THE TERROR.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15119, 4 January 1922, Page 6

THE TERROR.

PLAYING CHESS FOR A LIFE

In tho famous Parisian restaurant, tho Cafe do la Regence, in early Victorian times, there was an aged waiter avso remembered the days of tho Terror, and who knew well Robespierre, who frequently came there to play chess. Though he was not a particularly good player, ho very seldom lost, owing to the fear ho inspired, and people, as a rule, were not anxious to pit themselves against him. Sitting alono ono evening, the terrible dictator was rather surprised to see very handsome young man take the place opposite, and without a word, make a preliminary move. Robespierre did tho same, and .a game began, which his opponent won. He asked for' his revenge, and was again beaten. “You arc too much for me,” said he, not pleased. “By t-ho way, what were we playing for V ’ “A man’s head,” was the reply. “I won it, so give it to me quickly, otherwise the executioner will have lb to-morrow.” A,ti the same time he produced an. order Tor the liberation of a young nobleman imprisoned in tho conciergerio which only wanted signing. This Robespierre affixed, after which he inquired : “But who are you, citoyenf’ “Citoyenne, you should say. lam a woman, the fiancee of the prisoner. Thank you, and good-bye,” and the brave girl ran joyfully away. The above story is told by Mr. Ralph Nevill in his newly-published book entitled, “Mayfair and Montmartre,” a volume dealing with the Bohemian life of London and Paris in Victorian and Edwardian times.