Mysteries of Paris, V3

reatened the life of Germain. This man, of athletic form, left the sitting-room with the other prisoners, without having been remarked, and soon mingled with t

ike Nicholas, had received victuals from out of doors, got up a feast to which they invited the other prisoners. The guests of the widow's son were Barbillon, Skeleton, and, upon the latter's recommendation, Pique-Vinaigre, in order to get him in a good humor for telling

aigre is never coming. W

nger and thirst; do not

pull the bailiff's hair,

m b

t pitch into the tipstaff,

and gay; he spied Nicholas, who on his side looked at Frank. The latter and the Cripple were dining, seated on one of the benches in the court; they had not perceived the bailiff, on whom their back

aid the baili

not see you; you come, as u

m going to tell you why; but first take these cigars. Come, n

man. Why have you two

y. I said to myself, 'Looking at these gay boys at their dinner,

las, leading the bailiff by degrees near the bench of Frank, whose back was turned; "just

this phenomeno

Cripple!" cr

ds. The bailiff was stupefied, and stood with his

d and meat on the bench,

e caught by the

mo

? You stra

mo

nd, list

too late, for it is you

-I-b

tealing. I should have remained honest, as I wished to be. And you will be acquitted perhaps-they will do nothing to you. But I will do som

f, rolling under the feet of F

, made no resistance, but endeavored to parry, as well as he could, the blows of his adversary. Happily, the overseer ran up, on hearing the cries, and released the bailiff

do not wish to remain

the governor," said the keeper, taking Frank by the co

e; he has go

tending to adjust his clothes, "not a word

should have defended him; for to kill a

ome?" said

bailiff and Frank now; ho

hol

e his eyes. Pique-Yinaigre followed him with an embarrassed air; at length, after having hesitated two or three times to accost him, he made a great effort, and slightly touched the arm of Germain before he had approached the group of prisoners, who, at a distance, were examining him with sullen hatred. Thei

do you

hank

r w

little visitor wishe

and you," said Ge

the office, I met the overseer, who

a very g

if I have called you a butt. Do not think of it; wait for the end. 'Yes, then,' I answered, 'I know Germain, the butt of the prison.' 'And yours also, perhaps, Pique-Vinaigre?' asked the keeper, in a severe tone. 'I am too cowardly and too good-natured to allow myself any kind of a butt black, white, or gray,

self a little more clearl

but his pretty little visitor, who has been full of kindness for your sister. She overheard her relate to

main, affected. "She took g

right; Germain has been good to me; for his visitor is, as may

. "This does not surprise me; she has

plot against him, you will be a finished scoundrel, Pique-Vinaigre.' 'Keeper, I am a scoundrel,' commenced I, 'it is true; but not a finished scoundrel. In fine, since G

also going to give you some good new

, then?" as

separate cell vacant,' the k

!" cried Germain. "The good man was

do not answer; they only want a pretext to engage you in a dispute, and beat you. Barbillon is to begin the dispute-look out for him; I will try to turn them from this notion." And Pique-Vinaigre lifted up his head as if he had found what he pretended to look for. Only informed of the conspiracy of the morning

re, going to meet him; "leave your ration of flesh the

Panier-Fleuri? to t

set on a bench. We have some

ll more that my sister cannot profit by it. Neither she nor

a beast of himself; he is capable of

on the end of the bench where the feast was spread, Skeleto

nail, laggard!" cried th

"what have you b

Germain," said Nicho

main?" said Skeleton,

ithout pausing in

s and hard eggs (I say eggs, because I adore them). Isn't he a fool! this Germ

exchanging a rapid and significant

s always alone; he speaks to no one, and no one speaks to him; he runs away from us as if we

ed Skelet

ng there will be

be too late. To-day we have only until four o'clock, and now it is almost thre

retending to answer an observation of Skel

midate this young man. He looks upon himself, in comparison with y

hould

amous) as an equal and a companion.' I am dying to speak to him; but he produces an effect upon me so respectful-s

gning to believe him, and to be flattered

the greatest magsman on t

ake it up with him. Barbillon had a mind to pick a q

away the danger with which Germain was threatened. "He will do better, f

reckoned on this quarrel to amuse us a

l we do then?"

tell us a story. I will not seek a q

"That is one condition; but there is ano

is your othe

n of twenty sous. Twenty sous, ladies and gents, to hear the famous Pique-Vinaigre, who has had the honor to perform before the most renowned robbers, before the most fa

twenty sous when you

fore!" cried P

capable of cheating you

with a dis

the family with my confidence, and it is to sp

word of

enty francs-a hundred francs that you will force me to take! I know, myself, I should have the meanness to ac

not wanting i

oint of the matter is that my sister and her children are in Q

prigging lay; and her kids also, if

t wounds me, it dishon

too stupid, since

akes me pity her. Come, is it agreed? I will relate to you my famous history of 'Gringalet', b

and Barbillon will not pick a qu

thing choice. But here is the rain, which sends in t

rom the provost, Big Cripple joined the group. Germain entered among the last, absorbed in delightful thoughts. He went mechanically to seat himself on the ledge of the farthest window in the room, a place he habitually occupied, which no one disputed; for it was far from the stove, around which the prisoners clustered. We have said th

, who was about innocently to deprive Germain of the only succor which he had to depend upon; for it was almost certain that the keeper, seeing the prisoners attentive to the story

story of 'Gringalet.' The weather is so bad it is not fit to turn a consta

yourselves quiet. At least, there is

ue-Vinaigre charges high for tell

himself of the pleasure of hearing the adventures of poor little Gringalet, of the terrible Cut-in-half, and the wicked Gargousse; it is enough to break one's

at joy of Pique-Vinaigre, who thought of his sister as he made his collection. "Eight, nine, eleven, twelve, thirteen!" he cried, picking up his money. "Come, rich folks, capitalists and other bankers, one more little effort; you cannot remain at thirteen, it

iece of ten sous at the speaker's feet, who cried, showing to the crowd the generous donor: "Ten sous, gents! you see I spoke of capitalists; honor to the banker, who tries to be agreeable to the society. Yes, gents! for it is to him you will owe the greater part of Gringalet, an

n so much, but beg

iven me ten sous, should have the best place, except our provost, who must choos

best seated." And the bandit again cast

t him approac

ake the fr

the honorable society recognizes that you have the ri

ions in his favor, enchanted thus to follow the advice of Rigolette

illon, having arranged around the stove th

seat themselves on the benches," added Pique-Vinaigre, gayly, firmly believing that Germain had, thanks to him, no more

the arrangements

rdillac, and some other prisoners, among whom was seen the man in the blue cotton cap and gray blouse, occupied the back benches. The larger number of the prisoners grouped here and there, some seated on the ground, others standing, and leani

is departure, to give the signal for the murd

id Pique-Vinaig

ound; then, addressing Pique-Vinaigre, "Now fire away! we