Arnaut [breaking an embarrassing silence]. I 
 don't know it seems too absurd it would be terri- 
 ble No, I don't believe it! 
 
 All. Yes, you do! Speak! Speak! 
 
 Arnaut [in a resonant and strong voice]. No, Mes- 
 sieurs, I am the leader of all our colleagues, and I 
 have no right to have an opinion on that subject. 
 [ To Baudouin.] You should understand me. You, 
 my friend, you should understand. I am sorry I 
 appeared so wrought up 
 
 Ferrand. What's this? 
 
 All. Speak! Speak! 
 
 Baudouin. Do you know something ? 
 
 [38]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Arnaut. No, I know nothing, absolutely nothing. 
 But during the past twenty years we have suffered 
 enough, we have had enough sadness and shame, we 
 have washed the soiled linen of the Republican family 
 so that there is no need of my making a confession to 
 you. I am suffering keenly, and I hardly know why. 
 I fear that our triumph has been too self-satisfied, too 
 sure of itself. [Protestations.] Yes, yes, Messieurs, 
 I almost regret the great purity and openness of our 
 splendid defeats! [Going to Baudouen.] Just a few 
 moments ago, as I was coming up your five flights of 
 stairs, I felt I was making a pilgrimage to see certain 
 souvenirs of the past. I saw again our elders under 
 the Empire, to whom the mere name of the Republic 
 was a sublime form of religion. I felt again the 
 awful opprobrium of Csesarism and the nightmare of 
 invasion; and then the horror, the sudden horror, of 
 seeing at last our dear dream of fraternity enter Paris 
 to the accompaniment of gunshots, through the 
 smoking breach of the Commune! This is all legend 
 to you younger men. It seems, too, that I am a 
 phantom of the past. Sometimes, when I am sitting 
 in the Chamber, on my high bench dominating every- 
 thing, I think that I have been relegated to a moun- 
 tain top, and I sit there so alone. My feet mingle 
 [39]
 
 Act I THE APOSTLE 
 
 in the melee below, and become a part of the ambi- 
 tious struggles and disputes it's really terrifying to 
 me. [Murmurs.] 
 
 Ferrand. Now you're surely exaggerating. 
 
 Baudouin [deeply impressed]. Go on! Go on! 
 
 Arnaut. Well, Baudouin, you, too, are a solitary 
 summit, only you are more alone and higher than I. 
 Of all those members of the older generation who 
 gathered round that little table in the cafe which you 
 remember, just before you left for London on the 
 evening of the second of December our throats 
 were so contracted that we couldn't empty our 
 glasses, our hearts big with the emotion of the im- 
 pending drama you and I are the only survivors. 
 In the name of those who have since disappeared, 
 my dear brother-in-arms, I beg you to take their 
 place. Our fathers made the Republic, we must 
 save it ! We are in the presence of the greatest dan- 
 ger she has yet faced. The enemy does not come 
 from another land, it is at our doors, among us. 
 What is threatened is not such and such a cabinet, it 
 is the lay law, the heart of the Democracy, it is the 
 very ideal which has always been the principle of my 
 life and of yours. You haven't the right to desert us. 
 Under the flag, Baudouin, under the flag! 
 40]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 [ There is a tense pause.) 
 
 Baudouin. I'm with you, old man! 
 
 Arnaut. I felt sure! 
 
 [The delegates are delighted; they embrace one 
 another and converse excitedly.] 
 
 Galimard. Long live the Republic! 
 
 Ferrand. Now to the Ely see! 
 
 Baudouin [authoritatively]. One word, Messieurs. 
 I wish to make a formal condition to my acceptance. 
 I firmly believe that our friend Arnaut is taking much 
 too pessimistic a view of the political situation. I 
 shall see that the investigation is carried out to the 
 last detail. What if I find the guilty party on our 
 side of the Chamber? 
 
 All. But you won't! 
 
 Baudouin. But if I do? 
 
 Arnaut. You will do justice! 
 
 Baudouin. Is that clearly understood? I refuse 
 to be curbed afterward no matter who he is or how 
 high he stands. 
 
 All. Of course! We understand. 
 
 Baudouin. Shall I have the confidence and good 
 will of our friend, Roquin? I should appreciate 
 
 All. Well? Shall he? 
 
 Roquin [after a moment's reflection]. Yes, yes, I 
 [41]
 
 Act 1 THE APOSTLE 
 
 admit that if Baudouin is to superintend the investi- 
 gation 
 
 All. Good! 
 
 Pratt. There's a just man for you! 
 
 Ferrand. My dear Baudouin, I feel this very 
 
 deeply I can't thank you 
 
 All. Long live Baudouin! To the Elysee! 
 Long live Arnaut! Long live the Republic! To the 
 Elysee! 
 
 [Baudouin is given a cordial ovation. The 
 men go out amid great enthusiasm. Roquin, 
 who lingers and is the last of the delegation to 
 leave, casts a cold glance at Octave. Oc- 
 tave stands, oblivious of everything, wiih 
 one hand on his forehead, his eyes staring into 
 the void.] 
 Baudouin [reentering pensive and solemn]. Oc- 
 tave? 
 
 Octave [quickly coming to himself]. Yes? What 
 is it? 
 
 Baudouin. Come here, son. You are excited, 
 aren't you? So am I. Come, kiss me. [Octave 
 allows his father to kiss him.] Let me look into your 
 eyes for the power I shall need. You will help me, 
 won't you? 
 
 [42]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act I 
 
 Eugenie [entering, right]. What has happened? 
 
 Baudouin. I am Minister 
 
 Eugenie. Minister, you? 
 
 Baudouin [pointing to his son, who is pressed close 
 to his breast]. And here is my right arm, Mother! 
 
 Curtain 
 
 43]
 
 ACT II
 
 act n 
 
 The same scene as in the preceding act, except that 
 Baudouin's office has been overhauled, and now 
 presents an official appearance. There is no more 
 disorder: the bookshelves have glass doors, there is a 
 bronze bust of the Republic, new furniture, a desk 
 suitable for a cabinet minister on the right, with a 
 telephone on it. To the left, a smaller desk, opposite 
 the large one. 
 
 Latouche, a young secretary, sits at the small 
 desk, working. Baudouin, in a jacket, and very 
 well dressed, walks back and forth, his hands clasped 
 behind him. 
 
 Latouche. Let me reread the list of wit- 
 nesses: Rosserand, Gigou, Walter, Ribauval, Poite- 
 vin, de Flersac, Nanteuil, Petit de Blommeville, 
 Juniot, Valentin, Meyer. 
 
 Baudouin. Is that all? 
 
 Latouche [rather annoyed]. You really must see 
 [47]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Monsieur Puylaroche. You won't forget that, will 
 you, Monsieur le ministre? 
 
 Baudouin. Puylaroche? 
 
 Latouche. Yes, he's a delegate: the man from 
 the Clericals who made that offer to Monsieur Ro- 
 quin. They are bringing a charge of attempted 
 bribery 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, you insist on my seeing him. I 
 can't make the investigation myself, my connection 
 is purely official 
 
 Latouche [as he writes]. So far, his answers before 
 
 the commission have been nothing at all [Looking 
 
 at Baudouin.] I assure you, Monsieur le ministre, it 
 is very important that you see him 
 
 Baudouin. But why? Tell me- 
 
 Latouche [writing again]. He knows a great deal, 
 but he refuses to talk except in private. 
 
 Baudouin. He's a nasty solicitor. Really, I 
 don't like the idea of seeing him. Oh, very well, 
 then, Latouche, I consent. We can't have too much 
 light on the subject let us have more! [He looks 
 for something in his desk.] Have you seen my pipe, 
 Latouche? I can't find anything, now that things 
 have been rearranged. 
 
 Latouche. I beg your pardon, Monsieur le 
 [48]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 ministre, but you promised Madame Baudouin that 
 you would smoke only cigars. Allow me? [He 
 offers Baudouin his case of cigars.] 
 
 Baudouin. Very well: the ministerial cigar. 
 [He takes a cigar.] I see, you're an accomplice of my 
 wife's. [He lights the cigar.] Your cigars are very 
 good, by the way. [He walks back and forth.] Do 
 you know, Latouche, Gerberoi's evidence was some- 
 thing astounding! Pratt is certainly compromised 
 and I had such confidence in that fellow ! He had 
 the nerve to come here and announce that the Cabi- 
 net had been overthrown! And Fontanez and 
 
 Villardieu! It's really Why do you smile, 
 
 Latouche? 
 
 Latouche. It's nothing, Monsieur le ministre. 
 
 Baudouin. Tell me, what are you thinking? 
 
 Latouche [after a moment's hesitation]. You are 
 new to the business 
 
 Baudouin [laughing] . Oh, no, I'm only an old fogey ! 
 
 Latouche. You know, without your interven- 
 tion, the report of the trial would not have been pub- 
 lished in toto 
 
 Baudouin. Oh, there was plenty of opposition, 
 but you know my principles, and you are aware of 
 my reasons for accepting this office. I stand for a 
 [49]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 thorough cleaning-up without regard to consequence. 
 [ There is a knock on the door.] Come in ! 
 
 Enter a Servant in a white apron. 
 
 What is it? I am working, and I can receive no one. 
 
 The Servant [presenting cards on a salver]. These 
 gentlemen say they have an appointment 
 
 Baudouin [vrithout looking at the names on the 
 cards]. That is not true; they have no appointment. 
 I wish to be alone. 
 
 Latouche [glancing at the cards]. Monsieur le 
 ministre, it's Monsieur Galimard 
 
 Baudouin. Again! He's obsessed! I know 
 what he wants. I shan't give in, however. I have 
 said No, and I repeat it! 
 
 Latouche. Monsieur Galimard is head of the 
 
 Baudouin [hesitating a moment]. Tell him to 
 come in, Jules. Now I'll give them to understand 
 once for all! 
 
 [The Servant goes out. 
 No matter what you say, it is scandalous to see 
 honest men interceding for a scamp 
 
 Enter Galimard, Duval-Porcheret, and Meyer- 
 heim. 
 [50]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Galimard. Only a word, my dear Minister 
 
 Baudouin. Galimard, my friend 
 
 Galimard. Let me introduce these gentlemen. 
 Monsieur Meyerheim, the well-known banker our 
 party Monsieur Duval-Porcheret, president of the 
 Republican Democratic committee of Villeneuve- 
 sur-Marne 
 
 Baudouin. Galimard, my friend, you are the 
 best fellow in the world, but if you brought here the 
 whole party and every banker on the Rue Laffitte 
 I beg your pardon, Messieurs you could not move 
 me one inch. I am firm; I believe Pratt is dishonest. 
 Let justice take its course. 
 
 Galimard. But you can't sacrifice Pratt; he's 
 our candidate for election next month in the Basse- 
 Marne. He has all the votes of the Grand-Morin. 
 It would mean the loss of a whole department! 
 
 Baudouin. We'll find another. 
 
 Duval-Porcheret. That is easily said, Monsieur 
 le ministre. I beg your pardon, but I come from 
 that district. You have no idea what efforts the 
 Church party is now making there to ruin the lay 
 schools. Monsieur Pratt may not be all he should 
 be, but still he is the only man in the party who has 
 the confidence of the rural districts. He has been 
 [51]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 working them for the past three years, and spent any 
 amount of money 
 
 Baudouin. Which he got out of the pockets of 
 others. 
 
 Meyerheim. Money, Monsieur le ministre, is 
 always taken out of some one's pocket. I have had 
 business relations with Monsieur Pratt for a great 
 many years. He is connected with numerous houses; 
 his fall would cause widespread ruin among any num- 
 ber of small stockholders: the obscure pillars of the 
 Republic. You have no wish to strike these innocent 
 people ? 
 
 Baudouin. In defending the cause of honesty I 
 am rendering a service to all the humble men and 
 women who are the victims of a few thieves. 
 
 Galimard. But, my dear friend, Pratt is an in- 
 telligent man former Secretary of the Interior. He 
 would go into the Chamber and there make use of 
 his wide experience 
 
 Baudouin. Fine experience! 
 
 Galimard. This would mean a big scandal. Are 
 you considering that? Then, Pratt is on our side. 
 Your son knows him, so do you 
 
 Baudouin. Oh, we have known him as an official, 
 that is all. 
 
 [52]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Galimard. But he used to come to see you. I 
 met him here ten days ago when we were forming the 
 Cabinet. Why, he was one of the most enthusiastic 
 supporters of your candidacy as Minister 
 
 Baudouin. But do I want to owe anything to a 
 political schemer who was counting on my com- 
 placency in this matter? 
 
 Galimard. But you do, I tell you 
 
 [Ferrand enters unannounced. He is evi- 
 dently in a hurry and preoccupied. He 
 speaks quickly and briefly.] 
 
 Ferrand. Good day, Messieurs! 
 
 All [except Baudouin, bowing]. Monsieur! 
 
 Ferrand. You will excuse me, Messieurs? Ur- 
 gent business. I must speak with Baudouin. 
 
 Galimard. Don't forget! A word about Pratt 
 
 Ferrand. Yes, yes. [Getting rid of Galimard.] 
 See you at the Chamber, Galimard? 
 
 Meyerheim. Monsieur, we shall leave you 
 
 Galimard [as he leaves]. Then you'll think about 
 it, Baudouin? I am speaking for our common in- 
 terest 
 
 Latouche. Shall I go out with these gentlemen? 
 
 Ferrand. Yes, please, just for a minute. 
 
 [The four men go out. 
 [53]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Sit down, will you? 
 
 Ferrand. I haven't time 
 
 Baudouin. What is it? Nothing serious, I hope! 
 
 Ferrand. Serious, no, but rather disagreeable. 
 You remember your son's secretary, who disap- 
 peared? 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, ten days ago. My son thinks it 
 was some crazy idea. I had a search made for him. 
 But what is it? I'm busy. Do you know something 
 about the matter? 
 
 Ferrand. Well, my friend, he committed suicide. 
 
 Baudouin [thunderstruck]. What's that? 
 
 Ferrand. I have just learned the news from the 
 prefecture. His body was found in a ditch in the 
 Bois de Boulogne. Here is the report of the investi- 
 gation. Suicide was evident. [Ferrand hands 
 Baudouin a sheet of paper and watches closely the 
 effect produced on him.] 
 
 Baudouin [having read the paper]. Poor fellow! 
 I'm terribly sorry! It's unbelievable! 
 
 Ferrand. As to the reasons that led him to kill 
 himself, you see nothing is said 
 
 Baudouin. No, I see; 
 
 Ferrand. Can't you surmise, perhaps 
 
 Baudouin. No, I have no idea. From what I 
 
 [54]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 fc I I !!! !!! - , II. 
 
 know of the young man no, I can't imagine. Why, 
 it's unbelievable 
 
 Ferrand. I know less about it all than you. [A 
 pause.] Between you and me, what sort of man was 
 this Remillot? 
 
 Baudouin. Honest and upright a good clean 
 character, and faithful worker. But you know of 
 Remillot the professor who refused to swear his 
 oath under the Empire that was his father. The 
 little fellow wrote for the "Avant Garde." This 
 suicide seems so unreasonable 
 
 Ferrand. Possibly your son could help us out? 
 It is certainly to his interest that the papers don't 
 get hold of the story and invent one of those fantastic 
 tales 
 
 Baudouin. What could they possibly say? 
 
 Ferrand. Well you know the secretary of a 
 prominent deputy, who is the son of a new minister 
 
 whom the enemy are watching day and night I 
 
 thought it wise to let you know at once, before any 
 one else got wind of it. I am quite sure the poor 
 fellow was all right, only -well, explain it; we must 
 have an explanation. We can't have any mys- 
 tery about it. See your son, and then don't do 
 anything without first consulting me. 
 [55]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. I'll see about it at once. Are you 
 going now? 
 
 Ferrand. I have business at the Department of 
 the Interior this call has already made me late. 
 See you to-morrow, old man, at the Cabinet meeting 
 in the Elysee. [Just before he leaves.] Oh, by the 
 way, that investigation! Tell me, are you really 
 going to sacrifice Pratt and Fontanez? 
 
 Baudouin. Absolutely. 
 
 Ferrand. You are hard, Baudouin; that will be 
 a severe blow for us. People will see only the fault 
 of the guilty men and not the virtue of the judges 
 
 Baudouin. Ferrand, is it you who speak to me 
 this way? Don't you remember that we agreed ? 
 
 Ferrand. Yes, yes, we did. 
 
 Baudouin. Well, then, don't you approve of 
 what I am doing? [A pause.] 
 
 Ferrand. Frankly, you can't do it. 
 
 Baudouin. Why? 
 
 Ferrand. Because 
 
 Baudouin. Tell me, why? 
 
 Ferrand. Wait for a few days. [He goes out 
 quickly. Baudouin stands in astonishment before the 
 door.] 
 
 Baudouin [calling]. Latouche, come here! 
 [56]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Enter Latouche. 
 
 Please call up my son on the telephone, and tell him 
 that his secretary killed himself. 
 
 Latouche. Rene Remillot? [His astonishment 
 shows that he realizes the gravity of the news.] 
 Baudouin. Hurry up. \ 
 
 Latouche [at the telephone] . Hello hello Made- 
 moiselle? 556-79. 
 
 [A pause, during which Baudouin walks back 
 and forth. His attitude is feverish and 
 nervous.] 
 Monsieur Octave Baudouin? [To Baudouin.] He is 
 at the Palais de Justice busy with a case. 
 
 Baudouin. Have some one send for him and 
 ask him to come to see me as soon as he is through. 
 Latouche [into the telephone]. Go to the Palais 
 and tell Monsieur Octave Baudouin that his father 
 wishes to have him come immediately after the hear- 
 ing yes, at once important business very well. 
 [Clotilde pushes the door of the antechamber 
 halfway open.] 
 Clotilde. May I come in? Are there no more 
 officials? [She comes in with her two children: one a 
 boy of eighty the other a girl of six.] 
 [57]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 The Boy. Hello, Grandpa! 
 
 The Little Girl. Heyyo, Grandpa! [They run 
 to Baudouin.] 
 
 Baudouin. Ah, it's you, Clotilde! You've come 
 at a time 
 
 The Boy. Guess what we've brought you, 
 Grandpa? 
 
 The Little Girl. Somefing you've never never 
 seen. 
 
 The Boy. It's wonderful! 
 
 Baudouin. I haven't time just now, children 
 another time! 
 
 Clotilde. And you were complaining that you 
 never saw them nowadays. Grandma's going to 
 take them to the Luxembourg Gardens 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, yes, very good! But I want to 
 tell you something very serious 
 
 Clotilde. What is the matter? 
 
 The Boy. You'll be surprised, I tell you! 
 
 The Little Girl. Won't you look? 
 
 Baudouin. Take them away, Clotilde, please! 
 
 Clotilde. Come, children, we'll go to Grand- 
 ma 
 
 The Boy. Look, it's your picture you don't 
 
 like to have it taken 
 
 [58]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 The Little Girl. I put on the paints- 
 
 Baudouin [to Clotilde]. Please take them 
 away I can't stand them ! 
 
 Clotilde. Come, children, don't you hear me? 
 [She takes them by the hand. The Little Girl bursts 
 out crying, frightened by Baudouin's harsh tone.] 
 
 Baudouin. Now, now, there she is crying! Wait 
 a minute, Clotilde. Leave her with me a moment. 
 [He takes the Little Girl on his knee.] Oh, dear, dear, 
 are you afraid? There, dear, I'm not angry at all. 
 You know Grandpa has such a heap of things to 
 worry him. Now, it's all over quick, kiss me. 
 There, there's five francs for your picture. You may 
 have a ride on the donkey in the Luxembourg 
 Gardens 
 
 The Boy. That's fine! Say, you're a fine Min- 
 ister! A fine one! 
 
 Clotilde [taking the children out through the door 
 at the right and speaking to their grandmother, who 
 is in the next room]. There they are, Grandma, you 
 may take them to the Luxembourg. [She closes the 
 door and goes to Baudouin.] Now, what is it? 
 
 Baudouin. One second. Latouche, please be 
 good enough to carry those notes to the prefecture. 
 Then ask, for me, whether the investigation has 
 [59]
 
 Ad 11 THE APOSTLE 
 
 brought forth any new information about the 
 Remillot affair. Come back then and report to 
 me. 
 
 Clotilde. Have they found any clue yet? 
 
 Latouche. Very well, Monsieur le ministre. 
 You won't forget that you have made an appoint- 
 ment to see Monsieur Puylaroche at half-past 
 three? 
 
 Baudouin. That's so. 
 
 Latouche [bowing]. Madame. 
 
 [He goes out. 
 
 Clotilde. Now, what is it? You make me so 
 afraid 
 
 Baudouin. Little Remillot committed suicide. 
 
 Clotilde [with a piercing cry]. How horrible! 
 
 Baudouin. The prefecture reported that to me. 
 I have just received the first report of their brief 
 inquest. His body was discovered in a ditch in 
 the Bois de Boulogne. 
 
 Clotilde. But that's impossible. There must 
 be some mistake! It's not he! 
 
 Baudouin. Certain papers found on his body 
 leave no doubt of his identity. 
 
 Clotilde. But how do they know it wasn't a 
 murder? 
 
 [60]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Baudouin. He was still holding his revolver. 
 There was not a single trace of any struggle his 
 pocketbook had not been touched. 
 
 Clotilde [becoming more and more alarmed, with 
 tears in her eyes]. The poor young man! Killed 
 himself! 
 
 Baudouin. The body was already in a state of 
 decomposition 
 
 Clotilde. Don't! 
 
 Baudouin. It happened ten days ago: that is, 
 the day he disappeared. 
 
 Clotilde. Friday the twenty-second: the very 
 day we saw the last of him? 
 
 Baudouin. Probably 
 
 Clotilde. Where did he shoot himself? 
 [Baudouin points to his heart.] 
 Awful ! The poor young man ! [She falls into a chair, 
 and bursts into a fit of sobbing.] 
 
 Baudouin. Now, my dear, control yourself. 
 You must see that under the circumstances, with this 
 big investigation going on, I cannot allow my ene- 
 mies to find out about this and profit by the coinci- 
 dence. You see, there must be no mystery of any 
 kind. Have you any idea of his motive? 
 
 Clotilde. I? I haven't the slightest suspicion. 
 [61]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Not the slightest. I don't know what to think 
 now ! Why do you ask me ? 
 
 Baudouin. Whom should I ask? You saw him 
 from morning till night every day. 
 
 Clotilde [suddenly apprehensive]. Tell me, 
 Father, among the papers that were found on him, 
 was there a letter for any one? 
 
 Baudouin. Nothing not a word. That is pre- 
 cisely what troubles me. He seems to have taken 
 precautions so that no one should discover his 
 motive. 
 
 [Clotilde shows a look of anguish.] 
 Well, he was twenty-three isn't it reasonable to 
 suppose that there was a woman in the case? 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, no! 
 
 Baudouin. Why not? 
 
 Clotilde. Because well, I told you the other 
 day: he was a most upright and honorable young 
 man, of very high ideals. He never had anything 
 to do with women the way you imply: he had 
 the strictest possible principles. 
 
 Baudouin. Exactly. I don't mean to say that 
 he killed himself for some prostitute. He was a 
 serious young fellow, and possibly some deep pas- 
 sion ? 
 
 [62]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, don't say that! No, you mustn't. 
 He would never do anything so foolish as that! 
 
 Baudouin. You are quite sure he had no affair? 
 
 Clotilde. Quite! 
 
 Baudouin. Any financial troubles? 
 
 Clotilde. No! He cared nothing about money 
 he was even very careless. 
 
 Baudouin. Then can you explain why a pawn 
 ticket was found on his body? 
 
 Clotilde. A pawn ticket? Impossible! 
 
 Baudouin. For a gold watch and chain: sixty- 
 five francs. 
 
 Clotilde. Was he so short of money? 
 
 Baudouin. So it seems. But how can we ex- 
 plain it, unless he spent his money in some vicious 
 way? He was well paid 
 
 Clotilde. You're on the wrong scent. 
 
 Baudouin. What do you mean? Do you know 
 something about this? 
 
 Clotilde. I know absolutely nothing. 
 
 Baudouin. My child, this is not the moment 
 for keeping anything back. You must tell me the 
 truth, Clotilde. 
 
 Clotilde. Well, Father [She is about to 
 
 speak.] I'm afraid. 
 
 [63 1
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. No, tell ine. You must: I insist. 
 Please. 
 
 Clotilde. Very well, then! You would have 
 learned everything sooner or later. If Remillot 
 was short of money [she hesitates once more] 
 it was because for the past three months he was 
 going without his salary. 
 
 Baudouin. What! Didn't Octave pay him? 
 What are you saying? What does it mean? 
 
 Clotilde. It was wrong of me! 
 
 Baudouin. No, no. Tell me, tell me. Why 
 didn't Octave pay him? 
 
 Clotilde. Because just now we are very short 
 ourselves. 
 
 Baudouin. You short! But Octave has an in- 
 come of over thirty thousand francs as a lawyer. 
 You have no extra expenses: you have no mania for 
 jewels, and he has no debts. Well, then? 
 
 Clotilde. I can't tell you. 
 
 Baudouin. You poor woman, don't you realize 
 what I'm suffering? What is this I am finding out? 
 You tell me of a deficit and you give me no reasons, 
 and at the very moment when your husband's secre- 
 tary 
 
 Clotilde. Don't! Please! 
 
 r 64 1
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Baudouin. What has Octave done? What has 
 he done? 
 
 Clotilde. I it seems as if I were lowering ray- 
 self in telling this. 
 
 Baudouin. What have you to complain of about 
 your husband? 
 
 Clotilde. You are the only person who doesn't 
 know. All of Paris points out his mistress ! 
 
 Baudouin. Octave's mistress? 
 
 Clotilde. Mademoiselle Solange, of the Grand- 
 Theatre if you want to know her name! 
 
 Baudouin [utterly dumbfounded]. It isn't true! 
 I don't believe you. No, no, my child, I don't be- 
 lieve you. Accuse Octave of that at a moment like 
 this, when his honor is at stake! Please, I beg you, 
 don't make a statement like that you don't know 
 what it means! What proofs have you? Formal, 
 indisputable proofs? 
 
 Clotilde. I have them: formal and indispu- 
 table. You don't imagine that I believed it either? 
 I didn't until a woman friend of mine took me to a 
 picture exhibition dragged me by main force. She 
 wanted to enjoy my embarrassment, and I took up 
 her offer, for my pride was hurt by the insinuation. 
 I went and I saw them with my own eyes! 
 [65]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. He and that woman? 
 
 Clotilde. He and that woman ! Of course, they 
 behaved respectably to all appearances. They seemed 
 to enjoy parading themselves before every one 
 though their hypocrisy was too apparent. But one 
 instant, when they were not in the midst of the crowd, 
 they stopped in front of a nasty picture. Just a 
 fraction of a second I saw the way he took her hand. 
 Their heads were close together as they devoured 
 that voluptuous nude picture. It seemed to me 
 then, that by the looks they exchanged, their bodies 
 were before me, like their looks, and that I, too, stood 
 in their presence naked! I felt dizzy with shame 
 and I ran away as if I were in a nightmare 
 
 Baudouin. Oh, the miserable cad! [Seeing 
 Clotilde wipe away a tear of rage.] My poor 
 child! 
 
 Clotilde [with a certain ferocity]. Oh, no! You 
 mustn't pity me. [A pause.] 
 
 Baudouin. You won't forgive your husband? 
 
 Clotilde [rising]. A woman may forgive: love 
 never does! [Another pause.] 
 
 Baudouin. Is it possible! Octave! Octave! 
 We are speaking of Octave, are we not? So, he is 
 keeping that woman? 
 
 [66]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Clotilde. Ruining himself for her! I scarcely 
 have enough money for household expenses. We are 
 running into debt every day : I must even send away 
 a servant 
 
 Baudouin. You are in debt? 
 
 Clotilde. A mistress of the Grand-Theatre is an 
 expensive luxury. Then as a deputy Octave gets 
 reduced rates! 
 
 Baudouin. Please, Clotilde, let's not joke at 
 such a time as this! If you knew what mad ideas 
 are running through my head now! So you say he 
 is ruining himself for her? 
 
 Clotilde. He bought her an automobile. 
 
 Baudouin. What? An automobile? 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, it's the style now! 
 
 Baudouin. Then how much do you suppose 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, I don't know. He can pay the 
 price she is for sale! 
 
 Baudouin. For God's sake, tell me where he 
 finds the money? 
 
 Clotilde. He doesn't find it, to begin with, and 
 then he earns extra money by killing himself with 
 work. He pleads any and every case he can get. 
 His friend Pratt helps him get new cases. 
 
 Baudouin. Pratt? Did you say Pratt? 
 [67]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Clotilde. Yes, the former Secretary of the In- 
 terior. He is the one who first debauched him. 
 
 Baudouin. My child, this is the end of every- 
 thing for us. We are lost. 
 
 Clotilde. Lost? Why? What do you mean? 
 
 Baudouin. This investigation of mine has dis- 
 covered the most damaging evidence against Pratt. 
 
 Clotilde. Are you sure? 
 
 Baudouin. Absolutely. He may be arrested at 
 any moment. So Pratt is on intimate terms with 
 Octave? 
 
 Clotilde. Don't talk about it. That makes no 
 difference! I am sure Octave knows nothing 
 
 about 
 
 Baudouin. I, too! 
 
 Clotilde. Then what is the trouble? What are 
 you thinking of? 
 
 Baudouin. Nothing. 
 
 Clotilde. Yes, you are. 
 
 Baudouin [looking her straight in the eyes]. Clo- 
 tilde, Clotilde! 
 
 Clotilde [suddenly realizing what he is thinking]. 
 Don't, don't! [A long pause of intense emotional 
 agony. Then there is a knock on the door.] Come in. 
 Enter the Servant. 
 [68]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 The Servant. Some one to see Monsieur le 
 ministre. I said that Monsieur le ministre would 
 see no one, but the gentleman tells me he has an ap- 
 pointment. 
 
 Baudouin. Have you his card? 
 
 The Servant. No, Monsieur le ministre, he 
 wouldn't give me one. He just said, "Puylaroche." 
 
 Baudouin. That's so. Tell him to come in, 
 Jules. [To Clotilde.] Now go, my dear, this is a 
 political matter 
 
 Clotilde. But not a word to Octave, remem- 
 ber! 
 
 [She goes out, right. 
 [Enter Puylaroche, left. He wears the ribbon 
 of the Legion of Honor.] 
 
 Puylaroche [bowing]. Monsieur le ministre 
 
 Baudouin. Monsieur, you have refused to testify 
 before the investigation committee. May I know 
 the reason ? I have only an instant. I am waiting 
 for your answer. 
 
 Puylaroche. I beg your pardon, Monsieur le 
 ministre, it was you who asked to see me. I hope 
 you are not going to blame me for accepting your 
 invitation? I come here with the best of intentions, 
 in order to give you information that will not sound 
 [69]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 any too well in a public assembly. It will, none the 
 less, be very precious to you. 
 
 Baudouin. May I ask you again to speak, Mon- 
 sieur? 
 
 Puylaroche. I believe you are aware that your 
 son's secretary 
 
 Baudouin. I know, Monsieur, but I don't see 
 what that has to do with the matter? What do 
 you mean to insinuate? 
 
 Puylaroche. Nothing at all : it has nothing to do 
 with the question. I simply wished to state that 
 your son, whose best interests I have at heart 
 
 Baudouin. Then you know him? 
 
 Puylaroche. I have that honor. That your son, 
 as a result of this, is going to find himself placed 
 in a most delicate situation, and that my advice 
 will possibly be of some service to him 
 
 Baudouin. You of service to him? How? Do 
 you know the motive of the suicide? 
 
 Puylaroche. Oh, Monsieur le ministre, I never 
 know anything; I don't want to know anything. It 
 goes without saying that any one may have a secre- 
 tary, who for personal reasons But the public, 
 
 you know, is always only too ready to look on the 
 
 worst side of things, and in this particular instance 
 
 [701
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad II 
 
 will draw a regrettable parallel between the suicide 
 and a certain other affair which will not long remain 
 secret. , 
 
 Baudouin. Why what affair? 
 
 Puylaroche. Hasn't your son told you? In 
 that case, Monsieur le ministre, I must say nothing. 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, yes, my son did drop some re- 
 mark but I forget: what about it? 
 
 Puylaroche. Well, I am known to be discreet, 
 and 
 
 Baudouin. Speak, Monsieur. 
 
 Puylaroche. You will allow me then to divulge 
 this professional secret on behalf of your son? 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, I do. Now, proceed. 
 
 Puylaroche. Well, Monsieur le ministre, let us 
 be frank. You should know this, because you are 
 conducting the investigation. A number of persons 
 are implicated. Now I don't imagine that you are 
 going to defend Pratt, for instance? 
 
 Baudouin. I have nothing to say about that: 
 the investigation will see to such matters. 
 
 Puylaroche. I shan't insist. Nor is there any 
 doubt that the Republican deputies and high officials 
 of the former cabinet were implicated in the scheme. 
 I can assure you that I am not mistaken, 
 [71]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Well, Monsieur? 
 
 Puylaroche. I hasten to assure you that I be- 
 lieve that Monsieur Octave's case is not in the least 
 like the other's. Of course, he would never have 
 made up from his personal credit a sub-letting of 
 
 Baudouin. Take care, Monsieur, that simple 
 hypothesis that you reject amounts already to a 
 serious charge. One more word and I shall show you 
 the door. 
 
 Puylaroche. Monsieur le ministre, I cannot 
 allow you to assume that tone with me. If you 
 showed me the door, you would be the first to regret 
 it. I beg you, let us be calm about this, or else let 
 us put an end to the conversation. [A pause.] 
 
 Baudouin [giving in to his anxious curiosity]. Sit 
 down, sit down 
 
 Puylaroche [sitting down]. Thank you. Really, 
 you astonish me. There are very few men who 
 would be capable of 
 
 Baudouin. I am listening, Monsieur. 
 
 Puylaroche. Well, once your son's honor is 
 open to question, there is no reason why during the 
 debates on the education law well, here is where a 
 regrettable coincidence comes in, because your son 
 has had dealings with a Catholic bank: the Banque 
 [72]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Frangaise, to be exact. The name of that bank has 
 been pronounced several times during the investiga- 
 ion, in connection with some attempts at bribery. 
 
 Baudouin [enraged]. Leave this house at once, 
 Monsieur! I shall allow no such insinuations about 
 
 my son 
 
 Puylaroche [rising]. You are mistaken, Mon- 
 sieur le ministre. I don't maintain that your son 
 is compromised, or even that any one ever attempted 
 to bribe him; I simply say that he has business rela- 
 tions just what, I don't know with the bank I 
 have mentioned. 
 
 Baudouin. That's not true! And you are 
 lying! 
 
 Puylaroche. Oh, I beg your pardon. We have 
 absolute proof. 
 
 Baudouin. Proof of what? 
 
 Puylaroche. Of a payment of twenty thousand 
 francs to Monsieur Octave Baudouin, Republican 
 deputy, by a Catholic bank. The payment was 
 made during a session on the education bill. 
 
 Baudouin. Show me your proof, Monsieur \\ 
 
 Puylaroche. I have the receipt given me by 
 your son's secretary while Monsieur Octave was 
 away. I called at his home. 
 [73]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. You? 
 
 puylaroche. i. 
 
 Baudouin. A receipt by Remillot? That's not 
 true! 
 
 Puylaroche. We have it at the bank! 
 
 Baudouin. It's a forgery ! [He ruslies at Puyla- 
 roche.] You damned scoundrel, now I see the 
 trick! You're taking advantage of a dead man in 
 order to kill a living one! You are trying to get at 
 me through my son because you know very well I am 
 trying to crush your party, a party that dares make 
 use of such a man as you! Well, you may go at 
 once and tell them that they don't know Henri 
 Baudouin! And you, I'll have you sent to jail for 
 this business, you with your cross of the Legion of 
 Honor! As to the people who sent you, I'm going 
 to denounce them to-morrow in public ! 
 
 Puylaroche. In public? 
 
 Baudouin. Yes, in public! 
 
 Puylaroche. Really, you are most extraordi- 
 nary! In public! 
 
 Baudouin. Ah, that staggers you. That simple 
 little threat calms you. 
 
 Puylaroche. Nothing of the kind. That isn't 
 the point. Just think what it will cost your party, 
 [74]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 our party, for I can tell you, Monsieur le ministre, 
 that I, too, am a Republican. 
 
 Baudouin [with a loud mocking laugh]. The 
 idea! 
 
 Puylaeoche. You know very well that your 
 adversaries will make the name public. It will be 
 a bomb and the destruction of the Cabinet. 
 
 Baudouin. The bomb is not loaded. Throw it! 
 
 Puylaroche. Now, Monsieur le ministre, don't 
 lose your head. Think of it : it's only a small matter, 
 the kind you run across twenty times a day. Where 
 would we end if every one were like you? 
 
 Baudouin [imperiously]. Leave the room! 
 
 Puylaroche. Look here, I'm not trying to make 
 it difficult for you. My name would be mixed up in 
 all this just as yours would, and I care something 
 for my political reputation. Let us understand each 
 other. I promise you absolute silence if you will 
 guarantee me 
 
 Baudouin [a prey to doubts his voice a little 
 weakened]. Get out! 
 
 Puylaroche. I'll give you Remillot's receipt. 
 
 Baudouin [feebly]. Get out, get out! 
 
 Puylaroche. Think well, it's a most advantage- 
 ous proposition. Grant that your son knew nothing 
 [75]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 of the affair, even; still, appearances are against him. 
 People will say that Remillot was only a blind, and 
 that the secretary killed himself because his em- 
 ployer threw all the responsibility on him. 
 
 [Baudouin falls into a chair near his desk.] 
 Here is a photograph of the original receipt. 
 
 [Puylaroche goes to Baudouin and slips the 
 photograph into his hand.] 
 You may keep this see, there's no trick about it. 
 That's Remillot's handwriting. Think, what do I 
 ask you? A few slight modifications in the new edu- 
 cation law. Will you give me another appointment? 
 Then we can go into detail and arrange it 
 
 Baudouin [revolted]. This is too much! Mon- 
 sieur, you're a low-down trickster! [He presses a 
 button on the desk.] 
 
 Puylaroche. You're crazy! 
 
 Baudouin. You scoundrel, you underhanded ! 
 
 [He seizes a chair.] 
 
 Puylaroche. You must be out of your mind! 
 
 Baudouin [swinging the chair in the air]. Get out, 
 or I won't be responsible for what I do. 
 
 Enter the Servant. 
 
 [To the Servant.] Take him out. 
 [76]
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad II 
 
 The Servant. Go, Monsieur. 
 
 Puylaroche [to the Servant]. Don't touch me! 
 
 Enter Octave. 
 
 Octave. What's the matter? 
 
 Puylaroche. Ask your father. 
 
 Baudouin. Throw him out! Throw him out! 
 
 Puylaroche [to Baudouin]. You'll pay for this! 
 
 [He goes out. 
 
 Octave [trying to retain Puylaroche]. Wait a 
 moment! Don't go. I don't understand 
 
 Baudouin [running to Octave and bringing him 
 back into the room]. Octave! Octave! Octave! 
 
 Octave. Father, this is ridiculous, mad! What 
 are you doing? That man is a dangerous man, very 
 dangerous. 
 
 Baudouin. Do you know him? 
 
 Octave. Why did he threaten you? What did 
 he want here? Why did he come to see you? 
 
 Baudouin. Do you know him? 
 
 Octave. Slightly, the way every one knows him: 
 he's a colleague of mine. What did he have to say to 
 you? 
 
 [Enter Clotilde, through the door leading into 
 the living-rooms.] 
 
 [77]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Clotilde. What's the matter? 
 
 Octave. Please go, Clotilde. 
 
 Baudouin. Is it true that you received money 
 from the Banque Francaise? 
 
 Octave. From the Banque Francaise? Does he 
 
 say that? That I accepted money from ? 
 
 Did Puylaroche say that? 
 
 Baudouin. Is it true? Yes or no? 
 
 Octave. No, it is not true. [A pause.] 
 
 Baudouin. How about your secretary? You 
 say nothing about him? 
 
 Octave. My secretary? What about him? 
 
 Baudouin. He committed suicide. His body 
 has been found in a ditch in the Bois de Boulogne. 
 [A pause.] 
 
 Octave. Damned fool! 
 
 Baudouin. Is that all you have to say? A man 
 who is intimately bound up in your affairs, in your 
 private life, and you call him a "damned fool?" 
 You don't even ask what his motive was, and you 
 don't seem to realize the danger of this coincidence, 
 nor the very serious results it may have for you. 
 For the love of God, say something else ! You don't 
 know what I've seen! 
 
 Octave. What? No, I don't know 
 [78]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 Baudouin [handing him the photograph of the re- 
 ceipt]. Look! 
 
 Octave. What's that? 
 
 Baudouin. Facsimile of a receipt for twenty 
 thousand francs, signed in your name by your secre- 
 tary, on your own letterhead. That rascal Puyla- 
 roche has threatened to publish this if I don't modify 
 my program on the education law. 
 
 Clotilde. Let me see it! 
 
 Baudouin. Do you recognize Remillot's hand- 
 writing? 
 
 Octave. Yes, yes, it's his. There's no doubt 
 about that. 
 
 Baudouin. Well, Octave? [A pause.] 
 
 Octave. Well, it's all very simple. I am the 
 victim of a conspiracy on the part of the Clericals. 
 That little scoundrel is an accomplice of theirs ! 
 
 Clotilde. Stop it! 
 
 Octave. "Stop it?" It seems to me that the 
 facts are very clear. The Banque Francaise now 
 possesses this receipt for twenty thousand francs; 
 this sum, which it pretends to have given to me, went 
 to Remillot 
 
 Clotilde. Don't believe him ! 
 
 Octave. The proof of his guilt is that he killed 
 [79]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 himself just before the scandal, when he would 
 have been discovered. The truth is self-evident, 
 and the public will not be mistaken. 
 
 Clotilde. Oh! [Baudouin and Octave sud- 
 denly turn to her.] Let me tell the truth! I am the 
 only one who knows it; I know why Rmillot killed 
 himself. [To Baudouin.] I knew the moment you 
 told me. 
 
 Baudouin. Why? 
 
 Octave. Tell us! 
 [She hesitates.] 
 
 Baudouin. Well, tell us! 
 
 Octave. Go ahead! Tell us, will you? 
 
 Clotilde [making a sudden decision], Remillot 
 killed himself because of me. 
 
 Octave [at first dumbfounded]. What are you say- 
 ing? Do you mean to say that Remillot ? 
 
 [Collecting his wits.] Oh, the idea! A little whelp 
 like that! 
 
 Clotilde [protesting]. Octave! 
 
 Octave. A pretty love story for a diversion! 
 To put that little puppy on a romantic pedestal! 
 
 Clotilde [coldly], Remillot killed himself because 
 of me. 
 
 Octave. Ha, why do you invent this story? Do 
 [80]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 you, too, want to ruin me? Are you with my ene- 
 mies? 
 
 Clotilde. I want only the truth, and that is 
 what I am now telling. I'm not trying to recall some 
 
 sad memory [Repeating in a thick voice.] Remil- 
 
 lot killed himself because of me. 
 
 Baudouin. But explain! Tell us! How did ? 
 
 Clotilde. I'll tell you the whole story if you 
 want to hear it. 
 
 Octave. That's enough you don't take her 
 seriously, do you? 
 
 Baudouin. Of course I do. Tell us. 
 
 Octave. This is too much ! 
 
 Baudouin [to Octave]. Keep still! [To Clo- 
 tilde.] I am listening. 
 
 Clotilde. When I felt that I was left utterly 
 
 alone in my home [Octave starts.] Yes, 
 
 Octave, your father made me tell about that 
 Remillot was the first to notice my loneliness. Like 
 the real cynic you are, you confided in him you 
 forced your confidence on him about all your 
 debauchery, and even at times made him a witness of 
 it. You made him take orders from your mistress 
 when you were regaling yourself with her at ban- 
 quets. Then Remillot returned here and dined with 
 [81]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 me I was alone at the table. He sat down opposite 
 me, dumb and very shy, an accomplice against his 
 will, of Octave's infidelity. Then his manly nature 
 showed itself and he protested against you and pitied 
 me. Finally that pity and tenderness turned to love 
 a heartbreaking love. The poor boy tried so hard 
 to hide his real feelings from me. You know me; 
 I'm not a flirt, and it was a long time before I noticed 
 anything. But one day I discovered the truth; you 
 were with her ! I waited for you the whole evening in 
 your office; Remillot was busy there, too. All at once 
 he stood up, after having come across some sentence 
 in one of your speeches, the one on [sarcastically] 
 Lay Morality, he launched into a fierce attack on you. 
 I defended you your very faults made it a duty but 
 Remillot refused to retract a single syllable. He was 
 so furious that he seemed to be angry with me. I 
 can still see him: his lips were white and his eyes 
 flashing. It seemed as if some undiscovered force 
 were rising up in him. I see that silhouette of the 
 young puritan he was handsome, poor little Re- 
 millot! Then all of a sudden I understood every- 
 thing; I couldn't believe it. That child was in love 
 with me! Oh, I know, I should have left him at 
 once, but he spoke to me so pathetically about his 
 [82]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 loneliness, he recalled so vividly what our home was 
 before the downfall, how happy we were, you and I, 
 that I was fascinated, although I was angry with him 
 even if he was telling the truth. I was angry that 
 such words were coming from the lips of any one but 
 you! [A pause.] 
 
 Octave. So he loved you, the little rat! He was 
 careful about it, the damned ! He wasn't satis- 
 fied with spying on me for the Jesuits; he wanted to 
 steal my wife from me! 
 
 Clotilde. Naturally! You can't imagine a 
 man loving a woman without wanting to take her 
 no, you can't think of love without soiling it! Let 
 me tell you, he never never, mind you raised his 
 eyes to me! He loved me with all the strength and 
 
 purity of his young heart respectfully You're 
 
 surprised! There still are some of that sort of men 
 left! 
 
 Octave. I really admire you ! How well you de- 
 fend him, glorify him, your little Remillot! Do you 
 know what that proves? It proves that you loved 
 him yourself! 
 
 Clotilde. If I had loved him he would not have 
 killed himself! 
 
 Octave. He did kill himself because you re- 
 [83]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 fused him. And if you refused him, then that proves 
 that he wanted you! 
 
 Clotilde. What I refused him, what he begged 
 me for was a little pity, a simple proof of kindness, 
 and that I would not give him. He wanted a smile 
 that would tell him: "I don't love you, but I am 
 suffering because I make you suffer." Well, I didn't 
 give that much help. I was harsh, cruel I didn't 
 know it until it was too late. [Her voice becomes 
 choked.] It was for your sake I did that! I 
 kept everything for you, you who kept nothing for 
 me. I was wearing myself out trying to make you 
 my perfect ideal, while you were parading your- 
 self in public with women meantime that poor 
 child was dying of despair for a single word from 
 me! [She throws herself into a chair, shaken with 
 sobs.] 
 
 Octave. You hear her, Father, you hear her? 
 She is now regretting she didn't love that little fool, 
 that little idiot 
 
 Clotilde [rising]. Take care, Octave. If you 
 insult his memory I may feel a great deal more for 
 him now than I did when he was living. 
 
 Baudouin [intervening]. Stop it now, keep still, 
 both of you. [A pause.] Listen, Clotilde, what you 
 [84]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 have told me seems hardly credible. You swear that 
 is the absolute truth? 
 
 Clotilde. I do. 
 
 Octave. But I tell you not to listen to her. 
 She's making it all up. Ask her for a single proof! 
 
 Clotilde [taken aback at this doubt]. The proof 
 
 that ? You don't believe me? Let me give you 
 
 one. That Friday evening, when Octave was out, 
 Remillot asked me to come to see him. I thought it 
 was a matter of business. I went into the office. 
 He was perfectly calm. He asked my permission 
 for the last time to let him love me at least to 
 feel some sisterly affection for him. I was just on 
 the point of leaving when he ran to me and, not 
 giving me a chance even to cry out, he grasped my 
 wrist I never knew he was so strong. All the despair 
 of his soul was in his hand. He begged me to listen 
 to him: his whole life depended on my answer. I 
 hardly understood him. Still, it was scarcely any- 
 thing that he asked I can't explain he was without 
 parents or relatives I was his "Madonna of soli- 
 tude." [To Octave, who shrugs his shoulders.] I'm 
 not telling all this for the sake of exploiting myself, 
 only I want to rid myself of that idea of adoration 
 that nightmare! But that day I understood noth- 
 [85]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 ing, and I was merciless. "For the last time, will 
 you listen to me? This is the last time I shall 
 speak to you." "Leave me, or I'll call for help. 
 You behave like a little saint, but now I know what 
 you want!" He trembled like a leaf and then ran 
 quickly out without looking back. I had no idea 
 what he was going to do! 
 
 Baudouin. Is it possible ! 
 
 Octave. Nonsense, your whole behavior proves 
 that you were his mistress! You did give yourself! 
 You were his! You still love the dirty little ! 
 
 Clotilde [outraged]. Oh, oh, oh! Yes, I do love 
 him! All the power that your hate inspires in me 
 has turned into love for him! When he was alive 
 I felt only irritation and pity; now I love him 
 with all the love I did not feel before, for a past 
 that never existed! I love him! Do you hear? I 
 love him, I love him! 
 
 Octave. Now, Father, you can't deny You're 
 
 a witness of her outrageous conduct! 
 
 Baudouin [as if emerging from deep thought]. 
 Octave, Octave, you know very well that young man 
 was never guilty of what you accuse him of. I remem- 
 ber him distinctly; it seems as if I could see him now. 
 I knew him better than you did, and I knew him 
 [86]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 before you did. I was the one who recommended 
 him to you. I have known him from his early child- 
 hood. His father told me proudly: "My little 
 Rene has never told a lie!" And I watched him 
 grow up: honest and straight. He came to consult 
 me when I was writing for the "Avant Garde" 
 about the minor points in his articles when he was 
 afraid of obscuring his thought or making a false 
 impression. His duty was everything to him, as it 
 was to us of a former generation; that was what 
 attracted me to him. His conscience, his ability, 
 would have made him the idol of the party: what 
 you should have been! I deeply regret that I did 
 not do my duty by that boy. Now I appreciate his 
 full value : he has been revealed to me, and seems to 
 cry out to me ah, if we could only appreciate people 
 before they died! [A pause.] 
 
 Octave. Yes, yes. A little fellow you saw only 
 once every two weeks has now become a god ! You 
 think nothing of me, your son! 
 
 Baudouin. You dare say that to me! I have 
 just learned about your behavior, your mad ex- 
 travagances, your debts that are ruining your home 
 and family. Every one knew it except me. 
 
 Octave. Oh, let's drop that nonsense! 
 [87]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. And I had such implicit faith in you ! 
 I was surer of you than of myself. You were my 
 living conscience! You call that nonsense! And 
 then your intimacy with that scoundrel Pratt 
 your comradeship in vice, the corruption of your 
 private life that is now beginning to be made public. 
 I don't believe that yet, I refuse to believe it. It 
 seems these walls are crumbling! It can't be my 
 son ! [A long pause.] 
 
 Octave. Thank you, Clotilde, for what you have 
 done! 
 
 Clotilde. I only tried to defend you. Your 
 father asked me all sorts of questions. I assured him 
 that your honor was not touched! 
 
 Baudouin. Honor not touched? I don't know 
 about that! Since you've been talking your whole 
 attitude your lies I am beginning to see to the 
 bottom of it all. Deep down in your soul I see awful 
 
 things I am now afraid to look at you. Now, 
 
 let's put an end to this torturing doubt. If Remillot 
 is innocent, then you are guilty: is that so? 
 
 Octave. No, but the way you ask questions 
 
 Why do you think I am guilty? Here this this 
 proof is in my hands! There is his confession : signed! 
 
 Baudouin. That's not true. Remillot would 
 [88]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 never have sold himself to the enemy or receive a 
 bribe! 
 
 Octave. The idea! But, see, this is his hand- 
 writing. You can't deny that! 
 
 Clotilde. He did it for you in perfectly good 
 faith. He was caught in a trap. The Banque 
 Francaise made him sign it in order to have a weapon 
 against you. 
 
 Octave. Exactly what I say and he was in the 
 trick ! 
 
 Clotilde. That's not true. Remillot was acting 
 in good faith. You were away then on purpose, so 
 that he would have to sign for you, and that you 
 might lay all the blame on him. 
 
 Octave. Clotilde! 
 
 Clotilde. That is the truth! 
 
 Octave. It is, is it? Do you believe that? I have 
 the right to say that it is a lie, and I'll do my best 
 to maintain that. Every appearance is in my favor. 
 
 Baudouin [indignantly]. Every appearance! Yes, 
 appearances are in your favor they can save your 
 face, but would you consent to soil the good name 
 of the dead? 
 
 Octave. Why should I trouble about that little 
 fool? 
 
 [89]
 
 Ad II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Don't you understand me? You 
 admit he is innocent, yet would you consent to dis- 
 honor him in the eyes of the world? 
 
 Octave. But I tell you he was guilty. What's 
 he to me, then? 
 
 Baudoin. What ? 
 
 Octave. Isn't he dead? What difference can it 
 possibly make to him? 
 
 Baudouin. I see! Are you out of your mind? 
 Have you lost your sense of decency, or am I seeing 
 my son change into a demon before my very eyes? 
 Is this his moral suicide? [A pause.] 
 
 Octave. You are mad! What's all this senti- 
 mental rot to do with the case? Is it merely a question 
 of me or Remillot? No, it concerns us all it may de- 
 termine whether you are to remain in the Cabinet 
 it concerns our families. [To his wife.] The good 
 name and the future of our children. Now, do you 
 see how serious it is? [To his father.] Are you going 
 to accept Puylaroche's offer? Shall we come to 
 terms with the enemy? [Baudouin makes a gesture 
 of indignant protestation.] Very well; if my name 
 appears in the papers without my complete justifica- 
 tion, none of us can live a day longer in Paris. It 
 means we must all take a train to Brussels within 
 [90]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act II 
 
 twenty-four hours; we'll be hooted out by every 
 party. Do you want that? Do you realize the 
 situation? [A pause.] 
 
 Baudouin [crushed]. Do I want ? I want 
 
 I don't don't know what! [He falls into a chair.] 
 What is certain is that I refuse to shield you, cover 
 up your crimes, and that I am going to resign at 
 once 
 
 Octave. Resign? 
 
 Baudouin. Immediately. 
 
 Octave. Which is a confession that you have 
 nothing to do with me ! That will only confirm their 
 charges ! 
 
 Baudouin. Defend yourself as you like. 
 
 Octave. You are really ridiculous! Here we 
 have in our hands every possible means for a com- 
 plete justification; and we can win public opinion. 
 Why, you don't have to say a word: all you have 
 to do is to keep still I'll take care of the rest. Now 
 you want to ruin us all for some idiotic moral 
 scruple or other, some out-of-date 
 
 Baudouin. What are you saying? 
 
 Octave. What every one else would say in my 
 
 place. You're really exasperating, with your saintly 
 
 honesty 
 
 [91]
 
 Act II THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. A man who can talk that way is 
 guilty! [He seizes his son by the throat.] 
 
 Octave [violently disengaging himself]. Well, I 
 am and what of it? [Baudouin and Clotilde are 
 thunderstruck.] Was I bribed? So is every one. 
 Among all the men you call your friends there aren't 
 ten with clean slates. I belong to my age, and I do 
 as every one else does ! Only they don't admit it ! I 
 at least have the courage to do that ! I tear off those 
 rags of prejudice which they try to drape round 
 themselves. I have only one life to live, and before 
 I die I want to live it to the fullest extent; I want all 
 the honors and the pleasures, everything that is 
 worth the struggle for existence. I have all that now 
 between my hands, and I don't intend to allow a dead 
 man's ghost to stand in my way. 
 
 Baudouin [as if coming to himself]. You were 
 right: that little secretary was my son, and I am now 
 defending his rights against the usurping, illegitimate 
 son who gives the lie to all my principles. Since 
 you are one of those thieves who are now robbing 
 the Republic, I shall at least accomplish a mission 
 which is sacred to me, and punish you. 
 
 Octave. On what grounds? WTiat the devil 
 are these curates' phrases doing in the mouth of an 
 [9*]
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad II 
 
 atheist? Does your conscience demand my punish- 
 ment? Your sacred mission? The rights of the 
 dead? Does death have any rights? One would 
 think you still believed in the immortality of the 
 soul, and the Decalogue, and all those damned silly 
 ideas you've been working forty years to destroy. 
 It's all as dead as the notion of God! 
 
 Baudouin. Don't say another word, you ! 
 
 Your cheap cynicism isn't deceiving me! And you 
 know as well as I do that the instinct of decency, 
 that the laws of morality 
 
 Octave [repeating as his father did in the first act]. 
 Nonsense, nonsense! [He darts toward the door.] 
 
 Clotilde. Where are you going? 
 
 Octave. To defend myself. This is my affair! 
 [He goes out. Baudouin, overcome, sinks 
 back; Clotilde screams and runs to him.] 
 
 Curtain 
 
 [93]
 
 ACT III
 
 ACT III 
 
 The scene is the same. 
 
 The following day, toward evening. Baudouin is 
 reclining in a chair, mechanically reading a news- 
 'paper, the " Quotidion" as if to impress himself 
 especially with the evidence. On the first page is a 
 cut of Remillot's receipt. Eugenie stands by 
 Baudouin's side, trying to distract him. 
 
 Eugenie. Come, now, Baudouin, don't read that 
 paper ! You've read it through a hundred times since 
 this morning, and you're literally poisoning yourself 
 with that infamy. The doctor said you must rest. 
 You don't want to have another attack, do you? 
 
 Baudouin [reading]. "Monsieur Baudouin the 
 younger sells himself to the enemies of lay educa- 
 tion" 
 
 Eugenie. But it's not true! I tell you, Bau- 
 douin, it's not true! What does that photograph 
 prove? It's not signed by Octave Remillot was 
 the one who sold himself. 
 
 [97]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin [protesting with all his power]. No, no! 
 Don't say that! 
 
 Eugenie. Now, Henri, stop this it's all a fear- 
 ful nightmare. You really must have lost your 
 senses. You tell me that Octave is unworthy to be 
 your son, and when I ask you what he has done, you 
 talk about debts and his mistress. Can't you for- 
 give him? He's done nothing to ruin his name and 
 honor ! Parents' love isn't mistaken. We know our 
 child! People don't commit crimes that way, all of 
 a sudden. You don't mean to tell me he has 
 been lying to us all these years! You have no right 
 to say that, and you can't prove it. Answer me! 
 What happened here yesterday? What are you 
 hiding from me, you and Clotilde? Where is Oc- 
 tave? I can't stand this. 
 
 Baudouin. Please leave me, Mother, I want to 
 be alone, absolutely alone 
 
 Eugenie. But there are people in the ante- 
 chamber: newspaper men, your secretary 
 
 Baudouin. No one, no one 
 
 Eugenie. And they can't even telephone you. 
 Some one was sent from the Cabinet office to usk 
 whether your telephone was out of order.* 
 
 Baudouin. I've taken off the receiver. [Eugenie 
 [98]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act HI 
 
 turns on the electric light] What are you doing? I 
 don't want any light, and I don't want to see any 
 one. Put it out, I tell you, put it out! 
 
 Eugenie [extinguishing the light]. It's so gloomy 
 you can't see a thing. [There are insistent knocks 
 at the door of the antechamber. Eugenie goes toward 
 it.] 
 
 Baudouin. Don't let any one in. 
 
 Eugenie [at the door]. What is it, Jules? 
 
 Servant's Voice. Madame, the man from the 
 "Avant Garde," who insists on giving the paper to 
 Monsieur le ministre 
 
 Michu's Voice. It's me, Madame Baudouin! 
 I've brought the extra, all about the search in 
 Remillot's house! 
 
 Eugenie [ turning toward Baudouin]. It's Michu 
 with an extra edition of the "Avant Garde" 
 there's been a search in Remillot's rooms. 
 
 Baudouin [starting]. What's that? A search of 
 Remillot's rooms? Tell Michu to come in. Hurry 
 up, now! 
 
 [Eugenie unlocks the door and admits Michu.] 
 
 Michu. Victory, Monsieur le ministre! The 
 Clericals are floored! We've got their skin, Mon- 
 sieur le ministre, we've got their skin ! 
 [99]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. What is it? 
 
 Michu. Don't you know? The police have 
 searched Remillot's rooms; they found two thousand 
 francs hidden in a drawer* that was what was left 
 over from the bribe he got. But that isn't all: they 
 found out he's been betting on the races, and found 
 some tickets for the "Pari Mutuel." And then 
 everything was turned upside down. [He whispers 
 in Baudouin's ear.] They got some nasty pictures 
 on the mantelpiece! 
 
 Baudouin [dumbfounded]. That can't be true! 
 
 Michu. Here, look at this article in the Avant 
 Garde! [He searches through his pockets and takes 
 the paper from one of them, unfolds it and hands it to 
 Baudouin.] What do you think of that? "Justifi- 
 cation of Baudouin the younger Guilt of Remillot." 
 
 Baudouin [to Eugenie], Turn on the light! 
 [She does so.] 
 
 Michu. Ah, you didn't know that little fellow, 
 Monsieur le ministre. He made believe he was a 
 little saint, but we know he was a Tartufe, a nasty 
 
 little, vicious Why, on his bed, which wasn't 
 
 made up, there was some lady's underwear with pink 
 ribbons 
 
 Baudouin. No, no! 
 
 [100]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 Michu. You wouldn't have believed it, Monsieur 
 le ministre. There! Look! In the middle of the 
 page your son even saved him from jail for a lot of 
 things that he'd proved against him 
 
 Baudouin. Who said that? 
 
 Michu. Why, Monsieur Octave he's telling the 
 whole story. Didn't you know that, Monsieur le 
 ministre? Ah, Monsieur Octave's your son, sure 
 enough why, I tell you, he's too generous, too good ! 
 When I think of those low-down Clericals and this 
 story they made up so's they could knock out our 
 " Father Conscience ! " 
 
 Baudouin. Don't use that name at least just 
 now! 
 
 Michu. But I will I must; 'cause you live here 
 on the fifth floor when you could sleep in a silk 
 bed! 
 
 Baudouin. Go away, Michu! Go away! 
 
 Michu. Yes, yes, I'll leave you, I know this dirty 
 trick is making you ill, but let me tell you, I'm 
 mighty glad to 've brought you this good news ! Ah, 
 boss, this is finer than the Fourth of September ! 
 
 [He goes out. 
 
 Baudouin. Did you read it? Did you see? 
 Did you hear? 
 
 [101]
 
 Ad III THE APOSTLE 
 
 Eugenie. But this means Octave's justification! 
 Little R6millot was the guilty one 
 
 Baudouin. Nonsense ! I tell you, I am not mis- 
 taken! This is the lowest thing Octave has yet 
 done! He is the one, without a doubt, who insti- 
 gated the police search ! He has taken advantage of 
 the situation to whitewash himself in public and 
 after confessing his guilt 
 
 Eugenie. Confessing his guilt? Where? When? 
 
 Baudouin. I didn't want to tell you, his mother, 
 the worst of it all, but now you must know that our 
 boy is a scoundrel. His splendid integrity was only 
 a mask; I saw him without the mask he is a brute! 
 I nearly lost my mind ! Honor life itself what are 
 they now? 
 
 Eugenie. But what has he done? What has he 
 done? 
 
 Baudouin. Octave confessed everything to me: 
 his treason to the party, the twenty thousand francs, 
 little Remillot's innocence he confessed it all and 
 revelled in his own filth 
 
 Eugenie [with a cry of anguish]. That's not true! 
 It's impossible! 
 
 Baudouin. And now he is violating the sanctity 
 of a tomb, ruining the good name of a dead man in 
 [ 102]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 order to save himself. This is a matter of common 
 
 law, and I am going to have him arrested [He 
 
 starts to go to the telephone.] 
 
 Eugenie [taking him in her arms]. You're mad! 
 
 Baudouin. I'm going to telephone to the prefect 
 of police. 
 
 Eugenie. And have Octave arrested! 
 
 Baudouin. I am a cabinet minister, and I have 
 promised to punish the guilty and disinfect the Re- 
 public. I am going to keep my pledged word, and 
 see justice done. 
 
 Eugenie [savagely]. What do I care about justice 
 when my child is in danger? 
 
 Baudouin [outraged]. What are you saying? 
 
 Eugenie. You heard what I said. Do you 
 think me infamous? I don't care. You have your 
 principles well, I have mine: I love my son! No 
 matter if he is what you say, let him fall a thousand 
 times as low, he'll always be flesh of my flesh. I'll 
 love him all the more just because of what he is 
 making me suffer, because of the shame he is inflict- 
 ing on me. A father can't understand that! You 
 loved him only because of his success it flattered 
 your vanity, your personal pride in other words, 
 
 you never really loved him at all 
 
 [103]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 Baudouin. Oh ! 
 
 Eugenie. No, you don't love him! You don't 
 love him! 
 
 Baudouin [trembling ivith all the violence of his des- 
 perate love for his son]. I loved Octave passionately, 
 as no father ever loved his son! But I loved him 
 for his purity, for that innate nobility which I thought 
 he possessed. I loved him, not selfishly, but with 
 the hope that he would grow to be bigger and finer 
 than I am, that he would go on and continue my 
 work. I loved him the way a person loves an ideal 
 which one must give to the world ! I loved him more 
 than my own life, because his soul and mind were 
 my own! There is a father's love ! 
 
 Eugenie. But if you love him, save him ! If you 
 allow him to be dishonored in public you will kill 
 in him all hopes of moral betterment. He'll end his 
 life in exile, far away from us, a branded man trying 
 to hide his shame in the lower depths! Let's try to 
 give him a new conscience, and build a new life for 
 him. His heart is so good yes, yes, it is! Do you 
 remember, when he was little? One day you were 
 sick we were in the country he ran all the way to 
 town to get a doctor. When he came back, all tired 
 out, but proud of what he had done, he shouted, as 
 [ 104]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 he stood at your bedside: "I've saved Papa! I've 
 saved Papa!" 
 
 Baudouin. You're taking a cowardly advantage 
 of me cowardly. 
 
 Eugenie. Then you consent? Yes? You con- 
 sent? 
 
 Baudouin. Oh, I can't. Don't you understand 
 what torture I'm suffering? Who could have fore- 
 seen ? My poor wife 
 
 Eugenie. Henri, Henri ! [ The two old people kiss, 
 then sob for a moment in silence.] 
 
 Baudouin [pulling himself together] . No, I cannot ! 
 You have no rights over my conscience as a man. 
 If I gave in to you it would mean a denial of all the 
 principles I have stood for. I should be an accom- 
 plice in my son's crime. God knows how deeply 
 he is implicated, and how many are in this search 
 business. Why, it's a matter for the ordinary police 
 court what rottenness ! This time I can't stand up 
 for him : I've got to stop it ! [He again tries to reach the 
 telephone.] 
 
 Eugenie [preventing him again]. Are you going 
 to do that? 
 
 Baudouin. I have decided. 
 
 Eugenie [desperately]. Very well, then, let me tell 
 [105]
 
 Ad HI THE APOSTLE 
 
 you everything all the horrible agony I'm suffering, 
 all I have been suffering ever since you told me the 
 awful facts. Are you sure Octave is guilty? 
 
 Baudouin. What are you talking about? 
 
 Eugenie. Just think how we have brought him 
 up! The poor boy! You never had any time to 
 spend with him; the most you ever did was to correct 
 his class papers. You were so sure he would grow 
 up to be like you. And my love and tenderness were 
 so blind that I never thought of anything but his 
 pleasures; I let him do everything he wanted. And 
 when he grew up, what company we allowed him to 
 keep! I have read the report of your investigation: 
 what "nice points!" What immoral morality! 
 When he did as the others did, what idea had he 
 whether he was honest or dishonest? An honest man 
 and a thief are so much alike nowadays ! 
 
 Baudouin. But just because the others 
 
 Eugenie. Henri, Henri, I see more clearly now 
 in the light of my remorse! I educated my son with- 
 out any living faith, without strict rules, without 
 first arming him against himself. I let him do every- 
 thing for his brain, and I did nothing for his con- 
 science! 
 
 Baudouin. Are you crazy? 
 [106]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 Eugenie. I'm not blaming you, I'm speaking 
 about myself. It was of my own free will that I was 
 converted to your ideas, but now this nightmare has 
 waked me up! I was mistaken! We have both 
 been terribly deceived! I remember the first night 
 we stopped Christian prayer with our little boy! 
 "No, no, my child, we shan't say that prayer any 
 more!" I was giving him over to the forces of evil, 
 because I was taking God away from him! 
 
 Baudouin. You dare tell me that! But what 
 about the example I have given for the past thirty- 
 five years? Honor, duty, devotion, they were the 
 living religion I had to give to Octave! They are 
 worth a page from the Catechism ! [Eugenie starts 
 to speak.] Go away, I tell you, you are mad ! Now 
 you believe in God! Become a Catholic again! 
 That would be the last straw! 
 
 Eugenie [as she goes toward the right]. Think it 
 over, I advise you. I don't want to irritate you: 
 I'll leave you alone with your conscience. Forget 
 your pride, and you will see that you have no right to 
 blame Octave. You have no right! You have no 
 right! [She goes out. 
 
 Baudouin [after a moment 's hesitation]. Non- 
 sense! [Once more he starts to telephone, but, suddenly 
 [107]
 
 Ad III THE APOSTLE 
 
 giving up that idea, he decides to write a letter, the sen- 
 tences of which he recites aloud.] "To the President 
 of the Republic. Sir: Circumstances have forced 
 me to apply directly to you. I find that I am utterly 
 unfitted for conducting the investigation which is now 
 going on. Among those implicated in the Clerical 
 matter is my son Octave" [he crosses out the name] 
 
 "is the man who bears my name " 
 
 [Enter Arnaut through the door of the ante- 
 chamber, unseen by Baudouin.] 
 Arnaut. My dear friend, it's a complete triumph ! 
 There's a whole crowd here! I thought I should 
 never reach the door as it was, I had to run through 
 the dining-room. Open the door to them you've 
 got to receive them and the street's alive with 
 them! I feel forty years younger a group of stu- 
 dents cheered me I tell you, the Republic can still 
 make hearts beat ! I hope this'll help you get better ! 
 [Noticing Baudouin 's haggard look.] What's the 
 matter? What is the trouble? Why, old man, you 
 frighten me! If you're sick, let me call your 
 wife! 
 
 [Baudouin, who remains motionless, hands 
 Arnaut tfie letter which he has just written.] 
 To the President of the Republic ? Your resignation ! 
 [108]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 What? How's this? Your son ? Never! 
 
 That's impossible! It isn't true 
 
 Baudouin. Every word of it. The money which 
 his secretary received for him he spent. On the eve 
 of our last battle the one we have been preparing for 
 thirty years he sold himself, betrayed us. He's a 
 common criminal. 
 
 Aknaut. Have you the proofs? 
 
 Baudouin. I have his confession from his own 
 lips. 
 
 Arnaut. My poor friend! 
 
 Baudouin. Never mind leave me alone! 
 
 Arnaut. Is it possible? Octave Baudouin ! How 
 
 could he? What could induce him to ? Oh! 
 
 Oh! Turn around! 
 
 Baudouin [hiding his face]. No I can't one 
 moment ! 
 
 Arnaut. Come, Baudouin, I'm your old com- 
 rade, your old friend. I'll stand by you 
 
 Baudouin [grasping his hand without daring to 
 look at him]. Thank you thank you 
 
 Arnaut. But tell me explain I can't see 
 how he would confess? The search this afternoon 
 settles that point 
 
 Baudouin. The search this afternoon? He ar- 
 [109]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 ranged it, set it like a play! He put those two 
 thousand francs in the drawer! 
 
 Arnaut. What's that? Then the secretary was 
 not an accomplice? 
 
 Baudouin [at last looking him straight in the face]. 
 He was as innocent as you or I. 
 
 Arnaut. Then ? Your son ? 
 
 Baudouin. My son is the meanest of scoundrels: 
 he has not hesitated to commit a crime, and he 
 has dragged the good name of a dead man in the 
 mire! 
 
 Arnaut. But do you know? Baudouin this 
 is frightful! 
 
 Baudouin. What ought I to do? [A pause.] 
 
 Arnaut. What ? You ought you ought to 
 
 be mistaken ! Your son confessed to you his treason 
 to the party that's bad enough, but he certainly 
 never confessed to this search business. That would 
 be too rotten ! 
 
 Baudouin. But I tell you he did it. I am as 
 sure as if I'd seen him do it. I answer for Remillot's 
 innocence; I feel that I have the good name of the 
 dead under my protection. [A pause.] 
 
 Arnaut. The good name of the dead the honor 
 of a man that is dead did he have any relatives? 
 [110]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 Baudouin. Arnaut, Arnaut ! He is innocent, 
 and you ask me that ! [A pause.] 
 
 Arnaut. Yes, I suggested something dishon- 
 orable [Angrily.] You had no business asking my 
 
 advice! Every one thinks differently in a case like 
 that. Now that I know, I have nothing further to 
 say. Really, this is horrible! 
 
 Baudouin. Very well, I'll do without your ad- 
 vice. I am sending this letter to the President and 
 copies of it to the newspapers. 
 
 Arnaut. Are you altogether crazy? What about 
 your colleagues and the President himself? And 
 his friends? You're taking a grave step without 
 consulting them you aren't a child! 
 
 Baudouin. I've been in hell this past twenty- 
 four hours remorse is nearly killing me. I'm at 
 the end of my tether. I'm going to do my duty no 
 matter if it kills me! 
 
 Arnaut. But, Baudouin, think! Why, that 
 will shake the whole of France from end to end! 
 First, the Cabinet will go. [An evasive gesture from 
 Baudouin.] Very well but there's more ! You just 
 said we are on the eve of a great battle. This may 
 be the blow that will put an end to everything; it 
 may give us over to a dictatorship. It's the end of 
 [111]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 everything. Come, now, you haven't thought of 
 the far-reaching consequences. It's downright mad- 
 ness to discuss it! 
 
 Baudouin. Arnaut, can it be you who are talk- 
 ing to me that way? You came here, to this very 
 room, two weeks ago, and begged me to be firm, to 
 apply the red-hot iron to every wound. I accepted 
 the task in order that I might take care of our great 
 patient. If I failed to do my duty I should be only 
 more firmly planting the germs of the disease that 
 are gnawing at her very vitals, because my son is 
 a victim of the same disease and I haven't the cour- 
 age to sacrifice him. If I failed to do that I should 
 be twice a traitor in betraying the confidence which 
 honest people have placed in me ! 
 
 Arnaut. That's true, my friend, only too true. 
 But now that you are Minister, you have still 
 
 higher responsibilities [Pointing to Baudouin.] 
 
 Now the disease is too near the heart, and the oper- 
 ation would be fatal. 
 
 Baudouin. What would be a surer death is our 
 silence. Do you think me capable of keeping silence 
 in a matter of this kind? You can have no idea of 
 what has been going on within me since last evening. 
 If you knew what my son cast in my teeth like some 
 [112]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 low criminal and with what logic ! He literally- 
 stoned me, and with my own ideals. Pure reason 
 can turn out terrible monsters! Reason can kill the 
 conscience ! Arnaut, Arnaut, this is the most critical 
 hour of my life. I feel every conviction of mine 
 slipping from me, all the confidence I ever had in all 
 my ideas, my whole past, and my future. I feel the 
 nothingness of the grave before death! 
 
 Arnaut. Now you're imagining things ! You've 
 been struck a terrible blow, but let me appeal to your 
 reason. I am, it's true, appalled by what you've 
 told me. To think that your son, who had every 
 opportunity to remain honest, whose career was 
 
 well before him and full of promise Yes, I tell 
 
 you. I can hardly believe it. The conscience of the 
 younger generation is rapidly fading away into 
 nothing 
 
 Baudouen. You see? You see ? 
 
 Arnaut. But, on the other hand, we mustn't 
 exaggerate. Every family has its own misfortunes, 
 and there are monsters in every age. Think of all 
 those rascals who lived off the Church under the 
 Empire! But I tell you, if your letter leaves this 
 office our enemies will enjoy the greatest imaginable 
 triumph. I can hear them yelping like cannibals. 
 [113]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 Our friends will be overthrown all sorts of insinu- 
 ations made. They will say that this is the result 
 of the Godless schools, of the whole age, of the 
 Republic! There won't be a freethinker who will 
 dare show his face for the next ten years! 
 
 Baudouin. But / will ! I will prove my faith by 
 the example I shall give. I'm still smarting from the 
 insulting words of my son; I must wipe that out in 
 order that my ideals may still hold. 
 
 Arnaut. Nonsense, that isn't the question. You 
 must do your duty as a Minister first of all. You're 
 now at the wheel in the midst of a storm; there is 
 disease aboard the ship, but what goes on in the hold 
 has nothing to do with the pilot. It's your business 
 to steer us safe to port. You haven't the right to 
 blow up the ship! 
 
 Baudouin. You've got to find some one else at 
 once. Possibly possibly, I may consent to keep 
 still, but I must resign and then go away. 
 
 Arnaut. But you can't do that! Your resigna- 
 tion would mean a confession and the defeat of the 
 education law. You must stay. 
 
 Baudouin. And continue with the investigation? 
 Arrest others and let my son go free? 
 
 Arnaut. I don't mean that. I want justice 
 [114]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 done, and at once. But since that's out of the ques- 
 tion, we'll spar for time and the investigation will 
 drag on 
 
 Boudouin. So you want to make that sort of 
 man of me: a pharisee posing as an apostle! I must 
 be false to my trust, save a scoundrel, and defame 
 the dead ! Well, you have me bound hand and foot : 
 I shan't resign and I am no longer an honest 
 man 
 
 Arnaut. Don't think of yourself we don't 
 count now. There are cases like this where a leader 
 owes everything to his party, even the sacrifice of 
 his conscience. 
 
 Baudouin. But this is sickening monstrous 
 
 Arnaut. There are duties that are infamous to 
 perform they are the greatest. Let me suffer your 
 remorse for you. 
 
 Baudouin [afraid of himself] . No, no, leave me my 
 remorse, that's all I have left of my conscience 
 
 Arnaut. Now, good-bye, I have your promise 
 
 Baudouin. No, you haven't I can't do it! 
 
 Arnaut. I tell you, it's got to be. 
 
 Baudouin. And I say No. Don't go yet. Arnaut, 
 
 Arnaut, please 
 
 Arnaut [going]. You must stay at your post 
 [115]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 we've decided that. [He goes out, right. Baudouin, 
 overwhelmed, remains fixed where he stands. A mo- 
 ment later enter Clotilde through the same door by 
 which Arnaut left.] 
 
 Clotilde. Well, Father, what has been happen- 
 ing? I've just seen the Speaker he's so excited. 
 Where is Octave? He's not been home since last 
 evening this is terrible! We must save him my 
 husband your son 
 
 Baudouin. Have you read this article? [He 
 shows her the "Avant Garde."] 
 
 Clotilde. No, I've read nothing but that awful 
 report in this morning's paper, where Octave's name 
 appeared in large letters. Oh, Father, I'm so 
 ashamed! I've done what you and Grandmother 
 have done: shut myself up, hidden all day. But now 
 I can't help it, I can only think of my children their 
 good name Octave is their father we must save 
 him! 
 
 Baudouin. He's lost no time! See what he's 
 done since last night! He demanded a search of 
 Remillot's rooms. They found two thousand francs 
 in a drawer, tickets for the "Pari Mutuel," lewd pho- 
 tographs strewn about, everything in disorder, lady'f 
 underwear on the bed 
 
 [116]
 
 THE APOSTLE Act III 
 
 Clotilde [stupefied]. At Remillot's ? 
 
 Baudouin. I tell you, if there were the slightest 
 chance of your being mistaken about that boy, if he 
 wasn't the man we all took him for, if it was he who 
 
 took the money and killed himself out of fear 
 
 Clotilde, Clotilde, I am ready to wish that he was the 
 guilty one ! 
 
 Clotilde [who has glanced through the article]. 
 How abominable! The day he disappeared I saw 
 his rooms; I went there with Octave remember, I 
 told you? The rooms were in disorder, but it was 
 the simple disorder of poverty. On the mantel- 
 piece were pictures of the men he admired: Quinet, 
 Michelet, Lamennais and you. His plain little 
 cot had not been touched since the night before 
 
 Baudouin. You poor woman, you've brought 
 me the final proof and destroyed my last hope! It 
 seems as if my son were dying and you have con- 
 demned him! 
 
 Clotilde. Oh and he did that ! He dared pro- 
 fane the dead? He is too low for words. But he 
 counted without me ! This time, I give him up ! let 
 me tell the whole truth! 
 
 Baudouin. Then, Clotilde, shall we denounce him ? 
 
 Coltilde. Wait, Father It's downright 
 
 [117]
 
 Ad III THE APOSTLE 
 
 madness, now I come to think of it. You and 
 I are the only living people who know the truth. 
 We have only to say nothing in order to be saved, 
 and yet we are going to sacrifice ourselves for 
 some one who is no longer living who is nothing 
 nothing at all and no God to reward us for 
 it ! 
 
 Baudouin [with all the strength of his faith). It all 
 amounts to the same thing let's not reason about 
 it we have the truth on our side. 
 
 Clotilde. My poor children! 
 
 Baudouin. Their father doesn't exist for them. 
 They are your children my children they will 
 never have to blush because of us. 
 
 Clotilde. Oh, I can't, I can't. Father Father 
 take pity 
 
 Baudouin [stretching his arms toward the window]. 
 Listen to that! Listen 
 
 Clotilde. What? What is it? 
 
 Baudouin. The evening papers. Don't you 
 hear? 
 
 [Shouts are heard in the street below.] 
 
 Clotilde. What are they shouting? I can't 
 make out. 
 
 [The cries sound nearer.] 
 [118]
 
 THE APOSTLE Ad III 
 
 Baudouin [repeating the cries]. "Justification of 
 Baudouin the younger Guilt of Remillot." 
 
 Clotilde. No, no, no stop them! Father, this 
 is horrible. We are killing the dead! Make them 
 stop ! Make them ! [She runs and opens the window 
 and cries out.] Stop! Stop! 
 
 Baudouin [suddenly making up his mind]. Shall I 
 have all those people come in? 
 
 Clotilde [after a moment's hesitation]. Kiss me! 
 
 [They kiss, then Baudouin with a firm step 
 
 goes to the door of the antechamber; then he 
 
 stops, turns to Clotilde, who motions to him 
 
 to go on, turns the key in the lock, opens the 
 
 door and admits the crowd. They enter in 
 
 wild excitement and grasp Baudouln's hand, 
 
 exclaiming.] 
 
 All. Here he is! Triumph! Victory for the 
 
 education law! The crowning glory of your whole 
 
 career! Your son is wonderful! Where is he? Go 
 
 to the window they're cheering you 
 
 [Cries of "Long live Baudouin!" in the street.] 
 Here's the Speaker! 
 
 Febrand [coming forward] . My heartiest congrat- 
 ulations, my dear Baudouin. Your friends never 
 
 for a moment doubted Beally, this affair has 
 
 [119]
 
 Act III THE APOSTLE 
 
 been the best possible thing for us. It'll give us full 
 sway for at least three years to come. 
 
 [Baudouin sinks down into a chair.] 
 All. What's the matter? He's sick! Monsieur 
 le ministre, are you sick? 
 
 Baudouin [his voice trembling with emotion]. 
 Messieurs, if the principles of my whole life mean 
 anything to me if I owe anything to the honor of 
 the Republic, which no personal matter like the 
 present can harm then I must make a statement to 
 you. 
 
 [They show keen curiosity.] 
 My dear Ferrand, I am going to ask you to tender 
 my resignation to the President of the Republic. 
 
 [General stupefaction: exclamations, etc. Bau- 
 douin hands his letter to Ferrand, then his 
 voice becomes stronger.] 
 
 Remillot was innocent [Then, rising, fearlessly.] 
 
 My son was the guilty one ! 
 
 curtain 
 
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