Chapter 492: Conclusive Evidence
"How is that possible?" The square-faced middle-aged man who had questioned them earlier vehemently shook his head. "Mr. Paoli might flee to America, but he would never collude with the French!"
"Mr. Cesare, then why did he embezzle the money Chalmers donated to the Restoration Organization?" Bartolomeo said coldly.
"Clearly, Mr. Paoli went to America to retire," Girolamo added fuel to the fire. "He used those 25,000 Pound Sterling as his retirement fund."
Everyone nodded in agreement:
"That's probably the only explanation."
"Perhaps he also received a sum from the French."
"It's not surprising. If he hadn't compromised, he might have been assassinated by the French."
Only Cesare remained unwilling to believe it, yet he couldn't find any reason to refute them, merely shaking his head repeatedly.
Girolamo, with a somber expression, looked around at the others and said:
Bartolomeo immediately frowned and nodded:
"You're right. But the uprising has been planned for a long time. If we cancel it based solely on our suspicions, the other members of the organization probably won't agree."
The Corsican Restoration Organization boasted a large membership. With nearly forty members including various councilors and key leaders, these seven individuals alone lacked the authority to alter the uprising plans.
Girolamo pretended to ponder for a moment, then looked at the others. "I have an idea. However, it might put Mr. Bartolomeo in a difficult position."
"Speak freely. For the sake of the Restoration Organization, I'll do anything."
"On behalf of the Corsican people, I express my sincere gratitude," Girolamo patted him on the shoulder, then continued, "You are responsible for communication with London. You can inform Mr. Paoli that there has been an unexpected incident in Cargèse, and after discussion, everyone unanimously agreed that the uprising date should be moved up by three days.
"As for the rest of us, we must not leave this place from now on, to ensure no information leaks out.
"If the French are prepared when the time comes, it will prove that Mr. Paoli betrayed us."
Bartolomeo's brows furrowed deeply. If Paoli was innocent, then his actions would be a betrayal of the organization. But if Paoli truly was colluding with the French, this plan could save a large number of Restoration Organization members involved in the uprising.
He quickly made his decision, nodding:
"Very well! I agree to your plan, and I am willing to bear the consequences."
He firmly believed that Paoli had embezzled their funds, so his actions would only bring merit to the organization.
Half a month later...
As dawn barely broke, hundreds of people, their arms adorned with red cloth strips, silently surged towards the Cargèse City Hall, clutching various unknown objects. More individuals continuously joined them along the way.
As they reached the City Hall, the leader pulled a long, narrow object from his cloth satchel. He swung it forcefully, but before he could shout, a large contingent of soldiers suddenly emerged from all sides—due to inefficient governance in Corsica, police reform had yet to be implemented, so security remained the military's responsibility—and encircled the people wearing red armbands, pointing their Flintlock Muskets at them.
Immediately, an officer declared loudly, "I order you to arrest all of them on charges of sedition!"
The moment he finished speaking, several individuals wearing red armbands timidly protested:
"Officer, we only came to the City Hall to demand a raise."
"You've got it all wrong, sir. We truly aren't staging an uprising."
"Look, we're just poor porters..."
As he spoke, he pulled a wooden sign from his satchel and held it up. It read, "Monthly increase of 3 Francs."
The officer was somewhat bewildered. He ordered his men to check, and indeed, they found that everyone was carrying only wooden signs, banners, and similar items, with no weapons whatsoever.
Helpless, he took the ringleaders away for questioning, while the rest were sent home.
That afternoon.
At Girolamo's home, seven councilors of the Restoration Organization sat scattered about, their faces grim.
After a long silence, Girolamo finally broke it. "We must thank Mr. Bartolomeo. He saved the Restoration Organization."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded respectfully towards Bartolomeo. Had he not tested Paoli, hundreds of organizational members participating in the uprising would have been arrested.
"I merely did what had to be done."
Bartolomeo waved a weary hand, then his voice turned cold:
"It's abundantly clear now: Paoli betrayed us all. I only told him that the uprising would be moved up by three days, so he must have been the one to leak the information to the French!"
Everyone nodded, accepting this conclusion, but in reality, they had fallen into a blind spot of thought—
Although those involved in the planning had not left the room that day, the idea of moving the uprising up by three days could have been pre-arranged, proposed by Girolamo as a setup. The Corsican army would merely have to wait for the date and put on a show in Cargèse.
Even Cesare, who had previously trusted Paoli the most, remained silent now, his head bowed, fists clenched, eyes burning with anger.
Bartolomeo continued:
"I believe Oscar Paoli can no longer remain the leader of the Restoration Organization. He must be expelled from the organization!"
Girolamo, annoyed that his lines had been stolen again, quickly added, elaborating:
"I agree! It's always been us risking our lives to advance the restoration movement, while Paoli merely hides in Britain giving orders. And now he's even betrayed us!"
Cesare also roared:
"He doesn't deserve to lead the organization! Get rid of him!"
Bartolomeo nodded, letting out a sigh:
"Then let's split up and contact the other councilors to expel Paoli at the next organizational meeting!"
The next day.
The seven Corsican councilors reconvened at Girolamo's home. The room also held six other high-ranking members of the Restoration Organization, along with a slightly stout middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
Bartolomeo bowed slightly to the bespectacled middle-aged man, then introduced him to the others:
"This is Mr. Chalmers. He is highly esteemed in Scotland. I believe you all must have heard of him."
The dozen or so people in the room hurriedly greeted Chalmers with respect.
This was the "Top Donor" who had once generously contributed 25,000 Pound Sterling to the organization; everyone present was exceptionally deferential and enthusiastic.
Chalmers nodded in return, then his expression grew serious as he stated gravely:
"I recently came to Ajaccio to invest in vineyards, but I've heard things about Mr. Paoli that have left me very saddened, and furious!"
He raised both arms, his voice rising:
"But the great cause of restoration cannot be halted by one man alone! Right here, before my very eyes, are many brave warriors for our restoration."
He scanned the group:
"Therefore, I have decided to contribute another 20,000 Pound Sterling to fund your campaigns for next year's Corsican councilor elections! Without that scoundrel Paoli interfering this time, the restoration forces will surely seize control of the assembly in one fell swoop!"
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