Messengers of Evil

e did not utter a cry as he fell head foremost into the darkling river. He was an excellent swimmer: all aching as he was, he

behind a heap of stones which lay on the quay. He took off his soaked garments and wrung the water out of them. This done, and clad in what looked

the Friday morning a boy approache

oom, who has been waiting for over an hour. She wishes to see you.

dor asked. His curiosit

all in black,"

o in," interr

with Mademoiselle Elizabeth Dollon. She came forw

you would come to my help! I have read your article of yesterday. Thank you again and again! But, I imp

t Fandor sil

imself, concluding with the question-really an ironical one: "If Jacques Dollon, who had disappeared from his cell, where he had been left for dead, had escaped from the Dép?t by way of the famous chimney

o complicate the already complicated affair, and so plunge the police into a confusion wors

ollon's poor sister! At sight of this charming girl, brightened with hope, Fandor felt all pity and guilt.

lieve in myself. I speak with all the sincerity of which I am capable, with the keenest desire to be of service to you: I dare not let you buoy yourself up with false hopes.... I assure you then, that from what I have been able to le

ead, her eyes full of tears. She could not speak. She was overcome by this cru

ing silen

s mute grief. He sought in vain for s

hing could be gained by prolonging the interview. Her

company her to the doo

there's a man wish

our journalist: he had no wis

the landing stage of the passenger boat service,

Fandor started. She was trembli

him i

nd Fandor turned to

man has to tell us? It is not improbable that he has seen something-som

all her forces: she would not remain ignorant of any detail

ng enough," she

of his class, a man about forty. On his cap were the gol

your service!" The good fell

now you very well, that I do!... I read your articles every

admirer: "Now tell me

laugh, because I am the keeper of the landing stage at the Pont Neuf Station. This affair is supposed to have happened in my parts, don't you see?... Well, I had just come to the

igned to Elizabeth that she must keep quie

hat is it yo

.. Why, I saw Dol

as a sheet. She jumped up, and with c

ickly, I implore

ly, and whispered a few words t

ir," he explained. "That is why she is so interested in what you ha

g-only I was half asleep and didn't take much notice; for, what with all the rain we've been having, there's no end of filthy stuff tumbling out of the mouth of the sewers. But, a few minu

th Doll

en? And

f the Pont-Neuf! I didn't see what became of it-but no one will get it out of my hea

paused, t

for one of your articles some time or other ... only you mustn't sa

stening. She had turned to Fandor

!... He l

rid of him. Directly the door clo

e cried, full o

your pity now!... My brother is

d to unde

dual in question, it would not have been yesterday morning, but the m

ellow is telling

reasons, for believing, for being certain, that the

ven! Who w

.... Should he divulge hi

your brother

that Elizabeth Dollon, once more convinced that Fandor was not speaking at ra

irl to give way to her grief for a f

ell you everything, yet I would gladly help you!... But first and foremost, I beg

er tears, and in a voice whi

art!... There are your articles on the one hand, and your attitude on the other-what am I to make of it? It is driving me to despair! And if you on

ke to her in a low tone affectionately: he felt great sympathy and an immense pity for this unhappy young c

ttle about you: you, yourself, your family, your brother; who your friends are, and who are your enemies! I must enter into your existence, not as a judge, but as a comrade who is interested in all that

n was sincere, and that what he sa

n her and be kind. She now spoke to Jér?me Fandor of her childhood without suspecting in th

then had come the horrible death of her father, old Steward Dollon, who had passed from the serv

ad become an artist-craftsman. Gradually the young man's talent and industry had enabled his sister to leave her workroom and come to live with him. His reputation was a growing one, and the two y

dor interr

on good terms with th

ion the girl'

on't you?... They have declared that there was a very intimate relation between her and my brother-I cannot say more-it is too hateful! It is all false-as false as false can be! The Baroness was particularly i

g attentively to Elizabe

you then really think, as everyone seems to do, that

cted a minute b

e-and one must believe

rthel

assed her hand over he

he were unhappy, even if she were ruined. I have often heard her speak of her money affairs; she even used to joke about the expostulations of her bankers, Messieurs Barbey-N

arbey-Nanteuils at

. Once or twice my brother has asked their advice about investments-very modest investments I can assu

quaintances in Pa

ouse at Auteuil, rue Raffet. In fact, I am staying with her now, for I had not the courage to go back to my brother's place: too many dreadful memories are c

with his cros

ought to that tragic home of yours. Please tell me what peo

th cons

ice man, a stranger, a Dutchman I think he was, called Monsieur Van Hoeren; he manufactures accordions; and lives in a little house opposite ours, with six children; he has been a widower for years! Al

e was a silence. Fandor

the studio for the first time after the t

at the appalling pictu

e the studio minutely! I had only one thought-to be wi

nterrupt

he evening preceding the tragedy? How then do you explain the fact that the Baroness de Vibray was found dead in his studio,

, then fixed her eyes on the floor. Her hands twi

ér?me Fandor. "Please t

l steps, and placed herself

of fact, someone must have come to see my brother that evening: I cannot assert it

ore proof of it than

eth, as if enlightened by a sudde

ried Fandor, int

to his book, which was open, I noticed a sort of list of names and addresses,

came to the conclusion that this list h

s not my brothe

the Barones

the Barones

id this lis

of persons we knew. There wer

s that

monsieur: I sa

till no detail, however slight, must be ignored!..

l the papers I could find the day before yesterda

ity, will you bring me tha

tell Fandor that he was wanted on the telephon

ndor sent the following expre

Headquarters' version which you will

journalist commenced

ffair of th

affair which is the very reverse of tha

, and the chimney of Marie Antoinette, an i

convinced that Jacque