When the Emperor arrived, he set to work to clear the streets first, to get these piteous men indoors. There was no question yet of succouring them. It was not even possible to feed them all. The only thought was to find them some protection against the ruthless cold.
The first thought was, of course, directed to the hospitals. They looked in and saw a storehouse of the dead. The dead could wait; but the living must be housed.
So the dead waited, and it was their turn now at the St. Basile Hospital, where Louis presented himself at dawn.
"Looking for some one?" asked a man in uniform, who must have been inside the hospital, for he hurried down the steps with a set mouth and quailing eyes.
"Yes."
"Then don't go in--wait here."
Louis looked in and took the doctor's advice. The dead wer
