Monsieur Lecoq, v.1

e police station near the old Barriere d'Italie to the direct south of Paris. Their mission was to explore the district extending on t

d so dangerous that the soldiers from the outlying forts who came in to Paris with permission to go to the theatre, we

ep overtook them, hid in doorways or among the rubbish in deserted houses. Every effort had been made to dislodge these dangerous guests, but the most energetic measures had failed to prove successful. Watched, hunted, and in imminent danger of arrest though

officer in charge of the police post called to the squad as they departed:

s. It was now beginning to thaw, and on all the frequented thoroughfares the slush was ankle-deep. It was still cold, however; a damp chill filled the

job!" growled on

thousand francs, I don't suppose you'd be here." The laugh that greeted this common-pl

n, its resources, its labyrinths, and its artifices. Long practise had given him imperturbable coolness, a great confidence in himself, and a sort of coarse diplomacy that supplied the place of shrewdness.

rows. His name was Gevrol, but he was universally known as "the General." This sobriquet was pleasing to his vanity, which was not slight, as his su

ready," he added, gruffly, "

All these places were open. There is no fog or thaw that is potent enough to dismay lovers of pleasure. And a boisterous crowd of maskers filled each tavern, and public ballroom. Through the open

r whistle, and almost immediately a man came out. This was another membe

ll take the Rue d'Ivry, and then cut throug

There were no longer any lights or crowded wine-shops. No footsteps, no voices were heard; solitude, gloom, and an almost perfect silence prevailed; and one might have supposed onese

stealing upon his prey. They had just passed the Rue du Chateau-des-Rentiers when suddenly a wild shriek rent the air. At

ral?" asked one of the d

on not far from here-but whe

reath, and anxiously listening. Soon a sec

e inspector, "it i

slang is applied to a man who has left his good sense at the bottom of his glass. Hence, also, the sobrique

s, "don't you know Mother Chupin's dr

is den that the cries had proceeded. They were now repeated, and were immediately followed by two pistol shots. The house was hermetically closed, but through the cracks in the window-shutters, gleamed a reddish light

esponse came. But they could hear plainly enough the sound of a terrible strugg

gent, who was peering through

ol. "Open, in the name of the

en the horror-stricken accent of the man who had been peering through the shutters was explained. The room presented such a specta

, glasses, decanters, household utensils, and stools had been overturned, thrown in every direction, trodden upon, shivered into fragments. Near the fireplace two men lay stretched upon the floor. They were lying motionless upon their backs, with their arms crossed. A third was extended in the middle of the room. A woman crouche

blood. This certainly was the murderer. The expression on his face was terrible. A mad fury blazed in his eyes, and a convulsive sneer distorted his features.

er!" cri

pite of a visible effort he co

e inspector, "we are in force, you ca

aimed the man, in a h

but we do

. I defended myself; I have killed-I had

e agents drew Gevrol violently aside, saying, as he did so; "Take care, Gener

ubordinate and again stepped forward, speaking in a still calmer tone. "No foolishne

he about to press the trigger? No, he suddenly threw his weapon to the floor, exclaiming: "Come and take me!" And turn

m with outstretched arms, but the table retarded his

through the back door. As the murderer darted out, this man sprang upon him, seized him, and with surprising strength and agility dragged him back. The murderer tried to resist; but in va

and at first it greatly delighted the inspector. "Good, my boy," said he, "very good!

of jealousy overcame him. He felt his prestige diminishing, and hastened to add: "The idea

hands, and then fastened him securely to a chair. He offered no resistance. His wild excitement had given place to that gl

ination with the two men lying near the fireplace. He laid his hand on their hearts, but no pulsations were to be detected. He then held the face of his watch close to their lips, but the glass remained quite clear.

. The agents lifted him very carefully-for he groaned piteously at the slightest movement-and placed him in an upright position, with his back leaning against the wall. He soon opened his eyes, a

ou wounded?"

onded, trying to raise one of

examination of the gaping wound which the young man had received in the back of the neck. "It is nothing," declared the police agent, but a

his turn; "wounds in the head, when they

dly. "I have received my

nse

I feel it, but I do not complain. I

ld take advantage of this opportunity to repeat his protestations of innocence. But their expe

ticed me here," continued the wounded m

hene

the world, came and promised me money enough to begin life over again. Fool that I was to believe him, for he brought me to die here like a dog! Oh! I will have my revenge o

ried to speak, he could not. Twice did he open his lips, but only a choking cry of impotent rage escaped them. This was his last manifestation of intelli

r," murmur

hown himself so proficient; "but he can not live mor

rld, and was carefully dusting the knees of his trousers. "Oh, well," he responded, "we shall know all we nee

f the subordinate. "I think you

ow

oor wretch was no soldier. Do you wish for an immediate proof? Is his hair the regulat

t I keep my eyes in my pocket? What you have remarked did not escape my notice; only I said

le

ugh talk," he declared. "We will now hear what has

olice, but her moans had not been discontinued. With a sudden movement, Gevrol tore off the apron which she had thrown over her head, and there she stood, such as y

ct me. You ought to be sent to prison for putting such vile drugs into

ul tones she exclaimed: "What a misfortune! what will become of me? Everything is

this trouble be

I was upstairs mending my son's

after

have arrested; the poor innocent! For he is innocent, as truly as I am an honest woman. If my son Polyte had bee

ad said enough. But Gevrol rudely ordered her to stand up again.

ear Monsieur Gevrol,

's ears. "What would you say,

a great piece

ist in remaining silent. I have an idea that a fo

her hips, and poured forth a torrent of invective upon Gevrol and his agents, accusing them of persecuting her family ever since they had previously arrested her

at he was powerless; besides, all his subordinates were laughing. Accordingly he turned his back up

innocent; and this woman and a man on the point of death who was struck down by my hand, have both confirmed my declaration.

ges pass many sleepless nights on their account. They have learned that a system of defense can not be improvised at once; that it is, on the contrary, a work of patience and meditation; and knowing what a terrible effect an apparently insignificant response drawn from them

issary of police, and inform him of the affair; he will take the matter in hand: and we can then do whatever he commands. My responsibility will

neral's passing praise. He approached his chief, and motioning that he desired to speak with him, dr

neral, what you thi

came to blows. One of them had a revolver, and he killed the others. It is as clear as daylight. According to his anteced

investigation-any furthe

ly unne

ength replied, "that this affair is not perfectly clear. Have you noticed the murderer,

wh

be mistaken-but I fancy that appearances a

ain yourse

lain the dog's f

rendezvous of gentlemen in disguise, here at the Poivriere, at Mother Chupin's hous

ou will

e with any one of your comrades you may select. And if you find anything