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diff --git a/27794-0.txt b/27794-0.txt index e0bba14..cd0446b 100644 --- a/27794-0.txt +++ b/27794-0.txt @@ -5618,7 +5618,7 @@ face and delicate features of Thérèse Auvernois, who was intent upon a book. The girl was emerging from childhood into young womanhood now, and sorrow had heightened her natural distinction by giving her a stamp of gravity that was new. Her figure showed slight and supple, delicate and -graceful, and her long, tapered fingers turned over the pages of the +graceful, and her long, taper fingers turned over the pages of the book with slow and regular movement. Thérèse looked round towards Etienne Rambert when she heard him coming in, and laying down her book she came forward to meet him, moving with a very graceful, easy @@ -12226,7 +12226,6 @@ Fantômas is alive!" | | | Page 25: comma added after "why" ("Why, the park enclosure | | has been altered") | - | Page 136: taper amended to tapered ("long, tapered fingers") | | Page 265: Treteau _sic_ | | | | Accents have been standardised. | diff --git a/27794-h/27794-h.htm b/27794-h/27794-h.htm index 41907c9..99962a5 100644 --- a/27794-h/27794-h.htm +++ b/27794-h/27794-h.htm @@ -1,16 +1,9 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Fantômas, by Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> -/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ - -<!-- + <meta charset="utf-8"> + <title>Fantômas | Project Gutenberg</title> + <style> body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} .frontend { text-align: center; font-size: 80%} @@ -42,10 +35,6 @@ .transnote {margin: 2em 5% 1em 5%; font-size: 90%; padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em; border: solid 1px silver; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} - - // --> - - /* XML end ]]>*/ </style> </head> <body> @@ -60,10 +49,10 @@ this text. For a complete list, please see <a href="#Transcribers_Notes">the bot this document</a>.</p> </div> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<hr style="width: 65%;" > <div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/img01.jpg" width="400" height="508" alt="" title="" /> +<img src="images/img01.jpg" alt="" title="" style="width: 400px; height: 508px"> </div> @@ -78,14 +67,14 @@ this document</a>.</p> <h2>MARCEL ALLAIN</h2> -<h3><i>Translated from the original French by</i><br /> +<h3><i>Translated from the original French by</i><br > <span class='smcap2'>Cranstoun Metcalfe</span></h3> -<h3><i>Introduction to the Dover Edition by</i><br /> +<h3><i>Introduction to the Dover Edition by</i><br > <span class='smcap2'>Robin Walz</span></h3> -<h4>DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.<br /> +<h4>DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.<br > Mineola, New York</h4> @@ -94,64 +83,64 @@ Mineola, New York</h4> <p class='center'><i>Bibliographical Note</i></p> -<p class='center'>This Dover edition, first published in 2006, is an unabridged republication of the<br /> +<p class='center'>This Dover edition, first published in 2006, is an unabridged republication of the<br > work first published by Brentano's Publishers Inc., New York, in 1915.</p> <p class='center'><i>International Standard Book Number: 0-486-44971-8</i></p> <p class='frontend'> -Manufactured in the United States of America<br /> +Manufactured in the United States of America<br > Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">Contents</span></h2> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> <div class='center'> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="toc"> -<tr><td align='left'></td><td align='left'>Introduction to the Dover Edition</td><td align='right'><span class='smcap'>v</span></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'><span class='smcap'>chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='right'><span class='smcap'>page</span></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'>The Genius of Crime</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'>A Tragic Dawn</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'>The Hunt for the Man</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'>"No! I am not Mad!"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'>"Arrest Me!"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'>"Fantômas, it is Death!"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'>The Criminal Investigation Department</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'>A Dreadful Confession</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'>All for Honour</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'>Princess Sonia's Bath</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'>Magistrate and Detective</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'>A Knock-out Blow</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'>Thérèse's Future</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'>Mademoiselle Jeanne</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'>The Mad Woman's Plot</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'>Among the Market Porters</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'>At the Saint-Anthony's Pig</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'>A Prisoner and a Witness</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'>Jérôme Fandor</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'>A Cup of Tea</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'>Lord Beltham's Murderer</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'>The Scrap of Paper</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'>The Wreck of the "Lancaster"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'>Under Lock and Key</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'>An Unexpected Accomplice</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'>A Mysterious Crime</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='left'>Three Surprising Incidents</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII.</td><td align='left'>The Court of Assize</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIX.</td><td align='left'>Verdict and Sentence</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXX.</td><td align='left'>An Assignation</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXXI.</td><td align='left'>Fell Treachery</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXXII.</td><td align='left'>On the Scaffold</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_288">288</a></td></tr> +<table style="border: none; padding: 4px; border-spacing: 0px;"> +<tr><td style="text-align: left;"></td><td style="text-align: left;">Introduction to the Dover Edition</td><td style="text-align: right;"><span class='smcap'>v</span></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;"><span class='smcap'>chapter</span></td><td style="text-align: left;"></td><td style="text-align: right;"><span class='smcap'>page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">I.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Genius of Crime</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">II.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Tragic Dawn</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">III.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Hunt for the Man</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">IV.</td><td style="text-align: left;">"No! I am not Mad!"</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">V.</td><td style="text-align: left;">"Arrest Me!"</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">VI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">"Fantômas, it is Death!"</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">VII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Criminal Investigation Department</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">VIII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Dreadful Confession</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">IX.</td><td style="text-align: left;">All for Honour</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">X.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Princess Sonia's Bath</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Magistrate and Detective</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Knock-out Blow</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XIII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Thérèse's Future</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XIV.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Mademoiselle Jeanne</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XV.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Mad Woman's Plot</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XVI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Among the Market Porters</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XVII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">At the Saint-Anthony's Pig</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XVIII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Prisoner and a Witness</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XIX.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Jérôme Fandor</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XX.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Cup of Tea</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Lord Beltham's Murderer</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Scrap of Paper</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXIII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Wreck of the "Lancaster"</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXIV.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Under Lock and Key</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXV.</td><td style="text-align: left;">An Unexpected Accomplice</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXVI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">A Mysterious Crime</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXVII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Three Surprising Incidents</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXVIII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">The Court of Assize</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXIX.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Verdict and Sentence</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXX.</td><td style="text-align: left;">An Assignation</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXXI.</td><td style="text-align: left;">Fell Treachery</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td></tr> +<tr><td style="text-align: right;">XXXII.</td><td style="text-align: left;">On the Scaffold</td><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></td></tr> </table></div> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">I. The Genius of Crime</span></h2> @@ -173,7 +162,7 @@ Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501</p> <p>"Spreads terror!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Dinner was just over, and the company were moving into the drawing-room.</p> @@ -194,7 +183,7 @@ her loneliness and keeping up some contact with the world.</p> <p>On this particular winter evening the good lady's guests included several habitués: President Bonnet, a retired magistrate -who had withdrawn to his small property at Saint-Jaury, in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +who had withdrawn to his small property at Saint-Jaury, in the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> suburbs of Brives, and the Abbé Sicot, who was the parish priest. A more occasional friend was also there, the Baronne de Vibray, a young and wealthy widow, a typical woman of the world who @@ -235,7 +224,7 @@ up, and why there are so many mistakes and inconsistencies in judicial investigations."</p> <p>"What is the conclusion you wish to draw?" the Marquise de -Langrune enquired with interest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +Langrune enquired with interest.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> <p>"This," the magistrate proceeded: "although many crimes pass unsuspected it is none the less obvious that they have been @@ -280,7 +269,7 @@ steady access of criminality, and among the assets we shall henceforth have to count a mysterious and most dangerous creature, to whom the baffled authorities and public rumour generally have for some time now given the name of Fantômas. -It is impossible to say exactly or to know precisely who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +It is impossible to say exactly or to know precisely who<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> Fantômas is. He often assumes the form and personality of some definite and even well-known individual; sometimes he assumes the forms of two human beings at one and the same time. @@ -312,7 +301,7 @@ the next moment he was in the adjoining room, sitting opposite the girl, and deep in the intricacies of the latest fashionable game.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The Baronne de Vibray brought the conversation back to the subject of Fantômas.</p> @@ -324,7 +313,7 @@ were talking at dinner?"</p> <p>"I should certainly have agreed with you and thought there was none," the old magistrate replied, "if Lord Beltham's disappearance had been unattended by any mysterious circumstance. -But there is one point that deserves your attention: the newspa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>per +But there is one point that deserves your attention: the newspa<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>per from which I read an extract just now, <i>La Capitale</i>, draws attention to it and regards it as being important. It is said that when Lady Beltham began to be uneasy about her husband's absence, @@ -364,7 +353,7 @@ affair, but also rid us for ever of this terrifying criminal!"</p> and his closing words cast a chill upon them all.</p> <p>The Marquise de Langrune deemed it time to create a -diversion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> +diversion.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> <p>"Who are these people, Lord and Lady Beltham?" she enquired.</p> @@ -393,7 +382,7 @@ president will not be justified by the event."</p> <p>"Amen!" murmured the Abbé mechanically, roused from his gentle slumber by the closing words of the Marquise.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The clock chimed ten, and her duties as hostess did not make the Marquise forgetful of her duties as grandmother.</p> @@ -413,7 +402,7 @@ asked.</p> <p>"Will you let me accompany Charles to the station to-morrow morning? I will go to the eight o'clock mass on my way back."</p> -<p>The Marquise looked at Charles Rambert.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<p>The Marquise looked at Charles Rambert.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> <p>"Your father really is coming by the train that reaches Verrières at 6.55?" and when he assented she hesitated a moment @@ -462,7 +451,7 @@ President Bonnet urged.</p> <p>"It is very simple: Etienne Rambert is an energetic man who is always moving about. Although he is quite sixty he still occupies -himself with some rubber plantations he possesses in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +himself with some rubber plantations he possesses in<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> Colombia, and he often goes to America: he thinks no more of the voyage than we do of a trip to Paris. Well, just recently young Charles Rambert was leaving the <i>pension</i> in Hamburg @@ -478,7 +467,7 @@ the Abbé.</p> <p>"That is so——"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The Marquise de Langrune would have given other information about her young friend had he not come into the room just @@ -511,7 +500,7 @@ police? I think it is——"</p> curiosity waxed more enthusiastic, and he interrupted curtly.</p> <p>"I fail to understand your attitude, young man. You appear to -be hypnotised, fascinated. You speak of Fantômas as if he were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +be hypnotised, fascinated. You speak of Fantômas as if he were<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> something interesting. It is out of place, to put it mildly," and he turned to the Abbé Sicot. "There, sir, that is the result of this modern education and the state of mind produced in the @@ -558,7 +547,7 @@ lively. But you will grow out of that. Come, come: that's all right; lads of your age do talk without knowledge."</p> <p>It was very late now, and a few minutes after this incident the -guests of the Marquise de Langrune took their departure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> +guests of the Marquise de Langrune took their departure.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> <p>Charles Rambert accompanied the Marquise to the door of her own private rooms, and was about to bid her a respectful @@ -605,7 +594,7 @@ already!" she said. "So now good night, dear Charles!"</p> closed, Charles Rambert lay wide awake, a prey to strange excitement. He turned and tossed in his bed nervously. In vain did he try to banish from his mind the words spoken during the -evening by President Bonnet. In imagination Charles Rambert<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +evening by President Bonnet. In imagination Charles Rambert<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> saw all manner of sinister and dramatic scenes, crimes and murders: hugely interested, intensely curious, craving for knowledge, he was ever trying to concoct plots and unravel mysteries. @@ -631,7 +620,7 @@ Fantômas!</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">II. A Tragic Dawn</span></h2> @@ -666,7 +655,7 @@ he added: "Lead the way, and I will follow."</p> <p>It was now just half-past eight, and the station showed all the animation inseparable from the departure of main-line trains. -M. Etienne Rambert hurried onwards, and reaching the plat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>form +M. Etienne Rambert hurried onwards, and reaching the plat<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>form from which all the lines begin, was stayed by the porter who was laden with his baggage.</p> @@ -719,7 +708,7 @@ baggage he was carrying down on the footboard of a first-class carriage.</p> <p>"There is no one for the slow train yet, sir; if you like to get in -first you can choose your own compartment."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +first you can choose your own compartment."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> <p>M. Etienne Rambert acted on the suggestion, but he had hardly set foot in the corridor before the guard, also scenting a @@ -768,7 +757,7 @@ turned to the guard.</p> mean to get some sleep to-night; consequently I should like to be alone. Now where shall I be most quiet and undisturbed?"</p> -<p>The man understood. M. Etienne Rambert's enquiry about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +<p>The man understood. M. Etienne Rambert's enquiry about<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> the place where he would be most quiet, was an implicit promise of a handsome tip if nobody did disturb him.</p> @@ -814,7 +803,7 @@ by the express on the other line.</p> <p>The departure of a train is always a picturesque sight, and M. Rambert leant forward inquisitively to note how the passengers had installed themselves in the two compartments which he -could see from his coign of vantage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> +could see from his coign of vantage.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> <p>There were not many people in the train. As a matter of fact the Brives and Luchon line is not much used at this time of year. @@ -847,7 +836,7 @@ gentleman might count upon an entirely undisturbed night.</p> out in its turn, and disappeared into the darkness of the underground tunnel.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>At the château of Beaulieu young Charles Rambert was just finishing dressing when a gentle tap sounded on the door of his @@ -861,7 +850,7 @@ with some pride. "I shall be ready in two minutes."</p> <p>"What? up already?" the girl exclaimed from the other side of the door. "Marvellous! I congratulate you. I'm ready too; I will wait for you in the dining-room. Come down as soon as you are -dressed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> +dressed."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> <p>"All right!" the young man answered.</p> @@ -913,7 +902,7 @@ characteristic candour. "Good Lord, how cold it is! And it is still pitch dark!"</p> <p>"Surely you are not going to be frightened?" said Thérèse -teasingly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> +teasingly.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> <p>Charles Rambert made an irritable movement of vexation and surprise.</p> @@ -934,7 +923,7 @@ thing is that you should be there to bring us back."</p> <p>The man touched his cap and the two young people passed through the park gate and found themselves upon the high road.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>It was still very dark, with just a wan reflection in the distance of the sky vaguely outlining some cloud-shapes to the eastward @@ -962,7 +951,7 @@ an hour."</p> <p>"And your mother?"</p> -<p>"Oh, mamma was different. You know, Thérèse, I spent all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +<p>"Oh, mamma was different. You know, Thérèse, I spent all<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> the childhood that I can remember at the school. I liked the masters and had good chums, and was very happy there, and if the truth must be told I looked forward with anything but pleasure @@ -1006,7 +995,7 @@ treatment of the kind long before, but she would not."</p> <p>Thérèse was silent for a few minutes.</p> -<p>"You have not been very happy," she said presently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> +<p>"You have not been very happy," she said presently.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> <p>"Oh, it was only after I grew up that I felt unhappy. When I was a little chap I never thought of how sad it is to have no real @@ -1050,14 +1039,14 @@ true that mamma is no more in this world."</p> pace, and now they came to the few houses built around Verrières station. One by one, bedroom windows and doors were being opened; peasants were making their way to the -sheds to lead their cattle to the pastures.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +sheds to lead their cattle to the pastures.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> <p>"We are very early," Thérèse remarked, pointing to the station clock in the distance. "Your father's train is due at 6.55, and it is only 6.40 now; we still have a quarter of an hour to wait, and more, if the train is not punctual!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>They went into the little station and Charles Rambert, thankful for some shelter from the cold, stamped his feet, making a @@ -1099,7 +1088,7 @@ come in."</p> <p>So they left the waiting-room and began to walk up and down the whole length of the platform. Thérèse watched the jerky -movements of the hands of the clock, and smiled at her companion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> +movements of the hands of the clock, and smiled at her companion.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> <p>"Five minutes more, and your father will be here! Four minutes more! Ah! There it is!" and she pointed to a slope in the distance @@ -1146,7 +1135,7 @@ pale and his voice faltered as he replied:</p> <p>Thérèse had drawn tactfully aside. M. Rambert still held his son by the shoulders and stepped back a pace, the better to consider -him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +him.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> <p>"Why, you are a man! How you have altered, my boy! You are just what I hoped you would be: tall and strong! Ah, you are my @@ -1199,7 +1188,7 @@ tiring for you after a whole night in the train."</p> <p>The three had reached the station yard, and Thérèse stopped in surprise.</p> -<p>"Why, how's that?" she exclaimed; "the carriage is not here.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +<p>"Why, how's that?" she exclaimed; "the carriage is not here.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> And yet Jean was beginning to get it ready when we left the château."</p> @@ -1243,9 +1232,9 @@ youth; one remembers recent events much less distinctly. Most likely that means, my dear, that the human heart declines to grow old and refuses to preserve any but pictures of childhood."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > -<p>For a few minutes M. Rambert remained silent, as if ab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>sorbed +<p>For a few minutes M. Rambert remained silent, as if ab<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>sorbed in somewhat melancholy reflections. But he soon recovered himself and shook off the tender sadness evoked in his mind by memories of the past.</p> @@ -1298,7 +1287,7 @@ her room!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">III. The Hunt for the Man</span></h2> @@ -1328,7 +1317,7 @@ interesting information.</p> <p>"Tell me exactly how you discovered the crime, M. Dollon," he said as, pale and trembling, the steward accompanied him -along the corridor to the scene of the murder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> +along the corridor to the scene of the murder.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> <p>"I went this morning as usual, sir," the steward replied, "to say good morning to Mme. de Langrune and receive her orders for @@ -1373,7 +1362,7 @@ keen cold, no doubt for hygienic reasons. In the middle of the room was a round mahogany table with a few small articles upon it, a blotting-pad, books and so on. In one corner a large crucifix was suspended from the wall with a prie-Dieu in front of it, -the velvet of which had been worn white by the old lady's knees.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +the velvet of which had been worn white by the old lady's knees.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> Finally, a little further away, was a small escritoire, half open now, with its drawers gaping and papers scattered on the floor.</p> @@ -1422,7 +1411,7 @@ certainly no more."</p> <p>The steward shrugged his shoulders.</p> <p>"The murderer may have thought that Mme. de Langrune -had money here, sir. But anyhow he must have been disturbed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +had money here, sir. But anyhow he must have been disturbed,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> because he did not take away the rings the Marquise had laid upon the dressing-table before she got into bed."</p> @@ -1470,10 +1459,10 @@ replied. "He has everything ready for you there."</p> <p>"Very well. If it is convenient to you we will join him now."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>M. de Presles followed Dollon down to the library on the -ground floor, where his enterprising clerk had already estab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>lished +ground floor, where his enterprising clerk had already estab<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>lished himself. The magistrate took his seat behind a large table and called to the police sergeant.</p> @@ -1521,7 +1510,7 @@ are more of them."</p> <p>"What servants sleep in the house?"</p> -<p>"As a general rule, sir, the two maid-servants, Marie the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +<p>"As a general rule, sir, the two maid-servants, Marie the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> housemaid and Louise the cook, and also Hervé the butler; but Hervé did not sleep in the château last night. He had asked the mistress's permission to go into the village, and she had given it @@ -1566,7 +1555,7 @@ into the château; only two people had a key of the front door—the Marquise and myself. When I got to the house this morning I found the door open, because Mlle. Thérèse went out early with M. Charles Rambert to meet M. Rambert, senior, at the -station, and she opened the door with the keys that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +station, and she opened the door with the keys that the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> Marquise had given into her care the night before; but she told me herself that when she started to meet the train at five o'clock the door was shut. Mlle. Thérèse had put her keys under her pillow, @@ -1608,7 +1597,7 @@ the sort was done."</p> me yourself that there was no one in the château but Mme. de Langrune, the two young people Thérèse and Charles, and the two maids: it certainly is not any one of those who can be the -guilty person, for the way in which the crime was committed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +guilty person, for the way in which the crime was committed,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> and the force of the blows dealt, show that the criminal was a man—a professional murderer in fact. Consequently the guilty person must have got in from outside. Come now, have you no @@ -1655,7 +1644,7 @@ than invite us to stay to dinner!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">IV. "No! I am not Mad!"</span></h2> @@ -1691,7 +1680,7 @@ man who knows very well what trouble is, and the sergeant replied:</p> <p>"Put them? Why, in your kitchen, of course," and as the servant -made a sign of refusal, he added: "I am sorry, but you must;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +made a sign of refusal, he added: "I am sorry, but you must;<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> besides, there's nothing for you to be afraid of; the men are handcuffed, and we shall not leave them. We are going to wait here for the magistrate who will examine them."</p> @@ -1740,7 +1729,7 @@ collar, there was a variegated handkerchief round his neck. His name, he had told the sergeant, was François Paul.</p> <p>The other man, who had been discovered at the back of a -farm just as he was about to crawl inside a stack, was a typical<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +farm just as he was about to crawl inside a stack, was a typical<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> country tramp. An old soft felt hat was crammed down on his head, and a shock of rebellious red and grey hair curled up all round it, while a hairy beard entirely concealed all the features @@ -1786,7 +1775,7 @@ you hadn't been sure of it?"</p> <p>Bouzille's companion bent his head and whispered very low:</p> <p>"There has been something worse than that: the job with the -lady of this house."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> +lady of this house."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> <p>"Oh, that!" said Bouzille with a gesture of complete indifference. But he did not proceed. The sergeant came back to the @@ -1828,7 +1817,7 @@ bread is what nobody ever refuses."</p> <p>The cook hesitated, touched by the recollections evoked by the poor tramp; she looked at the gendarme for a sign of encouragement. Morand shrugged his shoulders and turned a -patronising gaze on Bouzille.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +patronising gaze on Bouzille.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> <p>"Give him something, if you like, Mme. Louise. After all, he is well known. And for my own part I don't believe he could @@ -1852,7 +1841,7 @@ sometimes they laugh and the president of the court says, 'Stand up, Bouzille,' and then he gives me a fortnight, or twenty-one days, or a month, as the case may be."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The sergeant came back, alone, and addressed the gendarme.</p> @@ -1878,7 +1867,7 @@ the shocking weather it was getting lighter now, and communed with herself.</p> <p>"I've a kind of idea that they would have done better to keep -that other man. He was a villainous-looking fellow!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> +that other man. He was a villainous-looking fellow!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> <p>The sad, depressing day had passed without any notable incident.</p> @@ -1914,14 +1903,14 @@ back to her own house, and Thérèse went up at once to bed with Marie, the faithful servant who, like Louise the cook, had been with her ever since she was born.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>After having read all the newspapers, with their minute and often inaccurate account of the tragedy at Beaulieu—for everyone in the château had been besieged the previous day by reporters and representatives of various press agencies—M. Etienne Rambert said to his son simply, but with a marked -gravity:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> +gravity:<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> <p>"Let us go upstairs, my son: it is time."</p> @@ -1975,7 +1964,7 @@ grew whiter still, and seemed so near collapse that his father had to support him to a chair, where he remained for several minutes utterly prostrated.</p> -<p>M. Rambert paced up and down the room a few times, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +<p>M. Rambert paced up and down the room a few times, then<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> took another chair and sat down in front of his son. Passing a hand across his brow as if to sweep away the horrible nightmare that was haunting him, he spoke again.</p> @@ -2023,7 +2012,7 @@ Fantômas——"</p> <p>"So they suspect me too, do they?" Charles enquired. "But you can't make accusations like that," he said, warming up: -"you've got to have facts, and proofs." He looked at his father for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +"you've got to have facts, and proofs." He looked at his father for<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> the sympathy and encouragement of affection. "Listen, papa, I know you will believe me when I swear that I am innocent; but do you think other people——"</p> @@ -2070,7 +2059,7 @@ some protestation, but Etienne Rambert imperiously checked him.</p> <p>"Do you still deny it? Unhappy, wretched boy, there is the -convincing, irrefutable evidence of your guilt! These stains of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +convincing, irrefutable evidence of your guilt! These stains of<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> blood proclaim it. Something always is overlooked! How are you to explain the presence of this blood-stained linen in your room? Can you still deny that it is proof positive of your guilt?"</p> @@ -2118,7 +2107,7 @@ proper senses: I know what I am doing!"</p> <p>"Was it, perhaps, some appalling hallucination," Etienne Rambert suggested: "some moment of irresponsibility?"</p> -<p>But Charles saw what he meant and cut him short.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> +<p>But Charles saw what he meant and cut him short.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> <p>"No, no, papa! I am not mad! I am not mad! I am not mad!"</p> @@ -2158,7 +2147,7 @@ to the floor.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">V. "Arrest Me!"</span></h2> @@ -2189,7 +2178,7 @@ to put in a complete system of drainage, with underground pipes through which the water that came down from the mountain could escape between the ballast and the side of the rock and so pass underneath the permanent way. The sleepers, too, -had been loosened by the bad weather, and some of them had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +had been loosened by the bad weather, and some of them had<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> perished so much that the chairs were no longer fast, a matter which was all the more serious because the line described a very sharp curve at that precise spot.</p> @@ -2212,7 +2201,7 @@ wait until the work was completed. The order was also issued with the primary object of preventing the workers on the line from being taken by surprise.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Day was just breaking this grey December morning, when the gang of navvies set to work under a foreman, fixing on the @@ -2231,7 +2220,7 @@ thereby authorising the train to proceed on its way.</p> from the engine, and belching forth a dense volume of black smoke it slowly emerged from the tunnel, followed by a long train of carriages, the windows of which were frosted all over by -the cold temperature outside.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +the cold temperature outside.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> <p>A man approached the cabin allotted to the plate-layer in charge of that section of the line in which the tunnel was included.</p> @@ -2282,7 +2271,7 @@ breathed upon his benumbed fingers.</p> <p>"I don't suppose you're an independent gentleman, but why don't you try to get taken on here?" he suggested. "They want -hands here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> +hands here."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> <p>"Oh, do they?"</p> @@ -2330,7 +2319,7 @@ people who mean business nowadays. It's quite true that I want more hands. But if that chap doesn't ask me to engage him in another minute, I'll kick him out. The embankment is not public property, and I don't trust these rascals who are for ever coming -and going among the workmen to see what mischief they can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +and going among the workmen to see what mischief they can<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> make. I'll go and cast an eye over the bolts and things, for there are all sorts of vagrants about the neighbourhood just now."</p> @@ -2375,7 +2364,7 @@ slowly down towards the station of Verrières. Hearing the sound of steps behind him, he turned. When he saw the sergeant he frowned. He glanced rapidly about him and saw that while he was alone with the gendarme, so that no one could overhear -what they said, however loudly they might speak, they were yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +what they said, however loudly they might speak, they were yet<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> in such a position that every sign and movement they made would be perfectly visible to whoever might watch them. And as the gendarme paused a few paces from him and—remarkable @@ -2423,7 +2412,7 @@ on."</p> <p>From the mouth of the tunnel the plate-layer, the foreman and the navvies all followed with their eyes the unintelligible conversation passing between the gendarme and the tramp a -hundred yards away. Suddenly they saw the man try to get off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +hundred yards away. Suddenly they saw the man try to get off<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> and the sergeant seize him almost simultaneously. A few minutes later the individual, with his hands linked together in front of him, was obediently descending the steep slope of the embankment, @@ -2444,7 +2433,7 @@ the sergeant:</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">VI. "Fantômas, it is Death!"</span></h2> @@ -2477,11 +2466,11 @@ turned to the sergeant.</p> <p>"The bird has flown," he said. The sergeant threw up his hands in dismay.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Inside the hall Juve and M. de Presles ordered Dollon to give them an exact account of the discovery made by Thérèse in the -course of the previous night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> +course of the previous night.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> <p>"Well, gentlemen," said the old fellow, who was greatly upset by the discovery of the murderer of the Marquise de Langrune, @@ -2523,7 +2512,7 @@ him.</p> far from the château, on his way to Verrières: M. Juve told me last night that he meant to explore that part in the early morning. I left Morand on duty at the entrance to the château, with -orders to prevent either of the Ramberts from leaving."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> +orders to prevent either of the Ramberts from leaving."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> <p>"And Morand did not see them going away?" the magistrate asked.</p> @@ -2577,7 +2566,7 @@ or at least his silence in face of his father's formal accusation, may make us sure he is," said M. de Presles.</p> <p>"There are some presumptions in favour of his innocence -too," Juve replied, but with a slight hesitation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +too," Juve replied, but with a slight hesitation.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> <p>The magistrate pressed his point.</p> @@ -2623,7 +2612,7 @@ blade of some cutting instrument. The breadth and depth of the wound absolutely prove that it was not made with one stroke; the murderer must have gone amok and dealt several blows—have gone on striking even when death had finished his work, or -at least was quite inevitable; that shows clearly that the mur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>derer +at least was quite inevitable; that shows clearly that the mur<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>derer belongs to a class of individuals who feel no repugnance for their horrid work, but who kill without horror, and even without excitement. Again, the nature of the wound shows that @@ -2664,7 +2653,7 @@ age makes it most improbable that he can be a professional criminal."</p> <p>"Obviously, obviously!" murmured the magistrate, not a little -embarrassed by the keen logic of the detective.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> +embarrassed by the keen logic of the detective.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> <p>"And now let us consider the motive or motives of the crime," Juve continued. "Why did the man commit this murder?"</p> @@ -2710,7 +2699,7 @@ inclined to reconsider my opinion and think it possible that he might be the culprit. We know very little about the young fellow from the physiological point of view; in fact we don't know him at all; but it seems that his family is not altogether normal, and -I understand that his mother's mental condition is precarious. If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +I understand that his mother's mental condition is precarious. If<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> for a moment we regard Charles Rambert as a hysterical subject, we can associate him with the murder of the Marquise de Langrune without thereby destroying our case that the crime is @@ -2750,7 +2739,7 @@ medical evidence proves that the murder was committed during the night, between two and three o'clock."</p> <p>"Only M. Etienne Rambert is left," the magistrate put in, -"and about nine o'clock that evening he left the d'Orsay station<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +"and about nine o'clock that evening he left the d'Orsay station<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> in the slow train which reaches Verrières at 6.55 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> He spent the whole night in the train, for he certainly arrived by that one. He could not have a better alibi."</p> @@ -2794,7 +2783,7 @@ halfway out of the door. "Do you see anything on those?"</p> for in his inmost heart he knew the detective's real superiority over himself, "and from those I must infer that the screws have not been wrenched out by the pressure exerted on the -bolt, but really unscrewed, and therefore——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +bolt, but really unscrewed, and therefore——"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> <p>"And therefore," Juve broke in, "this is a mere blind, from which we may certainly draw the conclusion that the murderer @@ -2840,7 +2829,7 @@ beyond argument. It is conclusive—conclusive!"</p> <p>There were a couple of seconds of silence, and then Juve suddenly said "No!"</p> -<p>"No!" he repeated; "it is quite true that we can adduce per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>fectly +<p>"No!" he repeated; "it is quite true that we can adduce per<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>fectly logical arguments to show that the murder was committed by some member of the household and that, therefore, Charles Rambert is the only possible culprit; but we can adduce equally @@ -2884,7 +2873,7 @@ in anybody's possession, then——"</p> possible delay," said Juve gently. "But this is not the only argument I have to support my theory. This morning, when I was walking near the embankment, I found some very suspicious -footprints. It is true there are any number of footprints near the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +footprints. It is true there are any number of footprints near the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> end of the Verrières tunnel, where the navvies are at work. But at the other end of the tunnel, where there is no occasion for anyone to pass by, I found that the earth of the embankment, @@ -2927,7 +2916,7 @@ aware of this regular stoppage."</p> <p>The magistrates confidence was a little shaken by these new deductions on the part of the detective, but he submitted yet another -objection.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> +objection.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> <p>"We have not found any traces round about the château."</p> @@ -2974,7 +2963,7 @@ on the grass."</p> <p>"Well, what about it?" said the puzzled magistrate.</p> -<p>"Well," said Juve with a smile, "I imagine that ordinary earth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +<p>"Well," said Juve with a smile, "I imagine that ordinary earth,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> or any kind of earth, has no power to move of its own volition, much less to jump up ten inches into the air and settle on the top of a leaf, even a rhubarb leaf! So I conclude that since this @@ -3019,7 +3008,7 @@ he has run away, Charles Rambert is innocent?"</p> <p>"Charles Rambert is the culprit, sir," Juve replied brightly. "If he were not, whom else could we possibly suspect?"</p> -<p>The detective's placidity and his perpetual self-contradictions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +<p>The detective's placidity and his perpetual self-contradictions<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> exasperated M. de Presles. He held his tongue, and was silently revolving the case in his mind when Juve made yet one more suggestion.</p> @@ -3062,7 +3051,7 @@ of that genius of crime in any case, then, M. de Presles, I am in a funk! I tell you frankly I am in a funk. I am frightened, because Fantômas is a being against whom it is idle to use ordinary weapons; because he has been able to hide his -identity and elude all pursuit for years; because his daring is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +identity and elude all pursuit for years; because his daring is<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> boundless and his power unmeasurable; because he is everywhere and nowhere at once and, if he has had a hand in this affair, I am not even sure that he is not listening to me now! And @@ -3106,7 +3095,7 @@ to regard him first and foremost as my own personal enemy! I have declared war on him, and I am ready to lose my skin in the war if necessary, but by God I'll have his!"</p> -<p>Juve ceased. M. de Presles also was silent. But the magistrate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +<p>Juve ceased. M. de Presles also was silent. But the magistrate<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> was still sceptical, despite the detective's strange utterance, and presently he could not refrain from making a gentle protest and appeal.</p> @@ -3122,7 +3111,7 @@ mighty decision, and began:</p> conclusion, even if you are not right in denying the existence of Fantômas. So I make the assertion that the murderer is——"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The sound of hurrying steps behind them made both men turn round. A postman, hot and perspiring, was hurrying to the @@ -3145,7 +3134,7 @@ Privately, suspect Fantômas' work."</p></div> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">VII. The Criminal Investigation Department</span></h2> @@ -3181,7 +3170,7 @@ quietly:</p> <p>"Yes, that's it," said the concierge, laboriously spelling out the words: "the South—what you said. I can never pronounce those -names. Rue d'Hauteville, isn't it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +names. Rue d'Hauteville, isn't it?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> <p>"That's it," replied the man in the soft hat in pleasant, measured tones.</p> @@ -3227,7 +3216,7 @@ almost filled by the large bed, which was the first thing one saw on entering, and on the right there was yet another room, probably a little office. Both the first room, which was a kind of general living room, and the bedroom had wide windows overlooking -gardens as far as one could see. An advantage of the flat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +gardens as far as one could see. An advantage of the flat<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> was that it had nothing opposite, so that the occupant could move about with the windows open if he liked, and yet have nothing to fear from the inquisitiveness of neighbours.</p> @@ -3276,7 +3265,7 @@ very interesting, but they did not interrupt his mental inventory of the room.</p> <p>"In other words, your tenant does not keep too sharp an eye -on his money?" he suggested.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +on his money?" he suggested.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> <p>"No, indeed: the rent is always paid in advance, and sometimes M. Gurn even pays two terms in advance because he says @@ -3329,7 +3318,7 @@ the porters and the luggage: so too did the man in the soft hat.</p> <p>"Pardon," said he politely but peremptorily. "Please take -nothing away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> +nothing away."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> <p>One of the porters drew a crumpled and dirty memorandum book from his pocket and turned over the pages, wetting his @@ -3380,7 +3369,7 @@ three people who were left together.</p> gendarme. The latter came swaggering into the room with a would-be majestic air, and solemnly and pompously enquired:</p> -<p>"Now then, what's all this about?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> +<p>"Now then, what's all this about?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> <p>At sight of the officer every countenance cleared. The concierge ceased to tremble; the porter lost his air of suspicion. @@ -3430,13 +3419,13 @@ and tell your manager—what is his name?"</p> <p>"M. Wooland," one of the men replied.</p> -<p>"Good: tell M. Wooland that I want to see him here at the ear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>liest +<p>"Good: tell M. Wooland that I want to see him here at the ear<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>liest possible moment; and tell him to bring with him all the papers he has that refer to M. Gurn. And not a word to anyone about all this, please, especially in this neighbourhood. Take my message to your manager, and that's all."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The porters had left hurriedly for the rue d'Hauteville and a quarter of an hour went by. The detective had requested the @@ -3479,7 +3468,7 @@ seven."</p> <p>"Never, sir."</p> <p>"Yes: evidently a married woman," murmured the detective -as if speaking to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> +as if speaking to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> <p>Mme. Doulenques made a vague gesture to show her ignorance on the point.</p> @@ -3528,7 +3517,7 @@ glimpses as the movements of Juve and the gendarme every now and then left the shocking thing within the trunk exposed to her view.</p> -<p>Yet there was nothing especially gruesome or repellent about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +<p>Yet there was nothing especially gruesome or repellent about<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> the corpse. It was the body of a man of about fifty years of age, with a pronounced brick-red complexion, and a lofty brow, the height of which was increased by premature baldness. Long, fair @@ -3575,7 +3564,7 @@ a black wen and as big as a five-shilling piece, just above the last vertebra of the spinal column.</p> <p>"That's the explanation," the detective murmured, and carefully -replacing the body he continued his investigation. With<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +replacing the body he continued his investigation. With<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> quick, clever hands he searched the coat pockets and found the watch in its proper place. Another pocket was full of money, chiefly small change, with a few louis. But Juve looked in vain @@ -3625,7 +3614,7 @@ the place out thoroughly very often."</p> <p>"When did you do it out last?"</p> -<p>"Quite a month ago."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<p>"Quite a month ago."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> <p>"That is to say M. Gurn went away a week after you last cleaned the place up?"</p> @@ -3677,7 +3666,7 @@ come in."</p> <p>Solemn and impassive, Mr. Wooland entered the room; a side glance suddenly showed him the open trunk and the dead body, -but not a muscle of his face moved. Mr. Wooland came of a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +but not a muscle of his face moved. Mr. Wooland came of a good<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> stock, and had all that admirable self-possession which is the strength of the powerful Anglo-Saxon race. He looked at the inspector in somewhat haughty silence, waiting for him to begin.</p> @@ -3726,7 +3715,7 @@ Lord Beltham four days ago?"</p> question.</p> <p>"Of course I had heard of Lord Beltham's disappearance, but -it was not for me to form any official opinion about it. I am a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +it was not for me to form any official opinion about it. I am a<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> business man, sir, not a detective. Lord Beltham might have disappeared voluntarily or the reverse: I was not asked to say which. When I got his letter I simply decided to carry out the @@ -3757,7 +3746,7 @@ never came to our office, and I have never been to his house."</p> <p>"Thank you very much," said Juve, and with a bow Mr. Wooland withdrew.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>With meticulous care Juve replaced every article which he had moved during his investigations. He carefully shut the lid of @@ -3771,7 +3760,7 @@ your superintendent now." At the door he called the concierge. lodge, and please do not say a word about what has happened to anyone whatever."</p> -<p>"You can trust me, sir," the worthy creature murmured, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +<p>"You can trust me, sir," the worthy creature murmured, and<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> Juve walked slowly away from the house with head bowed in thought.</p> @@ -3796,7 +3785,7 @@ and learning the secret of that tragic room?"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">VIII. A Dreadful Confession</span></h2> @@ -3807,7 +3796,7 @@ Paris, things were marching at Beaulieu, where the whole machinery of the law was being set in motion for the discovery and arrest of Charles Rambert.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>With a mighty clatter and racket Bouzille came down the slope and stopped before old mother Chiquard's cottage. He arrived @@ -3829,7 +3818,7 @@ was a kind of wicker perambulator on four wheels, which he called his "sleeping-car," because he stored away in it all the bits of rag he picked up on his journeys, and also his very primitive bedding and the little piece of waterproof canvas under which -he often slept in the open air. Behind the sleeping-car was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +he often slept in the open air. Behind the sleeping-car was a<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> third vehicle, the restaurant-car, consisting of an old soap box mounted on four solid wooden wheels, which were fastened to the axles by huge conical bolts; in this he kept his provisions; @@ -3873,7 +3862,7 @@ him. Without ceremony he walked up to the hearth, where a scanty wood fire was burning, and put down his pack so as to be able to rub his hands more freely.</p> -<p>"Miserable weather, mother Chiquard!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> +<p>"Miserable weather, mother Chiquard!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> <p>The obstinate old lady stuck to her one idea.</p> @@ -3923,7 +3912,7 @@ be well swollen by this time."</p> <p>Bouzille was glad to have made it up with mother Chiquard, and pleased at the prospect of a good dinner at midday; he opened the cottage door, and leisurely arranged a few logs -within range of the axe with which he was going to split them;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +within range of the axe with which he was going to split them;<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> mother Chiquard began to throw down some grain to the skinny and famished fowls that fluttered round her.</p> @@ -3965,7 +3954,7 @@ comfortable, but that same night Sergeant Doucet shoved another man into the clink with, me at Saint-Jaury, a raving lunatic who started smashing everything up, and tried to tear my eyes out. Naturally, I gave him as good as I got, and the infernal row -we made brought in the sergeant. I told him the chap wanted to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +we made brought in the sergeant. I told him the chap wanted to<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> throttle me, and he was nonplussed, for he couldn't do anything with the man, who was fairly mad, and couldn't leave me alone there with him. So at last the sergeant took me to one side and @@ -4008,7 +3997,7 @@ going to undertake a long journey." He stopped munching for a second and paused for greater effect. "I am going to Paris, mother Chiquard!" Then, seeing that the old lady was utterly dumbfounded by the announcement, he leant his elbows on the -table and looked at her over his empty plate. "I've always had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +table and looked at her over his empty plate. "I've always had<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> one great desire—to see the Eiffel Tower: that idea has been running in my head for the last fifteen years. Well, now I'm going to gratify the wish. I hear you can get a room in Paris for @@ -4052,7 +4041,7 @@ were trailing, blue and discoloured by their long immersion in the water. On the shoulders and back of the neck were bruises and stains of blood. Bouzille, who was quite unaffected by the ghastliness of the object and still kept up his gay chant "I have -fished up a body, I've earned twenty-five francs," observed that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +fished up a body, I've earned twenty-five francs," observed that<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> there were large splinters of wood, rotten from long immersion, sticking in some of the wounds. He stood up and addressed mother Chiquard who, white as a sheet, was watching him in @@ -4098,9 +4087,9 @@ Bouzille left two-thirds of his train in mother Chiquard's custody, got astride his prehistoric tricycle and slowly pedalled off towards Saint-Jaury.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > -<p>New Year's Day is a melancholy and a tedious one for every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>body +<p>New Year's Day is a melancholy and a tedious one for every<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>body whose public or private relations do not make it an exceptionally interesting one. There is the alteration in the date, for one thing, which is provocative of thought, and there is the enforced @@ -4141,7 +4130,7 @@ face unrecognisable, from description possibly Charles Rambert. Please consider situation and wire course you will take."</p> <p>The telegram had been handed in at Brives and was signed by -M. de Presles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> +M. de Presles.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> <p>"Something fresh at last," the detective muttered. "Drowned in the Dordogne, and face unrecognisable! I wonder if it really @@ -4184,7 +4173,7 @@ the room!</p> <p>The old gentleman who had fled so mysteriously a few days before, taking with him the son over whom so dread a charge -was hanging, bowed deferentially to the detective, with the piti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>ful +was hanging, bowed deferentially to the detective, with the piti<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>ful mien of one who is crushed beneath the burden of misfortune. His features were drawn, his face bore the stamp of deepest grief, and in his hand he held an evening paper, which @@ -4231,7 +4220,7 @@ began his "dreadful confession."</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">IX. All for Honour</span></h2> @@ -4266,7 +4255,7 @@ the card of admission over to Querelles told me so."</p> <p>"That's where Mme. de Vibray lives, isn't it?"</p> <p>"Yes: she is sitting next to Thérèse now: that pretty woman in -grey. Since Mme. de Langrune's death she has kept the child<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +grey. Since Mme. de Langrune's death she has kept the child<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> with her, thinking, very rightly, that it would be too painful for her to be at Beaulieu. The family council have appointed President Bonnet temporary guardian of Thérèse. He is that @@ -4309,7 +4298,7 @@ of the inquisitive crowd that was gazing at him.</p> <p>Almost immediately after he had taken his seat a door was thrown open and the jury filed in, and then a black-gowned -usher came forward and shrilly called for silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> +usher came forward and shrilly called for silence.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> <p>"Stand up, gentlemen! Hats off, please! Gentlemen, the Court!"</p> @@ -4354,7 +4343,7 @@ merchant, owning and working rubber plantations in South America. Then followed the formal enquiry whether he had heard and understood the indictment which had just been read.</p> -<p>"I followed it all, sir," he replied, with a little gesture expres<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>sive +<p>"I followed it all, sir," he replied, with a little gesture expres<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>sive of his sense of the gravity of the facts detailed and the weight of the evidence adduced, which won general sympathy for him. "I followed it all, but I protest against some of the allegations, @@ -4397,7 +4386,7 @@ But he discovered that the old man had fine courage and replied with spirit to his malevolent remarks.</p> <p>"We will discuss your right to take the law into your own -hands presently," he said, "but that is not the question now:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +hands presently," he said, "but that is not the question now:<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> there are other points which it would be well for you to explain to the jury. Why, in the first place, did you obstinately decline to speak to the examining magistrate?"</p> @@ -4440,7 +4429,7 @@ duty as an honourable man. It is—quaint!"</p> <p>Etienne Rambert interrupted the sneering speech.</p> <p>"I am quite sure, sir, that there are plenty of people here who -will understand and endorse what I did."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +will understand and endorse what I did."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> <p>The declaration was so pointedly personal that the judge took it up.</p> @@ -4483,7 +4472,7 @@ is your concern, as the jury will doubtless appreciate; but I think it will be more advantageous to clear up the facts a little—not more advantageous to you, perhaps, but that is what I am here to do. So will you please tell me whether your son confessed to -having murdered Mme. de Langrune, either during that night<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +having murdered Mme. de Langrune, either during that night<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> when you persuaded him to run away, or afterwards? Yes or no, please."</p> @@ -4536,7 +4525,7 @@ did kill him?"</p> <p>"Still the same story!" said the judge, angrily drumming his fingers on the desk. "You refuse to answer. But even in your own -interests you must have the courage to adopt some definite the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>ory. +interests you must have the courage to adopt some definite the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>ory. Well, would you have been glad if your son had taken his own life?"</p> @@ -4585,7 +4574,7 @@ I know no more."</p> <p>The judge quelled the emotion in the court by a threatening glance, and sprang a question on the defendant which was like -a trap to catch him lying.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> +a trap to catch him lying.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> <p>"If at that time you knew no more, how was it that a few days later you called on Inspector Juve and asked him at once what @@ -4628,7 +4617,7 @@ were flying from the château, village bakers who had sold them bread, and lockkeepers who had seen, but been unable to recover, the floating corpse. The people in the court began to weary of the proceedings, the more so as it was confidently rumoured -that Etienne Rambert had proudly declined to call any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +that Etienne Rambert had proudly declined to call any<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> witnesses on his behalf, and even to allow his counsel to make any rhetorical appeal to the jury. It might be imprudent, but there was something fine in his defiance.</p> @@ -4673,7 +4662,7 @@ Thérèse was going back to her seat, wiping away the tears that would come to her eyes despite her bravest efforts to keep her self-control in the presence of so many strangers, the judge announced that there were no other witnesses to be heard, and -called upon the Public Prosecutor to address the court.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> +called upon the Public Prosecutor to address the court.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> <p>That personage rose at once and made a harangue that was eloquent enough, no doubt, but introduced no new features into @@ -4714,7 +4703,7 @@ rather than severity, and the court would be very lenient. Another man declared that Etienne Rambert had been in an impasse: however fondly he loved his son he could not but hope that he might commit suicide: if a friend committed an offence -against the laws of honour, the only thing to do was to put a pis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>tol +against the laws of honour, the only thing to do was to put a pis<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>tol into his hand. And so on: the only point on which all were unanimous was their sympathy with the defendant.</p> @@ -4744,7 +4733,7 @@ making no effort to restrain his immeasurable grief.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">X. Princess Sonia's Bath</span></h2> @@ -4776,7 +4765,7 @@ Elysées were as animated as in the busiest hours of the day.</p> The entire staff was hurrying about the vast entrance halls and the palatial rooms on the ground floor; for it was the hour when the guests of the Royal Palace Hotel were returning from their -evening's amusements, and the spacious vestibules of the im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>mense +evening's amusements, and the spacious vestibules of the im<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>mense hotel were crowded with men in evening dress, young fellows in dinner jackets, and women in low-cut gowns.</p> @@ -4818,7 +4807,7 @@ into her bedroom where she switched on the electric light.</p> <p>"Nadine," she called, in her grave, melodious voice, and a young girl, almost a child, sprang from a low divan hidden in a corner. "Nadine, take off my cloak and unfasten my hair. Then -you can leave me: it is late, and I am tired."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> +you can leave me: it is late, and I am tired."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> <p>The little maid obeyed, helped her mistress to put on a silken dressing gown, and loosened the masses of her hair. The @@ -4862,7 +4851,7 @@ her, when a fresh sound made her start. She sat up quickly in the water and looked around her. There was nothing there. Then a little shiver shook her and she sank down again in the warm bath with a laugh at her own nervousness. And she was just beginning -to read once more, when suddenly a strange voice, with a ring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +to read once more, when suddenly a strange voice, with a ring<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> of malice in it, sounded in her ear. Someone was looking over her shoulder, and reading aloud the words she had just begun!</p> @@ -4905,7 +4894,7 @@ Princess mastered her emotion and spoke to him.</p> help."</p> <p>"Above all things, do not call out, or you are a dead woman!" -said the stranger harshly. Then he gave a little ironical shrug of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +said the stranger harshly. Then he gave a little ironical shrug of<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> his shoulders. "As for ringing—that would not be easy: you would have to leave the water to do so! And, besides, I object."</p> @@ -4951,7 +4940,7 @@ Princess, can you really believe that I am anything of the kind?"</p> look in his eyes, that the Princess recovered some of her courage.</p> -<p>"But I do not know who you are," she said half questioningly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> +<p>"But I do not know who you are," she said half questioningly.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> <p>"So much the better," the man replied; "there is still time to make one another's acquaintance. I know who you are, and that @@ -4993,7 +4982,7 @@ Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias, allowing herself to be surprised alone with a man whom she did not know. If she were to ring, and someone came, how would the Princess account for the gentleman to whom she had accorded an audience in the -most delightful, but certainly the most private of all her apartments?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> +most delightful, but certainly the most private of all her apartments?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> <p>"But tell me," pleaded the unhappy woman, "how did you get in here?"</p> @@ -5038,7 +5027,7 @@ and came back to the bath. "I was forgetting that exasperating bell," he said. "A movement is so very easily made: suppose you were to ring, by mere inadvertence, and regret it afterwards?" Putting his idea into action, the man made a quick cut with his -razor and severed the two electric wires several feet above the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +razor and severed the two electric wires several feet above the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> ground. "That is excellent," he said. "By the way, I don't know where these other two wires go that run along the wall, but it is best to be on the safe side. Suppose there were another bell?" @@ -5080,7 +5069,7 @@ used to me. But you are forgiven for not knowing that, Princess. I forgot for the moment that I have not been presented to you. But what is in your mind now?"</p> -<p>Between them was a little escritoire, on the top of which was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +<p>Between them was a little escritoire, on the top of which was<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> lying the tiny inlaid revolver that Sonia Danidoff always carried when she went out at night. Could she but get that into her hands it would be a potent argument to induce this stranger to @@ -5120,7 +5109,7 @@ through the window like a lover, nor up the chimney like a thief, nor yet through a secret door behind the arras like a brigand of romance, but like a gentleman who has come to pay his tribute of homage and respect to the most enchanting woman in the -world—through the door!" He made a movement as if to go,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +world—through the door!" He made a movement as if to go,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> and came back. "And what do you think of doing now, Princess? Perhaps you will be angry with me? Possibly some unpleasant discovery, made after my departure, will raise some animosity in @@ -5158,7 +5147,7 @@ ordered her: "And now, not a word, not a cry, not a movement until I am outside, or I will kill you!"</p> <p>Clenching her fists, and summoning all her strength to prevent -herself from swooning, Sonia Danidoff led the man to the ante<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>room +herself from swooning, Sonia Danidoff led the man to the ante<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>room door. Slowly she unlocked the door and held it open, and the man stepped quietly through. The next second he was gone!</p> @@ -5175,7 +5164,7 @@ end of the corridor.</p> <p>"Stop him! Stop him!" the Princess shouted. "He has only just gone out: a man in a dinner jacket, with a great black beard!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>A lad came hurrying out of the lift.</p> @@ -5205,7 +5194,7 @@ in place of her pocket-book and the hundred and twenty thousand francs. There was no name whatever on the card.</p> <p>"Well," said Muller, to the red-headed lad, "where do you -come from?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> +come from?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> <p>"I'm the new man on the second floor," the fellow answered. "The hall porter sent me up to find out what was the matter."</p> @@ -5225,7 +5214,7 @@ the instrument.</p> <p>"Open the door for the Lord's sake! I'm off to the police station," and the hall porter made haste to facilitate his departure.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>On the top floor cries of astonishment re-echoed. The servants had been alarmed by the uproar and, surprised to see the @@ -5252,7 +5241,7 @@ sure to catch the thief."</p> <p>The Princess came near to explain matters, but at that moment the servants came down from upstairs, bringing with them -the make-up articles which they had found in the lift. They laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +the make-up articles which they had found in the lift. They laid<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> these on the ground without a word and M. Louis was staring at them when Muller had a sudden inspiration.</p> @@ -5291,7 +5280,7 @@ visible, and the Princess read:</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XI. Magistrate and Detective</span></h2> @@ -5329,7 +5318,7 @@ Your reputation isn't in any danger of diminishing."</p> <p>"I don't know what you mean," Juve said deprecatingly. "If you refer to the Beltham and Langrune cases, you must admit that your congratulations are not deserved. I have achieved no -definite result in either of those affairs."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> +definite result in either of those affairs."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> <p>M. Fuselier also dropped into a comfortable chair. He lighted a cigarette.</p> @@ -5376,7 +5365,7 @@ course, whereas really you are proving your extraordinary instinct. If you had arrived only twenty-four hours later the corpse would have been packed off to the Transvaal, and only the Lord knows if after that the extraordinary mystery ever would have -been cleared up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> +been cleared up."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> <p>"Luck," Juve protested: "pure luck!"</p> @@ -5428,7 +5417,7 @@ seems to be running away with me."</p> <p>He stopped, and M. Fuselier wagged a mocking finger at him.</p> <p>"Juve," he said, "I charge you formally with attempting to implicate -Fantômas in the murder of the Marquise de Langrune!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> +Fantômas in the murder of the Marquise de Langrune!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> <p>The detective replied in the same tone of raillery.</p> @@ -5479,7 +5468,7 @@ at least, that is my opinion."</p> stole Mme. Van den Rosen's necklace and Princess Sonia's hundred and twenty thousand francs; the prize was big enough to appeal to Fantômas: and the amazing audacity of the crime is -suggestive too. Just think what coolness the man must have had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +suggestive too. Just think what coolness the man must have had<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> to be able to paralyse the Princess's power of resistance when she tried to call for help: and also to get clear away in spite of the hosts of servants in the hotel and all the precautions taken!"</p> @@ -5521,7 +5510,7 @@ and to be sure that the terror he had inspired would prevent her from uttering that cry, to be able to assume that the victim was so overwrought that she would make no effort at all and could do nothing—that is really very good indeed: quite admirable -psychology! Fine work!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> +psychology! Fine work!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> <p>"So you see there are some unusual features in the case," said M. Fuselier complacently: "this, for instance: why do you suppose @@ -5565,7 +5554,7 @@ dressing-room."</p> been so, there would have been no need for all the bath business; besides, the Princess was robbed, too, you know. That was not just chance, it was planned; and so if the thief hid in the -shower bath he did so on purpose to wait for the Princess."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> +shower bath he did so on purpose to wait for the Princess."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> <p>"But he did not want her!" Fuselier retorted: "very much the reverse. If he was in the room before anybody else, all he had to @@ -5607,7 +5596,7 @@ her see him to the door!"</p> "I've spent the entire day cross-examining everybody in the hotel, and came to no definite conclusion; and you, who have not seen anything or anybody connected with it, sit in that -chair and in five minutes clear up the entire mystery. What a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +chair and in five minutes clear up the entire mystery. What a<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> pity you won't believe that Fantômas had a finger in this pie! What a pity you won't take up the search!"</p> @@ -5625,7 +5614,7 @@ don't say I shan't ask leave to go thoroughly into it with you."</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XII. A Knock-out Blow</span></h2> @@ -5658,7 +5647,7 @@ when these robberies have put the Royal Palace under a cloud."</p> <p>Henri Verbier smiled.</p> <p>"You need not be afraid of my attaching too much importance -to that," he said. "I've been in hotel life for fifteen years now, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +to that," he said. "I've been in hotel life for fifteen years now, in<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> one capacity or another, and, as you may suppose, I've known similar cases before, so they don't surprise me much. But one thing does surprise me, M. Muller, and that is that no clue has @@ -5709,7 +5698,7 @@ protested.</p> <p>But M. Louis stuck to his guns.</p> -<p>"Not a bit of it, Mademoiselle Jeanne: I said it because it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +<p>"Not a bit of it, Mademoiselle Jeanne: I said it because it is<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> the truth. The magistrate was on to you: I tell you he was! Why, M. Verbier, he cross-examined her for more than half an hour after the general confrontation, while he finished with Muller @@ -5756,7 +5745,7 @@ charge of her diamond necklace, and Mlle. Jeanne had refused!"</p> girl with a laugh, "and I quite understand that the magistrate thought it rather odd."</p> -<p>"They are unkind!" she protested. "From the way they put it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +<p>"They are unkind!" she protested. "From the way they put it,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> M. Verbier, you really might think that I refused to take charge of Mme. Van den Rosen's jewellery in order to make things easy for the thief, which is as much as to say that I was his accomplice."</p> @@ -5799,7 +5788,7 @@ upon orders. It was your duty to close your safe at nine o'clock, and you did close it then, and no one can say anything to you. But, joking apart, what did the magistrate want?"</p> -<p>The girl shrugged her shoulders with a gesture of indifference.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<p>The girl shrugged her shoulders with a gesture of indifference.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> <p>"You see I was right just now: M. Louis is only trying to tease me by saying that the magistrate cross-examined me severely. As @@ -5822,7 +5811,7 @@ lady is not very easy to tame!"</p> <p>"You didn't succeed," M. Muller replied unkindly, "but it doesn't follow that nobody else will!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>M. Louis was not deceived: Henri Verbier evidently did think his neighbour at table a very charming young woman.</p> @@ -5849,7 +5838,7 @@ a habit of smoking, but I let myself be tempted sometimes."</p> Henri Verbier replied: "by allowing me to stay here a few minutes and smoke a cigarette with you."</p> -<p>"By all means," said Mlle. Jeanne. "I love to spend a little time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +<p>"By all means," said Mlle. Jeanne. "I love to spend a little time<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> at my window at night, to get the air before going to bed. You will prevent me from getting tired of my own company, and can tell me all about Cairo."</p> @@ -5896,7 +5885,7 @@ funny sort of feeling?"</p> <p>"No. What do you mean?"</p> <p>"Oh, I don't know. But you see, I'm a sentimental chap unfortunately, -and I really suffer a lot from always living in lonely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +and I really suffer a lot from always living in lonely<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> isolation, without any affection: there are times when I feel as if love were an absolute necessity."</p> @@ -5943,7 +5932,7 @@ one's shoulders: and that is by resting in someone else's arms."</p> <p>He put out his arms as he spoke, ready to catch the girl as she came across the room, and was on the very point of taking her into his arms as he had suggested, when she broke from his -grasp with a sudden turn and, furious with rage, dealt him a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +grasp with a sudden turn and, furious with rage, dealt him a<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> tremendous blow right on the temple. With a stifled groan, Henri Verbier dropped unconscious to the floor.</p> @@ -5961,7 +5950,7 @@ on duty and wished him good night.</p> <p>"Bye-bye," she said. "I'm going out to get a little fresh air!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Slowly, as if emerging from some extraordinary dream, Henri Verbier began to recover from his brief unconsciousness: he @@ -5987,7 +5976,7 @@ oath that blow was never dealt by any woman!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XIII. Thérèse's Future</span></h2> @@ -6019,7 +6008,7 @@ any serious modification of my social position if the ventures should happen to turn out ill. I've got the sporting instinct."</p> <p>"It's a fine one," M. Barbey said with some enthusiasm. "And -I don't mind telling you that if I were not your banker, and so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +I don't mind telling you that if I were not your banker, and so<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> had a certain responsibility in your case, I should not hesitate to put a scheme before you that has been running in my head for a year or two now."</p> @@ -6062,7 +6051,7 @@ I talk like this, it's because I've got it." The banker's bow was very deferent, and M. Rambert continued: "Yes, the last year or two have been good, even very good, for me. I've made some lucky speculations and my capital has further been increased by -some lotteries which have turned out right quite lately. Well!" he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +some lotteries which have turned out right quite lately. Well!" he<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> broke off with a sigh, "I suppose one can't always be unlucky in everything, though money can't cure, or even touch, the wounds in one's heart."</p> @@ -6106,9 +6095,9 @@ the charming spectacle that met his eyes.</p> head, oval face and delicate features of Thérèse Auvernois, who was intent upon a book. The girl was emerging from childhood into young womanhood now, and sorrow had heightened her -natural distinction by giving her a stamp of gravity that was new.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +natural distinction by giving her a stamp of gravity that was new.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> Her figure showed slight and supple, delicate and graceful, and -her long, tapered fingers turned over the pages of the book with +her long, taper fingers turned over the pages of the book with slow and regular movement. Thérèse looked round towards Etienne Rambert when she heard him coming in, and laying down her book she came forward to meet him, moving with a @@ -6147,7 +6136,7 @@ Thérèse to Etienne Rambert's care, and the young girl and the old man got on together perfectly. Their hearts had met across the awful chasm that fate had tried to cut between them.</p> -<p>To Thérèse's last words now Etienne Rambert replied:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<p>To Thérèse's last words now Etienne Rambert replied:<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> <p>"You need not apologise for staying late, dear; you know how glad I am to see you. I wish the house were yours."</p> @@ -6195,7 +6184,7 @@ estate was mortgaged, and President Bonnet and Etienne Rambert had had long and anxious debates as to whether it might not be well for Thérèse to renounce her inheritance to Beaulieu, so doubtful did it seem whether the assets would exceed -the liabilities.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> +the liabilities.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> <p>Etienne Rambert made a vague, but significant gesture when he heard the girl raise the point now, but Thérèse had all the @@ -6237,7 +6226,7 @@ lost her husband in strange circumstances, and since then she has been good enough to give me more of her confidence than previously. She is immensely rich, and very charitable, and I have frequently been asked by her to look after some of her -many financial interests. Now I have often noticed that she has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +many financial interests. Now I have often noticed that she has<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> with her several young English ladies who live with her, not as companions, but, shall I say, secretaries? Do you understand the difference? She treats them like friends or relatives, and they all @@ -6262,7 +6251,7 @@ said.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XIV. Mademoiselle Jeanne</span></h2> @@ -6291,14 +6280,14 @@ bearings, and then walked slowly towards the rue Eugène-Flachat. She hesitated a second, and then walked firmly towards a particular house, and rang the bell.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>"A lady to see you, sir," the footman said to M. Rambert.</p> <p>"Bring her in here at once," said M. Rambert, supposing that the man had kept the Baronne de Vibray waiting in the anteroom.</p> -<p>The drawing-room door was opened a little way, and someone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +<p>The drawing-room door was opened a little way, and someone<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> came in and stepped quickly into the shadow by the door. Thérèse, who had risen to hurry towards the visitor, stopped short when she perceived that it was a stranger and not her @@ -6342,7 +6331,7 @@ last few days."</p> have kept you up so late," and in a few minutes more the Baronne's car was speeding towards the rue Boissy-d'Anglais.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>M. Rambert hurried back to his study, shut and locked the door behind him, and almost sprang towards the unknown lady, @@ -6350,7 +6339,7 @@ his fists clenched, his eyes starting out of his head.</p> <p>"Charles!" he exclaimed.</p> -<p>"Papa!" the girl replied, and sank upon a sofa.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> +<p>"Papa!" the girl replied, and sank upon a sofa.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> <p>There was silence. Etienne Rambert seemed utterly dumbfounded.</p> @@ -6399,7 +6388,7 @@ in distress.</p> <p>"Can one anticipate things like that?" he said. "When we parted, my heart bled to think that you, my son, must fall into the hands of justice, and that your feet must tread the path that -led to the scaffold or, at least, to the galleys; I wondered how I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +led to the scaffold or, at least, to the galleys; I wondered how I<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> could save you; then chance, chance, mark you, brought that poor drowned body in my way: I saw the fortunate coincidence of a faint resemblance, and resolved to pass it off for you; I got @@ -6448,7 +6437,7 @@ the same person——"</p> <p>"I did not commit that robbery!"</p> -<p>"You did!" Etienne Rambert insisted: "you did. I read the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +<p>"You did!" Etienne Rambert insisted: "you did. I read the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> newspaper accounts of the robbery, read them with all the agony that only a father like me with a son like you could feel. The detectives and the magistrates were at a loss to find the key @@ -6494,7 +6483,7 @@ him, although I only saw him then for a few minutes."</p> <p>"Juve?" exclaimed Etienne Rambert. "And then—go on!"</p> -<p>"Juve, disguised as Henri Verbier, subjected me to a kind of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +<p>"Juve, disguised as Henri Verbier, subjected me to a kind of<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> examination, and I don't know what conclusion he came to. Then, this evening, barely two hours ago, he came up to my room and had a long talk, and while he was trying to get some @@ -6519,7 +6508,7 @@ blow on the forehead, and he fell like a stone. And I got away!"</p> <p>"I don't know."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>For ten minutes Charles Rambert remained alone in the study, where his father had left him, thinking deeply. Then the @@ -6546,7 +6535,7 @@ a pocket-book, filled full with bank-notes.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XV. The Mad Woman's Plot</span></h2> @@ -6581,7 +6570,7 @@ we are the only people who know how the patients really are, so it's common sense that we should have to write to their friends."</p> <p>"They might let us have a secretary, anyhow," Sembadel -growled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> +growled.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> <p>Perret saw that his friend was in a bad temper, so did not try to carry on the argument.</p> @@ -6630,7 +6619,7 @@ again. "You forget that Swelding pays us an official visit to-day."</p> <p>"So it seems."</p> -<p>"Who is the fellow?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> +<p>"Who is the fellow?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> <p>"Just one of those foreign savants who haven't succeeded in becoming famous at home and so go abroad to worry other people @@ -6642,7 +6631,7 @@ of the hyper-imaginative. Never heard of it myself."</p> off to their wards to see their patients, and warn the attendants to have everything in apple-pie order for the official inspection.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Meantime, in the great drawing-room, elaborate courtesies were being exchanged between Dr. Biron and Professor @@ -6675,7 +6664,7 @@ heavy cloak, in spite of the bright sunshine; evidently he was one of those men from the cold North who do not know what real warmth is and have no idea of what it means to be too thickly clothed. He spoke French correctly, but with a slight accent and -a slow enunciation that betrayed a foreign origin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> +a slow enunciation that betrayed a foreign origin.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> <p>"I was really anxious, sir, to observe for myself the measures you have taken which have set your institution in the forefront @@ -6720,7 +6709,7 @@ megalomaniac," he said: "he believes that he is the Almighty."</p> <p>"What is your treatment here?" Professor Swelding enquired. "I am aware that the books prescribe isolation, but that is not -sufficient by itself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> +sufficient by itself."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> <p>"I nurse the brain by nursing the body," Dr. Biron replied. "I build up my patient's system by careful attention to hygiene, @@ -6765,7 +6754,7 @@ and anæmia and suffered from the most characteristic hallucination of all: she thought that assassins were all round her. I have built up her physical system, and now I have cured her mind. At the present moment that lady is not mad at all, in the -proper sense of the term."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> +proper sense of the term."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> <p>"She never shows any symptoms of reverting to her morbid condition?" Professor Swelding enquired with interest.</p> @@ -6817,7 +6806,7 @@ professor recoiled, and exclaimed sharply:</p> <p>"Who called me? Who called me? Who——"</p> <p>The Professor was attempting to speak when the patient interrupted -him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> +him.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> <p>"Oh!" she cried, "Alice! Alice! His voice—his voice! Go away! You frighten me! Who spoke? Go away! Oh, help! help!" and she @@ -6860,12 +6849,12 @@ particularly like assassins, do we?" And he followed Dr. Biron, who was much discomfited, to be shown other matters of interest.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>"Better now, madame? Are you going to be good?"</p> <p>Mme. Rambert was reclining on a sofa in her room, watching -her attendant, Berthe, moving about and tidying up the slight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +her attendant, Berthe, moving about and tidying up the slight<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> disorder caused by her recent ministrations. The patient made a little gesture of despair.</p> @@ -6916,7 +6905,7 @@ obliged to confess:</p> <p>"That is," Mme. Rambert finished for her, "I have sometimes protested to you that I was the victim of an abominable persecution, and that there was a tragic mystery in my life: in short, -that if I was shut up here, it was because someone wanted me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +that if I was shut up here, it was because someone wanted me<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> to be shut up. Come now, Berthe, has it never occurred to you that perhaps I was telling the truth?"</p> @@ -6961,7 +6950,7 @@ held her back, almost by force.</p> <p>"Tell me your price," she said. "How much do you want? A thousand pounds? Two thousand pounds?" and as the attendant, -bewildered by the mere suggestion of such fabulous sums, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +bewildered by the mere suggestion of such fabulous sums, was<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> silent, Mme. Rambert slipped a diamond ring off her finger and held it out to the young woman. "Take that as proof of my sincerity," she said. "If anybody asks me about it I will say that I @@ -6978,7 +6967,7 @@ and desire.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XVI. Among the Market Porters</span></h2> @@ -7011,7 +7000,7 @@ The third one was a wine shop, only the first of many in the street.</p> <p>Berthe pushed the door of this establishment a little way -open and looked at the rather rowdy company gathered round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +open and looked at the rather rowdy company gathered round<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> the zinc counter, all with flushed faces and all talking loudly. She did not venture inside, but in a clear voice asked, "Is M. Geoffroy here?" No definite answer was forthcoming, but the @@ -7031,7 +7020,7 @@ the sixth shop, her question was answered by a deep bass voice from the far end of a smoke-clouded den. "Hogshead Geoffroy? Here!" and heaving a sigh of relief Berthe went inside the shop.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>When you want to see M. "Hogshead" Geoffroy, your procedure is simplicity itself. As he has no known address, all you have @@ -7053,7 +7042,7 @@ and is a modest soul, so he calls his visitor by his Christian name at once, taps him amicably on the shoulder, and calls him "old boy," and invites him to stand a drink. The Hogshead is an artist in his line; he hires himself out to public halls to announce in his -powerful voice, reinforced by a trumpet, the various items on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +powerful voice, reinforced by a trumpet, the various items on<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> the programme or the results of performances achieved. He also harangues the crowd on behalf of showmen, or hurls threats at too excited demonstrators at public demonstrations. Between @@ -7061,7 +7050,7 @@ whiles he rolls hogsheads down into cellars, or bottles wine, and even drinks it when he is among friends who have money to pay withal.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>At sight of Berthe, Hogshead Geoffroy so far departed from custom as not to give an order to the <i>patronne</i> at the bar; instead, @@ -7097,7 +7086,7 @@ Geoffroy bent forward and spoke in a lower tone.</p> <p>"I want to talk to you about something which will interest you, I'm sure," Berthe answered.</p> -<p>"Anything to be got out of it?" was the giant's next enquiry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> +<p>"Anything to be got out of it?" was the giant's next enquiry.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> <p>Berthe smiled.</p> @@ -7145,7 +7134,7 @@ funniments aren't in my line. To sit for an hour, writing at a table in the great hall of the Hôtel de Ville—not much! It made me sweat more than carrying four hundredweight!"</p> -<p>But the company was preparing to make a move. Time was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +<p>But the company was preparing to make a move. Time was<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> getting on, and at six o'clock the second part of the examination, the physical test, was to be held in the Fish Market. Mealy Benoît had paid his score already, and Hogshead Geoffroy's deferent @@ -7154,7 +7143,7 @@ favour in her brother's eyes by paying for their refreshments with a ten franc piece and leaving the change to be placed to his credit, and then with him she left the wineshop.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The annual competition for an appointment as Market Porter is held at the end of September. It is a great event. There are @@ -7187,7 +7176,7 @@ performance.</p> <p>The crowd of onlookers was as odd, and eclectic, and keen, as can possibly be imagined. Berthe, who knew that false modesty -is quite out of place in popular gatherings, mingled freely in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +is quite out of place in popular gatherings, mingled freely in the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> general conversation. Among other picturesque types she had noticed one particularly extraordinary individual who, although he was in the last row of all, overtopped the rest by quite half of @@ -7230,7 +7219,7 @@ which the perspiration was running, and evincing genuine delight in not freeing himself from his heavy burden at the earliest possible moment. The applause was enthusiastic and immediate, but silence quickly fell again and all eyes turned towards the -starting-post. It was Hogshead Geoffroy's turn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> +starting-post. It was Hogshead Geoffroy's turn.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> <p>The giant was really a splendid sight. Instead of walking as his rival had done, he began to step like a gymnast, and the crowd @@ -7244,7 +7233,7 @@ to restore the equilibrium of the sack, and, taught caution by the risk he had just run, he finished the course with measured steps.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Two hours later the result of the competition was announced. Hogshead Geoffroy and Mealy Benoît were bracketed equal, @@ -7275,7 +7264,7 @@ green!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XVII. At the Saint-Anthony's Pig</span></h2> @@ -7289,7 +7278,7 @@ neighbourhood, Geoffroy having reconciled himself to waiting for the result of the examination, which would not be announced until the following day.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>A new and original attraction had been stationed outside the Saint-Anthony's Pig for the last few days. After the formal enquiries @@ -7310,7 +7299,7 @@ make himself scarce, and not to do it again.</p> <p>Bouzille did not quite know what to make of it all. But while he was towing his two carriages behind his tricycle towards the Champ-de-Mars, from which point he would at last be able to -contemplate the Eiffel Tower, he had fallen in with the editor of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +contemplate the Eiffel Tower, he had fallen in with the editor of<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> the <i>Auto</i>, to whom, in exchange for a bottle of wine at the next café, he had ingenuously confided his story. A sensational article about the globe-trotting tramp appeared in the next number of @@ -7330,7 +7319,7 @@ down into the basement hall, where he generously returned his five francs every night to the proprietor, in exchange for potations to that amount.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In the basement of the Saint-Anthony's Pig the atmosphere was steadily getting cloudier, and the noise louder. The time was @@ -7351,7 +7340,7 @@ wine salad.</p> warmth of the room and his numerous potations had rendered drowsy, and thinking it an opportune moment to tell him of her scheme, before he became talkative or quarrelsome, she began -to explain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +to explain.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> <p>"There's nothing much to do, but I want a strong man like you."</p> @@ -7402,7 +7391,7 @@ memory. "Who is Muller?"</p> <p>"Why, the watchman on the second floor."</p> -<p>"Oh, ah, yes; and who turned him out?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh, ah, yes; and who turned him out?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> <p>"I think his name is Juve."</p> @@ -7448,7 +7437,7 @@ Geoffroy was warming up under the influence of alcohol, and broke into a sudden flame of wrath at sight of Mealy Benoît. If Benoît should be given the first place, it would be a rank injustice, he reflected, for he, Geoffroy, was most certainly the -stronger man. And besides, the sturdy Hogshead was beginning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +stronger man. And besides, the sturdy Hogshead was beginning<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> to wonder whether his rival might not have devised an odious plot against him and put the famous piece of orange-peel upon the track, but for which Geoffroy would have won hands down. @@ -7488,7 +7477,7 @@ angrily.</p> <p>"Well, and what about it?"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>For some minutes now Hogshead Geoffroy and Mealy Benoît had been exchanging threatening glances. Geoffroy had given @@ -7496,13 +7485,13 @@ voice to his suspicions, and kind friends had not failed to report his words to Benoît. Inflamed with drink as they were, the two men were bound to come to blows before long, and a dull murmur ran through the room heralding the approaching altercation. -Berthe, anxious on her brother's behalf, and a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +Berthe, anxious on her brother's behalf, and a little<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> frightened on her own, did all she could to induce Geoffroy to come away, but even though she promised to pay for any number of drinks elsewhere, he refused to budge from the bench where he was sitting hunched up in a corner.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>When at length he got rid of Bouzille and his exasperating garrulity, the green man resumed his conversation with his @@ -7533,7 +7522,7 @@ wiped his lips on the back of his sleeve, and turned his huge head towards the corner where Geoffroy was hunched up, saying, "Will the gentleman kindly repeat his last remark?"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Ernestine moved furtively to Julot's side, and affecting to be interested only in the argument going on between Geoffroy and @@ -7544,7 +7533,7 @@ with the guitar, 'It's he, all right, because of the burn in the palm of his hand.'"</p> <p>Julot choked back an oath, and instinctively clenched his fist, -but Ernestine already had moved on and was huskily chaffing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +but Ernestine already had moved on and was huskily chaffing<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> the young man with the budding beard. Julot sat with sombre face and angry eyes, only replying in curt monosyllables to the occasional remarks of his next neighbour, Billy Tom. Marie, the @@ -7569,7 +7558,7 @@ corkscrew staircase leading to the ground-floor, and at the very foot of that staircase was the table occupied by the green man and the man with the guitar.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>A plate aimed by Hogshead Geoffroy at Mealy Benoît crashed against the opposite wall. Everyone jumped to his feet, @@ -7591,7 +7580,7 @@ Having observed that the room was lighted by a single chandelier composed of three electric lamps, and that the current was supplied by only two wires running along the cornice, Julot had taken aim at the wires and cut them clean in two with a single -shot!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> +shot!<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> <p>Immediately following upon the shot, the room was plunged into absolute darkness. A perfectly incredible uproar ensued, @@ -7636,7 +7625,7 @@ knees, and the slightest pressure more would have broken it. The green man was forced to let go the hand he held; he fell to the ground with his adversary upon him, and for a moment thought that he was lost. But at the same moment his adversary -let go of him in turn, having been taken by surprise by yet a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +let go of him in turn, having been taken by surprise by yet a<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> third combatant who joined in the fray and separated the first two, devoting himself to a furious assault upon the man whom the green man had tried to capture. The green man passed a @@ -7645,7 +7634,7 @@ the fierce assault, and was conscious of a shock of surprise as he identified the young man with the budding beard; thereupon he collared him firmly by the neck and did not let him go.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In the crush the combatants had been forced towards the staircase, and at this narrow entrance into the hall bodies were @@ -7677,11 +7666,11 @@ slipped handcuffs on them, and sent them off in couples to the station. When the sergeant assumed that every one had come out, he went down into the supper room, just to make sure that nobody was still hiding there. But the room was not quite empty. -One unfortunate man was lying on the floor, bathed in his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +One unfortunate man was lying on the floor, bathed in his own<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> blood. It was the man with the guitar, and a knife had been driven through his breast!</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The couple consisting of the green man and the young man with the budding beard, of whom his companion had never once @@ -7717,14 +7706,14 @@ anyone else."</p> <p>"Good Lord! Gurn has got away!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Towards the rue Montmartre the green man rapidly dragged his companion, who was trembling in every limb, and utterly at a loss to guess what the future held in store for him. Suddenly the green man halted, just under the light of a street lamp outside the church of Saint-Eustache. He stood squarely in front of -his prisoner and looked him full in the eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> +his prisoner and looked him full in the eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> <p>"I am Juve," he said, "the detective!" and as the young man stared at him in silent dismay, Juve went on, emphasising each @@ -7733,7 +7722,7 @@ of his words, and with a sardonic smile flickering over his face. -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XVIII. A Prisoner and a Witness</span></h2> @@ -7770,7 +7759,7 @@ the window, pretending not to notice him, and smiled gently. Then he went on in a friendly tone. "But you know it's stupid to deny what can't be denied. Besides, you should remember that if I know you are Charles Rambert I must know something else -as well; and therefore——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> +as well; and therefore——"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> <p>"Well, yes," Paul acknowledged, "I <i>am</i> Charles Rambert, and I was disguised as Mademoiselle Jeanne. How did you know it? @@ -7817,7 +7806,7 @@ find the records of any previously convicted criminal, came hurrying in.</p> <p>"Ah, M. Juve, and with a bag too! So early? You think he has -been here before?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +been here before?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> <p>"No," said Juve in a dry tone that put a stop to further indiscreet questions. "I don't want you to look up my companion's @@ -7864,7 +7853,7 @@ of various shapes and sizes and sorts, were arranged along the wall or laid upon the floor; in glass cases were whole heaps of strips of metal, five or six inches long, and of varying thickness.</p> -<p>Juve closed the door carefully behind him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> +<p>Juve closed the door carefully behind him.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> <p>"For pity's sake, M. Juve, tell me what you are going to do with me," Charles Rambert implored.</p> @@ -7909,7 +7898,7 @@ for the strip of wood, he handed another tool to the lad. "Now try again."</p> <p>A few seconds later Juve took a magnifying lens, and closely -examined both the strip of metal and the strip of wood. He gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +examined both the strip of metal and the strip of wood. He gave<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> a little satisfied click with his tongue, and seemed to be very pleased.</p> @@ -7956,7 +7945,7 @@ bow.</p> <p>"M. Gervais Aventin?" he said.</p> <p>"M. Gervais Aventin," that gentleman replied. "And you are -Detective-Inspector Juve?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> +Detective-Inspector Juve?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> <p>"I am, sir," the detective answered, and pointing his visitor to a chair he took a seat himself at a small table littered with official @@ -8003,7 +7992,7 @@ which I have had inserted in the papers, in which I discreetly made it known that the police wanted to get into communication with all the passengers who travelled first class, in the slow train from Paris to Luchon, on the night of the 23rd of -December last."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> +December last."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> <p>This time the young man looked anxious.</p> @@ -8051,7 +8040,7 @@ more.</p> love affairs. Well, sir, I got into the train at Vierzon, into a first-class carriage——"</p> -<p>"What kind of carriage?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> +<p>"What kind of carriage?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> <p>"One of the old-fashioned corridor carriages; that is to say, not a corridor communicating with the other carriages, but a single @@ -8097,7 +8086,7 @@ the train."</p> for there was some luggage and a rug arranged on the seat. But the passenger must have been in the lavatory, for I didn't see him. I lay down on the other seat and went to sleep. When I got -out of the train at Limoges, my fellow-traveller must have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +out of the train at Limoges, my fellow-traveller must have been<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> in the lavatory again, for I remember quite distinctly that he was not on the opposite seat. I thought at the time how easy it would have been for me to steal his luggage and walk off with his valise: @@ -8144,7 +8133,7 @@ everything I wanted to know."</p> <p>"Well," he said, "by way of return, M. Juve, tell me something which puzzles me. How did you know I travelled by that train -that night?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> +that night?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> <p>The detective drew out his pocket-book, and from an inner pocket produced a first-class ticket, which he held out to the @@ -8166,7 +8155,7 @@ appointment!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XIX. Jérôme Fandor</span></h2> @@ -8188,7 +8177,7 @@ sin," Juve replied cryptically. "Well, we've got a quarter of an hour's drive in front of us. But you're not going to prison; I'm going to take you home with me!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Juve had taken off his collar and tie and put on an old jacket, had set a great bowl of bread and milk in front of Charles @@ -8203,7 +8192,7 @@ longer, and I'll give you a bit of good news."</p> <p>"Snug" and "comfortable" were the right words with which to describe Juve's private abode. The detective had attained an honourable and lucrative position in his profession, and, exposed -as he was in the course of his work to all manner of dangers and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +as he was in the course of his work to all manner of dangers and<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> privations, had compensated himself by making an entirely satisfactory, if not luxurious, nest where he could rest after his labours.</p> @@ -8250,7 +8239,7 @@ in and you did not take me in."</p> Danidoff?" Charles Rambert asked after a pause. "I am quite aware that everything points to my having been the thief."</p> -<p>"Not quite everything," Juve answered gently. "There are one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +<p>"Not quite everything," Juve answered gently. "There are one<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> or two things you don't know, and I'll tell you one of them. The Princess was robbed by the same man who robbed Mme. Van den Rosen, wasn't she? Well, Mme. Van den Rosen was the victim @@ -8293,7 +8282,7 @@ means of the dynamometer that you were innocent of the Langrune and the Danidoff crimes."</p> <p>"What you tell me about the dynamometer explains how you -know I am not the man who committed the robbery at the hotel,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +know I am not the man who committed the robbery at the hotel,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> but what clears me in your eyes of the Langrune murder?"</p> <p>"Bless my soul!" Juve retorted, "you are arguing as if you @@ -8341,7 +8330,7 @@ expected to be this morning."</p> <p>"Then what is to become of me?"</p> -<p>"What do you think of doing yourself?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> +<p>"What do you think of doing yourself?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> <p>"Going to see my father."</p> @@ -8386,7 +8375,7 @@ to a friend of mine who is on one of the big evening papers. You are well educated, and I know you are energetic. You are keen on everything connected with the police, and you'll get on splendidly as a reporter. You will be able to earn an honest and -respectable name that way. Would you like to try that idea?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> +respectable name that way. Would you like to try that idea?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> <p>"It's awfully good of you," Charles Rambert said gratefully. "I should love to be able to earn my living by work so much to my @@ -8434,7 +8423,7 @@ of things?"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XX. A Cup of Tea</span></h2> @@ -8467,7 +8456,7 @@ gentlewomen.</p> <p>Lady Beltham was reclining on a sofa in the great hall of her house at Neuilly. It was a spacious room, furnished half as a lounge and half as an office, and Lady Beltham liked to receive -people there. A large glass-enclosed balcony commanded a view<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +people there. A large glass-enclosed balcony commanded a view<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> over the garden and the boulevard Richard Wallace beyond, with the Bois de Boulogne beyond that again. A few minutes before, a footman had brought in a table and set out tea-things, @@ -8516,7 +8505,7 @@ Harry's ship sailed."</p> <p>"I don't quite see the connection," Lady Beltham answered. "Love is good nourishment for the soul, but not for the body. -However, a good appetite is nothing to be ashamed of, and you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +However, a good appetite is nothing to be ashamed of, and you<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> ought to keep your roses for your future husband, and qualify in every way to be an excellent mother of a family."</p> @@ -8568,7 +8557,7 @@ handed a paper to Lady Beltham, who passed it on to Susannah.</p> turned again to the clergyman. "The under-steward is a good fellow, but he is a rabid politician; he may have omitted some families that are openly radical; but I think charity should be -given equally to all, for poverty makes no political distinctions."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> +given equally to all, for poverty makes no political distinctions."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> <p>"That is the right Christian view," the clergyman said approvingly.</p> @@ -8614,7 +8603,7 @@ Beltham quickly.</p> <p>"You need have no fear of that," the clergyman replied in the same low tone. "The rumour that got about when the crime was -first discovered, that Lord Beltham had been surprised in an in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>trigue +first discovered, that Lord Beltham had been surprised in an in<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>trigue and killed in revenge, has not won acceptance. Local opinion agrees that he was decoyed into a trap and killed by the man Gurn, who meant to rob him, but who was either surprised or @@ -8660,7 +8649,7 @@ while the major-domo entered into conversation with his mistress, and the Rev. William Hope seized the opportunity to say good night, and take his leave.</p> -<p>Many of the letters were merely appeals to help in money or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +<p>Many of the letters were merely appeals to help in money or<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> in kind, but one long letter Lisbeth handed to Lady Beltham. She glanced at the signature.</p> @@ -8711,7 +8700,7 @@ laid a hand upon her head as if in blessing, and said gently:</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXI. Lord Beltham's Murderer</span></h2> @@ -8745,7 +8734,7 @@ Come to me!"</p> over their night-dresses Thérèse and Susannah rushed downstairs and crouched down by her side, stifling moans of terror.</p> -<p>"Lisbeth? Where is Lisbeth?" Lady Beltham asked sharply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> +<p>"Lisbeth? Where is Lisbeth?" Lady Beltham asked sharply.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> <p>At the same moment she appeared, her face distorted with fright.</p> @@ -8795,7 +8784,7 @@ my house has a right to use violence. 'Whoso smites with the sword shall perish by the sword'!"</p> <p>The major-domo heard her in silent astonishment: it was not -at all what he expected to be told, in view of all the circumstances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +at all what he expected to be told, in view of all the circumstances.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> <p>Lady Beltham went on more gently:</p> @@ -8850,7 +8839,7 @@ trying to read his thoughts. Then she answered slowly:</p> <p>"I will see him. I will be more pitiful than you," and as the major-domo and the porter made a gesture of futile protest, she -added peremptorily: "I have given my orders: kindly obey."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +added peremptorily: "I have given my orders: kindly obey."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> <p>When the two men had reluctantly left the room, Lady Beltham turned to the three girls.</p> @@ -8860,7 +8849,7 @@ firmly. "Run away: excitement is bad for you. Go back to bed. No, I assure you I shall be in no danger whatever," and for a few minutes she was left alone.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>"Speak," said Lady Beltham in a toneless voice.</p> @@ -8900,7 +8889,7 @@ room, that was dimly lighted by a small electric lamp, Lady Beltham was alone with the strange individual to whom she had so readily, so oddly, consented to accord a private interview. She followed her servants to the door and locked it after them. Then -with a sudden movement she sprang towards the man, who was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +with a sudden movement she sprang towards the man, who was<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> standing motionless in the middle of the room following her with his eyes, and flung herself into his arms.</p> @@ -8947,7 +8936,7 @@ of artillery with powder-blackened face; and then to the homeward voyage on the mighty steamer that bore them across the blue sea, towards the dull white cliffs of England.</p> -<p>Gurn's thoughts followed hers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> +<p>Gurn's thoughts followed hers.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> <p>"Out there! Yes; and then on the vast ocean, on the ship homeward bound! The quiet and peace of it all! And our meetings @@ -8990,14 +8979,14 @@ sought his lips.</p> <p>"Oh, Gurn!" she sobbed—"my darling!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>"Listen," said Gurn harshly, after a pause of anxious silence. "I had to see you to-night, for who knows if to-morrow——" Lady Beltham shrank at the words, but Gurn went on unheeding. "The police are after me. Of course I have made myself almost unrecognisable, but twice just lately I have been very -nearly caught."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> +nearly caught."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> <p>"Do you think the police have any accurate idea of what happened?" Lady Beltham asked abruptly.</p> @@ -9047,7 +9036,7 @@ to go."</p> <p>They clung to one another in a parting caress. Lady Beltham tore herself away.</p> -<p>"Till to-morrow!" she whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> +<p>"Till to-morrow!" she whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> <p>She stole to the door and unlocked it noiselessly, then crossed the room and rang the bell placed near the fireplace. Resuming @@ -9065,7 +9054,7 @@ said Lady Beltham proudly and authoritatively. "He is free."</p> room, and Walter followed behind him to obey his mistress's command.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Once more alone in the great hall, Lady Beltham waited nervously to hear the sound of the park gate closing behind Gurn. @@ -9098,7 +9087,7 @@ Lisbeth called out in anxious terror.</p> <p>"But Lady Beltham? Dear God, perhaps he has murdered her too!"</p> -<p>The door was flung open and the girls rushed in. Lady<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +<p>The door was flung open and the girls rushed in. Lady<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> Beltham by a tremendous effort of will had risen to her feet, and was standing by the end of the sofa.</p> @@ -9147,7 +9136,7 @@ the figure of Juve appeared.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXII. The Scrap of Paper</span></h2> @@ -9184,7 +9173,7 @@ made no confession, so nothing is known for certain yet. Please go on with your work exactly as though I were not in the house, Mme. Doulenques."</p> -<p>It was his usual phrase, and a constant disappointment to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +<p>It was his usual phrase, and a constant disappointment to the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> concierge, who would have asked nothing better than to go upstairs with the detective and watch him at his wonderful work.</p> @@ -9226,7 +9215,7 @@ to sit still. Once more he went all round the flat.</p> <p>"The kitchen? Let me see: I have been through everything? The stove? The cupboards? The saucepans? Why, I went so far as to make sure that there was no poison in them, though it -seemed a wild idea. The anteroom? Nothing there: the um<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>brella +seemed a wild idea. The anteroom? Nothing there: the um<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>brella stand was empty, and the one interesting thing I did see, the torn curtain, has been described and photographed officially." He went back into the dining-room. "I've searched all @@ -9267,7 +9256,7 @@ fellow and a brave soldier once; that is a fine record of service." He drummed his fingers on the desk and spoke aloud. "Is Gurn really Gurn, then, and have I been mistaken from start to finish in the little romance I have been weaving round him? -How am I to find the key to the mystery? How am I to prove the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +How am I to find the key to the mystery? How am I to prove the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> truth of what I feel to be so very close to me, but which eludes me every time, just as I seem to be about to grasp it?"</p> @@ -9312,7 +9301,7 @@ Langrune.</p> <p>"Oh, if I could only prove it: prove that the piece missing from this map, this map belonging to Gurn, is really and truly the piece I found near Verrières Station just after the murder of -the Marquise de Langrune—what a triumph that would be!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +the Marquise de Langrune—what a triumph that would be!<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> What a damning proof! What astounding consequences this discovery of mine might have!"</p> @@ -9338,7 +9327,7 @@ what the deuce does this mean?"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXIII. The Wreck of the "Lancaster"</span></h2> @@ -9373,7 +9362,7 @@ The alarm was given immediately and boats of all kinds put off to the scene of the disaster, but though a great deal of wreckage was still floating about, only one man of the crew was seen, clinging to a spar; he was picked up by the <i>Campbell</i> and taken -to hospital, where he was interviewed by <i>The Times</i>, without,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +to hospital, where he was interviewed by <i>The Times</i>, without,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> however, being able to throw any light upon what was an almost unprecedented catastrophe in the history of the sea. All he could say was that the liner had just got up full speed and was @@ -9418,7 +9407,7 @@ on board."</p> <p>"What do you mean, Juve?"</p> <p>"I don't want to say anything, my boy, except that you would -be very wrong to give way to distress at present. If you have any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +be very wrong to give way to distress at present. If you have any<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> confidence in me, you may believe me when I say that. There is nothing yet to prove that you have had this loss: and, besides, you still have your mother, who is perfectly sure to get quite @@ -9471,7 +9460,7 @@ over me?"</p> you—I thought you were—Fantômas!"</p> <p>The idea tickled the detective so much that he dropped back -into a chair to laugh at his ease.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> +into a chair to laugh at his ease.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> <p>"'Pon my word," he said, "you have an imagination! And what made you suppose that I was Fantômas?"</p> @@ -9514,12 +9503,12 @@ off. "Come along: I've got to go to the Law Courts at once."</p> <p>"I'm going to ask them to call an interesting witness in the Gurn affair."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Rain had been falling heavily all the morning and afternoon, but within the last few minutes it had almost stopped. Dollon, the steward, put his hand out of the window and found that only -a few drops were falling now from the heavy grey sky.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> +a few drops were falling now from the heavy grey sky.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> <p>He was an invaluable servant, and a few months after the death of the Marquise de Langrune, the Baronne de Vibray had @@ -9568,7 +9557,7 @@ of the Langrune enquiry."</p> seen his name in the papers. He is a very well-known magistrate, and is employed in many criminal cases." He read the letter through once more, and turned to the postman. "Will you take -a glass of wine, Muller?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> +a glass of wine, Muller?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> <p>"That's a thing I never say 'no' to."</p> @@ -9591,7 +9580,7 @@ be!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXIV. Under Lock and Key</span></h2> @@ -9611,7 +9600,7 @@ given proofs of an education and an intelligence above the average, yet now he appeared quite at ease in the atmosphere of a prison.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Gurn was walking quickly and alone round the exercise yard, when a breathless voice sounded in his ear.</p> @@ -9627,7 +9616,7 @@ had been in the infantry. Well, so have I; though that wasn't yesterday, nor yet the day before; but we never marched as fast as you do. We made a fine march once though—at Saint-Privat."</p> -<p>Out of pity for the decent old fellow Gurn slackened his pace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +<p>Out of pity for the decent old fellow Gurn slackened his pace.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> He had heard the story of the battle of Saint-Privat a dozen times already, but he was quite willing to let Siegenthal tell it again. The warder, however, wandered to another point.</p> @@ -9674,7 +9663,7 @@ obeyed he turned to go. Then he wheeled round again quickly, and put out his hand hurriedly, as if half afraid of being seen. "Put it there, Gurn," he said; "no doubt you are a murderer and, as you have confessed yourself, a thief; but I can't forget that if -you had kept straight, you were the sergeant and I should have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +you had kept straight, you were the sergeant and I should have<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> had to obey you. I'm sorry for you!" Gurn was touched and murmured a word of thanks. "That's all right, that's all right," Siegenthal muttered, not attempting to hide his emotion; "let us @@ -9692,7 +9681,7 @@ cautious, for even if the warder had been amenable, his approaching removal to another prison would have prevented the idea from coming to fruition.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>A sing-song voice echoed in the corridor.</p> @@ -9717,7 +9706,7 @@ case fell, the better it would be for his interests, though no doubt Maître Barberoux would not be of the same way of thinking.</p> -<p>But he said nothing, and merely walked in front of Nibet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +<p>But he said nothing, and merely walked in front of Nibet<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> along the corridor towards the barristers' room, the way to which he was already familiar with. On the way they passed some masons who were at work in the prison, and these men @@ -9759,7 +9748,7 @@ number of applications to the governor of the prison, but there was nothing doing, my dear chap; that beast of a magistrate, Fuselier, insists on your being kept in absolute seclusion. But none the less, I've got some news for you. I know heaps: why, -my friends at the Law Courts call me 'the peripatetic para<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>graph!' +my friends at the Law Courts call me 'the peripatetic para<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>graph!' Not bad, eh, what?" Gurn smiled and Roger de Seras was encouraged. "It's given me no end of a boom, my leader acting for you, and my being able to come and see you whenever I @@ -9808,7 +9797,7 @@ emphasis.</p> <p>"He found an ordnance map in your bookcase, my dear chap—an ordnance map with a bit torn out of it."</p> -<p>"Oh! And what then?" said Gurn, a frown upon his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<p>"Oh! And what then?" said Gurn, a frown upon his face.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> <p>The young barrister did not notice the expression on the murderer's countenance.</p> @@ -9854,7 +9843,7 @@ for a whole half-hour, and those ladies are still waiting for me. What on earth will they say to me?"</p> <p>He was about to ring for the warder when Gurn abruptly -stayed him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> +stayed him.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> <p>"Tell me," he said with a sudden air of interest, "when is that man coming—what's his name? Dollon?"</p> @@ -9882,7 +9871,7 @@ lady friends, and the prisoner was once more in his cell.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXV. An Unexpected Accomplice</span></h2> @@ -9918,10 +9907,10 @@ Lady Beltham had intervened. She had succeeded in communicating with him through the medium of this warder. And almost certainly she would do much more yet.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The door opened again, and the warder entered, carrying a -long rush basket containing several dishes and a bottle of wine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> +long rush basket containing several dishes and a bottle of wine.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> <p>"Well, Gurn, that's a more agreeable sort of dinner, eh?"</p> @@ -9968,7 +9957,7 @@ and he speedily realised that his lady's choice had fallen on an excellent object. Thick lips, a narrow forehead, and prominent cheek-bones suggested a material nature that would hesitate at nothing which would satisfy his carnal appetites, so Gurn decided -that further circumlocution was so much waste of time,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +that further circumlocution was so much waste of time,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> and that he might safely come to the point. He laid his hand familiarly on the warder's shoulder.</p> @@ -10019,7 +10008,7 @@ to England, and live there comfortably for the rest of your days."</p> <p>"Who will guarantee me?" he asked.</p> -<p>"The lady, I tell you—the lady of the boulevard Arago. Here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +<p>"The lady, I tell you—the lady of the boulevard Arago. Here,<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> give her this," and he tore a leaf out of his pocket-book and, scribbling a few words on it, handed it to Nibet.</p> @@ -10039,7 +10028,7 @@ when Gurn calmly called him back.</p> to bring me a time-table; the Orleans Company time-table will do."</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The murderer was not disappointed in his expectations. The next morning Nibet appeared with a mysterious face and eager @@ -10068,7 +10057,7 @@ empty, and there are no bars on the window; the masons go through that cell and that window to get on to the roof. They knock off work soon after six o'clock. The gate-keeper knows them all, but he does not always look closely at their faces when -they go by, and you might perhaps be able to go out with them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> +they go by, and you might perhaps be able to go out with them.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> <p>"In the bundle that I gave you there is a pair of workman's trousers, and a waistcoat and a felt hat; put those on. At about a @@ -10115,7 +10104,7 @@ in alone, while Nibet went about his duty as usual.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXVI. A Mysterious Crime</span></h2> @@ -10138,7 +10127,7 @@ steam from the engine, the Paris train drew into the station. The steward gave a final kiss to his little son and daughter and got into a second-class carriage.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In a neighbouring village a clock had just struck three.</p> @@ -10150,7 +10139,7 @@ the squalls and assume the most fantastic shapes, but vaguely shown against the night. The night was inky black. The keenest eye could make out nothing at all distinctly, even at the distance of a few yards: the darkness was so dense as to seem absolutely -solid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> +solid.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> <p>Nevertheless, along the railway embankment, a man was making his way with steady step, seeming not a whit disturbed @@ -10192,7 +10181,7 @@ about: the grass is thick, so I can run, and the line is so straight that I shall see the lights of the train a long way off." A thin smile curled his lips. "Who would have thought, when I was in America, that I should ever find it so useful to have learnt -how to jump a train?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> +how to jump a train?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> <p>A dull sound in the distance caught his ear. In a second he had sprung to his bundle, picked it up, and, choosing a spot on the @@ -10235,7 +10224,7 @@ and stepped into the second-class carriage with a grunt of relief.</p> <p>Making no attempt to conceal himself, he walked boldly into the lavatory and washed his face that was blackened with the -smoke from outside, and then, in the most leisurely, natural way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +smoke from outside, and then, in the most leisurely, natural way<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> possible, he came out of the lavatory and walked along the corridor, soliloquising aloud, manifestly not minding whether he were overheard.</p> @@ -10276,7 +10265,7 @@ and listened again. There was no sound to be heard from within the compartments except the snoring of a few travellers and the monotonous, rhythmical noise of the wheels passing over the joints of the rails. "Come: I've waited twenty minutes; -it would be risky to wait longer; let's get to work!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> +it would be risky to wait longer; let's get to work!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> <p>He stepped briskly back into the compartment, and furtively glancing into the corridor to make sure that no one was there, @@ -10322,7 +10311,7 @@ train, in which he calmly installed himself.</p> <p>"Luck has been with me," he muttered as he stretched himself out on the seat. "Everything has gone off well; no one has -seen me, and those two fools who might have upset my plans<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +seen me, and those two fools who might have upset my plans<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> will wake up quite naturally when they begin to feel the cold; and they will attribute the headache they will probably feel to their tiring journey."</p> @@ -10346,7 +10335,7 @@ telegraph posts speeding past the windows, and he shook his fist at them malignantly. "That is the only thing that can harm me now," he muttered.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>"Juvisy! Juvisy! Wait here two minutes!"</p> @@ -10366,7 +10355,7 @@ no notice of the mud, the man went into a field and hid himself in a little thicket on the river bank. He looked carefully all around him to make sure that he was unobserved, then took off his overcoat, jacket and trousers, and drawing a bundle from -one of the pockets of his large waterproof, proceeded to dress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +one of the pockets of his large waterproof, proceeded to dress<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> himself anew. As soon as he was dressed, he spread the waterproof out on the ground, folded up in it the clothes and hat he had previously been wearing, added a number of heavy stones, @@ -10383,7 +10372,7 @@ would have been risky to use my own ticket," he muttered. "This return ticket will put them off the scent," and with a smile he waited for the train that would take him to Paris.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The slow train from Luchon was drawing near its Paris terminus and the travellers were all making hasty toilettes and tidying @@ -10411,7 +10400,7 @@ surprise.</p> <p>"You will pardon me, gentlemen, when you know who I am," said the intruder, and throwing open his coat he showed his tricolour scarf. "I have to make enquiry relative to a dead body that -has been found on the line near Brétigny; it probably fell from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +has been found on the line near Brétigny; it probably fell from<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> this train, and perhaps from this compartment, for I have just observed that the safety catch is not fastened. Where did you get into the train?"</p> @@ -10464,7 +10453,7 @@ noticed that Scotch rug; but I did not see it."</p> the official enquired.</p> <p>"No, we travelled alone," said one of the men, but the other -dissented.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> +dissented.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> <p>"It is very odd, and I am not sure about it, but I really am wondering whether someone did not get into our compartment @@ -10502,7 +10491,7 @@ would think not one, but a dozen Fantômas were at work!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXVII. Three Surprising Incidents</span></h2> @@ -10534,7 +10523,7 @@ he would be subjected by the governor and the police, and possibly even M. Fuselier, who would be in a fine rage when he learned that his captive had escaped him. Nibet meant to pretend ignorance and even stupidity. He would far rather be called -a fool, than found out to be a knave and an accomplice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> +a fool, than found out to be a knave and an accomplice.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> <p>About half-past eleven Nibet got up; Gurn's escape must certainly be known at the prison by this time. The warder on duty @@ -10576,7 +10565,7 @@ prisoner as the man who had murdered Lord Beltham create so little excitement as this? Nibet longed to rush up the flights of stairs to number 127 and interrogate the warder who had gone on duty after himself, and whom he was now about to relieve in -turn. He must surely know all about it. But it would not do to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +turn. He must surely know all about it. But it would not do to<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> create suspicion, and Nibet had sufficient self-control left to go upstairs at his usual leisurely pace. Outwardly calm and steady, he reached his post just as the clock was striking twelve; he was @@ -10593,7 +10582,7 @@ make as casual as possible, but that trembled a little nevertheless.</p> <p>"Quite," said Colas, perfectly naturally, and he went away.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Nibet could contain himself no longer, and the next second he threw caution to the winds: rushing to Gurn's cell he flung the @@ -10626,7 +10615,7 @@ passed between us yesterday, and—that's an end to it."</p> <p>"So you haven't gone, you didn't go?" said Nibet again.</p> <p>"No," Gurn replied; "since you are so interested, all I need -say is that I was afraid to risk it at the last minute."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> +say is that I was afraid to risk it at the last minute."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> <p>Nibet had cast a keen and experienced eye all over the cell; under the washstand he saw the little bundle of clothes which @@ -10668,7 +10657,7 @@ was wondering how the great lady, who paid so mighty well, might take the matter. She most certainly had not promised so large a sum of money, nor paid the good round sum of ten thousand francs down in advance, merely in order that Gurn might -have a little walk upon the tiles. What was to be done with re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>gard +have a little walk upon the tiles. What was to be done with re<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>gard to that personage? With much ingenuousness Nibet confided his anxiety to the prisoner, who laughed.</p> @@ -10683,7 +10672,7 @@ the uncompromising attitude that all warders ought to maintain when in custody of prisoners, led the murderer down to the courtyard.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In his office at the Law Courts, M. Fuselier was having a private interview with Juve, and listening with much interest to @@ -10716,7 +10705,7 @@ basis on which to proceed to base an argument."</p> <p>"Proceed to base it," M. Fuselier suggested.</p> <p>"That's very easy," said Juve. "The fragment of map numbered -1, found at Beaulieu, belongs to X. I do not know who X is; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +1, found at Beaulieu, belongs to X. I do not know who X is; but<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> in Paris, in Gurn's rooms, I find the fragment of map numbered 2, which belongs to Gurn. If it turns out, as I expect, that the two fragments of map, when placed together, form a single and @@ -10746,7 +10735,7 @@ crime?"</p> <p>"Well, we shall see," was all he said.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The magistrate's clerk came into the room and unceremoniously interrupted the conversation.</p> @@ -10763,7 +10752,7 @@ had to see.</p> <p>"Anything new about the robbery from Mme. Van den Rosen and Princess Sonia Danidoff?" he enquired, and as the magistrate shook his head, he added, "Are you going to examine -Muller now?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> +Muller now?"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> <p>"Yes," said the magistrate; "at once."</p> @@ -10810,7 +10799,7 @@ Shall I have Muller in first?"</p> <p>Juve assented....</p> -<p>"So you still refuse to confess?" said the magistrate at last.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +<p>"So you still refuse to confess?" said the magistrate at last.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> "You still maintain that your—extraordinary—order to let the red-haired waiter out, was given in good faith?"</p> @@ -10861,7 +10850,7 @@ to have been burned in the palm of the hand, as that scar shows. Can you not remember having seen that man at the Royal Palace Hotel?"</p> -<p>Muller looked steadily at Gurn.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> +<p>Muller looked steadily at Gurn.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> <p>"On my honour, sir, although it would be to my interest to recognise him, I am bound to acknowledge that I really and @@ -10900,7 +10889,7 @@ and handed him a letter which M. Fuselier hastily tore open and read.</p> <p class='center'> -"To M. Germain Fuselier, Examining Magistrate,<br /> +"To M. Germain Fuselier, Examining Magistrate,<br > The Law Courts, Paris.</p> <div class='blockquot'> @@ -10909,7 +10898,7 @@ to report that this morning at 8 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> the police info the discovery on the railway line, five kilomètres from Brétigny on the Orléans side, of the dead body of a man who must either have fallen accidentally or been thrown intentionally from a -train bound for Paris. The body had been mutilated by a train<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +train bound for Paris. The body had been mutilated by a train<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> travelling in the other direction, but papers found on the person of the deceased, and in particular a summons found in his pocket, show that his name was Dollon, and that he was on his @@ -10925,7 +10914,7 @@ body, to report this identification to you, and have therefore requisitioned an officer of the police at Brétigny to convey to you the information contained in this communication."</p></div> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>M. Fuselier had turned pale as he read this letter. He handed it to Juve. With feverish haste the famous detective read it @@ -10946,7 +10935,7 @@ ever.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXVIII. The Court of Assize</span></h2> @@ -10979,7 +10968,7 @@ Beltham, at the close of which Juve had effected his arrest.</p> <p>But Lady Beltham's evidence promised to be much more interesting. Rumour had been busy for a long time with the great -lady and her feelings, and odd stories were being whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +lady and her feelings, and odd stories were being whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> She was said to be beautiful, wealthy and charitable; people said, under their breath, that she must know a good deal about the murder of her spouse, and when she made her appearance @@ -11027,7 +11016,7 @@ hypnotised and frightened by his close proximity.</p> <p>"I saw very little of Gurn in the Transvaal," she answered. "It was just by chance that I learned his name, but of course the difference -between his own rank and my husband's position made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +between his own rank and my husband's position made<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> the relations that I could have with a mere sergeant very limited indeed."</p> @@ -11077,7 +11066,7 @@ may seem rather brutal, and also for reminding you of your oath to tell us the entire truth. Did you love your husband?"</p> <p>Lady Beltham quivered and was silent for a moment, as -though endeavouring to frame a right answer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> +though endeavouring to frame a right answer.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> <p>"Lord Beltham was much older than myself——," she began, and then, perceiving the meaning implicit in her words, she @@ -11124,7 +11113,7 @@ Lord Beltham; I asked him, over the telephone, to come to my place one day. He came. We had an animated discussion; he got warm and I answered angrily; then I lost control of myself and in a moment of madness I killed him! I am profoundly sorry for -my crime and stoop to crave pardon for it; but I cannot tolerate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +my crime and stoop to crave pardon for it; but I cannot tolerate<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> the suggestion that the murder I committed was in the remotest way due to sentimental relations with a lady who is, I repeat, entitled to the very highest respect from the whole world."</p> @@ -11170,7 +11159,7 @@ Mme. Doulenques protested.</p> <p>Lady Beltham did not wait for the request which the President would inevitably have made, but haughtily put back -her veil.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> +her veil.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> <p>"Do you recognise me now?" she said coldly.</p> @@ -11220,7 +11209,7 @@ I should not be surprised if my husband did make use of arguments that might have provoked anger."</p> <p>The President gently gave a clearer turn to the phrase she -used.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> +used.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> <p>"So, in your opinion, the prisoner's version of the story is quite permissible? You admit that Lord Beltham and his murderer @@ -11267,7 +11256,7 @@ woman in mocking tones; "if a woman is young, and hasn't got a hump on her back, and has a charming voice, your sympathies are with her at once! Oh, yes, they are! Now shall I tell you what your Lady Beltham really is? Well, she is nothing more nor less -than a barnstormer! She knew well enough how to get on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +than a barnstormer! She knew well enough how to get on the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> soft side of the judge, who was quite ridiculously amiable to her, and to capture the sympathy of the Court. I think it was outrageous to declare that she had married a man who was too old for @@ -11309,7 +11298,7 @@ and then resumed the proceedings.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXIX. Verdict and Sentence</span></h2> @@ -11343,7 +11332,7 @@ his shoulders slightly, and, turning half round to the jury, began his statement. He did not propose, he said, to recite the story of his enquiries, which had resulted in the arrest of Gurn, for this had been set forth fully in the indictment, and the jury had also -seen his depositions at the original examination: he had nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +seen his depositions at the original examination: he had nothing<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> to add to, or to subtract from, his previous evidence. He merely asked for the jury's particular attention; for, although he was adducing nothing new in the case actually before them, he had @@ -11383,7 +11372,7 @@ wave of his hand, the murmur that ran round the court, and resumed his address.</p> <p>"My assertion that Gurn is the sole person responsible for all -these crimes has surprised you, gentlemen, but I have proofs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +these crimes has surprised you, gentlemen, but I have proofs<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> which must, I think, convince you. I will not go into the details of each of those cases, for the newspapers have made you quite familiar with them, but I will be as brief and as lucid as I can.</p> @@ -11425,7 +11414,7 @@ the nature of the robbery remained a mystery.</p> you presently, you decide to have an adjournment and a supplementary investigation—I shall be able to prove two important facts. The first is that the Marquise had in her possession a lottery -ticket which had just won a large first prize; this ticket had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +ticket which had just won a large first prize; this ticket had<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> been sent to her by M. Etienne Rambert. This ticket was not found at the time, but it was subsequently traced to a person, who for the moment has utterly disappeared, who declared that @@ -11468,7 +11457,7 @@ Danidoff. There remains the murder of the steward, Dollon.</p> <p>"Gentlemen, when Gurn was arrested on the single charge of the murder of Lord Beltham, you will readily believe that his -one fear was that all these other crimes, for which I have just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +one fear was that all these other crimes, for which I have just<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> shown him to be responsible, might be brought up against him. I was just then on the very point of finding out the truth, but I had not yet done so. A single link was missing in the chain which @@ -11510,7 +11499,7 @@ mention, perhaps to silence your objections, perhaps to show the vast importance I attach to the deductions which I have just been privileged to detail to you. This is the last thing I have to say:</p> -<p>"The man who has been capable of assuming in turn the guise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +<p>"The man who has been capable of assuming in turn the guise<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> of Gurn, and of Etienne Rambert, and of the man of fashion at the Royal Palace Hotel: who has had the genius to devise and to accomplish such terrible crimes in incredible circumstances, and @@ -11553,7 +11542,7 @@ know that Etienne Rambert's son, Charles Rambert, who, according to the generally received, and most plausible, opinion was the real murderer of the Marquise, committed suicide from remorse? If Etienne Rambert was the guilty party, Charles -Rambert would not have taken his own life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> +Rambert would not have taken his own life."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> <p>Juve's voice shook a little.</p> @@ -11597,7 +11586,7 @@ Rambert."</p> <p>"Pure romance!" he said. "And what about the murder of Dollon? I should like, further, to remind you that the fragment -of map which, according to you, was the real reason for this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +of map which, according to you, was the real reason for this<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> man's death, was found on his body, and does not correspond in the least with the hole cut in the map you found in Gurn's rooms."</p> @@ -11650,7 +11639,7 @@ too vague."</p> <p>"Very well. The Court will deliberate forthwith."</p> -<p>The judges gathered round the President of the Court, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +<p>The judges gathered round the President of the Court, and<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> held a short discussion. Then they returned to their places and the President announced their decision. It was that after consideration of the statement of the witness Juve, their opinion @@ -11696,7 +11685,7 @@ merely represented himself to be your father."</p> a matter we will look into one of these fine days! You take it from me that we are only just at the beginning of all these things."</p> -<p>"But the Court has refused a supplementary enquiry."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> +<p>"But the Court has refused a supplementary enquiry."<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> <p>"'Gad!" said Juve, "I quite expected it would! I have not got the proofs to satisfy the legal mind; and then, too, I had to hold @@ -11714,7 +11703,7 @@ should have been dismissed from the service as sure as eggs are eggs—and it is equally certain that you would have been arrested; which is precisely what I do not wish to happen!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In tense silence the foreman of the jury rose.</p> @@ -11752,7 +11741,7 @@ truly remarkable man: he never turned a hair!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXX. An Assignation</span></h2> @@ -11788,7 +11777,7 @@ in the Congo, and the Comtesse Marcelline de Baral.</p> <p>"How thrilling an actor's dressing-room is!" exclaimed Mme. Holbord, inspecting everything in the room through her glass. -"Just look at these darling little brushes! I suppose he uses those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +"Just look at these darling little brushes! I suppose he uses those<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> in making up? And, oh, my dear! There are actually three kinds of rouge!"</p> @@ -11837,7 +11826,7 @@ her husband. And yet, she pleaded warmly for mercy for the murderer—though she did not succeed in getting it."</p> <p>"What a dreadful thing!" said Simone Holbord perfunctorily; -her attention was wandering to all the other attractions in this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +her attention was wandering to all the other attractions in this<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> attractive room. A pile of letters was lying on a writing-table, and the reckless young woman began to look at the envelopes. "Just look at this pile of letters!" she cried. "How funny! Every @@ -11880,7 +11869,7 @@ people said that she was half out of her mind with grief at the loss of her husband; others said that if she was mad, it was over someone, over this vulgar criminal—martyr or accomplice, perhaps. They even went so far as to allege that Lady Beltham had -an intrigue with Gurn!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> +an intrigue with Gurn!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> <p>"Come! come!" the Colonel protested: "a great lady like Lady Beltham, so religious and so austere? Absurd!"</p> @@ -11902,7 +11891,7 @@ from all over the house meant."</p> papers," said the Comte, "and compare it with—— Ah, I think this is Valgrand coming!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>The Baronne de Vibray had tired of her conversation with the old dresser, Charlot, and had left him to take up her stand outside @@ -11924,7 +11913,7 @@ so kind!" He turned to the Baronne de Vibray. "He did me the honour to offer me a cigarette! A relic! Charlot! Charlot! You must put this cigarette in the little box where all my treasures are!"</p> -<p>"It is very full already, M. Valgrand," said Charlot deprecatingly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> +<p>"It is very full already, M. Valgrand," said Charlot deprecatingly.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> <p>"We must not keep you long," the Baronne de Vibray murmured. "You must be very tired."</p> @@ -11973,7 +11962,7 @@ Am I like Gurn? What do you think? You saw him quite close at the trial, Comte: what do you think?"</p> <p>"The resemblance is perfectly amazing," said the Comte de -Baral with perfect truth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> +Baral with perfect truth.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> <p>The actor stroked his face mechanically: a new idea struck him.</p> @@ -11995,7 +11984,7 @@ with great dignity replied:</p> <p>"I will put your name down for one, madame!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>But the Comte de Baral had looked furtively at his watch, and uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> @@ -12013,7 +12002,7 @@ and her friends left the theatre. Valgrand turned back into his dressing-room and locked the door, then dropped into the low and comfortable chair that was set before his dressing-table.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>He remained there resting for a few minutes, and then sat up and threw a whimsical glance at his dresser who was putting out @@ -12027,7 +12016,7 @@ the dead!"</p> <p>"Will you never be serious, M. Valgrand?"</p> -<p>"Heavens, I hope not!" exclaimed the actor. "I hope not, for if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +<p>"Heavens, I hope not!" exclaimed the actor. "I hope not, for if<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> there is one thing of which one never tires here below, it is Woman, the peerless rainbow that illuminates this vale of tears!"</p> @@ -12076,7 +12065,7 @@ dying for a drink. Give me a whisky and soda." He got up and moved to the table on which Charlot had set decanters and glasses, and was about to take the glass the dresser offered him when a tap on the door brought the conversation to a sudden -stop. The actor frowned: he did not want to be bothered by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +stop. The actor frowned: he did not want to be bothered by<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> more visitors. But curiosity got the better of his annoyance and he told Charlot to see who it was.</p> @@ -12127,7 +12116,7 @@ never had such an opportunity before!"</p> <p>"It may be a hoax."</p> -<p>"Take my word for it, I know better. Things like this aren't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +<p>"Take my word for it, I know better. Things like this aren't<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> hoaxes. Besides, I know the—the lady. She has often been pointed out to me: and at the trial—— By Jove, Charlot, she is the most enchanting woman in the world: strangely lovely, infinitely @@ -12175,10 +12164,10 @@ man like you——"</p> like this if he had to walk on his head to get there! Good-night!" and carolling gaily, Valgrand strode down the corridor.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Charlot was accustomed to these wild vagaries on his master's -part, for Valgrand was the most daring and inveterate rake it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +part, for Valgrand was the most daring and inveterate rake it is<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> possible to imagine. But while he was tidying up the litter in the room, after Valgrand had left him, the dresser shook his head.</p> @@ -12232,7 +12221,7 @@ when you leave, if I have gone to bed."</p> <p>Charlot sat on the arm of a chair and wiped his brow.</p> -<p>"I don't like this business," he muttered. "Why the deuce did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +<p>"I don't like this business," he muttered. "Why the deuce did<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> he want to go? What does this woman want with him? I may be only an old fool, but I know what I know, and there have been no end of queer stories about this job already." He sat there @@ -12250,7 +12239,7 @@ in the lock. "Yes, I will go. I shall be much easier in my mind!"</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXXI. Fell Treachery</span></h2> @@ -12281,7 +12270,7 @@ arm-chair, a few cane-bottomed chairs, and a deal table. On the table was a tea-pot, a small kettle over a spirit-stove, and a few cups and small cakes. A smoky lamp shed a dim light over this depressing interior, and a handful of coal was smouldering in the -cracked grate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> +cracked grate.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> <p>And here, in these miserable surroundings, Lady Beltham was installed on this eighteenth of December.</p> @@ -12321,12 +12310,12 @@ her back to the door, and hiding her face in her hands.</p> <p>"Valgrand!"</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Valgrand was a man with a passion for adventure. But invariable success in his flirtations had made him blasé, and now it was only the absolutely novel that could appeal to him. And -there could certainly be no question about the woman who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +there could certainly be no question about the woman who had<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> sent him the present invitation being anything but a commonplace one! Moreover, it was not just any woman who had asked him to keep this assignation in the outward guise of Gurn, but @@ -12372,7 +12361,7 @@ Neuilly were notorious.</p> the window to see that it was shut, and searched about, in vain, for a little coal to put upon the fire. While he was thus occupied Lady Beltham also rose, and going to the table poured out two -cups of tea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> +cups of tea.<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> <p>"Perhaps this will warm us, in the absence of anything better," she said, making an effort to seem more amiable. "I am afraid it @@ -12419,7 +12408,7 @@ the moment had come for extraordinary things to happen.</p> his effects at first and controlling his voice of set purpose to give full effect to it later on, modulating it cleverly.</p> -<p>"At your summons, madame, the prisoner Gurn has burst his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +<p>"At your summons, madame, the prisoner Gurn has burst his<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> bonds, broken through the door of his cell, and scaled his prison walls, triumphing over every obstacle with the single object of coming to your feet. He comes——" and he took a step nearer @@ -12469,7 +12458,7 @@ your note!"</p> <p>Valgrand went on, seeming to pick his words.</p> <p>"You have overestimated your strength, and now perhaps you -find the resemblance too startling? Do not be frightened. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +find the resemblance too startling? Do not be frightened. But<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> your letter came to me like healing balm upon a quivering wound. For weeks, long weeks——" The actor stopped, and mechanically rubbed his eyes. "It's odd," he thought to himself, @@ -12514,7 +12503,7 @@ sofa by Lady Beltham's side, and mechanically tried to put his arm round her.</p> <p>"Listen!" she began, freeing herself from him: "in heavens -name you must—— And yet, I cannot tell you! Oh, it is horrible!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +name you must—— And yet, I cannot tell you! Oh, it is horrible!<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> I am going mad! How am I to choose! What am I to do! Which——? Oh, go—go—go! There is not a minute to lose!"</p> @@ -12530,7 +12519,7 @@ upon the floor.</p> <p>"Oh! It is all over!" she sobbed.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>In spite of his overwhelming longing for sleep, Valgrand suddenly started. Two heavy hands fell on his shoulder, and then his @@ -12566,7 +12555,7 @@ bringing you here when you are supposed to be with the chaplain; you swore you would behave squarely with us and go back when you were told. Now you've got to keep your promise."</p> -<p>"The lady paid us well to give you an hour with her," the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +<p>"The lady paid us well to give you an hour with her," the other<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> man put in, "but you've had more than an hour and a half, and we've got our characters and our situations to look after. So now, come along, Gurn, and don't let us have any nonsense."</p> @@ -12610,7 +12599,7 @@ But still as they were getting him down the stairs his voice could be heard in the half-dark room above, bleating more weakly and at longer intervals:</p> -<p>"I am not Gurn! I am not Gurn!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> +<p>"I am not Gurn! I am not Gurn!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> <p>Once more silence reigned in the room. After the three men had gone, Lady Beltham rose to her feet, tottered to the window, @@ -12658,7 +12647,7 @@ asked: "He drank the drug, didn't he?"</p> <p>"It will take effect. It was acting already: so rapidly, that I thought for a moment he would fall unconscious there, at my -feet!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> +feet!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> <p>Gurn drew a deep breath.</p> @@ -12701,7 +12690,7 @@ bring it to him." The dresser was trying to get near the murderer, whom he supposed to be his master, but Lady Beltham, in the most acute anxiety, kept between the two men. Charlot misunderstood her intention. "I also came to——" He stopped -again and whispered to Lady Beltham. "He does not speak: is he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +again and whispered to Lady Beltham. "He does not speak: is he<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> very angry with me for coming? I didn't come out of curiosity, or to cause you any trouble, madame; will you ask him not to be very angry with his poor old Charlot?"</p> @@ -12742,7 +12731,7 @@ more wan. From the window a view could be obtained of a kind of platform at the corner of the boulevard Arago which was bounded by the high wall of the Santé prison. This spot, usually deserted, was crowded with people; a moving mob, swarming -and struggling behind some hastily erected barriers. Charlot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +and struggling behind some hastily erected barriers. Charlot<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> stretched a trembling hand towards the spectacle, in sudden comprehension.</p> @@ -12779,7 +12768,7 @@ her away.</p> -<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" ><p><span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p> <h2><span class="smcap">XXXII. On the Scaffold</span></h2> @@ -12813,7 +12802,7 @@ his murder with his life.</p> <p>No sooner had the great news become known than all prepared, as for a holiday, to go to see the man's head fall. At -Montmartre carriages were requisitioned and taxi-cabs were at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +Montmartre carriages were requisitioned and taxi-cabs were at<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> a premium. Women in gorgeous toilets and sparkling with jewels streamed from the open doors into the carriages which should bear them swiftly towards the Santé prison, and the @@ -12860,7 +12849,7 @@ but it is always the future customers of the guillotine, apaches and fellows like that, who make a point of seeing this ghastly spectacle." The detective stopped and laid a hand upon the journalist's shoulder. "Wait," he said, "we are right in front now: only -the men who are holding the line are ahead of us. If we want to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +the men who are holding the line are ahead of us. If we want to<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> get through and avoid the crush we must make ourselves known at once. Here is your pass."</p> @@ -12905,7 +12894,7 @@ profoundly affected by it.</p> <p>"Chief detective-inspectors," Juve said, pointing them out: "my colleagues. Some of yours too: do you see them? Chief reporters -of the big dailies. Are you aware that you are uncom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>monly +of the big dailies. Are you aware that you are uncom<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>monly lucky to have been selected, at your extremely youthful age, to represent your paper at this lugubrious function?"</p> @@ -12950,7 +12939,7 @@ the arrival of the guillotine.</p> <p>Drawn by an old white horse, a heavy black van arrived at a fast trot, escorted by four mounted police with drawn swords. -The van stopped a few yards from Juve and Fandor; the police<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +The van stopped a few yards from Juve and Fandor; the police<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> rode off, and a shabby brougham came into view, from which three men in black proceeded to get out.</p> @@ -12995,7 +12984,7 @@ of which a segment is cut so as to form the lunette into which the victim's neck is thrust; then he tested the lever, to make sure that it worked freely, and gave a curt order.</p> -<p>"The knife!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> +<p>"The knife!"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> <p>One of the assistants brought a case which Deibler opened, and Fandor instinctively shrank as a flash from the bright steel @@ -13034,7 +13023,7 @@ an hour. We can proceed to awaken the prisoner."</p> <p>Slowly, in single file, the officials went inside the prison.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>There were present the Attorney General, the Public Prosecutor, his deputy, the Governor of the prison, and behind @@ -13048,7 +13037,7 @@ hand.</p> <p>Deibler looked at the Public Prosecutor.</p> -<p>"Are you ready, sir?" and as that gentleman, who was very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +<p>"Are you ready, sir?" and as that gentleman, who was very<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> white, made a sign of assent, Deibler looked at the Governor of the prison.</p> @@ -13105,7 +13094,7 @@ understood what the chaplain said and took a step towards him.</p> <p>The Public Prosecutor was still bleating "Be brave! Be brave!"</p> <p>Deibler took the man by one arm, a warder took him by the -other, and between them they half-carried him to the office for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +other, and between them they half-carried him to the office for<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> his last toilette. In the little room, dimly lighted by a winking lamp, a chair had been set close to a table. The executioner and his assistant pushed the condemned man into the chair, and @@ -13155,13 +13144,13 @@ made a half-bow to the Public Prosecutor.</p> <p>Two assistants took the wretch by the shoulders and raised him up. There was a horrible, deep, unintelligible rattle in his throat.</p> -<p>"I—I——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> +<p>"I—I——"<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> <p>But no one heard him, and he was dragged away. It was practically a corpse that the servants of the guillotine bore down to the boulevard Arago.</p> -<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<hr style='width: 45%;' > <p>Outside, the first rosy tints of early dawn were waking the birds, and playing on the great triangular knife, drawing gleams @@ -13200,7 +13189,7 @@ crowded boulevard.</p> and pulled up with a jerk just opposite them, on the other side of the guillotine, and at the very foot of the scaffold. M. Deibler jumped down from the box, and opening the door at the -back of the vehicle let down the steps. Pale and nervous, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +back of the vehicle let down the steps. Pale and nervous, the<span class='pagenum'><a id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> chaplain got out backwards, hiding the scaffold from the eyes of the condemned man, whom the assistants managed somehow to help out of the carriage.</p> @@ -13255,13 +13244,11 @@ man executed in his stead! I tell you Fantômas is alive!"</p> <div class='transnote'> -<a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes"></a><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<a id="Transcribers_Notes"></a><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> <p>Page <a href="#Page_25">25</a>: comma added after "why" ("Why, the park enclosure has been altered")</p> -<p>Page <a href="#Page_136">136</a>: taper amended to tapered ("long, tapered fingers")</p> - <p>Page <a href="#Page_265">265</a>: Treteau <i>sic</i></p> <p>Accents have been standardised.</p> |