THB RED BAND. 7 
 
 , ;nJ.w ' '!*/;• .:y" ; v ; , v- ' \V ; .1 V;.- ’’ ! /. {' V \ *'■ •> / * ' * ‘ *• l#V s 
 
 as to snooze also, I should have twigged that yon were getting ns into a 
 mess.” 
 
 u Look here, governor, asyou aie forty-seven years old, you do not need 
 more than six hours’ sleep,” observed the charioteer mockingly. 
 
 “Whether that’s so or not,” said the master vexedly, “just take that 
 lantern and show the way that I may see where we have got to. Engine,” 
 he shouted, turning towards the van, “ stay there, my girl, till we come 
 back.” 
 
 No one answered from within to this piece of advice, whereupon the 
 strong man added to himself with a shrug of the shoulders : “ What an 
 ass ! I’m always forgetting that the lass is deaf and dumb. Step out, 
 Alcindor, and be alive l ” 
 
 ' The person answering to this ridiculous name obeyed this time without 
 a murmur, and began climbing the slope before which the unlucky nag had 
 come to grief. Soaked by rain, the road was in a dreary state, so that the 
 showman, much less nimble than skinny Alcindor, stumbled at every step, 
 and poured out streams of bad language. After ten minutes of this rough 
 progress, the two men came out into a cross-way surrounded by ancient 
 trees, where five or six roads ran out in all directions, and a sign-post rose 
 in the centre. 
 
 “ Hurrah ! we are saved ! there’s a sign-post,” cried the driver, hurrying 
 forward. 
 
 Arriving" at the foot of the sign-post, he lifted the lantern to the full 
 stretch of his long arms and managed to discipher the inscription, which he 
 read in a triumphant tone : 
 
 “ litoile du Chene-Capitaine 1 A fine name ! There must be a legend 
 attached to it, and if I had time for such frivolities, 1 would write a 
 romance about it.” 
 
 “ Shut up, fool,” growled the showman; “ instead of talking rubbish you 
 had better find our right road amongst the lot. ” 
 
 ‘‘That’s no easy matter, governor,” sadly replied Alcindor, scratching 
 his head. “ Oh, I spy a light 1 ” he added, pointing to the road on his left. 
 
 “A woodcutter’s hut! that will do for us. Come along gaily,” said 
 Hercules, calmed by this unexpected discovery. 
 
 But Alcindor did not stir. “ It’s on the move, governor,” he said, shak- 
 ing his head. “ I am inclined to believe that we have before us one of 
 those terrestrial, gaseous emanations commonly called jack-o’-lanterns.” 
 
 In point of fact, the remote light wavered about and sometimes disap- 
 peared altogether. 
 
 “That’s queer ! ” muttered the thick-built man. “It’s more likely the 
 lantern of a keeper going his rou^o*. W e had better have a peep at him 
 without his seeing us. Dowse our glim and c^me on softly . ” 
 
 Alcindor executed the order as one well accustomed io night r«*moiea, and 
 imitated his master in making for the light with all the precautions habitual 
 to poachers. The weather was singularly favourable for nocturnal watching. 
 The tempest had redoubled in violence, and the splash of steps on the sward 
 in the whish-whish of the leaves shaken by the western wind. 
 vHence the inquisitive pair, without betraying their presence, reached a 
 ~r>#Sh-cut clearing behind an enormous pile of symmetrically heaped up logs 
 /l~and beyond this wooden wall the light they had seen from a distance lit up 
 the white trunks of the birches. A dull and regular sound reached the 
 strained ears of the two watchers. They glided along in a stooping atti- 
 tude to the foot of the pile and noiselessly rose up. Thanks to his long 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 8 
 
 legs, Alcindor could look over the barrier, and what he beheld on the other v 
 Bide no doubt delighted him so little that he grabbed his master’s arm and 
 whispered in his ear : 
 
 “ Slope, governor, slope’s the word l p 
 
 TL ii 
 
 “ What’s the matter with you, you donkey ? ” demanded the strong man 
 in an undertone. 
 
 “Look there !” muttered Alcindor, pointing to a colossal oak tree stand- 
 ing by itself in the middle of the clearing, “ they are burying someone — ” 
 
 “ Or something,” corrected the showman, but slightly participating in his 
 driver’s emotion. “ We must find out which before we make off.” 
 
 Gliding along the pile, the thickset mountebank found a large stone a 
 little way off, and noiselessly mounted it. Thanks to this footstool, he 
 was able to see the same as his clown all that was taking place some 
 twenty paces beyond them. The light which had attracted them came 
 from a large lantern hung on the lower boughs of a tree at the foot of 
 which two men armed with spades were filling up an oblong pit. Their 
 task seemed near its end and the pair hastened as if eager to have. done. 
 
 At such an hour and in such a place, this grave-digger’s work looked 
 strange enough. Men do not come on a stormy night into the woods just 
 to plant a tree, and besides, the nocturnal workers were neither labourers 
 nor peasants. Clad in overcoats carefully buttoned up and wearing new 
 silk top-hats shining in the lantern rays, they seemed dressed for some 
 ceremony, and this rather official costume was in singular disaccord with 
 the manual labour to which they bent themselves with such ardour. One 
 of them had even neglected to remove his gloves so that he v ielded the 
 spade with hands imprisoned in the black kid of deep mourning. The 
 mystery surrounding the strangers was evident ; but the real aim of their 
 efforts remained difficult to divine, for the pit was all but filled up when 
 Alcindor and his master took possession of their post, and the earth so 
 hastily thrown in might as reasonably have hidden a corpse as a treasure. 
 Whatever it was, the sight was one calculated to rivet to the spot the 
 inquisitive pair who had been brought there by chance, and they watched 
 what went on at the foot of the tree with equal attention but with very 
 opposite thought/. 
 
 Alcindor, who had gradually edged up to his master until he pressed 
 close against him, was ostensibly the prey to a fright, the more deeply 
 felt from his not daring to express it either by words or gestures. He 
 believed he was witnessing the final scene of a tragedy fated in the future 
 to be one of the celebrated cases of an assize court, and, instinctively 
 dreading judicial adventures, he cursed the accident which had brought 
 him to the Etoile du Chene-Capitaine. On the other hand, the strong man, 
 since he had been able to see over the pile of wood, had assumed the 
 satisfied mien of a speculator who lias come across a good, thing, j 
 
 sullen face lighted up and his little eyes sparkled with gr^ed. at was / 
 clear he thought he possessed a secret that would be convertible 
 cash by -and- by, and he little cared for the immediate consequences of his V 
 Indiscretion. ; ; 
 
 “ It’s over, governor ; let’s be off,” whispered the unfortunate Jehu. 
 
 In fact the pit was filled up and the man in the black gloves folded his arms 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 like a working-man reposing after some painful toil. His companion w 
 scraping up dead leaves to hide the freshly stirred soil, and did it wit 
 remarkable dexterity. In less than a minute, the mould was levelled, 
 and all concealed under the thick litter furnished by autumn ; and, 
 beyond the witnesses of this strange scene, no one could suspect the 
 mysterious undertaking that had just been accomplished. Order once re- 
 established at the foot of the great oak, the careful worker shouldered the 
 two spades and rapidly crossed the open space to hide them amongst the 
 brambles bordering the underwood in that quarter. 
 
 “Good ! they are going to leave and we shall be able to solve the 
 mystery.” 
 
 These words, hissed into Alcindor’s ear, made him shiver, as he had no 
 
 taste {or compromising enterprises. 
 
 “But, governor,” he objected timidly, “ Regine is all alone there, and I 
 fear — ’ 
 
 “ Engine needs no company since she is dumb,” abruptly interrupted 
 the master, “and she is not such a coward as you. Shut your mouth 
 and open your ears ; the gentlemen look like coming this way.” 
 
 Whilst his acolyte put away the tools, the man left under the tree had 
 taken down and extinguished the lantern, and the eclipse of this illumina- 
 tion rendered the faint light of early dawn more apparent. After tak- 
 ing these precautions, the two diggers joined each other and did indeed 
 direct their steps towards the pile of wood. They walked slowly and 
 silently side by side, like men absorbed in serious thoughts. The taller of 
 the two, he who carried the lantern, was of medium stature, slender frame 
 and stylish bearing. The other, apparently an older man, had a huge head 
 deep set between uneven shoulders, and an odd, broken gait ; he did not 
 exactly limp, hut he seemed to have two left legs, they worked so dis- 
 cordantly. This was all the Hercules had time to observe, for, on seeing 
 the men draw near, he listened to descend and cower down at the foot of 
 the logs of wood. Alcindor wanted no asking to imitate this prudent 
 manoeuvre, and thanks to the sheltering shade, they might hope to be 
 passed bypinperceived. After a minute’s waiting, not exempt from anxiety, 
 a shrill voice reached their ears. 
 
 “ We have not long to wait now,” observed the speaker, “the appoint- 
 ment was for six ; and Saint-Senier will be as punctual as the silly soldier 
 he is. Let us stay here ; it is a g6od spot for repose and you must be in 
 need of some.” 
 
 “Yes, I even fear I have rather over tired my hand,” replied a graver 
 voice. 
 
 “I told you to let me do the digging alone ; hut you never will listen to me. r 
 
 This conversation took place on the other side of the stack of wood, so 
 close that the speakers and the eavesdroppers were separated by only three 
 or four yards. The latter could not make off without revealing their 
 presence, and, moreover, the Hercules wished very much not to miss the 
 confidences the two mysterious men were no doubt about to exchange. So 
 he remained motionless and attentive, whilst the less inquisitive clown 
 softly stretched himself upon the damp sward. 
 
 “I cannot tell why, but I never felt queerer,” resumed the grave voice. 
 “ This wet weather lias upset my nerves, to say nothing of Blanche’s being 
 all wrong these two days and picking a quarrel with me last night.” 
 
 “ Smoke a cigarette and leave women alone, if you want to become a 
 political celebrity,” said the other stranger curtly. 
 
0 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 This wise advice was not relished by his companion, who laughing’y 
 retorted : “ Friend Taupier, you are a fool, contrary to the general rule, 
 for humpbacks are supposed to be witty. ” 
 
 “ Thank you,” snarled the person thus commented upon. 
 
 “ Don’t thank me, but answer me. If I were to give up the fair sex — 
 what would avail money and fame, for these are, I believe, according to 
 you, the attributes of a political man ? ” 
 
 “ I gave them up long ago ! ” 
 
 “ Are you quite sure ? It is said that you are smitten with the lovely 
 Ren4e s my adversary’s sister. People were even saying the other day at 
 Brabant’s that you were seen at mass at the Madeleine, and that you 
 waited at the door to offer her some holy water.” 
 
 ' “It’s not true ; it’s my enemies of the Black Cow Club that spread these 
 tumours in order to injure my candidature.” 
 
 “ Don’t get ruffled, my fiery Taupier, I withdraw the holy water, and 
 what is more, I will insert a correction on the fourth page of the journal.” 
 
 Very well, but I do not want so much. Confine yourself to aiming 
 straight and ridding me of this Saint-Senier who is more than I can put up 
 with. any longer'.” 
 
 This reply was followed by a pause which gave the strong man an 
 opportunity of reflecting on the conversation of which he had not lost a 
 word. He was deeply disappointed, for nothing he had overheard had 
 served to enlighten him. The secret which he had reckoned on surprising 
 still escaped him, and all his preconceptions were confounded ly this talk 
 of love and duelling. Yet he resolved to listen on to the end, still, hoping 
 that some phrase would put him on a fruitful track. 
 
 “ I believe I shall miss him and he will kill me,” resumed the deep-voiced 
 man, slowly. “ Why did you agree to pistols’ ” 
 
 “ Because you are at least a good second-rate shot, whereas, when 
 fighting with swords, you have always stupidly allowed yourself to be 
 spitted. ” 
 
 “My father died of a bullet, and it’s my presentiment that I shall end 
 In the same way. ” 
 
 “Your father was shot on a barricade, and barricades are things of the 
 past, now that we are under a republic.” 
 
 “Who knows ? we were under a republic on the 24th of February, 184S, 
 and yet that’s the very day when he was shot in the back at the entrance 
 of the Rue da Faubourg du Temple.” 
 
 “ What a queer idea to bring that up now,” said Taupier with marked 
 hesitation. “ Do calm yourself, Valnoir. 1 hear steps among the leaves 
 yonder ; it’s probably Saint-Senier arriving with his seconds. ” 
 
 “ On foot ? 
 
 “ You know they were going to sleep at Maisons, which is quite near 
 
 “True, I forgot that. Who fires first ? ” 
 
 “ He, of course ; your article was stiff enough to make him the offended ^ 
 party.” 
 
 “ Then I am a dead man,” said he who was called Yalnoir. . 
 
 ** IM1 see about that,” muttered Taupier between his teeth, but not so 
 k)W that the ever attentive Hercules did not overhear him. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 in. 
 
 Day had dawned, sad and wan. The storm had subsided, the rain had 
 ceased, and the now motionless trees were silently letting their tears drip 
 on to the heather. In the distance could be heard the tread of the new- 
 comers, who were not long in showing themselves at the other end of the 
 clearing. 
 
 Preferring philosophic contemplation to the unexpected spectacle pro* 
 cured him by chance, Alcindor had settled down cosily upon the broad oil 
 his back, and appeared occupied solely in following the progress of aurora 
 gradually lighting up the grey sky. But his master, deeply engrossed in 
 what he had heard and in what he hoped to see, had managed to discover 
 a gap in the wooden pile through which, invisible from the other side, he 
 could follow all the details of the scene which was being exacted without 
 fear of being observed. Thus hidden, our strong man greatly resembled a 
 bandit on the look-out for travellers at the corner of a wood ; but his sole 
 arms consisted in a keen sight and sharp ears, of which he intended to 
 make good use. He fully understood, moreover, that he required all his 
 mental and physical faculties to penetrate a mystery which was becoming 
 more and more enveloped, and his wits were as long drawn at the moment 
 as his features. 
 
 From his look-out hole he could only see the backs of the two first 
 strangers, whilst the new-comers faced him. They were three in number . 
 a very young officer whose uniform was half hidden by an ample fur over 
 coat, and two older men, whose military bearing seemed slightly hampered 
 by their civilian attire. The taller one wore the red ribbon of the Legion 
 of Honour at his button-hole, and his fair mutton-chop whiskers sufficiently 
 well denoted to which branch of the service he belonged ; none but a naval 
 officer could unite these three conditions — the absence of beard and mous- 
 taches, the decoration and the stiff demeanour arising from the habit of 
 ordering men about. The other, with his close cropped hair and pointed 
 beard, resembled one of the body guards of Henri III, who were called 
 the Forty-five. His brown complexion and lively movements betokened 
 his southern extraction. He carried a flat, oblong pistol-case under hia 
 arm. 
 
 The new arrivals joined the pair who were seemingly awaiting them, 
 about the centre of the clearing. They bowed to one another with the 
 stern politeness usual under such circumstances ; then the naval officer anc 
 the young man who had held the lantern, stepped aside a few paces in opposite 
 directions. They were evidently the adversaries. To confer together, th< 
 three others approached the nook where Alcindor and his employer wer< 
 concealed. The man with the pistol-case appeared to take the direction oi 
 affairs, and he began by introducing the two seconds to each other. 
 
 “ M. Pierre Taupier, author ; M. Roger de Saint-Senier, lieutenant in the 
 Garde Mobile,” said he with a volubUity not perhaps exempt from em- 
 barrassment. 
 
 The young officer bowed coldly, without uttering a word, but Valnoir’s 
 deformed acolyte hastened to speak. 
 
 “ Is the gentleman Commandant de Saint-Senier’s brother ? 19 he inquired 
 with an astonished look. 
 
 “ His cousin-german, and he comes here more as a relative, since Vain oir 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 ad not time to secure the services of another second,” responded the 
 outherner. 
 
 “ Very well, my dear Podensac,” resumed Taupier, plainly seeking to 
 assume a dignified demeanour, to which his ridiculous appearance did not 
 very well lend itself ; “therefore it is with you alone, that I have to settle 
 the conditions of the combat, and — ” 
 
 “ They are all settled,” interrupted the bearer of the very Gascon name of 
 Podensac, and who also thought it seemly to put on a solemn air. “ As the 
 offended party, which M. Charles de Valnoir has himself acknowledged, 
 Commandant Louis de Saint- Senier is entitled to all the advantages of the 
 combat. As you are aware, he has chosen pistols, and has the rig t to fire 
 first. They will stand at twenty-five paces, and are to fire at a given 
 signal ; and, after three shots interchanged without result, the affair will 
 be considered at an end. That is so, is it not ? ” 
 
 Both the other seconds nodded together. 
 
 “ As for any amicable arrangement being come to,” continued the ver- 
 bose Podensac, “I fear, seeing the gravity of the case, that it is useless to 
 hope for — ” 
 
 “ Perfectly so, sir,” put in the young officer, rather curtly. “ My re- 
 lative is much obliged to you for having kindly consented to accompany 
 him on the ground, as a former brother-in-arms, but his formal desire is 
 that there shall be no attempt made at conciliation.” 
 
 “So I thought, lieutenant, and nothing further need be said.” 
 
 “ Moreover I am bound to notify you, gentlemen,” proceeded the young 
 man, with more animation, “that if this meeting should turn out fatal tu 
 my kinsman, I intend to demand satisfaction from M. de Valnoir on my 
 own account. He has insulted a person bearing my name, and the com- 
 mandant is not the only injured party.” 
 
 “ Allow me, allow me ! ” cried Taupier ; “there can be only one meeting 
 for the same article, and, besides, it is contrary to the laws of duelling.” 
 
 “In any case, that’s a point for future discussion,” said Podensac, who 
 seemed in a hurry to have done. “ While we are loading the pistols, will 
 you be so kind, sir, as to count the paces ? ” he added to the officer. 
 
 The latter bowed and went over to his relative, who had remained with 
 folded arms, his back against the tree at the root of which he little dreamt 
 that his antagonist had buried a secret. Valnoir was walking up and 
 down by the brushwood with a rather agitated air. The two other actors 
 in this scene of five characters, had at once entered into a private conver- 
 sation, and the Hercules watched their every movement more attentively 
 than ever. While talking they had sauntered almost up to the pile of 
 wood, so that Alcindor himself, though he could not see them on account of 
 bis horizontal position, did not miss a single word they uttered. 
 
 “ What the mischief induced you to bring this beardless officer of 
 Mobiles ? ” queried Taupier. “We had enough military men in the affair 
 without seeking this one.” 
 
 “ You newspaper men are all alike,” returned Podensac, shrugging his 
 shoulders. “Could I prevent the commandant choosing his cousin? 
 Moreover, I beg you will not run down the military. You know I am al- 
 most sure to be appointed colonel of the Forlorn Hope of the Rue Maubu4e ; 
 so that you owe me respect and, what is more, some notices in your catch- 
 penny print.” 
 
 “We’ll see about that,” said Taupier, in a very bad humour. “OpeA 
 the box, that I may load the pistols. ” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 -e the 
 
 “ You l nonsense ! you are capable of putting the bullets in befor 
 powder.” 
 
 Taupier’s little grey eyes shot fire, and his earthy complexion assurped 
 a greyish hue. 
 
 “Citizen Podensac,” said he, in a hissing voice, “I am your superior 
 officer and I warn you that I shall report your insolence to the Committee.” 
 
 The man with the pointed beard hesitated an instant, but the hunch- 
 back’s threat produced its effect, and he gave way, growling : 
 
 “ All right, all right ! I know about that ; the civil element overrules 
 the military one, and I am only one of the military. There are the blazers 
 and all that is required to .fill them ; besides I have confidence in you, and 
 do not believe you capable of playing any tricks. A duel is a sacred 
 matter, look you, even when it is against a reactionary party.” 
 
 Taupier squinted at him and took the open case which Podensac held 
 out. 
 
 “ Now,” said he, with an equivocal smile, “ go after that fine fellow who 
 is striding along over there, and bring him to me. I want him to assist at 
 the operation. Where are the bullets ? ” 
 
 “Here are six, the regulation number,” answered Podensac, handing 
 over the necessary “properties ” for fighting a duel. 
 
 Dense as was the intelligence of the Hercules who was quietly hiding be- 
 hind the logs, he divined, though vaguely, that the secret buried at the 
 foot of the giant oak was not perhaps the only one out of which he would be 
 able to make some profit. As soon as the future commander of the strange 
 company recruited in the Rue Maubu4e had turned on his heels, Taupier 
 quickly laid the case on the ground, and taking out one of the pistols, pro- 
 ceeded to load it. Contrary to Podensac’s bantering prophecy, he put in 
 the powder first, and followed it with a wad. At this point of his task, 
 he cast a hasty glance around him. Valnoir was still Walking at the edge 
 of the undergrowth. The officer of Mobiles had just finished counting the 
 paces, and had gone over to his cousin under the oak, to press his hand^ 
 Podensac was about to accost them. 
 
 At this juncture, the humpback, who was ostensibly holding a bullet 
 between his thumb and finger, flung it over the heap of wood, and with a 
 dexterity that would have done honour to a professor of sleight of hand, 
 substituted in its place a round object which he rammed home with much 
 flourish of the rod. After this, he laid the weapon on the turf and took 
 up the other one. By a singular hazard, the bullet he threw away hit 
 Alcindor, who uttered a groan which was promptly repressed by an ener- 
 getic shake of his master’s fist. Taupier would very likely have overheard 
 the suppressed exclamation, but his attention was elsewhere. The group 
 of combatants and seconds was coming his way and he was watching them 
 out of the corner of his eye. 
 
 “It is done, gentlemen,” he said completing his load. (€ Will you please 
 examine the weapons ? ” he added, addressing the officer. 
 
 Instead of answering, the latter tried the hammers, measured the height 
 of the loads with the ramrod and, finding them to agree, returned the 
 pistols to Taupier after having capped them himself. There was a moment 
 of embarrassing silence. The humpback lowered his eyes and held the 
 weapons crossed in his right hand which was visibly trembling ; he se; med 
 to shrink from offering to these two men the instruments upon which their 
 lives depended. But he suddenly raised his head as if he had made up his 
 mind, and said abruptly 
 
4 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “Take your choice, gentlemen.” 
 
 Valnoir bowed politely and let his adversary take precedence ; the latter 
 laid his hand on the pistol nearest to him, without looking. 
 
 “Ha 1 ” muttered the showman who had followed all the details of the 
 scene, “ that’s an old trick. A card sharper couldn’t have done it better ! ” 
 
 IV. 
 
 Still reclining on his back, Alcindor had seen nothing of the proceedings 
 that so deeply interested his employer, and he continued to twiddle his 
 thumbs as he studied the celestial vault. His beaming physiognomy 
 merely expressed the physical gratification of a man resting after painful 
 labour, and his master heeded him no more than if he had been a dog 
 whom he had taken with him when out shooting. But a keener observer 
 would have concluded from the clown’s nervous twitches that his contem- 
 plative indifference was more apparent than real. But the bearded athlete 
 was too well persuaded of his own superiority to be mistrustful of his 
 subaltern’s hearing faculties, and, moreover, his attention w as absorbed by 
 the scene that was being enacted. It is true that this was worth all the 
 attention he could bestow, and chance offered the mountebank an emotion 
 which many would have paid dearly for. Modern civilisation has so 
 affected duelling that, three times out of four, it merely consists in an 
 early morning’s outing followed by a jolly banquet. Moreover, to fully 
 appreciate a performance, one must not be one of the company, and the 
 seconds, who are usually the only witnesses, have their own parts to fulfil. 
 
 Perfectly indifferent to the lives about to be risked before his eyes, the 
 Hercules was therefore enjoying a rare privilege, for the meeting was a 
 serious one, and, moreover, he still preserved the liberty of mind necessary 
 to profit by the secrets he believed he had surprised. The sequel was at 
 hand, for the two principals took their places. The naval officer, leaning 
 on his cousin’s arm, gave him his last instructions with perfect tranquillity. 
 On his side, Valnoir, escorted by his faithful Taupier, was gesticulating 
 freely at his post. His jerky movements contrasted strongly with M. de 
 Saint-Senier’s calm bearing, and it was not difficult to divine that he had 
 to make painful efforts to preserve a proper attitude. Podensac had not 
 quitted the middle of the clearing, where he w r as getting ready to play a 
 leading part. By the way he held up his head and twirled his moustaches, 
 any one could tell the former regimental fencing-master convinced of the 
 importance of his position. 
 
 The places had been chosen alongside the undergrowth, and it would 
 have been difficult to find a more suitable spot for two men to kill one 
 another according to the code of honour. The ground was even and the 
 brushwood, cut down to a uniform height, offered no guiding mark. The 
 logs piled up on one side of the clearing, closed the whole in. Even the old 
 oak, left standing by itself in the centre of the clearing, seemed placed 
 there to shelter the judges of the combat; and they had evidently all three 
 •understood it thus, for they had gathered there and were conversing 
 together with suppressed animation. With this disposal of the various 
 'characters, the Hercules, kneeling at his peephole, found himself facing 
 the seconds. Hardly fifteen paces to his }eft was M. de Saint-Senier, 
 and Valnoir was a little nearer to his right. The latter was now immov 
 and erect, and his pallor w r as all the more apparent in bis black suit, 
 
There was something constrained about his firm-set features, and his entirl 
 person showed an indefinable stiffness which betrayed a strong will in.' 
 contest with the nerves. As for the naval officer, he was carefully button- 
 ing up his coat which he had opened to enable him to take out a packet of 
 letters he wished to hand to his cousin. To see his coolness, almost 
 amounting to indifference, one might have deemed him a mere looker-on, 
 
 “ Governor, are they going to shoot now ? ” inquired Alcindor in a low 
 tone, without altering his position. 
 
 M Halloa ! it looks as if you had been listening,” muttered the other 
 rather startled, “ Well, it’s my opinion you had better keep on playing 
 
 dummy.” 
 
 “ Oh, don’t you fret, governor. I am only interested from an acoustical 
 point of view. Sound travels at the rate of about four hundred yards a 
 second, and I wanted to calculate — ” 
 
 The statement of the problem which the clown was proposing to resolve 
 was cut short by Podensac’s sonorous voice. The future colonel had left 
 the group and was asking the two principals the usual question : 
 
 “ Are you ready, gentlemen ? ” 
 
 They nodded assent. 
 
 At the third clap of my hands,” went on Podensac, “ M. de Saint-Senier 
 will fire first, and M. de Valnoir will return his fire immediately after.” 
 
 A few seconds of solemn silence ensued. Little accessible as he was to 
 emotions, the Samson, without ceasing to stare with all his might, was 
 rapidly stroking hi^ thick beard with his fingers, a certain token with him 
 of profound preoccupation. The clear warble of a green -finch awakening 
 in the boughs, was interrupted by Podensac’s signal. The nav&l officer’3 
 pistol went off at the same time as the last clap of the hands. 
 
 “ Missed 1 ” muttered the Hercules under his breath. 
 
 Indeed, Valnoir had slightly winced, but bad kept his position, his side 
 presented to his adversary, and his chest covered by his right arm and 
 pistol. 
 
 “ That’s queer ! ” mumbled Alcindor, “ I never heard the bullet whistle 
 by ; how can I calculate the displacement of the air ? ” 
 
 After his shot, M. de Saint-Senier had barely stirred, and disdaining to 
 shield himself with his weapon, he looked steadily at his adversary who 
 was taking aim. Almost instantly, the latter fired with a haste that proved 
 his coolness to be forced. 
 
 “ I heard the whizz this time,” said the clown, “ and the square of the 
 distances — ” 
 
 “ By J ove ! he’s killed I ” exclaimed the Hercules, forgetting he might be 
 overheard ; but the cry was lost amidst the excitement which followed the 
 
 second shot. 
 
 Saint-Senier had fallen face foremost, and with open arms, upon the 
 
 S round. The seconds ran to him at the same time, whilst the victor flung 
 own his pistol with a gesture of regret too spontaneous not to be genuine. 
 61 Killed outright ; the bullet went in above the fifth rib,” remarked 
 Podensac in Taupier’s ear. 
 
 “ Roger, speak to me ! ” cried the officer of Mobiles, squeezing the hand 
 of his unfortunate cousin, whose death was only too certain. 
 
 The staring eyes and bloodless face indicated plainly that the wound was 
 in the heart or thereabouts. The blood scarcely flowed from the tiny hole 
 that pierced the coat just over the breast ; the wound had no doubt bled; 
 inwardly, and death had been instantaneous. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 p 
 
 
 s , “He did not suffer, and many a soldier would covet such a death,' re- 
 umed Podensac, who could find no other consolation to offer to a sorrow- 
 ing relative. 
 
 But the young officer did not appear to hear him. He had thrown him- 
 self on his knees beside the dead man, and eyeing him bewilderingly, he 
 repeated under his breath a woman’s name : 
 
 “ Ren4e ! ” 
 
 After the few moments given to the somewhat forced expression of 
 formal grief, Taupier deemed it meet to leave the two and go and join his 
 friend. The latter, seemingly much perturbed by the result of the meet’ 
 ing, had sat down with his back to the dead man, holding his head betw een 
 his hands. 
 
 Chained by emotion to his hiding-place, the showman had not stirred. 
 The tragic event at which he had assisted had deeply moved the coarse 
 fibres of his intelligence and excited a complex action among his dull wits. 
 He believed himself to be mixed up in a double mystery, which he could 
 turn to account without the least scruple, apd he clearly comprehended 
 that he would lose the most important clue if he let the actors in the drama 
 go away without seeing him. And yet he was not eager to mix himself up 
 in an affair which had occasioned a man’s death. At any moment gen- 
 daames or forest-rangers might appear upon the scene, and from instinct as 
 much as by profession, the itinerant showman feared contact with i he re- 
 presentatives of the law. The wiser course was to retrace his steps to the 
 van, and then return to this spot a little later on. It was, though, ex- 
 tremely difficult to get away without being seen, and yet it was even w orse 
 to be caught spying. 
 
 More than ever undecided after all his reflections, the mountebank 
 feverishly stroked his beard, and in his perplexity consulted with a look 
 that inferior to whom he commonly did not refer. Alcindor had not 
 shifted his position, and seemed wrapped up in profound calculations, foi 
 his eyes were half closed while his lips mumbled figures. His impatient 
 master was about to give him a kick to rouse him from his studies when 
 the clown suddenly jumped up as if worked by a spring, and exclaimed :< 
 
 “ R6gine ! ” 
 
 V. 
 
 The natural effect of this movement, which Alcindor had doubtlessly not 
 thought of, was that his long body suddenly towered above the pile of 
 wood, and his frightened head was presented to the startled view of the 
 persons in the clearing. The exclamation he had uttered at the same time 
 would have been enough by itself to attract their attention, and all eyes 
 turned towards him. A strange creature showed herself only a few paces 
 from the group surrounding the death-stricken Saint-Senier — so strange 
 that it was hard to tell at first sight to which sex belonged the fan- 
 tastic being in a scarlet gown w T hich stood out from against the green 
 underwood. The countenance was as odd as the apparel. A head crowned 
 with black hair, gilded by a tropical sun and lit up by glittering eyes, sur- 
 mounted a long neck laden with strings of coral. The frail, supple body 
 undulated beneath a scarlet frock which almost reached the tiny feet 
 encased in high-heeled green slippers. Glass-bead bracelets decked the 
 arms, which were otherwise bare to the elbows, and scarcely concealed 
 
 j 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 their slenderness. This phantom, which would not have been out of pla 
 in any pantomime, walked so lightly that it had crossed the roadway an 
 reached the skirt of the wood without making the slightest sound. 
 
 Alcindor had been drawn from his mathematical broodings by that in- 
 stinct which warns of the presence of somebody unseen, for he had 
 scarcely heard the rustling of the silk amidst the briars. But no doubt he 
 knew all about this quaint apparition, for he did his utmost to wave it back. 
 On his part, his master had decided to rise also, though much against his 
 wish, and he emerged from his hiding-place pale with rage and surprise. 
 The consequence was that the participators in the duel beheld the three 
 inexplicable personages advancing towards them. Podensac who, as a 
 Southerner, held uncertainty in horror, marched straight up to the intruders 
 and was about to roughly challenge them, when the strong man deemed it 
 prudent to avert the questioning by himself opening fire. 
 
 “ Excuse me, gentlemen,” said he, bringing his hand to Ills forehead and 
 scraping with his right leg, after the manner of mountebanks, “I am a 
 theatrical artiste and my name is Antoine Pilevert, at your service.” 
 
 “ What’s that to us ? ” interposed Taupier, approaching and evidently 
 annoyed at the intrusion. “ Instead of telling us your name, you had 
 better explain your business here.” 
 
 “ Lost in the forest, with my pupils, I was attracted by the reports of 
 firearms ; but I know what an affair of honour is, and my profession has 
 taught me to be discreet, so that you may rely on — ” 
 
 “Your silence,” cried Podensac. “I should think so, indeed! But 
 that is not what we stand in need of just- now. Have you some sort of 
 conveyance at hand ? ” 
 
 “A six-wheeled carriage, my officer,” the Hercules hastened to reply, 
 scenting a grade under the civilian dress of the colonel of the Hue Maubude 
 Forlorn-Hope. 
 
 “Good ! then will you help us carry a — wounded — gentleman to Saint- 
 Germain ? ” 
 
 “ Wounded or dead, anything you like, general,” said Pilevert, more 
 and more respectfully. 
 
 During this colloquy Taupier had not ceased scanning the new-comer* 
 suspiciously. 
 
 “Is it this clown and this witch whom you call your pupils ? ” he de 
 manded abruptly. 
 
 The disdainful tone pricked Alcindor to the quick, and he came forward 
 with one immense stride and said solemnly : 
 
 “ I am indeed the pupil of Master Antoine Pilevert, famous as the 
 Rampart of Avallon, sword-stick instructor to the Gymnasium of Saint- 
 Gaudens, and professor of legerdemain by letters patent to the Grand 
 Council of the Republic of Andorra ; but I have followed other curriculums 
 than his.” 
 
 Little affected no doubt by this parade of titles, Taupier merely 
 shrugged his shoulders, which, through his deformity, set his whole frame 
 vibrating most grotesquely. The ever positive Podensac gave the conversa- 
 tion a more practical turn by saying to Pilevert : 
 
 “ There are honest folk in all stations of life, and I have confidence in 
 
 you—” at which the showman bowed. “ The case stands thus : one of our 
 
 friends has been badly wounded in a duel— ” 
 
 “ Facies hippocratic, decubitus dorsal, rigidity of the thoractic limbs — 
 dead by a heart wound — vide Bichat,” murmured the incorrigible Alcindor. 
 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Silence in the ranks ! ” thundered the colonel to be. “ We came over 
 from Maisons, and too much time would be lost in hunting up a conveyance, 
 Can you lend us your vehicle ? ” 
 
 “ With honour and pleasure, as I have already said, general,” responded 
 Pilevert. “ Only let me recommend that no time be wasted, for the 
 Prussians are coming up in hot haste and it would be a pity if we were all 
 
 netted.” 
 
 “The Prussians ?” ejaculated Taupier. “You are drivelling, old chap. 
 They are no doubt at the present moment somewhere in the neighbourhood 
 
 of Rheims.” 
 
 “ Maybe they are, but I know that Uhlans were seen close to Pontoise 
 yesterday. Ask my pupil, if you won’t believe me.” 
 
 Thus interpellated, Aicindor did not miss so fine an opportunity to 
 show off his knowledge. 
 
 “ It may be,” he said gravely, “that the main body of the Teutonic 
 army is still delayed in the Catalaunatic Fields ; but, we learnt of the 
 arrival of the light brigade yesterday, at Poissy, where we lodged at the 
 Sturgeon Inn, Aclpenser Fluviatilis .” 
 
 This reply, wherein Master Pilevert s pupil revealed himself in a single 
 phrase as a strategist, naturalist and Latinist, appeared to impress 
 Podensac, who, however, was nothing of the sort himself. 
 
 “ The more reason then for us to be off at double quick march,” said he 
 hastily. “ Is your horse fit to take us over to Saint-Germain in an hour ? ” 
 
 “ Bradamante is not a racer, but she’s a good one to go, and with all re- 
 spect, I suggest that we d better push on for Paris, whither, moreover, I 
 am bound on business,” said the Hercules with marked majesty. 
 
 “ But we shall never get there 1 ” 
 
 “We can certainly get as far asRueil to-day, and there we shall be quite 
 safe from the spiked helmets. ” 
 
 Podensac reflected and wavered. Taupier took up the solution of the 
 question, as he was probably in a hurry to have it settled. 
 
 “You see, Yalnoir has nothing further to do here,” he observed to the 
 colonel. “ I shall take him off and rouse him up a bit, for though the lad 
 has a literary turn, he has no nerve worth mentioning. Just think of him 
 being as much affected as a child ! ” 
 
 “ xlnvone might be affected at less,” said Podensac, gruffly, “ and 
 though ! soldiered five years in Mexico, where they’re not soft-hearted, the 
 commandant’s death has upset me. ” 
 
 “ Well, it doesn’t affect me,” returned Taupier, pretentiously, “and I 
 am the man to — ” 
 
 “ You carry your heart in your hump,” exclaimed the colonel in disgust 
 at this claim for insensibility, “ and I advise you to clear off as quickly as 
 you can. I will undertake with the lieutenant to see the body removed to 
 
 Paris. ” 
 
 “Very well ; it will be military all the way through,” said Taupier, curtly. 
 “ I’m off now, and I shall expect you at the committee on Saturday. You 
 know you need me to get the appointment. My paper is pretty widely 
 read in the Rue Maubu^e.” 
 
 He spun round on his heels with all the ease his awkward legs would 
 allow. 
 
 “ Cad of an ink-spiller,” sneered Podensac, “ I would soon send you to 
 the deuce if I had not need of your rag.” 
 
 The humpback did not catch this, or else pretended not to have heard. 
 
1 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 said hopping along so as to dissemble his infirmity, he made his way Q\ 
 to his friend Valnoir, who had not stirred. In passing before the officer 
 who was still kneeling beside his cousin’s body, he raised his hat in order 
 to conceal a nervousness which his real or affected indifference was unable 
 to repress. But M. de Saint-Senier was too wrapped up in his sorrow to 
 notice him. 
 
 “Then, that’s settled; look sharp,” said Podensac to the showman. 
 “ Go, get your van — I’ll await you here. And you, the guest of the Sturgeon,” 
 he proceeded, turning to Alcindor, “ yon had better keep watch on the 
 road so that we may not be disturbed. As for this girl, I do not exactly 
 know what to de with her — but she can remain here for the time being.” 
 
 “ She’ll not be in your way, she is dumb,” said Pilevert. 
 
 “ So much the better, I am not fond of gabblers. Is she also deaf, eh ? ” 
 
 “ Yes, but don’t trust too much to that. She cannot hear, but she can 
 guess. All the same she’s a good sort. But, halloa 1 what’s become of our 
 Engine ? ” 
 
 The singular creature with the queenly name had moved away as soon 
 as Taupier had joined in the conversation, as though avoiding proximity to 
 the deformed creature, the same as good fairies shun the wicked genii. 
 She was indeed a young girl, and her whole person showed indescribable 
 charm, notwithstanding the quaintne8s of her costume and head-dress. 
 Her irregular features expressed a kind of passionate goodness, and her 
 large black eyes beamed with intelligence. She had gone and seated her- 
 self beside the dead man, and had taken one of his hands in hers. The 
 young officer had not heard her light bird -like step, and he was gazing on 
 her in astonishment. 
 
 “After all,” muttered Podensac, “women are always useful in the 
 ambulance department. Now, then, off with you, you others 1 I expect 
 you back in a quarter of an hour.” 
 
 Alcindor executed the colonel’s orders without a murmur, but not with- 
 out casting a melancholy look upon R^gine. Satisfied with his morning’s 
 work and determined to see the adventure out, Pilevert quickly departed 
 for the ravine where his ambulatory domicile had come to grief. He there 
 found Bradamante who had managed to regain her legs. He jumped on 
 the box, and by much laying on of the whip succeeded in extricating the 
 lumbering vehicle from its awkward position. On reaching the Etoile-du- 
 Chene-Capitaine, the old jade broke into a trot of her own accord, and in 
 less than five minutes Pilevert drove into the clearing where Podensac was 
 awaiting him. R6gine was still holding the dead man’s hand, while 
 Valnoir, leaning on Taupier ’■ arm, was disappearing under the tree®. 
 
 VX 
 
 Three days after the denouement of this tragedy, on a sultry September 
 evening, the Place de la Madeleine was crowded with promenaders. The 
 Fower Market bloomed in triple rows of roses and multicoloured heaths, 
 and the cafes had not sufficient seats for the thirsty customers who were 
 seeking a little fresh air under the spare trees of the boulevard. To see 
 this noisy, lounging throng, one would never have suspected that Paris, 
 completely invested since the night before, was going to be sealed up for 
 five long months. The only matter recalling the situation was an intense 
 dust thickening the air, a characteristic trait of the early days of the siege. 
 
0 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 Long droves of sheep, frightened by the vehicles, tumultuously ascended 
 the Boulevard Malesherbes. They were gazed upon with curiosity, whilst 
 there were merry computations as to how many days’ resistance these 
 living provisions represented. Not a soul was sad, and far more astonish- 
 ment was to be read on the countenances than uneasiness. It was the 
 golden age of the siege. 
 
 The concourse was especially great at the fountain occupying the centre 
 of the angle terminating the Rue Royale. The thin jets of water spatter- 
 ing into the basin rejoiced the middle-class citizens and the children sitting 
 around the gay flower-bed of this miniature square. On the second floor 
 of one of the finest houses on the side of the Place, a woman was leaning 
 out on the balcony watching this happy picture. She wore a long white 
 morning gown, and one hand toyed with her hair which, half loosened, hung 
 over her shoulders. Her languid pose alone betrayed that she was bored 
 to death, and her morning attire displayed at four in the afternoon 
 would have told any Parisian of experience that she belonged to the fast 
 world. This surmise would have been a correct one. 
 
 The lady was notorious from the lake in the Bois de Boulogne to the 
 Hippodrome of Vincennes under the harmonious name of Rose de 
 CharmRres and at the present time she was indeed dying of ennui, that 
 boundless ennui peculiar to gay women, and which makes them quite 
 ferocious. This unpleasant mood was vented in spasmodic yawns which 
 she took no {Jains to conceal, and in a light tapping with her shapely foot 
 which just showed itself between the ornamental iron- work of the balcony. 
 Her indifferent glance .wandered over the throng with all the scorn she 
 believed it her duty to show for people who went about on foot. Now and 
 then she would watch some approaching carriage in which she fancied she 
 recognised a familiar face, but she would turn testily away on perceiving 
 that she had honoured a hired vehicle filled with vulgar strangers with her 
 attention. Once she deigned to give some heed to two strollers who 
 looked up with marked persistency, but it was her last attempt at 
 diversion. Fatigued by the monotonous spectacle of the street, or by the 
 euriosity she inspired in the passers-by, she suddenly quitted the balcony 
 and returned to her drawing-room, crying out : 
 
 “ What a beastly herd ! Goodness, I was a fool to remain in town ! ” . 
 
 No doubt relieved by this outburst, however trivial, the lady settled 
 down on a broad ottoman and began swinging the tassel of her waist cord to 
 the then new air of the “ Djinns,” which she hummed rather out of tune. 
 
 Rose de Charmi&re was a tall, and passably elegant person of incontest- 
 able beauty — if wide eyes, high brow, straight nose and a small mouth 
 constitute beauty. On seeing her for the first time though, one would have 
 fancied she was a previous acquaintance, so nearly did she approach the 
 invariable model of the typical “ Ladies of the Lake.” She had evidently 
 been born a brunette, and the golden tint of her tresses must have cost her 
 more than one sitting under the hands of an expert in capillary dyes, but 
 her complexion might do without the learned preparations used in shady 
 society. Hers was a southern skin, without glow, but warm and smooth. 
 Her teeth were splendid, her ears small, her foot narrow and arched ; but, 
 assiduous cares to the contrary notwithstanding, her hands lacked style as 
 her general appearance lacked charm. In the Grand Army ” of Parisian 
 gallantry, which has soldiers, generals, marshals, and even its“ Old Guard,” 
 Rose undoubtedly belonged to the staff. Had she obtained a precocious 
 promotion, or was it hers by right of seniority 2 This was a question 
 
• ... 
 
 /> > V -fj 
 
 
 > 
 
 THE RED BAND 
 
 21 
 
 difficult to answer off-hand. Her supple figure and her liveliness offered 
 indisputable tokens of youth, yet there was a wire -drawn expression in her 
 lineaments which told of long service in the ranks of gallantry. It resulted 
 from these contrasts that her age was a problem for her most intimate 
 friends. The simpletons thought her twenty-two, the good judges twenty- 
 five and none but the old hands, experienced by a long training, could flatly 
 assert that Rose had passed her thirtieth year. These latter, however, 
 never called on her, and would have been refused admission had they don© 
 bo. She possessed the great advantage over her contemporaries of having 
 spent her early years in the country or abroad, a circumstance that baffled 
 indiscreet researches. 
 
 Madame de Charmi&re had come into Paris fully equipped, and had at 
 once entered the upper ranks of the fast world without passing by the 
 sorry stages of furnished apartments and public dancing places. This 
 absence of awkward Parisian antecedents was a power which she used with 
 all the resources of a mind as narrow as practical. Moreover, during the 
 last six weeks she had been passing through a crisis, and political events, 
 which for the first time were influencing her existence, roused all the 
 more the redoubtable calculating faculties with which nature had endowed 
 her. Consequently, she gave herself up to meditation as she reclined on 
 her Smyrna tapestry, and meditation all the more serious from the fact 
 that she had just had a long confabulation with her legal adviser. Her 
 reflections on the inconvenience of investments at high interest were inter- 
 rupted by the appearance of her maid, displaying from the other side of 
 the discreetly raised door-hanging the face of an abigail that would have 
 been worth a fortune to a dramatic author. 
 
 “ What’s up now, Faufine ? ” queried Rose languidly. 
 
 “ Madame, it’s master,” was the abigail’s quiet reply. These word* 
 produced a magical effect on the lady. 
 
 “ Who, Gontran ? ” she asked, rising eagerly. 
 
 “ Why, no, ma d am e j it’s M. Charles de Valnoir.” 
 
 “ AFFyes, you are right !” said Rose with a smile which resembled a 
 wry face. “ I am always forgetting that that ass La Giraudi&re felt the 
 necessity of running down to his country place and raising a company oi 
 free-shooters<, and that Valnoir is master now.” 
 
 ‘‘Would madame like me to tell him that she has a headache?” in- 
 quired the intelligent Faufine. 
 
 “No, show him in,” rejoined Rose in the resigned tone of a civil ser- 
 vant obliged to give an audience to that bore the taxpaying public. 
 
 The tiring-maid noiselessly vanished, and the tapestry was lifted a few 
 seconds afterwards to admit the principal actor in the duel of Saint-Ger- 
 main. He was as usual correctly dressed, carefully gloved and very pale. 
 
 “ Good da)q my love,” he said in an easy manner belied by the quaver 
 in his voice. 
 
 ‘ Fit’s you, Charles, is it?” queried Madame de Charmi&re carelessly, 
 who Ka’d'lurd‘ > time to assume a graceful pose on the divan. “ I did not 
 expect you till seven.” 
 
 “ Indeed, that is the fashionable hour,” responded Valnoir tartly, “and 
 I have acted like a cad in coming too soon.” 
 
 In the momentary silence that followed, Rose tranquilly lighted a 
 tigarette. 
 
 “ My dear fellow,” said she after a calculated pause, “ you have become 
 positively unbearable these last three days. Your ill-humour is in precious 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 2 
 
 <|ueer taste and very unfair besides, for I sacrificed for you a very remun- 
 erative connection. I must tell you that the state of siege does not appear 
 to me a sufficient excuse for your jealous fits. 
 
 “The sacrifice you allude to was not voluntary ,” replied Valnoir bluntly, 
 “ and if M. de La Giraudi6re had not gone — ” 
 
 “ If Gontran had not gone,” interrupted Rose, “ he would try to enliven 
 me instead of kicking up ridiculous rows. Because you have fought a 
 duel, that is no reason for putting on tragic airs.” 
 
 iS You forget it was my misfortune to kill a man,” said Valnoir with 
 repressed fury. 
 
 “My dear fellow, I thought better of you,” sneered Madame de Char- 
 mi&re. “ When a man comes of a noble stock, as you make out you do, 
 he treats a duel as a matter of no moment, and leaves such emotions as you 
 are displaying to collegians. Let us talk about business — I like that 
 better. ” 
 
 “Beit so,” answered the young man, making an effort over himself. 
 “ The ‘ Serpen teau ’ has appeared, and we had a circulation of ten thousand 
 on the second day.” 
 
 “ What is the ‘ Serpenteau ’ ? ” inquired Rose, watching the blue spirals 
 of smoke of the Maryland tobacco. 
 
 “ A newspaper I have been starting, as I have already told you twenty 
 times,” said Valnoir, sharply. 
 
 “ Very good ! what do you mean by a circulation of ten thousand? Is 
 it ten thousand francs that you are going to bring me on a silver salver as 
 your friends will offer the keys of Paris to the King of Prussia one of these 
 days ? ” 
 
 Valnoir made no reply, but angrily put his hat on his head and went to 
 lean out over the balcony. 
 
 “You feel the heat, my pet,” said Rose soothingly. “You are quite 
 right, though : it is stilling here and I’ll keep you company,” she 
 added, proceeding to the window overlooking the Place. 
 
 Her lover seemed absorbed by the contemplation of the front of the 
 Madeleine, but he had become still more pale. 
 
 “ At what are you staring so there ? ” she demanded. 
 
 A lady in mourning was slowly ascending the church steps, and Valnoir 
 yras watching her eagerly. 
 
 “ Ha, ha, I understand,” jeered Rose, who had fortified her vision with 
 some opera-glasses ; “all you came here for was to see the lovely Ren6e 
 de Saint-Senier go to evening service.” 
 
 “ Go in ! go in at once ! ” cried Valnoir, gripping her arm with unheard- 
 of violence. 
 
 VTL 
 
 Instinctively opposed to quarrelling in public, Rose let herself bo torn 
 away from the balcony without resistance ; but she took care not to lose 
 the advantage given her by Valnoir’s roughness. In the circle to which 
 she belonged, a lover is an enemy, and, though never the subject of a 
 technical treatise, its strategy is none the less a science as practical as 
 perilous. In this incessant warfare, the phlegmatic always triumph in the 
 end, and the editor of the “ Serpenteau ” was far from being one of these. 
 Rose 1 knew this well, and often laid traps for her adorer’s impulsive 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 23 
 
 nature. Sometimes the quarrel she picked had a serious end ; more often 
 the dispute was brought about to make a rule manifest which was only too 
 real. In these cases she worked f^r art’s sake, as painters say ; and such 
 was the case on this evening. At heart she little recked whether her 
 idolator looked or not at Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, and she only 
 opened fire on principles. 
 
 “ It’s disgraceful,” she said with all the more emphasis as Yalnoir had 
 not really hurt her. “ I might have known you were nothing but a 
 rough. ” 
 
 After uttering these withering words she dropped upon the divan, with 
 an abrupt movement not devoid of coquetry. Rose excelled in the art of 
 storming, without making herself ugly, and succeeded particularly in 
 domestic jars. The shot had told, and the hapless Valnoir, wounded in 
 the secret fibres of his pride and passion, vainly sought to recover from 
 the shock. 
 
 “You are heartless,” he muttered sillily, as he sank into an arm-chair. 
 
 The fascination must have been potent for a journalist, cured of all 
 youthful illusions by his profession, to be caught by such acting, but 
 Madame de Charmtere had found in Circe’s school the secret that changed 
 Ulysses’s companions into brute beasts, 
 
 “ Heartless 1 ” she repeated, sobbing with first-class talent, “heartless, 
 eh? a woman who has resigned herself to the dangers and privations of a 
 siege to remain with a man who loves another ! Ah, what you have just 
 done has hurt me deeply. To use my windows to watch your mistress go 
 fey — it is dastardly ! ” 
 
 Valnoir turned pale, and rose to rush out of this lair, tapestried in silk. 
 The scene in the forest appeared before his eyes like a flash, and he felt all 
 the disgrace there was in letting his victim’s sister be insulted in his pre- 
 sence. But Rose had released her splendid fair hair by an irresistible shake 
 of the head, and the philter was already taking effect. The slave had re- 
 sumed his chain before he had had time to rejoice in his freedom. 
 
 “You know very well that I have never spoken to Mademoiselle de 
 Saint-Senier,” he said with a lingering touch of anger, “ and besides — ” 
 
 “What matters that? a man may love at a distance,” interrupted Madame 
 de Charmtere. “ I was soft enough to become infatuated with you on the 
 first night of one of your pieces — Lord knows what a poor thing it was, too 1” 
 
 This cunning change in the scale brought the wrangle into a more even 
 key, and Rose had her reasons for so doing. Truth to tell, her relations 
 with the gentleman of the press were merely the result of a series of very 
 complicated financial combinations, and the lady, who had half crossed the 
 Rubicon in letting herself be willingly locked up in Paris, sought to clear 
 up the situation before trusting wholly to the bark bearing Valnoir and his 
 fortune. 
 
 “ Look here, Rose,” said the author, suddenly relaxing, “ this is really 
 no fit time for picking a crow with me. ” 
 
 “ I should think it was fit when the German canaries are at our gates,” 
 interrupted Madame de Charmifcre, laughing. “ You are quite funny now 
 — that’s a good sign ! ” 
 
 Subjugated by this witticism, which he would have found idiotic at any 
 other time, Valnoir was weak enough to smile as well. Rose at once called 
 out her reserves, which consisted in playing with her high-heeled shoe, and 
 her well-shaped foot had not thrice quitted its black satin prison before the 
 fcover, renouncing all his indignation, was on his knees before his idol. At 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 24 
 
 this very moment Madame de Charmi&re was asking herself if she ought 
 not to sell her certificates of the last Loan and purchase some Credit Foncier 
 stock, and she was mentally computing what a “ circulation of ten thou- 
 sand ” would bring. Figures had the knack of at once fixing themselves 
 upon her mind, and those the journalist had mentioned had particularly 
 struck her. But it was awkward to change from a scene of jealousy to one 
 of finance, and Rose judged wisely that it was time to have recourse to 
 tears, a means having, the immense advantage of cutting recrimination* 
 short. So she burst into sobs as she well knew how to, without spoiling 
 her face or hiccoughing ridiculously. This heavy discharge produced a de- 
 cisive effect on the already wavering Valnoir. 
 
 “ Rose, what ails you, my white Rose ? ” he asked in a moved voice, 
 “ and what must I do to make you happy ? ” 
 
 “ Nothing, Charles, nothing, ” replied the charming woman, distractedly 
 stroking her lover’s hair. 
 
 “Listen,” went on Valnoir, carried away on his amorous chimera, “I 
 know all that you have done for me, and I want you never to regret it. 
 Stay ! I have not told you all — I wished to give you a surprise. These 
 rooms furnished by another displease me. I have fou&d a delightful villa 
 out at Auteuil, and — I believe I shall soon be able to purchase it and furnish 
 it for you.” 
 
 “ You are mad, my Charles I ” said Rose, still among the rain clouds, 
 but coming down nearer earth ; “do you believe that I would be a burden 
 on the future of a man of talent who has to live by his pen ? ” 
 
 “The pen may become a golden one, my Rosalind,” said Valnoir, pricked 
 in the quick ; “ before a month the ‘ Serpenteau 1 will bring in five hundred 
 francs a day.” 
 
 “ Indeed ? ” asked Madame de Charmi&re with marvellously well assumed 
 admiration. 
 
 “Yes, my darling ; only Taupier asserts that our politics must be more 
 clearly defined, and I do not possess the democrative keynote like him.” 
 
 “ Your friend is right,” said Rose, gravely, after a pause employed in 
 artfully wiping her perfectly dry eyes ; “you ought to defend the people.” 
 
 “I did not know you held such advanced opinions,” said Valnoir 
 laughing. 
 
 “ I ? ” responded the adventuress, having had time to compose an impas- 
 sioned face. “ Do you not know that I have suffered more than any girl of 
 the lower classes — I, who was born noble but poor. The first of our line 
 was killed in Palestine, and — ” 
 
 Valnoir raised his head to hear the rest ; but Rose prudently stopped 
 short. Gathered from the comic opera of “Genevieve de Brabant,” her 
 historical knowledge was not extensive enough to allow her to cite dates. 
 
 “ Why do you not let me make inquiries about this family of yours ? ” 
 asked Valnoir after a pause, 
 
 “. What’s the use ? ” sighed Madame de Charmi&re. “My ruined father 
 died in exile, and the only brother left to me is in the Spanish army. Title 
 deeds without estate are not worth showing, and I shall keep mine back 
 until you are a rich man.” 
 
 Touched to the heart, the dupe was about to answer effusively when the 
 rustle of silk made him turn his head. The waiting-maid’s cunning face 
 appeared framed amid the folds of the heavy door-hangings. 
 
 “ Someone is asking for madame,” she said in the discreet tone of voice 
 acquired in the anterooms of the gay world. 
 
THE BED RAND* 
 
 25 
 
 “Who is it?” sharply questioned Rose, greatly annoyed by the 
 incident. 
 
 Faufine responded by a shake of the head, equivalent to “I do not 
 know.” 
 
 “Learn the gentleman’s name,” said the mistress, comprehending by 
 her maid’s manner that the visitor was masculine. Struck by the same 
 idea, Valnoir had risen and was pacing the room in vexation. 
 
 “ He is not a gentleman, but a man,” answered the girl, suppressing a 
 strong inclination to laugh. 
 
 “ YVhat do you mean by a man ? a tradesman ? ” 
 
 “No, madame, a man I have never set eyes on before, and a droll 
 
 character, too, ha, ha ! ” 
 
 “Faufine, my girl,” said Rose drily, “I am not fond of riddles, and ] 
 am in no mood for joking.” 
 
 “ Madame will please excuse me, but if she had seen the fellow she 
 would laugh more than I do.” 
 
 “ Seen whom ? ” queried the lady out of patience. 
 
 “ A tall scarecrow with tow hair, and who speaks Latin.” 
 
 “You are crazy ! it’s some beggar, and you know I am not partial tt 
 those people. Send him off about his business.” 
 
 “ Oh, no, madame, he did not ask for money ; in fact he offered 
 me a franc to announce him — as if I would do such a thing for twenty 
 sous — ” 
 
 “ So you know his name, then. Speak quick and let us have done.” 
 
 “ He did not give his name, madame, but he said he came on behalf oi 
 one M. Antoine Pil evert.” 
 
 The name overwhelmed Madame de Charmi&re like a thunderbolt* 
 
 “ Pile vert,” she echoed, pale and trembling. “ It cannot be 1 ” 
 
 vm. 
 
 “That’s the name he gave me,” said the maid, trying to look stupid a&t 
 
 respectful at the same time. 
 
 “But this — this Pilevert is not there, is he?” asked the lady wicb 
 almost fearful hesitation. 
 
 “ No, madame, he has sent his groom, that’s all ; a groom in the most 
 comical livery,” replied Faufine, recovering her coolness in direct ratio to 
 the agitation observable in her mistress. 
 
 It would have been hard, indeed, not to perceive the effect produced on 
 the descendant of the Crusaders by the very vulgar name pronounced by 
 the tirewoman. After Godefroy de Bouillon, Pilevert was rather out of 
 place, and Valnoir himself felt his enthusiasm dashed as by cold water. 
 V- hen a man cherishes a flame in this byway of society, he is never safe 
 against being brought sharply back to the realities by the announcement 
 oi some prosaic visitor, and Valnoir’s jealousy already perceived in this 
 incident the entrance upon the scene of some rival bolstered up by millions 
 gained in a patent pill or a new candle. This vexation naturally found 
 vent in a blunder. 
 
 “ If I am in your way, dear, pray let me take my leave,” he said in the 
 voice of honey and vinegar, which Rose in her experience of lovers’ 
 stratagems could not mistake. 
 
 Under other circumstances she would have answered in a similar strain ; 
 
26 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 but the news brought by her maid seemed to have power to curb the Im- 
 perious spirit of the proud Madame de Charmtere. 
 
 “You are mistaken, my love,” she said, giving the speaker her hancL 
 “ This ludicrous name reminds me of most mournful events which I may 
 relate to you some day. I must see this man. Remain, and wait for me 
 in my dressing-room.” 1 
 
 She put so much feeling into her voice that the “Lion in Love” was 
 soon tamed. He even had a scruple of generosity and did not wish to fall 
 short in showing his confidence. 
 
 “I will go and have a smoke in the Champs Elyse^s,” he said, taking 
 his hat, “ and will look in again at seven o’clock.” 
 
 “No, Charles, I beseech you,” murmured Rose in his ear. “ Do not go 
 out. I may have need of you.” 
 
 And without awaiting a reply, she opened her dressing-room door and 
 installed Valnoir on one of the little couches of the elegant snuggery. As 
 soon as she had imprisoned her lover in this conveniently near-at-hand 
 post, where he could hear nothing, however, thanks to the thickness of the 
 hangings, Madame de Charmi&re hastened, through an excess of caution, 
 to shoot the bolt. This ingenious act freed her from an inconvenient 
 witness, whilst allowing her to call him to her aid in case of need. These 
 preliminaries had given her time to recover all her calmness, and it was 
 with a countenance as cold as a Polar winter that she bade Faufine, “ Show 
 that fellow in.” 
 
 From her tenderest childhood, Rose had contracted the useful habit of 
 suiting her attitude to any plan she had in her head, and she always had one 
 or another.* Her speech, gesture and bearing always accorded at will with the 
 idea of the moment. Her main strength ever lay in this, and more than 
 once she regretted not having turned her marvellous acting ability to 
 account on the stage. But the theatre, as she herself said, would have 
 taken up too much of her time. To receive the stranger, she sat in a low 
 easy chair, with her back to the window. To have an adversary dazed 
 with the light in his eyes, was one of Rose’s favourite manoeuvres, accus- 
 tomed as she was to consider love or business colloquies as duels. The 
 door opened, but nobody appeared ; we meantthis literally, for all the lady 
 saw were the legs of some person whose upper part was veiled in the 
 drapery of the portal. This introduction was comical enough to upset her 
 studied gravity, but, in serious matters, Rose knew how to control even her 
 risibility. Besides, the silken screen in which the new comer was muffled 
 soon fell aside, and the tall Alcindor stalked in. 
 
 This star of the fairs had evidently sacrificed to plain civilian taste since 
 his coming to town, inasmuch as his fancy dress worn in the Forest of 
 Saint-Germain had suffered notable modification. . His thin legs floundered 
 about in red striped trousers, and the rest of his person disappeared in a 
 voluminous whitish woollen overcoat of which the long hairs bristled up at 
 war with the season. In his fingers he twirled a military fatigue cap which 
 was not ornamented by the brass number plate adopted by the recently 
 raised regiments ; but in spite of this warlike headgear, no one would have 
 taken him for a determined defender of his country. In one glance Rose 
 reckoned up the social value of her caller, and without hesitation she 
 assumed the face she wore for her tradesmen. 
 
 “What do you want with me?” she demanded, playing with a 
 Turkish fan through the openwork of which she examined the 
 intruder 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 2 
 
 “ I? nothing," tranquilly responded Alcindor, swaying about like a 
 poplar in the breeze. 
 
 The lady had expected a more palpable effect, as she knew she possessed 
 the gift of disconcerting men ; hence she felt some surprise at the failure 
 of her attack. \ 
 
 “Then what are you here for? ” she inquired, emphasizing her scorn. 
 
 “ Let us define the point, madame,” returned Alcindor, laying his fore- 
 finger along his nose knowingly. “ I myself wish nothing of you, but my 
 master does.” 
 
 “ And who is your master ? ” 
 
 “ M. Antoine Pilevert, as I have already stated to the young person who 
 guards your door — in Latin, puella, in English, girl , in Spanish— ” 
 
 “ That will do I ” exclaimed Rose, goaded out of her usual calm, by her 
 impatience. “I once knew someone bearing the name you mention, 
 but — ” i 
 
 “ So, after all, the governor was right — you do know him ! ” interrupted 
 
 the clown. 
 
 Madame de Charmi&re bit her lips ; at the first bout she had committed 
 a blunder and she sought a way to repair it. 
 
 “I repeat, my lad,” she continued, mollifying her voice, “ that you are 
 labouring under an error, for the person in question must have died a long 
 while back. What is this master of yours ? ” 
 
 “ A traveller, madame,” replied Alcindor grandiloquently. 
 
 “ That ? s not a calling, unless you mean a commercial one ? No ? Well ? ” 
 went on Rose, with a smile intended to coax the Merry Andrew into re- 
 velations which he was not eager to make. 
 
 “ It is his profession, anyhow, and the best course for a lover of art to 
 follow. ” 
 
 “ Oh, he’s an artist, then ? ” 
 
 “ Yes, madame, a gymnastic artiste.” 
 
 “ Gymnastic ? ” echoed Rose, frowning. 
 
 “Just so ; it’s a word derived from the Greek.” 
 
 At that moment Madame de Charmi&re was not thinking much of etymo- 
 logy. Circus programmes had familiarised her with the ambitious appella- 
 tion assumed by Pilevert, and she said to herself : 
 
 “ Mountebank ! that’s him no doubt.” 
 
 It cost her some pains to hide her agitation, but she succeeded in veiling 
 it with an air of indifference. 
 
 “There’s some mistake here, decidedly, my lad, and I am sorry you had 
 the trouble of coming,” she said, rising, the shock being sufficient to make 
 her feel the necessity for a breath of fresh air. 
 
 “’Pon my word, it is very possible, after all,” coincided Alcindor, back- 
 ing away. “ And I’ll tell ‘ the old man ’ — ” 
 
 “ But, now I think of it, who gave you my name and address? ” inquired 
 the lady, eyeing him aslant, and without leaving the window. 
 
 “Nobody, madame ; M. Pilevert thought he recognised you himself, and 
 be told me to go up to the second floor ” 
 
 “ Recognise me ? where did he see me ? ” 
 
 “There, on your balcony; he’s been walking up and down in the Place 
 this hqur past.” 
 
 Rose started &s if a serpent had stung her, and she quickly returned into 
 &he room* 
 
 “ And whom did h« bid you ask for ? ” was her agitated question. 
 
28 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “Oh, it’s not worth the trouble of telling you,” rejoined the envoy, lift- 
 ing up the door-hanging. “It is all a mistake no doubt, and your name 
 could never be anything like it.” 
 
 “ Tell me all the same, my friend,” persisted Rose, trying to smile. 
 
 “ Well, madame, he requested me to get to speak to you alone ; that*! 
 why I was so bent on coming in, and to ask you if your name was not — ” 
 
 “Go on, if my name was not? ” questioned Madame de Charmi&re with 
 sparkling eyes. 
 
 “ Catiehe, madame,” stammered the much daunted ambassador. 
 
 In the interval of silence that followed the lady blanched very much, and 
 bit her fan. 
 
 “ The name is rather rural,” resumed Alcindor with the evident inten- 
 tion of excusing himself ; “ but it is a diminutive of Catherine, the name of 
 a Russian empress.” 
 
 “ Your master is a saucy fellow,” interrupted Rose, settling on what 
 course to pursue, and I must ask you to be off and tell him that I know 
 not Mademoiselle Catiehe.” 
 
 “To hear is to obey,” said the clown grayely, bringing his hands to his 
 forehead after the style of the slaves of the seraglio. 
 
 He was about to open the door, when the noise of a violent discussion 
 arose in the ante chamber. Fautine’s flute like voice rose to its upper- 
 most notes, and so overcame a deep voice that was swearing freely and re- 
 peating : 
 
 “ I tell you it is her l and by heavens, I will speak to her.” 
 
 IX. 
 
 The mistress of the bouse had no doubt recognised the voice, so prodigaj 
 with strong language, for her emotion was so great that she had to lean for 
 support against a buhl cabinet that was fortunately within reach. The dcor 
 was almost immediately dashed open, and a man rushed into the room with 
 all the impetuosity of a mad bull. Pile vert — there was no mistake as to 
 his identity — quivered with rage, and his usually dull eyes were full of fire. 
 He had just freed himself of the maid, and now with a well directed blow 
 thrust aside poor Alcindor, who quite unintentionally barred his way. 
 Madame de Charmi&re was half hidden amidst the curtains, so that 
 he did not perceive her at first, and reached the middle of the room, 
 vociferating : 
 
 “Ha, ha ! so they won’t receive me ! ha, ha, do they say they don’t 
 know me ? Why, I am at home here, I am ! ” he bellowed, at the same 
 time belabouring the unoffending chairs. 
 
 At the height of his outburst, Rose, who promptly became mistress of 
 herself in important crises, advanced with as much calmness as she could 
 assume, and softly touched the arm of the Hercules. 
 
 “ Oh, so you’ve turned up at last, eh ? ” he roared, with a flourish of the 
 fist that would have made anybody else take flight. 
 
 But she did not stir, being used to taming animals either ferocious or 
 otherwise. 
 
 “ You won’t assert now that I was mistaken, I hope ! ” thundered Pile 
 ▼ert, shoving his fist under her nose. 
 
 “ Excuse me, sir, for keeping you waiting,” said Rose blandly ; “I waa 
 »0 far from expecting the pleasure of seeing you again in Paris that I be- 
 
THE RED BAND. 1 29 
 
 lieved there was some error when this young man mentioned your name. 
 I thought you were in Spain.” 
 
 4 4 I’ve-just come from there, and from farther off still,” growled the Her- 
 cules, his wrath calming down. 
 
 Madame de Charmi&re looked him straight in the eyes as a tamer of wild 
 beasts would a tiger, and let none of his movements escape her. 
 
 44 As for my name,” added the showman, 44 it seems to me you have good 
 reasons not to forget it, Madame— Madame — How do you call yourself 
 for the time being ? ” 
 
 Rose no doubt thought it inopportune to give a direct answer to this 
 question, for she said to her maid, who was listening with the keenest 
 interest to this edifying dialogue, in a sharp voice : “Leave the room and 
 say I am not at home to anybody.” 
 
 “ I shall be delighted to have a long chat with you, sir,” she added, ad 
 dressing the showman, who was stupefied by so much coolness, “and I do 
 not wish us to be disturbed.” 
 
 “The deuce you don’t!” exclaimed Pilevert. “Well, after all, that just 
 suits me. Besides, we want no reporters for what we have to say between 
 our noble selves. Show me your back, Master Clown, and wait for me on 
 the Place. ” 
 
 “ Right you are, governor,” replied Alcindor, striding forth with one 
 lingering, mournful look at the waiting- maid. 
 
 The two principal actors in this dramatic scene were now alone together. 
 They examined one another briefly, without speaking, like wrestlers before 
 coming to the hold. It was the lady who began the struggle. 
 
 “ Take a seat, Antoine,” she said in her sweetest voice, a tone which 
 quite upset the mighty man of muscle, who had expected a very different 
 onslaught. 
 
 4 * It’s not worth while, ” he growled, trying to call back his wrath, which 
 was oozing away gradually under the influence of Rose’s soft accents; “ we 
 can very well say what we have to say standing. ” 
 
 Her only answer was to grasp his huge paw and force him to seat himself 
 upon the ottoman, using blandishments which he did not try to resist. 
 When she had placed her antagonist as she had wished, she seated herself 
 beside him as lightly and gracefully as a bird. The investment was com- 
 plete, and however robust he was, the Hercules found himself without the 
 power to break through the lines. 
 
 “Now let us have a talk,” said Rose, as calmly as if they had parted only 
 the previous evening. 
 
 “ So we will ! I have been long enough hunting after you,” retorted 
 J ilevert, still essaying to be rough, but it was his last revolt. 
 
 44 So have I ! ” sighed the dame. “ Do you believe that I have not done 
 Ml in the world these five long years to learn what had become of you ? ” 
 
 “ Get along with you ! ” cried the Hercules doubtfully, 
 
 4 ‘ Must I prove’ it ? ” 
 
 44 Faith ! I should not be* sorry, for, in plain language, I’ll be teetotally 
 4umfounded if I should ever have suspected it.” 
 
 44 You left me at Bordeaux, saying you were going to Spain, did you 
 
 aot?” 
 
 “Quite so ! I had a splendid engagement in the Levilla Circus ; only 
 when I got into Andalusia, the director had gone smash, and I was obliged 
 to hook on to a troupe off for San Francisco.” 
 
 “And you omitted to write to me ! It’s not that I bear you any ill-will, 
 
30 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 but what could I do ? alone, penniless, without a friend ! I made inquiriae 
 of the Spanish consul, but he could not find anything about you. Would 
 you like to see his letters ? ” 
 
 “Never mind,” answered Pilevert, with a careless wave of the hand. 
 * 4 Since I have found you cock-a-hoop with fortune, I have no need any 
 longer to follow the fairs, and that’s all I ask, for I was heartily sick of 
 slinging five hundredweights round my head in the booths.” 
 
 A spasm of anger momentarily ruffled his hearer’s face, but it was fleet- 
 ing, and the champion heavy-weight lifter did not even perceive it. 
 
 “Indeed I hope, too, my dear brother, that you will drop that pitiful 
 profession,” she said quickly, “ and you may well believe that I would not 
 let my own flesh-and-blood perform in the street.” 
 
 “ Now you talk, sister l” exclaimed Pilevert, deeply affected. “I always 
 said you were not so cruel as you look.” 
 
 This mitigated eulogy was not relished by the recipient who could not 
 help frowning. 
 
 “ Then that’s settled,” said the mountebank. “ l am to make myself at 
 home, here. It is snug, and I can rub along better than in the caravan. 
 Of course you can easily find a box here for me and my clown, Alcindor — ” 
 
 With a hand uplifted, Rose checked his enthusiasm. 
 
 “ Allow me, brother,” she said, touching his shoulder ; “ you don’t want 
 to ruin me, do you ? ” 
 
 “lam not such a fool l ” cried the other bluntly. 
 
 “ Well, then, you must understand that my position does not allow my 
 keeping you here.” 
 
 “Why not, Katinka?” demanded the crusaders’ scion’s brother, in an 
 exasperated voice. 
 
 “ Because I must entertain company, and Catherine Pilevert’* family 
 would be very ill received by Madame de Charmikre’s friends.” 
 
 “ I don’t care a fig for them,” replied the showman, snapping his fingers, 
 a gesture so totally Tacking in stylishness that it is a wonder the noble 
 dame was not abashed. 
 
 “ Do you want plain words ? ” she demanded drily. 
 
 •* All I came for.” 
 
 “ Then listen to me. I cannot house you, but I can help yon, and am 
 ready to do so on one condition.” 
 
 “Out with it ! ” said the mistrustful brother. 
 
 “You must keep me, too.” 
 
 “I? you know 1 haven’t a copper,” said the other, dapping his 
 pockets. 
 
 “ I do not need your purse, but your mind and activity.” 
 
 “You may depend on them,” returned the athlete, evidently flattered, 
 “ and I only want to know what’s the feat to perform.” 
 
 “You shall know soon enough ; meanwhile I’ll give you money to lodge 
 you and clothe you, for I want to see you often $ and, as you will under- 
 stand, your present apparel — ” 
 
 “ Dash me if I did not think I looked pretty tidy,” said Pilevert, glanc- 
 ing complacently on his large pearl-buttoned over-ooat, and brass chain 
 trouser-straps, , 
 
 Rose smiled as she went over to a rosewood secretary which she opened 
 to extract a five hundred franc note. At sight of the pale-blue paper held 
 out to him, the Samson became quite lively. 
 
 “ By jingo, Katinka, you are a sound brick ! ” he roared joyfully f 
 
THB RED BAND. 
 
 81 
 
 and I believe we shall hit it off together. This comes in awfully handy 
 for a spec I have in view,” he added, engulfing the note in the inside 
 breast-pocket of his coat. 
 
 “ A speculation ? ” queried Rose, becoming attentive. 
 
 “Ay, ay, and a rich one. ” 
 
 “Can I help you in any way ? ” 
 
 Pilevert tugged away at his beard, as was his wont in thorny cases. 
 
 “As to that, why shouldn’t she ? ” he muttered. 
 
 “Oh, if it’s a secret, I sha’n’t ask you,” went on his sister, nonchalantly. 
 
 The man did not hasten to reply, whilst his s’wollen temple veins drew 
 out like cord, a token in him of much stress of mind. 
 
 “ It’s just this way, my little Katinka,” he finally rejoined with some 
 embarrassment ; “ when I call it a spec, it’s not exactly such. I believe I 
 am on the track of one, that’s all.” 
 
 “ On the track ?” repeated the astonished Rose. 
 
 “Yes, I know a thing — something for which some parties will,. perhaps, 
 pay high, and if I only could — ” 
 
 Here he reined up short, as if he feared he had said too much. His 
 sister kept her eyes upon him. Already she had a glimpse of profit in 
 the confidence hanging on Pile vert’s lips. The point was to obtain it 
 complete, and the first thing towards that was to reassure him. 
 
 “In fact, everything fetches money in Paris,” she remarked in the most 
 natural tone, “and secrets command a high price.” 
 
 “ So you believe I could make something out of it ? ” 
 
 “ I am quite sure. It is a widely spread trade, and has a frame of it’* 
 own. ” 
 
 “ Yes ; but the mischief of it is that I do not know how to come across 
 the parties with whom I want to do biz.” 
 
 “ Are they in town ? ” 
 
 “ That they are ; but I haven’t got their address, or rather, I’ve lost 
 
 it.” 
 
 “ Look here, Antoine,” said Rose good-naturedly, “I have no desire to 
 learn your secret ; but only tell me the name you want to know about.” 
 
 “ By chance I know the name of one M. de — ” He stopped, caught by 
 a lingering scruple. 
 
 “M. de — what?” asked Madame de Charmi&re, coldly. 
 
 “ Well, here goes whatever the consequences,” cried Pilevert. “ Do you 
 know one M. de Valnoir ? ” 
 
 X 
 
 “ Valnotb ! did you say Valnoir?” ejaculated Madame Charmi&re, sud- 
 denly losing her self command. 
 
 “ Do you know him ? how pat that falls ! ” cried Pilevert, ^enchanted by 
 the discovery, and awaiting a more ample explanation than came, for his 
 sister, possessed with anxious thoughts, gazed mechanically on the pattern 
 of the carpet. 
 
 “Impossible,” she mused. “Valnoir has not left Paris for over a year. 
 Where could he have met him ? ” 
 
 “ Little Katinna,” resumed the athlete, “ if you can give me that joker’s 
 address, you will much oblige me, and upon my word, if the game ia 
 worth anything, you shall have your share.” 
 
32 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ You are too quick, my dear,” responded Rose, “ I do know somebody 
 of that name, but he is not in France. ” 
 
 “ It may be a relation of his.” 
 
 “ I hardly believe that. What is the business of the Valnoir you seek? * 
 
 “I don’t rightly know, but I fancy I heard he was one of those news- 
 paper fellows.” 
 
 Rose winced nervously, but she found the strength to reply : 
 
 “I do not know any such persons, and I very much fear that your secret 
 is not worth much. Gentlemen of the press are not wealthy.” 
 
 “ That may be ; but I shall make thi3 man pay up, and, anyhow, I do 
 not need him to squeeze out the ready. Oh, if those rascally Prussians 
 had not hunted us after we left Saint-Germain forest, the job would be 
 pulled off ; but they will not be there for ever, and I may even find some 
 way to creep past them, and then — •” 
 
 “ Be careful ! you will tell more than you intend,” said Rose, smiling. 
 “I’d have you to know that I know you met M. de Yalnoir at Saint- 
 Germain. ” 
 
 The old trick again succeeded which consists in asserting what is not 
 tnown in order to learn it. 
 
 “Oh, I am not keeping that back — it was there I was his second only 
 three days back,” said Pile vert. 
 
 He had let out quite enough for Madame de Charmi&re to guess at least 
 part of the truth. Clearly the secret was connected with her lover’s trip 
 to Saint-Germain, of which she knew the sad result though not the details. 
 She could not believe that the gentleman had had a mountebank for a 
 second, and she knew the latter quite capable of lying, but she felt there 
 was a mystery. Whatever her desire to clear it up, she understood that 
 too much pressure would fail, and so she chose a middle course. Besides, 
 she deemed it urgent to abridge the interview. Yalnoir was likely to find 
 time long in the dressing-room, and the vicinity was fraught with danger. 
 
 “ My dear brother,” she said, “ I am going to give you the address of a 
 gentleman who will advise you much better than I. Go on my behalf to 
 M. Frapillon, 97 Rue Cadet. He is in every day up to twelve o’clock 
 noon. Unfold your tale to him. He is very keen, and will certainly find 
 out what you want to know. And he will tell me all you say to him,” 
 added the prudent Rose, mentally. 
 
 “Yes, but what’s his fee for all this 1 ” inquired Pile vert, not naturally 
 prodigal. 
 
 “ Nothing. I pay him by the year to look after my business, and he 
 will attend to yours into the bargain. Now, my dear Antoine, we must part. 
 Return to see' me when you have lodgings and new clothes. I shall need 
 you, and if your search does not succeed, I have another matter to propose 
 to you. ” 
 
 Pilevert would have willingly prolonged the interview, for he felt very 
 comfortable on the divan, and he had a host of questions to put to his 
 sister ; but the five hundred franc note made him nowise touchy about how 
 he was dealt with. 
 
 “ Right you are, Katinka,” he said ; “ I am keeping Alcindor waiting, 
 and then again, it’s my regular time for my bitters, and that’s a sacred 
 hour ! Before we part, though, one brotherly embrace ! ” 
 
 Madame de Charmikre would have willingly dispensed with this token of 
 fraternal affection, but to curtail the farewell she resigned herself to offei - 
 ing her forehead. She was still waiting with closed eyes when a slight sou&d 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 33 
 
 made her lift her head. Antoine had no time to give the kiss, a« his sister 
 bounded away like a tiger. A man was just entering and approaching the 
 ottoman with an oblique, queer walk. 
 
 “ Faufine 1” screamed Madame de Charmi&re irritatedly, “I thought I 
 told you I was not at home to anybody ? ” 
 
 41 Except for me, for I am asked to dinner,” apologized the new-comer. 
 
 14 1 forgot it, Monsieur — Monsieur Taupier, I think ? ” said Rose, in a 
 tone that would have sent anybody but a humpback journalist flying. 
 
 44 Not me,” returned the cynical character, “for Valnoir told me you 
 gave very good dinners.” 
 
 The name Taupier uttered produced the effect of a bugle blast among 
 sleepers. In her first angry impulse, Rose had not considered all its pos- 
 sible consequences, and the danger appeared. On his part, the Hercules 
 pricked up his ears and rose, more in curiosity than in politeaess. 
 
 “ Ha ! the man we met in the Forest of Saint-Germain ! ” exclaimed the 
 humpback, instantly recognising him. 
 
 The astonishment was mutual. Pilevert could not believe his eyes, 
 which he opened immoderately, and let wander to and from Rose and 
 Taupier, as if he hoped to discover the bond linking two persons whose re- 
 lations he had never suspected. He began to understand furthermore 
 that his sister had deceived him, and he prepared to pay her out for her, 
 falsehoods. But it was precisely in dangerous scrapes that Madame de 
 Charmi&re’s clear and practical wits most brightly shone. She knew how 
 to choose a line of action without delay and march straight upon the foe. 
 
 “Since you are acquaintances,” she said tranquilly to Taupier, “I need 
 not introduce this gentleman who brings me news of my brother.” 
 
 Whilst speaking, she enjoined silence on the athlete with an imperious 
 look. 
 
 “ The gentleman comes from Spain,” proceeded Rose, without ceasing to 
 keep the strong man under her cold, clear, steel-like glance. 
 
 “Oh, does he ? ” said Taupier. “ He must have come round by way of 
 Normandy then, for he came from Poissy when we met that day .in the 
 forest.” -r. 
 
 “Suppose I did?” sneered the strong man, “don’t all roads lead to 
 Rome, eh ? ” 
 
 His dense intellect, penetrated by Madame de Chami&re’s sharp look, 
 had finally comprehended that an offensive and defensive alliance with her 
 was imposed by circumstances. So he resolved to make common cause 
 with' her, with liberty to move otherwise in the future^ 
 
 44 You are right, citizen,” said Taupier, “your affairs are no concern of 
 mine, though you have meddled with mine. By the way, is not that your 
 Zany that I met in the Place below ? ” 
 
 “ Very likely,” answered Pilevert shortly. 
 
 44 That human heron pleases me. He has a way of catching flies with 
 his gaping mouth that betokens strong tendencies towards social philo- 
 sophy. What side does he take in politics? ” 
 
 Pilevert would not have been more perplexed if he had been asked 
 information on the Tycoon of Japan. 
 
 44 1 don’t know and I don’t care a hang,” he snarled between his teeth. 
 
 “Curious indifference ! ” exclaimed Taupier, “but what do you yourself, 
 my dear fellow -citizen, think of the future of modern society ? An artiste 
 ought to have opinions, or it would be a novelty ! 1 wager you arc a 
 
 Positivist. ” 
 
34 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 The dumbfounded athlete had not even the energy to make any kind off 
 reply. 
 
 “ Very well, citizen, you are not bound to answer ; we are not at the 
 club here,” went on the imperturbable crookback, installing himself in an 
 
 easy chair without being asked. 
 
 During this, the hostess had been thinking of delivering Valnoir and of 
 preparing him for an inevitable meeting. Indeed, now that Pilevert was 
 enlightened, it looked far from probable that he would consent to go away 
 without seeing the man he sought, and what Rose above all had to prevent 
 was a solitary interview between her lover and her brother. As for 
 Taupier, whom she did not believe connected with Pil vert’s secret, she 
 saw no inconvenience in leaving them together in conversation. 
 
 “ Pray, excuse me, sir,” she said to the Hercules, “ I have some 
 orders to give, for I rely on your giving me the pleasure to stay to dine 
 with two of my friends. At all events I can watch him,” she reasoned, 
 ‘ ‘ and I shall be unlucky if the chambertin does not loosen his tongue. ” 
 
 “ Faith, refusal’s out of the question,” rejoined Pilevert, rejoiced at a 
 chance to dine well ; “ but Alcindor is still waiting for me below.” 
 
 “I will send for him,” said Madame de Charmi&re, forming her plan. 
 And, as she passed her brother, beaming at so much attention, she whis- 
 pered : “ Stay and let me work the wires. To-morrow you shall know the 
 whole bag of tricks.” After this phrase, intended to quell any lingering 
 rebellion, she disappeared with the swiftness of a swallow. 
 
 Taupier rubbed his hand and got ready to draw the bear. To make fun 
 at well-built men was a choice pleasure to the humpback, and he would 
 not lose such a fine opportunity of “ chaffing ” a man whose single blow of 
 the fist would have pulverised him. He would have plunged into action 
 less light-heartedly had he suspected that the burly mountebank had the 
 dangerous advantage over him of having seen everything that occurred in 
 the clearing. 
 
 ‘‘Well, my good fellow,” he began, fidgetting about on his chair-edge 
 like an ape, “now did you get clear of the scrape the other day with your 
 hearse ? Did you take the illustrious defunct to the ancestral vault ? ” 
 
 The showman did not reply to this coarse banter. He had taken out of 
 his pocket a round object which he rolled between finger and thumb as if 
 he had nothing else to think of. 
 
 “By Jove!” exclaimed Taupier, “you practise thimble-rig even is 
 society, eh ? Come, citizen juggler, show me a neat trick. Is that a pea 
 you have there ? ” 
 
 “ Oh, dear, no,” said Pilevert, looking him in the face, “ this here’s a 
 bullet, that’s what this here is.” 
 
 XL 
 
 “ A bullet ! ” repeated Taupier, still mockingly. “ That’s a good idea — 
 we are besieged, and true patriots ought only tQ play with lead. Citizen 
 juggler, you deserve much of your country ! ” 
 
 Pilevert did not wince at the familiar tone, but continued to work the 
 little projectile to the tips of his digits as if it were a talisman whose effects 
 would soon be manifest. 
 
 “Only vou are behind the age, old chap, it’s not conical,” continued 
 the humpbacked wit, thinking much more of poking fun than of the due] 
 
THE RED BARD. 
 
 at Saint-Germain. ** We have gone beyond such shapes — we kill no more 
 with round bullets.” 
 
 “Oh, yes, we do,” retorted the showman, pursuing his idea ; “this is a 
 
 S istol bullet, and it’s my opinion it would have killed its man sure enough 
 it had not been intercepted in its flight.” 
 
 This time the allusion was too clear not to hit home. Taupier started in 
 surprise, like a duellist who fancied he was facing a novice and recognises 
 the real strength of his adversary by a scientific thrust. Like most of his 
 kind, the humpback was quick-witted ; but his ordinary lucidity was often 
 annulled by his malignity. A less complete rogue would have felt un- 
 easiness at meeting a more or less well-informed witness of the criminal 
 trickery in the forest. But Taupier did evil with a simple unconsciousness 
 which preserved him from remorse. He had breakfasted as gaily after the 
 duel, in which M. de Saint-Senier had been murdered, as he would dine 
 after libelling some honest man in his paper, and running up against 
 Pilevert had not troubled either his heart or his digestion. Nevertheless, 
 hardened though he was, the deformed publicist had felt the goad, and the 
 mountebank’s sentence opened an unpleasant field to him. 
 
 He might have been seen preparing the murder in which Valnoir was 
 the involuntary accomplice, and the dread of punishment for the first time 
 staggered his faith in impunity. Did this coarse fellow, who thus entered 
 into his life, possess all the secrets of that night in the clearing ? Taupier 
 kept questioning himself, still loth to believe it. But, anyway, it was a 
 ppint to clear up, and the humpback, not easily disconcerted, believed 
 he might readily get the better of the Hercules. 
 
 “ So you picked that up in the Forest of Saint-Germain, did you, my 
 good fellow ? ” queried he to brave it out. 
 
 “ It’s likely,” said the other coldly. 
 
 “ Did you intend having it set in a ring as a present to your good lady* 
 for you are the very man to have a wife ? ” 
 
 “ No, I intend to make my fortune with it,” returned Rose’s brother, 
 completely forgetting that she had recommended caution. 
 
 “ The deuce ! silver is scarcer than lead at present,” exclaimed Taupier, 
 decided to keep the ball rolling till it stopped. 
 
 “There is still some to be found at the roots of trees,” retorted the 
 showman. 
 
 This time Valnoir’s comrade could not dissemble his nervous grimaces. 
 
 “ Whew ! he has seen everything, and he is a stouter champion than I 
 imagined,” thought he, rising so as not to show he had lost countenance. 
 
 His coolness was at an end, and he was seeking some means to retreat or 
 cut short a conversation becoming menacing, when Madame de Charmi&re 
 came in at the very nick of time to save him. She had not been more than 
 half -an-hour gone, and yet had found time enough to change her dress, and, 
 a less easy matter, bring her lover to the desired point. Pile vert’s 
 fragmentary revelation and Taupier’s opening conversation had sufficiently 
 enlightened her. She was sure there was a secret between Valnoir and the 
 showman connected with the meeting at which Saint-Senier met his death. 
 A weaker mind would have striven to prevent the interested persons 
 ooming in contact, but Rose had proceeded more boldly and skilfully. 
 
 To begin with, in ten minutes’ talk, she had become persuaded that the 
 captive in the boudoir did not suspect Pilevert’s secret. Hence it re- 
 mained between her brother and her, and would have to be extracted 
 thereafter. For the present, the important thing was to secure the right 
 3 
 
 
36 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 of receiving the showman freely, to arrive at which consummation Rose 
 found nothing better than to collect the scattered actors in the plot, of 
 which she held all the threads, around her dinner-board. A few caresses 
 and half-a-dozen fibs sufficed to win over Valnoir, who piously believed in 
 the unexpected arrival of a messenger bearing to the noble Dame de 
 Charmiere tidings of her brother exiled in Spain. She had even fended off 
 further surprise by relating that a rather romantic hazard had led this 
 providential envoy to the duelling-ground of Saint-Germain, and Taupier 
 had recognised him. 
 
 Once this story was accepted, thanks to the blindness from which even 
 literary life does not defend lovers, it was not very difficult to lead the 
 journalist to dine in company with a showman and his funny man. The 
 invitation had had an eccentric side fated to please the chief editor of the 
 “ Serpenteau ” 
 
 “It will be drolb” Madame de Charmiere had said, and Valnoir, whose 
 Infatuation made; him capable of greater meannesses, had yielded without 
 too much entreaty. 
 
 So he made his entrance in tow of the enchantress, and nothing betrayed 
 constraint or vexation in the bow he gave the guest imposed by Rose’s 
 globe-trotting kinsman. He even evinced condescension to the extreme of 
 giving the Rampart of Avallon his hand to shake. Both flattered and 
 abashed by the politeness of the man whom he calculated to “ blackmail, ** 
 Pilevert responded with a grasp that all but crushed his fingers. Charmed 
 by this diversion, Taupier breathed more at ease and ruminated over a 
 scheme to mate the dangerous enemy fallen from the clouds. 
 
 Alcindor’s appearance came still more to his rescue. That tall comique, 
 whom the tire woman had gone and torn from the contemplation of the 
 nursemaids in the Place, strutted into Madame de Charmi&re’s gilded hall 
 with as much assurance as though he had walked on Aubusson carpets all 
 his life. His mealy face expressed sweet satisfaction, and he saluted the 
 company with a sweeping bow which may have lacked grace but not some 
 stateliness. The unappreciated scientist cropped through the fool, so that 
 Valnoir instantly saw the way to enliven the banquet consented to in his 
 weakness. He winked to Taupier, who fully understood and joyfully 
 looked for t e chance to elude the thorns of the situation, lo bait 
 Alcindor and make Pilevert drunk formed a programme highly delighting 
 the humpback, little encouraged by the athlete’s sulky phiz. 
 
 “ Dinner is on the table ! ” announced Faufine^s falsetto. 
 
 The lady of die house showed the way to her guests, neglecting all cere- 
 monious forms, to the deep disappointment of the clown, who, to show off 
 his fine manners, was arching his arm to take her in. The table was spread 
 in a room hung with Cordovan leather and furnished with side-boards on 
 which, gleamed tolerable plate and varied pottery. Valnoir had introduced 
 the artistic luxury of lustred ware at his lady-love’s, she much more pre- 
 ferring plate to crockery The table was round, the seats comfortable, the 
 cloth dazzling w hite, and before each guest stood up the complete series of 
 Bohemian glass, from the full-blown tulip-mouth cup to develop the 
 bouquet of the famous Bordelais crus, to the tall glass in which champagne 
 would fizz. 
 
 T his promising array smoothed Pilevert’s lowering brow, for meditation 
 had even made him forget his bitters. Rose gave him the honour of the 
 right hand seat, and put Alcindor on her left, while ^ apier sat next to 
 him ainoir, as a pseudo-host, faced the mistress. Th» ±irst course was 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 eaten in silence. Of all the party the clown was about the only one who 
 ate without thinking at the same time, but he appeared endowed with an 
 appetite capable of curbing his innate loquacity. 
 
 Faufine did the waiting, possessing all the talents for the duty, even in- 
 cluding carving neatly, and pouring out at the next moment. 
 
 Madame de Uh'armi&re, expert in the art of graduating intoxication, had 
 ordered out the innocent iced champagne, and would not too soon let loose 
 the powerful Burgundian reserve. Pilevert, who mightily scorned the re- 
 freshing yet thin Epernay, contented himself, till something stronger was 
 shown, with a Beaujolais which could not make his tongue wag. Taupier 
 sought deeply for courage in a bottle of Madeira. Vain oir, who turned 
 sentimental when tipsy on Moet, kept trying to catch Rose’s eye, and 
 caught it seldom, for she was solely occupied with the messenger sent from 
 Spain by the last of the Charmi&res. He had to give it up and fell back 
 on his idea of poking fun at the clown. 
 
 “Sir,” he said, point blank, “I am sure that you entertain literary 
 aspirations.” 
 
 “Oh, my dreams ! ” melancholily sighed Alcindor, pouring out another 
 
 bumper. 
 
 XU. 
 
 •• So you have dreams, Alcindor, have you ? ” said Taupier, whose weak- 
 ness it was to be familiar on short acquaintance. 
 
 He was impatiently lying in wait for the time to make the charges, and 
 he had taken the word on the fly, like a racquet player. But the melan- 
 choly Merry Andrew did not answer. Plunged in the bliss of the first 
 glasses of champagne, he seemed to follow into the gilded cornice above the 
 Sight of the visions he evoked. 
 
 “ A poetic soul ! ” said Valnoir, to say something calling for a reply. 
 
 “ The gentleman is young,” insinuated Rose, who, notwithstanding her 
 serious thoughts, < oulcl not resist the pleasure of making game. 
 
 The noble heiress of the knights of yore had followed the instruction 
 taught in the celebrated private dining-room of the caf£ Anglais, the 
 Grand-Seize whose fame extends from the Caucasus to Kentucky, and 
 she was first class at showing up the ridiculous novice or rustic. 
 Alcindor sadly wagged his head, and applied to the ice decanter for fresh 
 consolation. “ My friend Merry Andrew, you must have had adventures,” 
 broke in Taupier, who was not easily discouraged ; “ tell ’em me.” 
 
 The adventurer sighed, but remained mute as a mackerel. 
 
 “ Must you be pressed, Alcindor?” went on the humpback in a tragic 
 tone; “dost thou refuse to unfold thy soul to another? and yet thou 
 hast a past, for thy romantic name, Alcindor, telleth me that thy ancestors 
 must have figured on fancy clocks in the troubadour’s costume. Speak to 
 me, I entreat thee, speak to me of thy youthful impressions.” 
 
 This string of jests in dubious taste did not succeed even in making the 
 strong man grin ; the Beaujolais was turning sour on him. 
 
 “ Roman 6e-Conti’ 58,” said Faufine gravely, upon a signal from her 
 mistress. 
 
 This cry of “Rally round Burgundy ! ” attracted Pilevert who had been 
 fighting off intoxication the last fifteen minutes in order not to be garru- 
 lous. “ Don’t stint it, my girl,” he said, holding up his largest glass. “ 1 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 have had enough of your thimblefuls. And don’t you spout, you others. 
 Alcindor has the gift of the gab more than all of you.” 
 
 Valnoir and Taupier exchanged a gratified look as if a long expected 
 actor had come on the boards. 
 
 “You need not say that, dear fellow,” cried the chief editor of the 
 “ Serpenteau,” “ for we do not doubt it, and we were begging your assistant 
 to propound his ideas. I am sure he has a politico-literary system, and I 
 am ready to open our columns to him. ” 
 
 “Open your what, youngster?” demanded the Samson, already losing 
 his cue among the C6te d’or vines. 
 
 “ Our columns, our sheet, if that term pleases you better, venerable 
 Alcides,” responded Taupier, overjoyed to see the Romance operating. 
 
 “ Oh, shut up, F6n61on ! ” roared the athlete, with a majestic gesture. 
 
 “ Why do you give me the sweet name of the Swan of Cambrai ? ” 
 queried the deformed one ; “ rather style me Philistine, terrible Samson 
 that you are, on condition that you lend me your ass’s jawbone.” 
 
 “Mind your own, you spiteful humpy ! ” vociferated the man of muscles, 
 rising furiously ; “ I’ll just talk about you to the nearest police inspector.” 
 
 “Would you please drink my brother’s health, dear sir?” said Rose 
 pleasantly, fastening her clear, chilling gaze on Pilevert. 
 
 A douche of ice water upon the irascible wrestler s head would not have 
 calmed him sooner. He dropped back heavily into his chair and grumbled : 
 
 “ Don’t be cross about a little thing like that, I only said F6n61on 
 because he is an author, and I am not fond of authors — I ain’t. Anyhow, 
 that’s quite enough of it l ” 
 
 This peroration was accompanied by a formidable bang of the fist which 
 . rattled the glasses like an earthquake. Taupier, whose clayey face had 
 blanched, found that his jokes were three bottles too premature, and that it 
 was risky to exasperate the man of might before the second course. 
 Valnoir, who did not like rough scenes, considered that the hope of the 
 CJharmi&res sent odd representatives to his sister. And Rose deemed this 
 the moment to conjure away the storm, and made use of Alcindor as the 
 lightening rod. 
 
 “Will you not also toast the absent?” she inquired in her most 
 
 melodiousv voice. 
 
 “ The absent ! ” echoed the clown, beginning to enter the lyrical stage of 
 inebriety, “ alas, the absent are my dreams ! ” 
 
 “ Dreams again ! he’s all on dreams ! ” muttered the incorrigible crook- 
 back. 
 
 “Yea, my dreams, my illusions flown away, for I am twenty-six and 
 never yet has man comprehended me.” 
 
 “Well, here’s a fine opportunity for you to be weighed in the balance, 
 dear M. Alcindor,” said Valnoir, with difficulty keeping his countenance. 
 “ Lay bare your theory, for any man with long hair like yours is bound to 
 have a theory.” 
 
 “You cry for it? ” said Alcindor tragically. “ Then, Jidbet ! I am going 
 once more to expose myself to the raillery of the world, for you are of the 
 world whilst I am merely a player,” 
 
 The two journalists protested with an encouraging wave of the hand. 
 
 “ I must commence by relating my life,” proceeded the clown, “for ‘all 
 Is in all ’ ; and the story of my life is that of my beliefs. ” 
 
 “ He speaks finely,” commented Taupier admiringly. 
 
 “Know then,” continued the flattered orator, “that I am of Grecian 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 origin, aa my name Alcindor Panaria denotes, albeit I was born at Pontoiso 
 where my parents bestowed on me an excellent education-— 
 
 “Hang it all ! he starts from too far back,” muttered Valnoir. 
 
 “ At the age of twenty, I had already been refused admission into tho 
 Naval College, the Polytechnic School, the Normal School, the—” 
 
 “What you are giving them outsiders there,” observed the showman, 
 “ is so many barks at the door thrown away, and you know I am down on 
 wasting things.” 
 
 “Just as 1 am on wasting copy ! ” added the humpback newswriter 
 judiciously. 
 
 “And the Military Academy of Saint*Cyr to boot, where I presented 
 myself, notwithstanding my aversion to standing armies,” went on the 
 unshaken clown. 
 
 “Dear Alcindor,” cried Taupier, grasping his hands, “if you continue to 
 detail your woes, madame will be obliged to weep and we shall not be able 
 to sing over the nuts and oranges. Pray explain your system at once.” 
 
 “ Why should I ? ” grumbled the orator, vexed at being interrupted. 
 
 “In order that we may adopt it. Oh, thou great man unappreciated ! 
 consider we are simple writers who are still seeking their way, and open a 
 vista to us.” 
 
 “ I am a fusionist,” said Alcindor, with the same air as tbe contem- 
 poraries of Sylla said they were “ Roman citizens.” 
 
 “ Fusio — what ? ” sneered Taupier. 
 
 “ What creed is this ? ” inquired Valnoir without a smile. 
 
 “ That of the future,” cried the clown as one inspired, whilst emptying 
 his neighbour’s Madeira into his glass. “ I would blend all things, culture, 
 opinions, nationalities.” 
 
 “And wines,” added Rose, smiling. 
 
 “Then* would there be no more kings, no rich men, no wars. Man 
 would produce and consume, the earth would be covered with harvests 
 ripening on the site of palaces — ” 
 
 “ Musset said the same in a couplet,” interposed Valnoir, “to wit : 
 
 4 And our shaven globe, devoid of hair and beard, 
 
 Boiled in the heavens like a pumpkin weird.' " 
 
 “Ah ! pumpkin soup ! how nice our grandmother made it!” moaned 
 the Terror of the Amphitheatre, turning towards Madame de Charmi&re, 
 who could have dispensed with this retrospective detail. 
 
 “I see that you do not follow me,” grumbled the fusionist. “ Men of 
 letters are the greatest enemies of humanitarian philosophy. I shall exclude 
 them from the society I am going to found.” 
 
 “ Going to found a society, eh ? ” queried Taupier, struck by an idea. 
 
 “My project is here,” said Alcindor, pommelling bis forehead. 
 
 “May we know the aim of this society and the means to establish it?” 
 inquired Valnoir, still with a stern upper lip. 
 
 “ I have told you the aim : ’ tis the fusion of all things. ' The means is 
 in the abolition of all things. ” 
 
 “ Phew ! it’s a wide scheme ! it’s lovely ! I like it,” cried Taupier, 
 clapping his hands with enthusiasm. 
 
 “ To say nothing of its likelihood to take immensely at the present time,” 
 observed Valnoir. 
 
 “ Hark, ye, Alcindor,” squeaked the humpback, “ can you speak Ib 
 public ? ” 
 
'0 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ In six languages, and on any given subject,” responded the philosopher 
 
 of the future without flinching. 
 
 “ Good ! now can you write an article that will stand on its legs ? ” 
 
 “ A dozen a day, if you want ’em. Before I came out under the 
 governor’s fostering wing, I alone edited the * Amalgamator,’ organ of the 
 Fusionists, which ran eight numbers before it was put down by the police.” 
 
 “ Youiig man, your future is at your feet. Will you fuse yourself with 
 the staff of the ‘ Serpenteau ? ”* 
 
 “Yes, if it will uphold my principles,” answered Alcindor with the 
 
 firmness of an apostle. 
 
 “ Are you drunk or mad ? ” demanded Yalnoir of the humpback secretly, 
 
 nudging him hard. 
 
 “ Let me alone, I know what I am about,” replied the latter. 
 
 Madame de Charmi&re had attentively followed this colloquy, whilst 
 picking the fruit off a splendid cluster of Fontainebleau grapes, for the 
 dessert was now on. As for Pilevert, he had not clearly comprehended 
 the humanitarian debate, and he was discussing a famous vintage of the 
 Rhone, when the distorted newspaper man’s proposition struck him. 
 
 “ Stop a bit ! ” roared he ; “ none of your decoying my clown away.” 
 
 “ Illustrious Rampart of Avallon, you will no longer need him,” ex- 
 plained Taupier, “the ‘ Serpenteau ’ also takes you on. You ought to be 
 pretty well up in all sorts of weapons.” 
 
 “ A trifle, my lad. Anything from a , hand-saw to a harpoon. I am any- 
 body’s man. I have the papers to prove it.” 
 
 “Capital ! you shall be the fighting editor to receive anybody bringing 
 complaints. Ten francs a-day and all the tobacco you can smoke.” 
 
 “Taupier, my friend, you are taking too much on yourself,” remon- 
 strated Yalnoir in a whisper. 
 
 “It is not a burden,” returned the humpback aloud, “as I shall explain 
 to you presently. But before I elucidate my view^, which I am sure our 
 fair president will approve of, I appeal to all your wits for a good title for 
 
 our society.” 
 
 “ It is superfluous — I have it, and I am not open to corrections,” said 
 
 Alcindor stoutly. 
 
 “ Let us hear it, please,” said Rose, smiling. 
 
 “ The Fusionist association,” said the clown loftily, “will be known by 
 the name of the ‘ Society You Can’t Light your Pipe at the Moon I * ” 
 
 XIII. 
 
 “ He’s mad,” murmured Yalnoir. 
 
 “ Silence for the orator 1 ” cried Taupier, appearing to take the clown’s 
 
 vagaries most seriously. 
 
 Truth to say, Hr re was some reason for doing so. Since he had given 
 reins to his eloquence, Alcindor was transfigured. His large eyes stood out 
 of their sockets, iris yellow locks serpentined down on his thin shoulders, 
 and his long arms traced oratorical gestures in the empty air. He was so 
 restless on the leather chair, and his sudden loquacity contrasted so 
 strongly with his melancholy silence during the first course, that a classic 
 scholar would have compared him indifferently to the Cumcean. Sybil, or 
 Balaam’s ass. . 
 
 “Gentlemen, I mean citizens,” he begai* with imperturbable gravity, 
 
THE RED BAND, 
 
 «« 
 
 the name I give the Fusionian Society makes you smile. There, I per- 
 ceive the disastrous influence of the present-day press. 'S ou are journalists 
 of the Decline and Fall of France, and you mock at what you cannot com- 
 prehend. Ah, if you comprehended me ! ” I 
 
 4 4 But we do not,” said Valnoir between his teeth. 44 I heard all this 
 stuff in the ‘ Saltimbanques ’ at the Varieties Theatre.” 
 
 “But you shall comprehend,” proceeded Alcindor, rising to orate with 
 more freedom. “To ‘light your pipe at the moon is a phrase in our effete 
 society to express impossibility. Impossibility ! that is <i retrograde noun 
 I mean to strike off the rolls of the language of the future. Yes ! by the 
 force of association, citizens, the emancipated proletariat w T ill 4 light its 
 pipe at the moon ’ of universal happiness.” 
 
 At this metaphor, more extravagant than literary, Valnoir could not 
 help bursting into laughter, and Rose had the utmost difficulty not to do 
 the same. Pile vert, reduced to silence by a last bottle of Tavei wine, had 
 no power to prevent his “barker” pouring out “ patter.” The humpback 
 was the otily one who went into enthusiasm over Alcindors rumblings. 
 
 “ You are great as the world itself ! ” he ejaculated, making as if to hug 
 the orator. “ The 4 Society Light your Pipe at the Moon ' is founded, and 
 the ‘ Serpenteau ’ becomes its official mouthpiece.” 
 
 “A fine means of increasing its circulation ! ” jeered Valnoir, shrugging 
 his shoulders. 
 
 “ Tush ! will you listen to me and answer me ? ” said Taupier in the firm 
 tone of one sure of what he advocates. “ Do you believe in the power of 
 mere words in this country ? ” 
 
 “ Of course I do ! I make money by that. If I were to write like every- 
 body else, my paper would not have three hundred subscribers.” 
 
 “Do you believe that mystery attracts idiots ? Do you not believe that 
 with passwords and oaths taken on drawn daggers, an army of jolterheads 
 can be recruited capable of overturning any government you like to name?” 
 
 “An old trick. You are telling the story of Carbouarisin. ” 
 
 “ Good — now we agree. You shall found with us the 4 Pipes lit at the 
 Moon.’” 
 
 “What for?” 
 
 “In order to make you President of the Republic in six months, you 
 simpleton of a journalist.” 
 
 “ Excuse me, but I do not want any presidents nor any republics,” in- 
 terrupted the clown. 
 
 “ Allow me to have my turn, illustrious innovator ! Our friend Valnoir 
 has talent and readers, but no Utopia to draw the masses. Alcindor has 
 the Utopia, but no pedestal. Therefore you complete each other. The 
 4 Serpenteau ’ will insidiously propagate Fusionism, which, on its side, will 
 recruit an army for voting, and, at need, for the barricades, and we shall 
 govern Paris while waiting to govern the world.” 
 
 “Why not?” asked Madame de Charmi^re, who had not missed one 
 word of the humpback’s reasonings. 
 
 This perfidious inquiry was accompanied by a look cunningly calculated 
 to arouse all greed and ambition in Valnoir. Since they came to table, 
 Rose had bad time to listen and reflect whilst watching the progress of her 
 brother’s drunkenness. 
 
 Through Taupier’s exaggerations, she began to perceive a plan whose 
 execution might permit her largely to utilize her relations with a 
 journalist. Infinite prospects unfolded at the humpback’s seductive voice, 
 
THE RED B^ND. 
 
 42 
 
 and unexpected proportions were assumed by the con.*ection which the noble 
 lady had first accepted as moderately advantageous. Highly expert m 
 business matters, Madame de Charmi&re lacked the correct judgment 
 which accurately values situations. Everything was possible in her eyes, 
 in politics as well as love ; she therefore pondered seriously upon basing her 
 fortune on her cavalier’s future grandeur. Taupier’s odd combination 
 offered the further advantage of keeping together the men she wished to 
 study closely, and she aimed at employing them all for her gain. 
 
 “ Why not ? ” she cried, addressing Valnoir, “why should you not become 
 all your friend suggests ? To rise while serving the cause of humanity is 
 an ambition anyone may boast of, and it is one I cherish for you, dear 
 Charles. ” 
 
 “But it’s absurd,” said the editor of the “ Serpen teau.” “How can 
 you expect me to sustain theories in my journal which nobody can under- 
 stand, not even myself ?” 
 
 “ Don’t worry about that, I’ll manage it,” said the humpback. 
 “ Alcindor will write you splendid leaderettes, and I will do you feuilletons 
 that will make your mouth water. ” 
 
 “ Is it on such literature that you hope we shall rise ? ” 
 
 “ Perhaps, /dear friend, perhaps,” said Taupier vexedly. “Anyway you 
 cannot prevent us organising our secret society. The plan is made. The 
 association sub-divides itself into sections called quarters ; the managerial 
 committee, to which you’ll belong if you like, will be the full moon, and 
 the password will be the * Eclipse ’ or * Crescent. * Then there will be 
 Insignia and an oath.” 
 
 “ Admirable ! ” cried the transported clown. 
 
 “ Very well so far. How about funds ? ” said Valnoir coldly. 
 
 “ Two sous per week and per head off the Pipes lit at the Moon, for the 
 members will go by that name for short, and I know where to enlist them. 
 We shall have millions in three months.” 
 
 “I have a treasurer to propose,” interposed Madame de Charmi&re. 
 
 “Who’s that, please?” queried the humpback, who would willingly 
 have held the post himself, 
 
 “ My business agent Frapillon,” said Rose without hesitation. “ He is 
 silent as the tomb, he loves the lower classes, and he is honest.” 
 
 “And able into the bargain,” muttered Valnoir, yielding. “He keeps 
 the capital of our paper, and if he pronounces the society feasible, I 
 believe my objections w^ould be removed.” 
 
 “Not mine,” blurted out Pilevert, whom the guests all believed was 
 still engaged in wrestling with the Rheme wine. 
 
 “ Are you actually listening, you venerable Hercules ? ” said Taupier, 
 resting his elbows on the table in order to admire the toper capable of 
 carrying on a conversation after his seventh bottle. 
 
 “ Yes, I am listening, but I cannot ‘ tumble ’ to it.” 
 
 “ Never mind, my hero, it’s quite unnecessary.” 
 
 “ I tell you that I want to know what you are plotting,” resumed Rose’s 
 brother, pounding the board with his dreadful fist. “ Your Moon and 
 vour ‘Serpenteau 5 — they’re all one to me ; but you talk about monopolizing 
 
 I have information to obtain from 
 
 Frapillon and I want Frapillon myself, 
 him.” 
 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 43 
 
 M I tell yon that I mean to see Frapillon,” persisted the athlete with 
 drunken obstinacy. 
 
 “ So you shall, Rampart of Avallon, you shall at our office, where you 
 are going to be employed to fight our battles — one, two— -there, my 
 champion ! ” cried the humpback, making lunges with his thin arm a& 
 long as a fencing foil. 
 
 “Ay, ay,” mumbled the showman, trying to collect his thoughts; “I 
 know — something to do- ten francs and tobacco — but I don’t want it. I 
 can do better than that, and, besides, 1 cannot leave R4gine.” 
 
 “And who is R4gine, valiant warrior?” inquired Taupier, sneeringly. 
 “ The lady of your love, I suppose ? ” 
 
 At the name, heard for the first time, Madame de Charmi&re became 
 heedful. 
 
 “ R6gine is my pupil,” rejoined Pilevert, “ and the first man who utters 
 a word against her — ” 
 
 “ I have not the least desire, Orson of my heart ; but does she chance to 
 be that savage beauty whom we saw in the Forest of Saint-Germain ? ” 
 
 “ Why do you ask, you twisted skein ? ” 
 
 “ Only because well put her in the ambulances. She has a marked voca- 
 tion for tending the wounded. I see her still kneeling beside — ” 
 
 “ It’s stifling here ! ” cried Valnoir, springing up ; “ let us get a change 
 of air in the drawing-room.” 
 
 “ And coffee too — to say nothing of the spirits,” added Taupier, delighted 
 at ending the sitting. Madame de Charmiere hastened to show her guests 
 the way. Alcindor followed, trying to bear himself becomingly, and Pile- 
 vert closed the line, still fairly steady on his legs. The coffee had been 
 carefully made by that intelligent factotum, Faufine, and the humpback, 
 who strongly appreciated this obligatory epilogue of a good dinner, installed 
 himself near the table covered with tempting liqueurs. Alcindor and his 
 master, whom Rose kept in view, were retained in the same haven by the 
 gracious offer of odoriferous mocha. Valnoir alone, to drive away the 
 black memory bluntly called up by the humpback, went and leaned out on 
 the balcony rail. 
 
 Night had closed in long since, but the sky was brilliant with stare. 
 Madame de Charmtere’s lover had lighted a cigar, and was absently staring 
 down on the Place, when a singular sight attracted his attention. 
 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The promenaders were no longer so numerous beneath the trees ; only a 
 few belated customers were bargaining for the last nosegays culled in the 
 charming suburbs which the war would soon destroy. But in the corner 
 of the Place, on Madame de Charmi&re’s side, a dense restless crowd had 
 gathered, and its hubbub mounted to the balcony. Valnoir could not 
 divine the meaning of the outcries, and still less the cause of the gathering, 
 but he plainly discerned a woman in the heart of this noisy ring. It 
 seemed to him that she was trying to break through the serried edge and 
 that her flight was opposed. In his present state of mind, street riots 
 could not interest him, but he was endeavouring to drive away the blue 
 devils, and watched the movements of the throng bustling at his feet just 
 to enliven himself. 
 
 Finally, the woman causing the stir sat down on a bench ; and Valnoir 
 
44 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 believed she hid her face in her hands, and he concluded she was weeping. 
 The ardent polemics of newspaperdom, and his daily quarrels with hi® 
 Venus, had not so hardened the chief -editor of the “ Serpenteau,” that he 
 had ceased to be accessible to pity. Besides, he felt the need of action 
 which almost always follows violent mental strain, for the events of these 
 last three days had strangely played on his nerves. The evening just over 
 was not calculated to calm them, and though he had but poorly tested 
 Madame de Charmi&re’s wine-cellar, he felt stifled in the close indoor air. 
 Moreover, the society of the two mountebanks was becoming odious, and 
 Taupier’s pleasantry annoyed him. So he thought of obtaining a nearer 
 view of what was going on below, and taking advantage of the change of 
 air to collect his thoughts. 
 
 “ Your smokes are execrable, my love,” said he, returning into the room, 
 “ all those Havannah brands are frauds, and I shall go down to the cigar 
 shop yonder and buy a genuine native Londres” 
 
 At any other time, Rose, never letting word or deed pass unconsidered, 
 would have wanted to know what was Valnoir’s motive in leaving ; but* 
 she had all her work cut out to watch her brother who, under the influence 
 of some real Black Forest kirschj was talking too freely to Taupier. She 
 even felt the necessity of breaking up the party. 
 
 “Do so, darling,” she answered, without moving, “and if you see a 
 carb to hold four on the boulevard, hire it ; we’ll go for a blow in the 
 Champs-Elys4es. ” 
 
 “Just my idea, for I have a maddening headache,” replied Valnoir, 
 taking his hat. 
 
 As he was passing through the ante-chamber, he heard the humpback’s 
 shrill voice saying to Pilevert : 
 
 “ It’s a go, my old mastodon ! I will get your pet into the ambulance of 
 my illustrious friend the great Doctor Molinchard.” 
 
 This reminded him of the girl whose name had been uttered at dinner 
 by the showman. He had had hardly more than a glimpse at her in the 
 Forest of Saint-Germain, and yet the figure was engraved on his mind, as 
 are all the objects surrounding a terrible scene. Other forms mingled in 
 his memory and, whilst going downstairs, Valnoir reflected on the strange 
 concourse of circumstances which brought together at Madame deCharmi&re’s 
 the actors who were chance-met on the fatal duelling ground. Since 
 his return to Paris, he had been seldom out and had no mind to go and 
 see Podensac and learn the sequel of the combat. Engrossed by military 
 news, the papers hardly noticed an event which would have been a nine 
 days’ wonder in other times. They limited themselves to relating the 
 return of the vehicle carrying back M. de Saint-Senier and his seconds, 
 which had much difficulty in escaping the Prussians, a troop of Uhlan® 
 having followed them up to the outposts. 
 
 This was all Valnoir knew, and he had neither the time nor the heart to 
 question Pilevert on the sad journey. The recollection of Mademoiselle de 
 Saint-Senier going up the Madeleine steps in deep mourning, still 
 further clouded him, and when he stepped out upon the Place he had 
 almost forgotten what brought him down. Moreover, he had come use- 
 lessly, for the enrwd had scattered and its components were going away. 
 
 “ Oh, the woman’s crazy,” said the loiterers as they obeyed the exhorta- 
 tions of two policemen attracted by the mob. 
 
 Valnoir questioned one of these men. hooded with his coat cape, who 
 were replacing the former sergents de ville % and learnt that the idlers had 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 v 
 
 A 
 
 4M 
 
 foolishly flocked round a queerly attired woman, who was, however, quite wjj 
 inoffensive. I 
 
 “ I cleared off the loafers, and she went up towards the church,” said * 
 the placid representative of authority, “ but she’ll be in luck if she does 
 not get another mob round her in such a costume.” 
 
 Thus answered with details little interesting him, Valnoir proceeded 
 listlessly towards the Flower Market to seek coolness under the trees. It 
 was a magnificent evening, and under the pale moonshine the long colon- 
 nade of the Madeleine assumed grand proportions. Silence reigned around 
 it and the chairs along the esplanade were vacant. He slowly strolled 
 through the market without meeting a soul, for the vendors had packed up 
 and departed. He mournfully meditated, and was rounding the church 
 corner to make the circuit of the Place, when he almost ran up against a 
 woman coming from the opposite direction. On, drawing back briskly, he 
 raised his head and could not repress an exclamation of surprise. 
 
 By the gas-lamp, he recognised the girl of the Forest of Saint-Germain. 
 The view he had was shorter than then, for the strange creature turned 
 round and rapidly retraced her steps. But her flight was not so quick 
 that Valnoir could not notice one item in her costume : the dark cloak en- 
 wrapping her allowed her small feet to be seen in green pointed heel 
 slippers. She speeded along the broad-flagged walk behind the church. 
 
 At the same time a hired cab was driving from the spot up the Rue Tronchet, 
 and Valnoir fancied a woman’s hand waved good-bye at the window. All 
 this passed so swiftly that he might have imagined it a dream, but the 
 stranger turned round before disappearing at the corner of the opposite 
 railings. There could be no doubt now, for the mantle flew open, and he 
 saw the red dress and the bare arms of the woman who had knelt down 
 beside Saint-Senier. 
 
 Urged by some vague motive, Madame de Charmi&re’s conquest hurried 
 on. It was a good chance of hunting away the blues, and to learn some- 
 thing about Pilevert’s “pupil.” Furthermore, the projected drive in 
 company of Rose’s guests did not tempt him, and so he readily decided to 
 follow the girl. Arrived at the corner, he saw she had gained on him, and 
 was making for the Rue Royale. He took the same line, but at a distance 
 which would not alarm her. She seemed, however, to have forgotten their 
 meeting, for she never looked round, and proceeded to the Place de la Con- 
 corde with a fleet steady step. Clearly she had a goal, and not a distant 
 one probably. Valnoir had, therefore, fair ground to believe that he 
 would soon ascertain whither, at such an hour, a woman was running in 
 ball slippers and without a hat. 
 
 “ It was certainty around her that the mob had gathered under Rose’s 
 window,” thought he, “ but what the deuce is she after here ? ” 
 
 ^ The more he sought for a reasonable answ er, the less he found one. It 
 did occur to him, for a second, that she was really mad, and he was on the 
 point of giving up the chase ; but he bethought him of the other stranger, 
 who had signalled out of the hackney-coach window, and again he resolved 
 to pierce this complication of mysteries. One means of doing so was to 
 accost the nocturnal rambler, and ask her for an explanation, for he did not 
 know she was deaf and dumb ; but Valnoir did not care too much about 
 making himself known before he was better informed on the motive of the 
 singular promenade. The quarry took an unexpected direction. Instead 
 of crossing the bridge, or going up the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, wdiere 
 some carriage-lamps still glittered, she plunged under the large trees of the 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 Ootms-la-B,eine. Rather astonished, Valnoir walked faster so as not to 
 lose sight of her. He reached the turn of the walk with the woman only 
 twenty paces ahead when a man concealed in a clump of foliage suddenly 
 leaped out. The last gas-lamp of the Place gave sufficient light to 
 , reveal a dashing steel, and the scoundrel who wielded it fell upon the 
 girL 
 
 XV. 
 
 Editing the “ Serpenteau,” and adoring Madame de Charmi&re had much 
 injured Valnoir ’s heart and mind, but still this had not made him a 
 coward. If he had had time to reflect, he might have hesitated to risk 
 anything for a strange woman of suspicions bearing ; but his first impulse 
 carried him away, and all he saw was a pretty girl attacked by a footpad. 
 
 “ Stop, you villain ! ” he shouted and ran straight at the fellow, whom 
 he caught by the throat in a few seconds. 
 
 “ Let me go, and the devil take you ! ” gasped the other, letting a mus- 
 ket fall from one hand. 
 
 With much presence of mind, Valnoir picked it up, and covered himi 
 with it, saying : “ Be off or I’ll blow the roof of your head off ! ” 
 
 “ Why, dash it all ! it’s my place to order you to stand off I ” replied the 
 man in a drunken voice. 
 
 The girl had taken advantage of his surprise to wrench herself free and 
 she leaned trembling against a tree. Valnoir went up to the assailant, 
 with the bayonet at the ready, to study him closely ; it was a national 
 guardsman so intoxicated he could hardly keep on his feet. 
 
 “ Why did you attack this woman ? ” demanded the champion, not 
 dissatisfied at bottom that he had nothing more dreadful to meet. 
 
 “ I wasn’t attacking her — I was arresting her.” 
 
 “ By what right ? ” 
 
 " Eh ! what 1 ain’t I put on guard to arrest everybody? What Bense 
 would there be in making a revolution if a soldier of the 7th company of 
 the 322nd can’t take up any woman and put her in the guard-house ? ” 
 
 Whilst expounding this novel theory, the drunkard grasped the gun 
 barrel and tried to snatch it from Valnoir, who thought it was high time 
 to end the contest. So he gave a vigorous blow to the defender of public 
 order, who rolled into the gutter, and ran to the girl. She had not wholly 
 recovered from her fright, yet had the strength to offer her hand to her 
 deliverer, who led her to the quay, where he showed her a bench whilst 
 the soldier was trying to get up amid much bad language. Without heed- 
 ing him any longer, Valnoir stood the gun beside him and found in his 
 pocket a bottle of smelling salts which he must have picked up at Madame 
 de Charmi&re’s. 
 
 He gently parted the "urls on her forehead and was admiring the strange 
 beauty of the pallid fac. scarcely seen on the duelling ground, when she 
 sprang up with a profoundly attentive look at him. 
 
 “ What’s the matter?” queried the astounded Valnoir, trying to take 
 her hand again, but she repulsed him with horror and disgust. 
 
 Madame de Charmi6re’s conquest was not used to inspiring a revulsion 
 so energetically expressed, and after some surprise, he felt a sharp irritation 
 which he could not help evincing. 
 
 “Yours ia a singular mode of thanking people who serve you,” he said, 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 drily. “ Let me tell you, my fair one, that I have a great mind 
 you over to the amiable Bacchus who is howling for you yonder.” 
 
 She made no verbal reply, but raising her head proudly, she l 
 him fixedly as much as to say : 
 
 “ Do it if you dare ! ” 
 
 The trees of the Cours did hot cast their shade on the riverside 
 night was clear enough for this to be visible. She looked so lovely then 
 that Valnoir felt remorse and sought pardon for his brutality. 
 
 “I was wrong,” he said softly, “and I grant that I must have pained 
 you, but why do you treat me so ? ” 
 
 The flash of the large black eyes died away, but that waa all in the way 
 of resentment disappearing. - ^ 
 
 “I am not entirely a stranger to you,” proceeded Valnoir, drawing 
 nearer. “ I saw you once before under painful circumstances, and I know 
 your name is Engine. ” 
 
 She stepped towards the street. 
 
 “ Why do you refuse to reply tome?” demanded Rose’s gallant, under- 
 standing nothing of this stubborn silence. 
 
 Engine kept ou her way. 
 
 “ I believe she is dumb,” muttered he, closing up again. 
 
 She stopped short and waved him away. 
 
 “ This is getting curious ! ’^muttered the stupefied gentleman. “ Why 
 did not that showman say something about this ? ” 
 
 So the showman had, but to Podensac, and neither the “ Serpenteau’s 
 editor nor his right hand man, Taupier, had heard his confidential com- 
 munication. 
 
 “ Pshaw ! I daresay she’s not deaf, too, and so we shall get along.* 
 Upon which reasoning, he touched Engine’s arm, she shuddering at the 
 contact, and continued : “ Mademoiselle, I am not sure that you hear me, 
 but I must notify you that, notwithstanding your very clearly manifested 
 desire to be rid of me, I am bound to see you home or any where else you 
 please. I have no intention at all to offend you, but I cannot allow you to 
 wander at such an hour in the lonely streets. I shall therefore accompany 
 you till you are safe from ugly meetings.” 
 
 Engine had stopped and seemed to study the movement of his lips. 
 
 “I would have you further remark,” continued Valnoir, thinking he 
 had talked her over, “ that you are wrong to hope you can conceal the aim 
 of your nightly promenade. Wherever you go in this array, in such times as 
 these, you will certainly be stoppefl, as has twice already happened to you. 
 Do not deny it ! I have followed you from the Place de la Madeleine, and 
 I saw you on the bench when the police came to protect you. Hence, 
 whether the police or the soldiers arrest you, your secret will be endangered, 
 it strikes me.” 
 
 The girl dropped her hand as if in consent and started off to go down the 
 river. 
 
 “ This is altogether too queer ! ” cried Valnoir, obstinately keeping step 
 with her ; “ too much, and I am going to know all about it.” 
 
 The deeper he got into the adventure, so thoroughly unexpected, the 
 more he was lost in conjectures and desire to see it out. Before turning to 
 politics, he had written novels, and there was so much unused stock of 
 fancy left over from that profession, that he had not expended it all upon 
 Madame de Charmi&re. Excelling in the management of love affairs, ah® 
 wholly lacked startling novelty, and wrangles and fondlings alternated fo 
 
 1 
 
8 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 her house with desperate regularity. Yielding like all lovers, Valnoir sub< 
 mitted to relations as regular as the payment of coupons, but his natural 
 proclivities came back at the gallop as soon as the ex-romancist again faced 
 the charm of novelty. It was sheer curiosity, and his ardour for the Char- 
 mi&re was not weakened ; but it was curiosity super-heated to the degree 
 of passion. As he walked, he examined Engine, and it exasperated him 
 that he could read nothing on her countenance. She did not turn, and pressed 
 on so that he had much ado to keep up. She moved in a straight line with 
 her eyes fastened on a point invisible to her persecutor. The Quai de Billy 
 was passed at an ever-increasing pace, and they had gone beyond the Tro- 
 cad^ro before Yalnoir made a final attempt. 
 
 “ Eegine, my dear girl, do stop, I entreat you ! ” said Yalnoir, in a voice 
 of emotion ; “ the road is deserted, and you are approaching the fortification 
 wall ; and the gates are closed now the siege has begun. I think you are 
 only taking this way to tire me out, but you cannot do that. Come back 
 with me, and I give you my word of honour to leave you in the hands of 
 your guardian — the Pilevert man who brought you up.” 
 
 Engine did not appear to hear. Her immobile features merely expressed 
 internal enthusiasm. She was like a somnambulist who did not see the 
 ground she trod upon. They went through Passy and the part of Auteuil 
 by the Pont de Crenelle. The few people about paid no attention to what 
 seemed a young couple hastening homeward. Valncir began to get angry 
 with one of those sullen furies arising from weariness, and particularly ruffled 
 pride. In a few minutes they would reach the Point-du-Jour gate, where 
 the admirer of Madame de Charmi&re had no wish to have to give an 
 account of his singular companion to the national guards on the ramparts. 
 
 “ IPs clear that you will not listen to me,” he said, grinding his teeth. 
 “ Well, since you are bent on being arrested, hang me if I do not do it.” 
 
 With which, he seized Engine's arm ; she shook herself free, bounded 
 away and ran with all her speed into a lane on the left side of the road. 
 Valnoir pursued her, but he was fatigued and she got down on the strand 
 before he could overtake her. The viaduct of the Outer Circle Eailway 
 lifted its colossal arches over their heads, and the shore was encumbered 
 by all kinds and sizes of boating craft. 
 
 “ By Jove ! she's going to throw herself into the water,” cried Yalnoir, 
 seeing her step on this accidental raft. 
 
 He followed her by leaping from one boat to another, and at the same 
 time stepped into a row boat farther out than the rest into the stream. 
 At the very moment he grasped her cloak, Engine broke away with a 
 mighty effort and precipitated herself into the flood. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Valnoir was so excited that he w 7 as on the point of diving in after the 
 fugitive. Violent action reacts on the mind, and the extreme resolution of 
 which a man would be incapable as he strolled quietly along, becomes 
 quite natural after a hot run. Under shot and shell a soldier will take a 
 barricade in three skips that would cost him five minutes to clamber over 
 coolly. In the same way, the editor of the “ Serpenteau ” wdio would not 
 have laid down his cigar perhaps, two hours ago, to save Engine — was 
 going to leap into the Seine solely because he was heated in brain and 
 blood by pursuing the girl. It is true that second thoughts soon calmed 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 him and he stopped in time : but he had faltered at least & minute 
 Engine’s splash had been but faint, and, moreover, the riverside appeared 
 absolutely deserted so that outside succour was not to be expected. 
 Already calmed, Valnoir cared little about that. He would have to 
 explain his business there and relate in full an adventure as lorvg as 
 ridiculous. Whilst he was thus reflecting, he thought he saw the girl’s 
 body rise up a few yards from the boat. Remorse spurring him, 
 thought of rowing out to her. He was stooping to unfasten the boat when 
 he perceived it was done, for the leap of two persons at top speed into the 
 cockleshell had broken the painter and the skiff was loose. 
 
 “ Good ! ” thought Valnoir, returning to his previous impulse, “I shall 
 reach her the sooner. ” 
 
 A rapid glanced showed him a dark patch floating on the surface. It 
 was still time. Before becoming a political light, the journalist had 
 ✓ frequently enough cruised in Bougival waters to acquire tolerable notions 
 of oarsmanship. 
 
 “ I shall be unlucky if I do not fish her out,” he muttered, as he hunted 
 for the oars without finding anything of the sort after a thorough explora- 
 tion. 
 
 He rose quickly and tried to catch hold of another wherry, but they were 
 too far off by this time, and he had to renounce all hope of doing so. 
 The current was not strong inshore, but Valnoir’s unreasonable movements 
 had worked the boat well out, and in the middle of the channel there was 
 enough water to sweep it swiftly on. 
 
 Before him rose the railway bridge and made him fearful about his 
 adventure. He had no means of guiding the bark, which was urged 
 towards the central arch, but he had the hope of seizing one of the iron 
 rings in the piles as he sailed by, and he got ready to do so. The shadow 
 of the great bridge covered the river afar and R4gine’s body had gone 
 down. He believed the poor girl drowned and thought of himself alone. 
 
 The nearer the viaduct, the stronger the current, so that the boat was 
 hurled most rapidly under the vault. He clung to the gunnel with one 
 hand and held out the other to catch any hold. By leaning far over at the 
 risk of up-setting the boat, he did touch the masonry, but his fingers 
 slipped over the polished stones and the rings eluded him through being 
 too high or too low. 
 
 In a few seconds he had shot the archway, and, fatigued by his useless 
 efforts, was going to drop down in the bottom of the boat, when he per- 
 ceived a black bar to the river beyond. Hope returned as he remembered 
 * that piles had been recently driven in to oppose the Prussians’ nautical 
 feats, an obstacle which would stop his career. But he had not considered 
 all the necessities of defence. To facilitate the passage of gunboats and 
 floating batteries, there was a free space in the midst of the dam and, un- 
 luckily, the boat was carried straight towards this gap. If the involun- 
 tary navigator had had anything like a boat-hook even, he might have 
 stood some chance of hooking on to one of the spars of the stockade, but 
 there y were only the two thwarts in the whole boat, and they were nailed 
 down fast. Even the rudder was removed, so that Valnoir could not in the 
 least alter the course. 
 
 At the very time when he was passing the centre of the water gate, 
 despite himself, he started with much emotion to see a shapeless object 
 floating within his reach. Thinking it was something to detain himself by, 
 he bent over and seized Regine’s mantle, still afloat. Recognizing it at 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 / ./ / 
 
 I 
 
 50 
 
 once, fee filing it in the bottom of the boat, in full belief that its owtrer wai 
 no more. He did not wonder what had become of her, because this was 
 not a fit time for long reflections. The dilemma was grave. So long as he 
 sailed outside the walled-in water, Madame de Charmifcre’s devotee ran no 
 great risks. The worst was to be forced to call out for help and explain 
 away his nocturnal ramble to the soldiers or national guards. Now he had 
 passed the regular lines, and the slow but sure current drove him into more 
 vital dangers, 
 
 Valnoir, as a newspaper writer fully cognisant of military matters, knew 
 well that the Prussians already occupied the left bank of the Seine, and the 
 stream made so many bends that the unmanageable bark stood a good 
 chance of running ashore in the enemy’s ground. This would upset all 
 his future projects, and, what pained him still more, deprive Rose of him. 
 The worshipper was not so blind as regarded his idol, as to believe that ab- 
 sence would only make her heart grow fonder, and he did not hope to find 
 it his after the war was over. Moreover, it was stated that p risoners were 
 sent into the interior of Germany, and the prospect of spending the winter' 
 in a Pomeranian village was dreadful to a man whose life, amours, and am- 
 bition. were closely linked to the Boulevard des Italiens. Sadly he looked 
 at this perspective. He had to remember also that sharpshooters, both 
 French and German, lined the Seine banks, and that he would soon be 
 taken between two fires. He was even astonished that he had crossed 
 the space between the railway bridge and fortifications unchallenged. 
 
 The sharp report of a musket cut short his brooding, and a bullet played 
 at ducks-and-drakes on the water a few yards off. The Point-du- J our bastion, 
 which he had passed, was firing on him. Valnoir’s first impulse was to 
 throw himself down in the hollow of the wherry. He was brave in the 
 usual sense of the word ; that is to say, he never refused to go out on the 
 field of honour with persons whom he aggrieved, and he bore himself well 
 enough there ; but he was not such a master of his nerves as not to duck 
 to the bullets when nobody was looking. His next idea was to call out 
 he was a Frenchman ; but he was not sure of being understood, and his 
 shouting might bring on him a general discharge. He deemed it more 
 prudent therefore to let the boat drift and trust to his lucky star. For the 
 time being it kept the mid-channel ; the night had darkened and Valnoir, 
 by playing the dead man, had chances of avoiding the projectiles until a 
 happy turn of the flow sent him towards the right bank. 
 
 Unfortunately the shot from the bastion had aroused all the sharp- 
 shooters on both shores, and a fusillade began to, crack out. The danger 
 was not immediate, for the engagement took place farther on ; but in a 
 short time the drifting boat would be well exposed. Sitting in the stern, 
 Valnoir was glancing round him wistfully, when he fancied he saw a 
 swimmer on the right before him making for the French side. He could 
 contain himself no more but shouted with all his lungs : 
 
 “ Help ! this way ! ” 
 
 But whether he had heard or not, or had reasons not to accept the invita- 
 tion, the swimmer, iustead of stopping, pressed on the more, and almost 
 instantaneously disappeared in the willows under the bank. Valnoir 
 would have liked to imitate him, but in boating practice he had neglected 
 natation and he could not have gone ten strokes. It was better to fall 
 into the Prussians* hands than drown, however, and he was sorry he had 
 not given way to his first impulse, and dived in after R6gine. On the 
 ©ther hand, he regretted he had called out, for three or four shots came 
 
 i 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 \ 
 
 from the right bank, and a sharp patter on the prow, proved that the 
 bullets had found their mark. He lay down again and did not stirA 
 At this juncture, he bitterly deplored the silly whim urging him x \p fol- 
 low Engine, and he would have willingly signed away all his property in 
 the “ Serpenteau ” to have the boat turn to the right. But, on the Vpn- 
 trary, he perceived the reverse tendency and a slower motion. Yet 
 current seemed the same ; but the wherry was heavier. Valnoir w'^ 
 puzzling about the explanation of the phenomenon when he felt a chill, and^ 
 on putting down his hand, found it wet. He went on groping and coulcK > . 
 not repress a scream of despair, water was pouring in forward, and the 
 wherry was slowly filling. 
 
 XYIL 
 
 Valnoir found that the water poured in at a broad aperture, the bo^t 
 being built of thin planks, and one of them had been broken below the 
 water line. Whether the injury came from a pile or the bullets, Valnoir 
 did not know and he had no time to learn, for he had to stop the gap 
 forthwith or perish. R6gine’s cloak was the first thing coming to hand, 
 and he used it as a wad, but it only imperfectly stayed the inrush. Little 
 as this was, since Valnoir had no vessel to bale it out, the foundering was 
 only a question of time. He made a try at throwing out the water with 
 his hat and his hands, but was obliged to give up these means, dangerous 
 as well, for the slowly advancing boat was again a target for the Prussian 
 marksmen. The bullets recommenced singing, so that Valnoir durst not 
 move lest he showed himself above the side. 
 
 It was one of those situations when the most fertile of inventive spirits 
 would have seen no chance of safety, and the ill-fated adorer of Madame 
 de Charmi&re gave himself up as lost. To the despair at quitting life was 
 added a rage at ending so ridiculously. 
 
 “ To die, drowned in this egg-box like a rat in a trap,” growled he, 
 tf< what a fate ! ” 
 
 Then he remembered his body might be found and taken to the Morgue, 
 and that idea gave him ‘‘the creeps.” He anticipated th^t the newspapers 
 hostile to him would not fail to assert that the chief editor of the “ Ser- 
 penteau ” had died whilst carrying intelligence to the Germans. 
 
 “ Taupier will not be sorry to replace me,” he mused in bitterness. 
 
 Rose’s name came to his lips and he said that she also would soon find a 
 substitute. Choler restored him some energy. Better to be the Prussians* 
 prisoner than sink to the bottom of the Seine. So hqJ made up his mind 
 to call again for help, at risk of receiving gunshots for answer. 
 
 “ If I must die,” he muttered, “ I prefer the bullet ; it kills quicker.” 
 
 As the boat kept settling down he could not hesitate. 
 
 “Perhaps they will not understand me,” thought he; “but they will 
 believe me a spy bringing news, and they will come and save me.” 
 
 The danger was in showing himself and becoming a target until they 
 determined to capture the boat. His reasoning was faulty, because the 
 enemy might not have any boat to bring in the prize, and, in this case, 
 Valnoir could not hope they would swim to him to help him out. On 
 the contrary, it was probable that a Frenchman in a mess would not be a 
 disagreeable sight. But Valnoir had no choice. He remarked, however, 
 that there was no firing from the French shore which appeared deserted here- 
 
 4 
 
52 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 a J°i. Much farther down the other side of the island, along the front 
 °* Uillancourt, the shooting went on, but not well sustained. 
 
 / Now's my time,” thought Valnoir, who began shouting at his loudest : 
 
 /A friend ! a friend ! save me ! ” 
 
 / Re took the precaution to lie extended upon the seats so as to have some 
 protection, in case the Germans greeted him with another salvo. They 
 /. were less ferocious this time ; they did not fire, but they drew near. Val- 
 / noir heard them very distinctly talking and laughing behind the trees on 
 the bank. He could not understand what they said, but by instinct 
 guessed that they were finding amusement in his distress and would let 
 him perish. The water had almost come up to the level of the gunnel, and 
 the skiff would go under at any moment. Engine’s mantle had come away 
 from the leak, and was again floating on the surface. The sight re- 
 minded Valnoir of the cause of the luckless adventure, but at the same 
 time inspired him with an idea. Made of buoyant wood, the skiff found 
 its level under the double weight of the passenger and the entering water, 
 but without his weight it would keep up. Incapable of crossing the river 
 by swimming, Valnoir might do it with the boat as a support, and he con- 
 * ceived a project as wise as it was bold. 
 
 Since he had called out for aid, the state of things became plain. Evi- 
 dently the Germans would neither kill him nor save him ; it was better sport 
 to see him struggle on till he collapsed. To avoid their shots, he ought to 
 seem to drown. The darkness did not allow* a long view. By simulating 
 the movement of a choking man, Valnoir might hope to escape the pitiless 
 Teutons. He lost no time in carrying out his scheme. He began by 
 rolling up Rdgine’s cloak ; one of the ends of which he knotted around the 
 shattered prow and with the other made a belt for himself. This bond 
 attached him firmly to the skiff, and might have led to his going to the 
 bottom with it ; but in rising abruptly, Valnoir gave it a side and down- 
 ward push which turned it clean over. This act had the double advantage 
 of emptying it of water so that it floated keel up, and of making the Prus- 
 sians believe the fun was over. 
 
 The man himself was quit with a short submersion. When he came up 
 to the surface he felt the mantle draw him like a tow-line, and all he had 
 to do, not to go down again, was to lay one hand on the skiff and paddle 
 away with the other and his lower limbs. The split bark which had been 
 so near sinking, now became a supporter and a defender, for it floated be- 
 twixt him and the foes. The latter hailed the disaster with a roar of 
 laughter, executed with the unanimity characterising all the German 
 manoeuvres. Undoubtedly, they believed the Frenchman fairly and surely 
 swallowed up, and they celebrated the catastrophe in their own way. 
 This was precisely what Valnoir wished, and he complimented himself 
 upon his trick and began to recover confidence in a slight degree. The 
 turned-up boat floated away gently, and left the danger behind every 
 moment. The whole thing now was to keep in the channel, and, though 
 he was a poor swimmer, he could still influence the course by skilful move- 
 ments. Like his hopes, his eyes turned towards the French bank, silent, 
 but perchance not so untenanted as it looked. More than once he had 
 seen a stir in the rushes on the edge. Besides, two or three hundred yards 
 below, the Seine took a turn, and at this point an intermittent light sparkled 
 among the trees. 
 
 £ - There are our outposts,” tnought Valnoir ; “ if I could only land there 
 I should be all right.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 53 
 
 \ 
 
 A 
 
 He tried to deviate the skiff to the side where safety was certain. \ But 
 then he perceived that his legs were stiffening, and that he had a new and 
 more dangerous foe to contend with, cold, to wit. It was the beginning of 
 autumn, and the temperature of the water was endurable ; but in throwing 
 himself into the stream after a hearty meal and a long walk, followed by 
 vivid emotions, Valnoir experienced a chill with direful consequences. 
 He sought to act more forcibly, and only paralysed himself the sooner. 
 Then he confined himself to keeping afloat, no easy matter, as the weight 
 of his saturated clothes burdened him extremely. His left hand, grasping 
 the stern board, became more and more tired, and he had the utmost pain 
 to preserve his hold. 
 
 “ I am lost if I do not touch land within a quarter of an hour,” he mut 
 tered. , -- 
 
 It would take about that time to reach the headland, where he expected 
 to find French soldiers. There remained just that single chance, when all 
 at once Valnoir felt a strong shock : the skiff was suddenly stopped. The 
 rolled-up cloak which linked him to the boat had caught upon a post in the 
 river. The natural effect was to separate Valnoir from the boat, and drag 
 him away on one side of the obstacle, w T hilst the boat was carried on the 
 other. He was retained by the fastening of his own contrivance. By a 
 supreme effort he succeeded in going up the cloak hand over hand ; he 
 grasped the post which jutted out hardly a foot above the water’s surface ; 
 but the effort exhausted him. He felt the chill which palsied his legs creep 
 little by little up to his heart. 
 
 Soon his mind was affected, and his feelings were strange. Recollections 
 came thronging on his brain, forgotten scenes of youth or childhood, of the 
 happy times when he did not edit the “ Serpenteau,” and did not know 
 Rose de Charmi&re. Then physical pain attacked him, and his breast was 
 transpierced with an acute pang. His body seemed numbed, and, sleep 
 slowly overwhelming him, he felt this was death and he closed his eyes. 
 
 xvm. 
 
 i 
 
 Valnoir was almost in a death swoon, but his clenched hands still clung 
 to the post with a drowning man’s convulsive energy. He was recalled 
 to his senses by a sharp pain — while gradually slipping down, a nail in the 
 pile had torn his flesh. On opening his eyes he perceived that the knot had 
 become undone, and the boat was drifting away. The detached mantle 
 remained rolled round his waist, but the other end was floating. He still 
 heard the German voices, probably merrily commenting on the wreck they 
 had witnessed. They had ceased firing, and Valnoir concluded that they 
 no longer saw him, but he also felt that his powers would speedily fail him 
 altogether. His sufferings were intolerable. 
 
 Before letting go his hold and sinking, he flung a desperate glance on the 
 right bank. It was France — it was safety, and the wretch grieved that he 
 should die for want of strength to swim for five minutes. By one of those 
 rapid evolutions produced in exceptional moments, his mind overran all the 
 sinister events leading him to this horrible end, and the dying Saint-Senier’s 
 pallid face appeared as in a dream. Valnoir, reared by a simple and*pious 
 mother, but early entangled in literary Bohemia, had long since forgotten, 
 his childhood’s creed, save a faint belief in the just reward of human actions 
 in this world. 
 
54 THE BED B AND 
 
 I / ' ' , 
 
 44 1 have killed a man and I deserve to die,” he muttered, lifting his eyee 
 heavenward, “and there is a God who recompenses and who punishes. ” 
 
 Then appeared his father, whom he had barely known, and who had 
 fallen on the barricades of June, 1848, and the dogma of fatality, to which 
 unbelievers almost always rally, made him look forward to a violent death 
 likewise. 
 
 44 It was fated ! ” thought Valnoir as he gradually slipped down into the 
 depths. 
 
 He gazed for the last time around him by way of farewell to life. The 
 frame of the death scene would have suited a melodrama. The west wind 
 had risen, and the stars were veiled by the clouds racing over his head. 
 The Seine had a leaden hue, and nothing troubled the stillness save the 
 great guns of Mount Val4rien tired at long intervals, for the fusillade had 
 entirely ceased below the isle, and the Prussians were done laughing on 
 the left bank. So deep was the calm that a very faint and distant sound 
 struck Valnoir, his senses having acquired the fineness of perception in 
 nerves superexcited by danger. It came from the right shore. 
 
 He made a final effort to keep above the water, and attentively gazed 
 where he believed he had heard a dull splash. A scarcely visible black 
 speck stood out on the slaty river face, smooth as a mirror. Valnoir’s 
 heart ached at the thought that help was coming and all too late. He felt 
 weakening, and could not rise to see any more. The speck approached, 
 and his ears distinctly caught a faint, regular sound. He could no longer 
 doubt that somebody, a Frenchman doubtlessly, was carefully swimming 
 towards him. Another minute yet, and he might escape the dreadful 
 doom, but he was not sure exhaustion would grant him that minute more. 
 A terrible cramp wrung his stiffened limbs, and though he drove his nails 
 into the post, his hands could not support the weight of his body. 
 
 “ Hold fast 1 ” said the swimmer’s guarded voice as he came on with sur- 
 prising speed. 
 
 Valnoir actually tried to hold on by his teeth, too, but his contracted 
 jaws could not seize the post ; his hands opened, and he was just gliding 
 under when a vigorous hand gripped his shoulder and kept his head out 
 of the water. 
 
 “ Draw a breath, and rest on me,” said the timely comer in an undertone. 
 
 But the drowning man, recovering strength in his joy, clung to the 
 deliverer’s neck with desperate force. 
 
 “ Not that way — you’ll choke me,” said the voice ; “ extend your body 
 and only lay your hands on my shoulder.” 
 
 But Valnoir did not seem to hear, and to be free of this dangerous clutch, 
 the stranger was obliged to push him off violently. Valnoir began beating 
 the water wildly with both hands and would infallibly have drowned, if his 
 befriender had not placed him in a vertical position. Then he began to 
 get more self-possessed ; his eyes opened, his oppressed breast swelled with 
 air and he exhaled a long sigh of relief. 
 
 “ Place yourself as I told you and leave the rest to me,” ordered the 
 ttranger. 
 
 “Oh, thanks, thanks!” gasped Valnoir, suffocated by emotion more 
 than anything else. 
 
 “ Be quick,” continued the voice ; u we have no time to waste ; I fear we 
 have been seen.” 
 
 He was only too right. The noise of the short scuffle had attracted the 
 W 
 
THE RED BAND. 55 
 
 Germans* attention, and a shot was fired from the bank. It skipped along 
 the river ten yards from the post. 
 
 44 They’re bad shots, but we’d better make haste,** , said the rescuer, 
 tranquilly. 
 
 This time Valnoir did not require the invitation to be repeated. With- 
 out delaying to cast off Rhine’s mantle, he did 44 the dead man’s float ” on 
 the water with both hands on the swimmer’s back, who set to clearing the 
 current with incredible strength and skill. As well as the gloom would let 
 it be judged, he was a young man, and he had not spent much time in doff- 
 ing his garments ere diving into the Seine, for he had a woollen shirt on. 
 Valnoir had not been able to scan his features, but the voice made a 
 singular impression upon him. It did not seem altogether unknown, and 
 he tried to recall under what circumstances he must have heard it, but his 
 head was too dizzy for him to collect his thoughts. 
 
 The state of things was still not conducive to calm reflection, for the peril 
 had only changed in nature. Attracted by the sentinel’s shot, the Germans 
 had returned into ambush in the willows, and opened a sustained fire on 
 the pair. The night was too dark for their aim to be precise, but whizzings 
 as frequent as unpleasant reminded Valnoir that his life hung on a thread. 
 
 44 Courage ! ” the other kept saying now and anon, 44 we are getting on.” 
 
 In point of fact, the right bank stood out sharp, and the wrecked man, 
 who did not lose sight of it, already believed he saw human figures moving 
 among the trees. Proportionately to his proximity to the ardently-desired 
 land, Rose’s lover took courage, but he also wondered into what hands his 
 good star had placed him, and how he was to explain his strange adventure. 
 He could reasonably set down his saviour as a soldier, since at such an hour 
 and under an enemy’s fire, a suburban resident was not likely to be saunter- 
 ing along the Seine. The outpost was not far, and Valnoir must expect to 
 be interrogated by the officer in command. Under the mania of seeing a 
 spy in everybody which flourished at the beginning of the siege, the affair 
 was likely to turn out badly. A sharp whizz, the sharpest he had yet 
 heard, interrupted his anticipations. A bullet had passed quite near him, 
 and he thought his rescuer winced. 
 
 44 Are you hurt, sir ? ” he inquired, with an emotion the more sincere as 
 his life was closely allied to that of the other. 
 
 44 Nothing to speak of,” replied the latter, striking out smartly with his 
 right hand. 
 
 L Only a few strokes separated them now from land, and he attained it 
 without too much difficulty. 
 
 44 Blaze away now, my hearties ! ” he shouted on getting foothold. 
 
 A heavy volley responded to his order, and all were not wasted of the 
 bullets, it might be conjectured, as a howl of pain arose from the other 
 shore. Valnoir was also on .land, but his fictitious energy, hitherto sus- 
 taining him, vanished as soon as he was on his feet ; his sight was dim ; 
 and his legs yielded under him, so that he staggered like a drunken man. 
 
 “Help him along into the guardhouse,” said his rescuer to the soldiers 
 who came from cover. 
 
 Valnoir was not wrong in his surmise : these were regulars. 
 
 44 But you yourself, lieutenant,” inquired one of the soldiers* stepping up 
 to sustain him, 44 1 hope they haven’t hit you ? ” 
 
 “Yes, they have winged me, but there’s no need of a surgeon for it. 
 You can dress it yourself, my good old Landreau,” said the lieutenants! 
 shaking his left arm. 
 
56 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 * l Hurry on to the Red House then,” said the soldier, “ because wounds 
 are like soup, my lieutenant, none the better for being allowed to cool.” 
 
 Valnoir let himself be taken away by two men, who slung their rifles 
 across their backs, and helped him along. The darkness did not permit 
 his recognizing the uniforms or the lieutenant, but he was so happy at feel- 
 ing terra firma under his feet that he recked little of the consequences of 
 his misadventure. But the wet had chilled him, and whilst he was hatch- 
 ing a plausible tale, he hastened on in the hope of warming himself at the 
 watch-fire. The bank rose steeply before sloping down to the road, on the 
 edge of which stood a house with one shining window. The officer followed 
 the party, which only had a score of paces to take before reaching the door 
 of the rather well situated post, since it was not perceptible from the 
 right bank. Valnoir was the first to enter a hall where a bright fire burned 
 in a broad chimney-place. Eager to dry himself, he ran to it, and turned 
 to present his back to the flame. This movement put him face to face with 
 the officer, who recoiled in amazement. Rescuer and rescued had recognized 
 each other. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Before Valnoir stood one of the seconds in his duel at Saint-Germain — 
 Lieutenant Roger de Saint-Senier. So great was his dismay, that he nearly 
 fell back into the fire. To owe his life to a man who had a terrible reason 
 to hate him mortally, was a surprise beyond all the newswriter’s expecta- 
 tion, and, so far as his pride was concerned, he would have done better to 
 have fallen into the power of the Prussians. The officer’s astonishment was 
 no less, and his face at once assumed an expression of haughty repugnance, 
 which wounded the other to the quick. 
 
 Saint-Senier was tall, blender, and fair ; his regular features showed a 
 finish and softness almost feminine, and his budding moustache did not in- 
 dicate more than two or three-and-twenty, but his clear blue eyes, of singu- 
 lar quickness, gave his juvenile countenance a remarkable glow of courage 
 and audacity. He was wearing the Garde Mobile red-striped blue trousers, 
 and a white woollen undershirt. For the swim he had cast off his uniform 
 overcoat, but had not taken time to remove his buff knee-high boots. He 
 stood a little aloof from Valnoir, whose person offered a marked contrast 
 with his. 
 
 The editor of the “ Serpenteau ” was a very dark man, of medium 
 stature ; the worn lines of his wearied, bony face, rather indicated passion 
 than energy. Anyone wornd have thought him ten years older than Saint- 
 Senier, and yet he was not over thirty. To the observant, the pair repre- 
 sented two opposite types often brought in contact by the hazards of the 
 siege : the well-born, country -bred youth from the rustic circle, whose in- 
 fluence moderates the mind and fortifies the character, and the collegian flung 
 into the militant life of great cities, where illusions are quickly changed for 
 vices. They judged one another as hostile races do at first glance, and 
 their reciprocal antipathy shone in their crossing gaze. In this mute con- 
 test, Valnoir was at a disadvantage, for he could not forget that Saint- 
 Senier had snatched him from certain death by generously flying to his 
 rescue. To thank him, he was forced to break the icy silence following 
 their surprise ; yet, before speaking, he tried to mend the thread of events 
 in his mind. Whilst endeavouring to explain all that filled the early part 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 of this night of many casualties, Valnoir prepared a grateful speech for his 
 rescuer, but had much difficulty to invent one. The entrance of a subaltern 
 drew him from the quandary. 
 
 “ Let’s have a squint at that scratch o’ your’n, lieutenant,” said one of 
 two soldiers, approaching Saint-Senier. 
 
 The man thus tendering his chirurgical services wore the so-called 
 moblot uniform, but he had long passed the age of service for the garde 
 mobile, or even the army. Short, dried up, and thin, though broad- 
 shouldered and well built, this singular soldier had a long face, a hawk 
 nose, and short, grey moustaches. His brown, wrinkled skin denoted a 
 life spent out of doors, and his small brown eyes sparkled with vivacity 
 and intelligence. 
 
 “ Fie, M. Roger,” said this volunteer surgeon, turning up the blood- 
 stained left-hand sleeve of his officer, “I told you it was folly to make 
 yourself a butt for those rascally Prussians, to say nothing of the chance of 
 catching a cold, and all for the Lord knows who—” 
 
 “I told you it was a mere nothing, my good old Landreau,” muttered 
 the wounded man, who made less of the wound and its treatment than 
 Valnoir. 
 
 “ It is true the bullet has not carried away much flesh with the skin,” 
 commented the soldier, who was examining the furrow like a judge of such 
 matters, “ but it’s too much anyhow. You will have plenty of chances to 
 get shot on dry land without hunting after them in the middle of the river. 
 What a jolly good idea it was of mine to join your regiment ! The poachers 
 round Saint-Senier may kill a few bucks the more, while I am not at hand 
 to catch them, but at any rate l am looking after you, M. Roger, and Made- 
 moiselle Renee will say that I was right to swap my keeper’s game-bag for 
 a cartridge-box.” / 
 
 At the name of Ren6e, which awakened more than one recollection, Valnoir 
 could not suppress a nervous start, and the officer frowned. 
 
 “Let me tell you, M. Roger, that Mademoiselle Ren4e will not be 
 pleased with this,” resumed Landreau, who had taken a strip of linen from 
 his pocket, and was proceeding to bind up the wound. 
 
 “ All right, old man, look sharp,” said the lieutenant impatiently. 
 
 “ And it you go and get shot ” pursued the old gamekeeper, “who would be 
 left to look after my poor young mistress now the master has been killed? 
 Ugh 1 if I had only been by at that cursed duel, the brigand who brought 
 him down would never have got back into Paris alive — I’d have knocked 
 him on the head like a mad cur !” 
 
 Valnoir turned white and checked the pretty speech on his lips ; it 
 seemed an ill moment to thank his preserver. 
 
 “ I shall not want you any more now,” said M. de Saint-Senier quickly ; 
 “I shall stay by the Are with this gentleman who has the same need as I 
 of a warm. Get back to the waterside with your comrade and keep the 
 lads from wantonly showing themselves.” 
 
 “Hump! if they don’t to so more than their officer,” grunted the 
 privileged servant. “Anyhow, M. Roger, if you should want me, you 
 know 1 shall not be far off,” he added, glancing at Valnoir not very 
 encouragingly. • / 
 
 “ Be easy ; if I want you, I will blow my whistle twice.” 
 
 Upon this assurance, Landreau decided to go , forth with the other 
 soldier, and just before he closed the door, he repeated 
 
 “ Mind you don’t forget I am at hand.” 
 
58 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 For the first time, Valnoir and the officer were left alone. The latter* 
 whilst his old keeper attended to his wound, had taken a seat near the fire- 
 place on one of the few stools which formed with a long table all the 
 furniture of the guardroom. Lighted by only one window, it had probably 
 been the kitchen of the hapless house, whose site had been doomed by the 
 fate of war and whose tenants had hastened away. After relieving him- 
 self of the mantle girdle by throwing it on the table, Valnoir took a place 
 on the other side of the hearth arid, as he had had the time to prepare him- 
 self, began without too much embarrassment the delicate dialogue to which 
 he was condemned by circumstances. 
 
 “ I owe my life to you, sir,” he said warmly, “ and I am happy it should 
 be so. If I have been slow to thank you, it was because I did not wish to 
 allude before your soldiers to the mournful events which proceeded this 
 evening’s encounter. But now we are by ourselves, allow me to express at 
 the same time with my gratitude the excessive and sincere grief caused me 
 by the issue of that fatal duel.” 
 
 “ Quite useless, sir,” interrupted the officer $ “ I can accept neither your 
 proffered thanks nor the regret you express, and I am bound to remind 
 you that you owe me satisfaction.” 
 
 “Owe you, sir ! you who have just saved me,” ejaculated Valnoir. 
 
 “I claimed it on the ground an instant before the combat,” continued M. 
 de Saint-Senier coldly, “ and you know that circumstances prevented a 
 second encounter. I could not fight you because the Prussians were coming 
 up, and you know that to escape them we had to make use of the convey- 
 ance of that showman whom chance brought thither. ” 
 
 “ I remember the past perfectly,” quickly returned the journalist ; “but 
 I have not seen M. Podensac since, hence I am still ignorant how that 
 unfortunate journey terminated, and I beg to ask you — ” 
 
 “ Will you be good enough to inform me when and where I may meet 
 you, sir ? ” inquired the officer, without heeding the question. 
 
 Valnoir had not foreseen the turn the colloquy would take, and was very 
 poorly prepared to discuss the possibility of a duel with his preserver ; but, 
 on the other hand, he was glad enough to escape the obligation to narrate 
 his adventures. The idea even came to him to profit by M. de Saint-Senier’a 
 bellicose mood to keep the conversation on a bye track to the end. If it 
 were to be prolonged all night, this would be difficult ; but Valnoir reckoned 
 on the necessities of outpost duty abridging the interview. 
 
 “Sir,” said he with sad firmness, “ I have a reason for not fighting with 
 you which all brave men will value ; and, besides, I have never personally 
 injured you.” 
 
 “You insulted the name I bear,” cried the officer. 
 
 “Newspaper polemics led me into vehement language which I have 
 bitterly regretted,” replied Valnoir. 
 
 Saint-Senier tossed up his hand in token of indifference. 
 
 “But I vow to you, sir, that I would never have consented to that fatal 
 affair had I had the honour of your acquaintance and that of your family.” 
 
 “ So you refuse to fight ? ” demanded the officer. 
 
 Valnoir was making ready an evasive answer ; but he had no time to 
 utter it, for M. de Saint-Senier had suddenly sprung up with gleaming 
 •yea, and hand extended over Engine’s mantle. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 XX. 
 
 y 
 
 Yalnoir comprehended, and he turned pale also. The mantle was made 
 of coarse stuff woven in some bazaar of Smyrna or Cairo, and Oriental fancy 
 had adorned it with two gold tassels that made it readily recognizable. 
 Once having seen it on the wearer, no one could mistake the strange vest- 
 ment, The officer was so enwrapped in vengeful thoughts recalled by the 
 unexpected meeting with his cousin’s murderer, that he had not paid any 
 attention to the journalist’s singular waist-band. But chance had drawn 
 his eyes to the table, and he had risen as if under an electric shock. 
 
 “ Where did you find this mantle, sir ? ” he queried, in a voice tremulous 
 with wrath. 
 
 The waif picked up by Yalnoir aroused such moving memories in the 
 lieutenant that he suddenly forgot the duel he was forcing on his adversary. 
 Taken unawares by the dangerous question, Rose’s cavalier was in no haste 
 to answer. He was trying to reconstruct the framework of falsehood so 
 laboriously designed, but, in his perplexity, found all stories inacceptable. 
 
 “ Explain it ! justify yourself ! ” cried the officer, more menacingly than 
 ever. 
 
 Saint-Senier’s was the cool anger of Northerners, and the question 
 promptly restored his self-possession. 
 
 “You are right, sir,” he said, taking his seat again, “and I wag wrong 
 to give way to passion. It is I who will clearly explain myself, and I re- 
 quest you for your own sake to reply as frankly. ” 
 
 The provoker suddenly changed into an examining magistrate, and Yalnoir 
 needed only one glance to understand that things were becoming serious. 
 The officer would not waste questions about R^gine’s mantle before aveng- 
 ing his kinsman’s death, unless he had powerful motives to interest himself 
 in the girl. It was necessary for Yalnoir to keep on his guard, and he bore 
 himself accordingly. 
 
 “ Sir,” said his preserver, eyeing him steadily, “ a while ago I was watch- 
 ing on the river banks when I heard calls for help in our tongue. My men 
 wanted to hold me back from rescuing the person in peril, but I could not 
 abandon a fellow-countryman. I jumped into the water, and succeeded in 
 saving you from the twofold danger you ran.” 
 
 “I have not forgotten the service you rendered me,” cried Yalnoir, 
 fervently ; “ and I am always ready to prove my gratitude.” 
 
 “ Be so good as not to interrupt and hear me t-o the end,” observed Saint- 
 Senier, without emotion. “ I did not know the man I rescued ; he might 
 have been a deserter or a spy. ” 
 
 Yalnoir shook his head indignantly. 
 
 “ I said * might have been,’” continued the officer, coolly ; “I might have 
 said probably : 4 Who but a spy or a deserter, in fact, would be crossing the 
 Seine at nigh$ in face of a Prussian picket ? ’ I have no reason to conceal 
 from you that I intended to question you closely after I had fished you out. 
 But when I recognized you by this firelight, I could see in you nothing but 
 the mortal enemy of all who bear my name ; and I own I thought of 
 avenging our family honour before thinking of my duty as a soldier.” 
 
 Here he paused an instant to find the fittest expressions to reproduce hie 
 thoughts exactly. 
 
 “ Now it convenes with my mood,” he went on sternly, “ to remember X 
 
60 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 am on outpost duty, and to ask you to account for your actions this 
 night.” . 
 
 Valnoir had had time to get his defence ready and adopt a course. 
 
 “Just as you please, sir,” he said, in the tone of an honest man unjustly 
 accused. 
 
 “Where do you come from, then?” demanded the officer, taking no 
 notice of the indignant tone which the other believed seemly. 
 
 “ From Paris.” 
 
 “ The gates are shut at seven. How did you get through ? ” 
 
 “In a boat.” 
 
 “ Where did you take it ? ” 
 
 “ Near the Outer Circle Railway Bridge.” 
 
 “And you were able to get through the dam which is strictly guarded?” 
 
 “ It seems so,” replied Valnoir, curtly. “ It is true I was fired on from the 
 earthworks, but I was not hit.” 
 
 “ Very well ; where were you going ? ” 
 
 “ Nowhere.” 
 
 “ I warn you,” proceeded M. de Saint-Senier with freezing coldness, 
 “ that if you refuse to be plain with me, I have perfectly decided to send 
 you to the commander of this district, who will no doubt, find out some 
 means to make you speak. ” 
 
 “ I have told you the truth,” returned Valnoir, undismayed ; “I did not 
 know whither I was going, because I had no means of directing the boat I 
 was in.” 
 
 “You are playing on words, sir, and I have no time to trifle away. Why 
 did you take the boat ? ” 
 
 “ To save a person’s life,” was the journalist’s plain answer, for he had 
 hit on a plausible story. 
 
 “ Whose life ? ” inquired the lieutenant, with an eagerness in contrast 
 with his previous sternness. 
 
 “A woman’s.” 
 
 The answer told, for M. de Saint-Senier’s emotion could not be hidden. 
 
 “ Then this — this mantle ? ” he queried agitatedly. 
 
 “ Belonged to her ; I picked it up floating on the river and kept it in the 
 hope it would serve to reveal the name of the poor victim of an act of 
 despair.” 
 
 The officer buried his face in his hands, and Valnoir took good care not 
 to let this occasion slip of interes ing and softening his foe. 
 
 “Since you no longer examine me, sir,” said he with well-assumed 
 softness, “ I am ready to relate to you all the incidents of the sad story.” 
 
 The other raised his head. He was pale and he made visible efforts to 
 hide his emotion. 
 
 “ Speak, sir,” he said more gently. 
 
 “I was alone on the Quai d’Auteuil,” pursued Valnoir, “ whither I was 
 brought by a — a visit to a friend, when I was passed by a woman running 
 to the river. Her wild aspect as well as her hurried steps made me think 
 she was bent on suicide. I followed her and saw that I had divined only 
 too truly. She flung herself into the Seine — I had unfortunately arrived 
 too late.” 
 
 “Did you not try to save her ? ” asked the officer quickly. 
 
 “ It was through trying to save her that I nearly lost my life,” rejoined 
 the editor quietly ; he was coming out nicely. “ I did not know ftuw to 
 swim as you noticed, for you had to rescue me,” continued he, glancing at 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 61 
 
 the lieutenant. “ So I did the only thing in my power — I unfastened a 
 boat and tried to overtake the poor woman who had risen to the surface. 
 Unhappily I saw her no more ; her cloak was floating about though and 
 that I picked up. You know the rest.’ 5 
 
 In this artfully arranged tale the narrator had taken care to leave out 
 >11 that could injure him and to equip himself w.ith an honourable part. 
 Hence he avoided mention of his persecution of Engine on whom he had 
 forced his company, and so he hoped to win the officer’s good feelings. 
 This latter point was important, for Rose de Charmi&re’s lover had no more 
 desire to fight him than to go before a drumhead court. He had no fear of 
 the poor girl giving him the lie, for he had seen her sink into the depths of 
 the Seine. 
 
 “ Upon my word,” he thought, “ I believe that I shall get out of this 
 silly adventure better than I hoped. ” 
 
 “ Did you not know this woman ? ” demanded M. de Saint-Senier, seem- 
 ing to hesitate about further questioning. 
 
 “ Never saw her before,” replied Valnoir with rare impudence. Almost 
 instantly reading doubt in his hearer’s eyes, he hastened to add: “Be- 
 sides, even had I met her before, which I do not believe, I could not have 
 recognised her from the night being rather dark. I did not see her face 
 and could still less trace her features. ” 
 
 “ Did not her dress strike you ? ” persisted the officer. 
 
 “ Why no — I scarcely noticed it, or anything more than this mantle,” 
 returned ' the editor with less assurance, for the other’s continuing to 
 question him surprised him. 
 
 “ Sir,” resumed the lieutenant, “ I believe you utter the truth, but I am 
 obliged to state that you had previously seen the girl who was drowned 
 under your eyes. ” 
 
 “ I — I did not think so,” stammered Valnoir, rather taken aback. 
 
 “ I am going to remind you of the serious circumstances under which 
 you met her,” said M. de Saint-Senier laying stress on the words. 
 
 “ I will ^hank you to do so,” muttered the journalist, rising to elude the 
 other’s clear, fixed gaze. “ Excuse me, but the fire is too hot,” he added 
 to cover his retreat ; and further to give himself countenance, he paced the 
 room and stepped towards the solitary window looking on the river. His 
 head was burning, and he was going to press his brow against the cold 
 panes when he thought he spied a human form beyond. Nor was he 
 wrong. A pair of bright eyes were watching him. 
 
 XXL 
 
 The night was dark and the dazzle of the fire he had lately left prevented 
 Valnoir clearly distinguishing external objeots. The human form, of which 
 he had caught a glimpse, vanished before he had time to discern so fugitive 
 an apparition. So he believed it was some too inquisitive soldier, and heeded 
 no more the shadowy shape which only for the moment interested him. 
 Saint-Senier had not turned and was waiting for the answer which the 
 other was in no haste to give him. 
 
 “ I repeat to you, sir,” he said slowly, “ that you did previously see this 
 dead woman. Her costume, anyway, was sufficiently odd to attract your 
 attention, and it is strange at least that you should not have recollected 
 
 her. ” 
 
62 
 
 THE BED RAJTO. 
 
 “ Oh, are you speaking of the girl who accompanied that mountebank In 
 the Forest of Saint-Germain ? ” queried the author with a deceptive air of 
 surprise. 
 
 “I am indeed,” replied the officer, rising to have hi3 adversary on a 
 level. 
 
 “ Oh, then this is fatality ! ” ejaculated the journalist, who had recovered 
 
 full self-possession. 
 
 His accent of sincerity would have honoured a finished comedian, and 
 without suspecting it, Valnoir must have gained by Madame de Char- 
 mi&re’s lessons. 
 
 “ But, though I did not remember her, she might have remembered me,” 
 he continued, to anticipate an objection. 
 
 “So I think,” was the other’s cold answer. 
 
 A rather long break ensued, Valnoir had resumed his stool, and toasted 
 himself at the fire, forgetting in his concern that he had complained of the 
 heat of this same fire kindled by the faithful Landreau. The officer had 
 lapsed into a brown study, and seemed pursuing an idea he hesitated to 
 express. 
 
 “ Sir, I am going to speak frankly,” he said suddenly. 
 
 The other bowed by way of thanks. 
 
 “Your tale would pass muster with anybody but myself,” proceeded 
 the lieutenant, “ but 1 must say that it is impossible for me to accept it 
 wholly.” 
 
 “Why so, please?” demanded the journalist, feeling bound to pretend 
 indignation. 
 
 “ Because that girl could not have had suicidal thoughts, on the contrary, 
 she had potent reasons to cling to life. ” 
 
 “ Who can tell ? A fit of despair ! disappointed love I ” interrupted Val- 
 noir, shrugging his shoulders. 
 
 “I beg you not to slander her,” returned Saint-Senier, haughtily. 
 “ She had a mission to fulfil, and would not have failed in it by willingly 
 throwing away her life. Hence her death remains inexplicable to me, and 
 until I learn the true cause, you must remain my prisoner.” 
 
 * ‘The deuce ! that may be for long,” said Valnoir, mockingly again, 
 “ and, great though be my gratitude, it does not go so far as to bind me to 
 pass my life in the outer lines beside my rescuer.” 
 
 “ Do you prefer my taking you before a court that will ask you what 
 you were doing on the Seine at such an hour ? ” 
 
 “ A court, under a siege,” uttered Valnoir lightly. 
 
 ** The court of a judge who wears a sword, and who condemns without 
 appeal— the provost-marshal of the army.” 
 
 The journalist lost colour slightly, but remained under self-control, 
 not believing the game lost yet. One word had struck him in the threaten- 
 ing speech, and he sought to win with that. 
 
 “ Sir,” he said calmly, “ you spoke of a mission entrusted to that girl ; I 
 am ignorant of its nature.” 
 
 “ *Twas to come here to me this evening,” explained the lieutenant. 
 
 “Very well,” went on Valnoir, who was able to conceal his surprise 5 
 “it seems to me then that, with that piece of information and others be- 
 sides, which you can no doubt furnish him, your military magistrate will 
 have no trouble in discovering the facts. Hence I am ready to give an 
 account of myself before him. ” 
 
 Rose’s lover would have been sorely put about, had his offer been 
 
 r 
 
 1 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 63 
 
 snapped up, but he surmised that his mortal foe would think twice before 
 giving this matter the publicity of a court-martial hearing. The other’s 
 manner showed him that he had not beguiled himself, for the lieutenant 
 bit his lips in silence as if he regretted having spoken too much. Valnoir 
 took the moment as favourable to strike a decisive blow. 
 
 “ Truth to tell, sir,” he went on, skilfully managing the inflections of 
 his voice, “ I am of opinion that we are both going astray. I refused 
 you satisfaction by arms, which I do not believe due to a man who has 
 just saved my life. Now you threaten to arrest me for a crime not 
 committed by me. Better, I take it, to settle between ourselves hereafter 
 what has no pressing solution. I cannot leave Paris, even were I so in- 
 clined, since the investment is complete, so that you are sure to find me 
 here whenever you like, and I give you my word of honour to be at your 
 call in case you persist in claiming a meeting. ” 
 
 The garde mobile was walking up and down in agitation. 
 
 “As for the mysterious event of this night,” continued the news- writer, 
 “ I wish it enlightened as much as yourself, and if the publicity of which I 
 dispose can be of any use to you — ” 
 
 “ Sir,” interrupted the officer, cutting him short, “ I desire, quite other- 
 wise, that everybody shall remain ignorant of what has happened, and if I 
 accept your word, it is on condition that you hold your peace. You- 
 may go back to Paris to-morrow morning, but I rely on your pledge, and I 
 ahall send two friends to call on you as soon as my company is relieved of 
 its duty.” 
 
 He had not without some effort decided to defer a duel irrevocably de- 
 termined on in his mind, and as the view of his destined opponent seemed 
 hateful, he went and sat down at the other end of the table with his back 
 turned on Valnoir. Not wishful at all to prolong the dialogue, the latter 
 determined to make the most of the opportunity. 
 
 “Day will not be long before breaking,” he said, moving towards the 
 door, “and if you have nothing more to say to me, I will go on the road 
 and wait for the drawbridge to be let down.” 
 
 “You are at liberty, sir,” was the cold rejoinder. 
 
 The other did not ask a repetition of the permission, and he was on the 
 point of going out when the door opened. 
 
 “ Regine i ” exclaimed M. de Saint-Senier, who had looked round at the 
 sound. 
 
 Madame de Charmifcre’a protector bounded back in amazement as well as 
 terror. Before him stood the girl he believed drowned, clothed as on the 
 day of the duel, and the apparition revolutionised all his ideas. He recoiled 
 as from a spectre, but Regine did not seem to notice him as she walked 
 straight up to the officer, who quivered with joy and emotion, and handed 
 him a letter. 
 
 •• Alive I ” muttered he, pressing her hands. “You are alive ! But how 
 did you escape death — who saved you ? Pshaw ! I forget she cannot hear 
 me,” h8 added, with a toss of the head at his blunder. 
 
 But Regine must have divined the question by the flutter of the lips, for 
 she pantomimed the action of swimming with her arms. Valnoir began to 
 understand. 
 
 “ She can swim, and she took to the water just to escape me,” he thought ; 
 M and it nearly cost me dear to jump in after her.” 
 
 “But why did you run such a danger?” resumed M. de Saint-Senier, 
 
bringing the girl to a seat at the fire, for her garments were streaming with 
 wet. “ Why did Ren4e send you so late ? ” 
 
 Engine proved again that she heard with her eyes, for she laid a finger 
 on her lips and darted a rapid glance at the bystander. 
 
 “ Oho ! ” thought the latter, “ she comes on an errand from Mademoiselle 
 de Saint-Seniei 4 . To-morrow I shall find out all about this affair.” 
 
 By apantomime still more expressive than words, the dumb girl motioned 
 to the officer that he ought to read the letter she had delivered to him. 
 With an unsteady hand he broke a broad black seal, on which the very 
 sharp eyes of the editor recognized a coat of arms. As the young guards- 
 man read his face brightened, but when he finished tears flowed down his 
 cheeks. R6gine watched the play of his features with impassioned at- 
 tention. 
 
 “Thank you, thank you,” he said, cordially, “but I beg you not to ex- 
 pose your life in this way. In a few days I can go away. I shall be able 
 to see them, to — ” 
 
 The girl reminded him by a touch that Yalnoir was still present. The 
 latter thought that he would not learn much more by listening to monologues 
 which R6gine checked whenever they got interesting. 
 
 “I must be going, sir,” he said, quietly, “but first allow me to express 
 my joy at seeing safe and sound again a person in whom you are highly 
 interested, and — ” 
 
 The girl’s eyes studied his lips in movement with an earnestness which 
 eventually confused him, and he believed he had better curtail the com- 
 pliment. 
 
 “I am happy to prove my innocence before leaving you,” he concluded, 
 with a forced smile. 
 
 “ I was wrong, sir,” returned the officer, gravely, “ and I repeat that you 
 are free to go.” 
 
 Yalnoir bowed, and was taking a step forward when R^gine sprang up 
 and rushed between him and the door, where she extended her arms to bar 
 
 his exit. 
 
 # 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Thb incident was well calculated to appal Yalnoir. To force his way out 
 was neither easy nor prudent, for the girl’s determined air betokened that 
 she would not give way. Besides, the editor of the “ Serpenteau ” was 
 obliged to play out his part to the end and to appear interested in Saint- 
 Senier’s concerns. Moreover, as he had seen the Dumb Girl in “Masa 
 niello,” he believed the powers of dumbshow too limited to explain matters 
 except on operatic boards. 
 
 “ However much she flourishes her long arms about and rolls her eyes,” 
 he reasoned, “ this slasher will never puzzle out that I pursued her from 
 the Madeleine to Auteuil.” 
 
 Yet the officer seemed much more interested than Yalnoir by R^gine’s 
 action and, approaching, he eyed them alternately. 
 
 “ Why do you prevent this gentleman leaving ? ” he inquired, pronounc- 
 ing his words slowly in order to give the girl time to follow the move- 
 ments of his lips. 
 
 This time, though, R4gine did not seem to understand, Madame de 
 CharmiCre’s lover had drawn away, and sh« had left the doorway free as it 
 
gatisfied with having brought about his remaining. She returned to the 
 fire, and became wrapt in thought- though her eyes did not quit her 
 * . persecutor, who guessed truly tn&& another attempt at leparture would 
 succeed no better than the former. 
 
 “ This is some jest, no doubt,” he said, trying to smile. 
 
 “ People are in no mood for jesting when lately escaped from death,” re- 
 marked Saint-Senier, gravely. 
 
 “ Then, sir,” went on the newspaper editor, sternly, “ will you kindly 
 put an end to a scene that might be effective on a melodramatic stage, but 
 which seems to me out of place here.” 
 
 The officer shook his head ; it was easily seen that he wavered between 
 the wish to keep his word and the suspicion which Regine’s action aroused 
 in his mind. 
 
 Very well,” continued Valnoir, “ I suppose I must wait till the lady 
 issues my pass.” 
 
 This jest hit hard. 
 
 “ Sir,” replied the lieutenant, “ I have twice already said you were free 
 and I do not in any way oppose your departure ; but I know what this 
 young girl’s nature is, and I am sure she has a serious motive for detaining 
 
 you. ” 
 
 “ But I cannot ask her it,” jeered the journalist. 
 
 “She will make it clear, I fear for your sake, sir,” muttered the guards- 
 man, offended by the tone. 
 
 “ The sooner the better, for day is breaking and I have something better 
 to do than to remain at the outposts.” 
 
 This sentence, most insolently uttered, drove the hearer from the cold 
 reserve in which he had tried to entrench himself. He strode up to his 
 prisoner and looked him in the face, saying : 
 
 “ There is a simple way of settling this. I have a spare sword. This 
 room is large enough for us to fight it out straight off. If you kill me you 
 can return to Paris in time to scribble fresh libels in your journal.” 
 
 “ Is this — this lady to be our second ? ” ironically inquired Valnoir* 
 
 “ Just so,” coldly replied the garde mobile, going to the. corner where his 
 weapons were placed. 
 
 Though he had no inclination to run the hazard of another encounter, 
 the editor began to fear there was no avoiding it. At bottom, he had 
 courage enough, at least, not to shrink from the rather forced combat, and, 
 besides, he was strongly tempted by the chance of ridding himself of a 
 rather cumbersome antagonist. R4gine did not move, but she watched ail 
 the soldier’s movements with eyes sparkling with intelligence, clearly and 
 perfectly comprehending what was on foot, and nothing showed that she in- 
 tended to oppose it. The officer was very busy examining the sworda 
 , which he had unsheathed, and was trying the points and edges, when quite 
 a brisk firing broke out riverward. The sharp crack of the chassepot rifles 
 ' was plainly to be distinguished alternating with deeper-toned reports. The 
 noise was very close and the interchange of shots seemed to take place 
 where the drowning man had been brought ashore. Saint-Senier hesitated 
 an instant. One could guess that he was divided between the wish to 
 finish with his adversary and the duty to look after his soldiers. Valnoir 
 deemed it a meet occasion to parade his valour. 
 
 “You can go out there, sir,” he said with a touch of sarcasm. “I 
 promise to abide your return.” 
 
 This pledge no doubt appeared scarcely enough to the who, 
 
 D 
 
66 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 instead of going to the door, opened the window and quickly blew a whistle 
 hanging from his neck twice. “Prudence is the mother of safety,” ob- 
 served Valnoir loud enough to be heard by M. de Saint-Senier, who was 
 turning to corne to him when L&ndreau’s face appeared at the window. 
 
 But the ex -gamekeeper did not trouble to look in. 
 
 “It’s nothing, M. Roger,” he said in a calm tone — “only that big lout 
 Toumois, son of the fanner of La Bret&che, who was fool enough to show 
 himself on the bank. The Prussians caught sight of him and they are 
 playing an overture to Old Nick on their clarionets.” 
 
 “ Nobody hit ? ” queried the lieutenant. 
 
 “ Not a scratch,” answered Landreau, snapping his fingers ; “ they will 
 4 draw blank,’ the clumsy beggars ! ” 
 
 “ Good ! go back, and call me if matters become serious.” 
 
 “ All right, M. Roger, we’ll keep our eye skinned,” said the old game- 
 keeper, departing. 
 
 His officer shut the window and returned to the swords. 
 
 “ For the last time, sir,” remonstrated Valnoir, “ I must point out that 
 a duel is senseless under such a state of things.” 
 
 As he spoke, he glanced at R^gine, expecting her to intervene ; but to 
 his great surprise she did not make a move, and he judged aright that the 
 preliminaries of the duel did not at all alarm her. 
 
 “ I little care,” responded the officer ; “I am determined to have done 
 with you this very night. ” 
 
 “ Suppose I refuse ? ” suggested the man of letters, folding his arms. 
 
 “ If you do, I shall know how to force you.” 
 
 He emphasized his retort with so menacing a gesture that his hearer felt 
 that there could be no drawing back. The officer dragged the table on 
 one side in the centre, and came forward to present the two cavalry swords, 
 hilts foremost. R^gine looked on without evincing the faintest feeling. 
 She was as immovable as a statue, and her look was that of a sleep- 
 walker. The gun shots did not cease, and it looked more and more like an 
 engagement. Valnoir took one blade and was about pulling off his cqat 
 when the panes were smartly rapped upon. 
 
 “ Lieutenant,” cried a soldier to his officer who threw up the window. 
 M Landreau sent me to tell you that we have two men wounded already, and 
 the Prussians seem like attempting to cross. ” 
 
 “ I am coming,” answered the officer, vexedly. “ Will you follow me,, 
 sir ? ” he added, turning round to the editor of the “ Serpenteau.” 
 
 The latter hesitated an instani, but feeling that it was important to be 
 free from Regine, he boldly answered that he was ready ; and to gild his 
 consent with heroism he added : 
 
 “ Let me have a gun so as to be some good. I would rather be killed by 
 the Prussians than by you. ” 
 
 “ Be it so,” said the other, buckling on his belt. 
 
 He was going forth with his volunteer, who was rejoicing over this unex- 
 pected issue, when the girl rose, and touched his arm gently. 
 
 “ What’s the matter, R6gine ? ” he asked. 
 
 She pointed to Valnoir, and shook her head as much m to eay t 
 
 4 ‘ I do not want him to go away. ” 
 
 Very much surprised, M. de Saint Senier tried to proceed, but she held 
 him with an energy announcing a deeply fixed resolve. 
 
 “Regine, my child, I must go,” remonstrated the officer softly, for the 
 fusillade seemed approaching 
 
« 
 
 THE BED BAND, 8? 
 
 “ Sir,” said Valnoir, “ we are losing time, and, if you will beliefs me, we 
 should leave the young lady here.” 
 
 “ Farewell, Engine ! ” shouted the lieutenant, rushing towards the door- 
 way. 
 
 She barred the passage in the same way as she had already done to Val- 
 noir, but this time, with a movement as swift as thought, she drew a paper 
 out of her dress body, and held it out to the officer. 
 
 “Wretch!” cried he, after having rapidly perused it, at the same 
 time taking a step towards the editor, who beheld the incident in stupe- 
 faction. 
 
 But simultaneously the door was dashed open, and the old gamekeeper 
 leaped into the room. 
 
 “M. Roger,” he faltered almost breathlessly, “the Prussians 1 They 
 have crossed the Seine ! We shall be overpowered ! ” 
 
 Out sprang M. de Saint-Senier, and as Engine could not detain him, she 
 followed him, clinging to his clothes. 
 
 The war-cries and the firing redoubled in violence. The bewildered Val- 
 noir was puzzled whether to stay or go, when his eyes fell on the paper 
 which the amazed officer had dropped upon the table. He caught it up in 
 a tremulous hand and read it. These words were written on it in a bold, 
 clear, and steady hand : 
 
 “ This man and his accomplice murdered your cousin.” 
 
 xxm. 
 
 Like most literary men, Valnoir lived on the hill of the Saint-Georges dis- 
 trict. The “ Serpenteau’s ” golden eggs were too few in number as yet 
 much to enrich its editorial chief, and though he handled goodly sums, 
 and spent no little money, the devotee of Madame de Charmtere had not 
 yet ventured on taking his flight into the dearer district around the Made- 
 leine. Since his amour with Rose had become protracted, she had often 
 joked him about his flat in the scarcely aristocratic Rue de Navarin. But 
 as she never set foot there, and as Valnoir anticipated all her whims, she 
 granted the sound logic that the more her admirer restricted his personal 
 expenditure, the more he would have of available funds. The noble sister 
 of Antoine Pilevert possessed marvellously well the art of extracting this 
 ready cash from her lover’s pocket-book, and employing it in productive 
 speculations. 
 
 Madly smitten, and as reckless as his mistress was careful, Valnoir 
 willingly agreed to this lop-sided arrangement. The result was that this 
 man, who spent three louis on a dinner with Rose at the Cate Anglais, and 
 who never went about on foot, still dwelt in lodgings at six hundred francs, 
 and had no other valet than the doorkeeper. At the same time, the jour- 
 nalist’s perch in this ward so dear to artists, lacked neither style nor com- 
 fort. The windows opened on vast gardens, and the flat was composed of 
 four rooms, tastefully furnished. A man does not live in artistic and literary 
 Bohemia for ten years without picking up many a waif and stray in the 
 celebrated studios and fashionable theatres. The walls of Valnoir’s study 
 and sleeping apartment literally disappeared under pictures signed by names 
 of mark, and actress’s portraits enriched by signatures which assuredly 
 doubled their value, but almost always cost him dear. 
 
 The author’s pet room was a smoking snuggery he had had built inexpen- 
 
68 
 
 THB RED BAND. 
 
 sively, out at the back, on a terrace belonging to his house and over- 
 looking the next garden. 
 
 Idle at times, as men are who indulge to excess in intellectual labours, he 
 had collected writing materials here as well as the smoking appurtenances 
 and the furniture for sleep. An oak table, a sofa covered with Persian 
 cloth, two cane chairs, and pipes of all sizes and kinds, composed the whole 
 furniture of the Nicotinian Temple where only bosom friends penetrated. 
 Here the journalist had shut himself in on the day following his agitated 
 night in and on the Seine. After the skirmish which delivered him of both 
 M. de Saint-Senier and R6gine, he had slipped away as quickly as he 
 could from a post so dangerous from every point of view. Without worry- 
 ing about the shooting and the shouts on both banks of the river, he went 
 up the Point du Jour road briskly, and soon found himself far enough from 
 the scene of action to stop and await in all security for the opening of the 
 gates. After a couple of hours employed in resting after so many shocks, 
 and in meditating, seated on the edge of a ditch, Valnoir saw day break, 
 and he entered into Paris without difficulty amid a long train of market 
 gardeners’ carts. 
 
 At so early an hour, he could not dream of presenting himself at Madame 
 de pharmi^re’s. Under pretext of conforming with the usages and customs 
 of ultra-high life, the ingenious adventuress had put her lover under the ban 
 never to call on her unexpectedly, and, on this occasion, Valnoir would 
 even less have dared break the taboo from fear of a stormy reproof. 
 He had been too long g< ne after the cigar to reappear without smoothing 
 down the dame of the Place de la Madeleine, and he contented himself with 
 nodding to the balcony, which had been the starting point overnight of hns 
 Odyssey. A cab picked up at Passy carried him to his residence, broken 
 up with fatigue, dissatisfied with himself, and, above all, uneasy about the 
 consequences of his ad venture. He had brought aw ay with him the paper 
 which R6gine had put before Lieutenant de Saint-Senier to read, and, 
 though he could not understand the enigmatical sentence speaking of a 
 murder and an accomplice, he saw danger in the mystery. Still, he went 
 to Vied on arriving at the Rue de Navarin, and lulled himself to sleep with 
 the consoling thought that both officer and show girl had been killed or 
 captured by the Prussian , and so he w r as rid of them. 
 
 On awaking about noon, Valnoir found a note from Madame de Char- 
 mi&re on his side- table : “ As you preferred spending the evening away from 
 me, I shall spend the day without you (wrote Rose, who affected the 
 epigrammatic style). You may come round to-morrow at three. Mean- 
 while, M. Taupier will give you new's of me, and speak to you about our 
 plans for ‘ Lighting our Pipes at the Moon.’” This was neither dated nor 
 signed by reason of a principle of caution in which the upstart never failed; 
 but Valnoir, habituated to such shortcomings, held it as good, and decided 
 readily to pass the day at home. He had arrears of correspondence to 
 clear off: the editing of the “Serpenteau ” took place in the morning, and 
 it was too late to send copy : two sound reasons for not going out. 
 
 “Taupier will drop in after the ‘make-up,’” he said, yawning, “and tell 
 me hbw r they ended the night at Rose’s. Oh, here you are, Master 
 Bourignard,” he added, on seeing his doorkeeper enter with a tray. “ You 
 guessed I should want some tea. This foresight does you honour.” 
 
 The personage to whom this compliment was addressed reminded one 
 Strikingly of the Joseph Prud’homme type. Endowed with an enormous 
 nose and a crominent chin which visibly tended to meet it, Monsieui 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 69 
 
 Bourignard was the wearer of gold spectacles, momentarily raised on his 
 bald brow. His thin neck was surrounded by a white choker with 
 embroidered ends falling upon the broad lappels of a Robespierre waistcoat. 
 
 . An observer would have been tempted to believe that he tried to imitate the 
 over-neat attire of the too famous lawyer of Arras, for he also wore a high- 
 necked, long-tailed coat of black, with brass buttons such as Robespierre dis- 
 played on the day of the Festival to the Supreme Being. This majestic door- 
 keeper had preserved of his own official attire only a blue linen apron, 
 which screened his knock-knee legs, and a Greek cap stuck on the apex of 
 his pointed head. 
 
 “Citizen editor,” said he in a voice which seemed to come from the 
 hollow of his immense nasal organ, “I am flattered by your homage.” 
 
 This solemn phrase was accompanied by a bow full of dignity, and the 
 functionary wfco uttered it prepared to place the tray on the little table. 
 
 “ Carry it into the smoking-room, noble father, and let nobody come up 
 save M. Taupier,” said Valnoir, jumping out of bed. 
 
 “’Tis well, citizen editor,” rejoined M. Bourignard, gravely; “but I 
 would like you never again to style me a noble father.” 
 
 “ Pooh ! Do you really feel regret at resembling the noble old fathers of 
 the heroines in classical tragedies 1 Why, I was thinking I was paying 
 you a compliment.” 
 
 “’Tis true I am a father, and proud am I of the name, for my offspring 
 Agricola yields me considerable gratification ; yet I am not noble, and I 
 ▼aunt of that. We were all proletaries from father to son, sir — I mean* 
 
 citizen. ” 
 
 “ Proletaries, eh ? I heard you had money in the government funds — ” 
 
 “I am even more delighted that I am not noble,” continued the gold' 
 spectacled porter, “for were I so — ” 
 
 “ If so, you would love the nobility, which would be hard to a man who 
 detests it,” suggested Valnoir, bursting into laughter. “ Never mind, 
 Bourignard, just put the tea where I bade you — that’s better than talking 
 
 politics.” 
 
 The door-keeper followed his lodger into the smoking-room, and laid 
 cut the breakfast without impairing any of his natural stateliness. 
 
 “Excellent news this morning,” he said, whilst busy, “ and now I think 
 we shall send the hordes of Old William spinning.” 
 
 “ Excellent, my dear Bourignard, excellent ! The Prussians crossed the 
 Seine last night, and drove our pickets in under the guns of the forts.” 
 
 The doorkeeper smiled archly, and bent over to his master’s ear. 
 
 “IPs clear, sir, that you do not know what I do,” he whispered, for- 
 getting to citizenise Valnoir. 
 
 “ What do you know, oh great strategist Bourignard? ” 
 
 “I know that Gringalet is at the front, and not one of the soldiers 
 of despotism will return to their Vaterland,” said the patriotic door- 
 keeper. 
 
 “ Who is Gringalet ? ” inquired the journalist, trying to keep serious. 
 
 “A ship’s gunner, sir, who aims all our great ordnance pieces one after 
 another and never misses a shot. When the Prussians set up a cannon in 
 a battery, Gringalet just fires, and his ball goes smack into the enemy’s 
 cannon’s mouth ! It hursts it, and you see — ” 
 
 “Plainly, plainly l” said Valnoir, succeeding in not laughing. “Now 
 that we have Gringalet, I do not see what they wanted all the country 
 Viilitiamen for— Gringalet is a host in himself.” 
 
70 
 
 THE RED BAND 
 
 “Hence I have had my son Agricola dressed like a sailor,” proceeded 
 Bourignard. 
 
 “A judicious and patriotic conception ! ” cried Valnoir, dipping some bread 
 in his tea. 
 
 The political work* on the “ Serpenteau ” had not entirely made Rose’s 
 lover forget practical joking, in which he diverted himself before he became 
 a knight of the quill, and he felt much inclined to be merry that morning to 
 repell the too serious memories of the night. 
 
 “My spouse wished to purchase him a complete uniform of a moblot at 
 the Belle Jardiniere clothing establishment,” continued the janitor, “but 
 I opposed it because I suspect these military men of bringing retrograde 
 ideas from the provinces. Reaction is raising its head.” 
 
 “ Indeed ? ” queried Valnoir, dubiously. 
 
 “ Its head is up, sir, and the streets of Paris are full of these supporters 
 of feudalism. That reminds me, sir, that somebody came after you this 
 morning. ” 
 
 “ Who ? a garde mobile ? ” 
 
 “ Yes, and an officer to boot ! he was accompanied by a civilian with the 
 look of a proud aristocrat. I told them that you were not up yet, and they 
 said they would look in this evening or to-morrow.” 
 
 “ Already, him ! ” muttered Valnoir, becoming moody, “ that’s strange.” 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 The citizen doorkeeper Bourignard had no idea of the effect produced by his. 
 announcement that a military gentleman had called. The editor, forget- 
 ting the night’s events to “chaff” his grotesque Figaro, was abruptly re- 
 minded of the direful reality. If Lieutenant de Saint- Senier came or sent 
 seconds, it meant that he was decided to follow up the affair of which the 
 mysterious surroundings much worried Valnoir. He had briefly cherished 
 the secret hope that he was freed of the officer and R4gine by the Prussian 
 attack on the outpost. Bourignard apprised him that he would still have 
 to face the survivors of the affair. 
 
 “ Venerable father — of Agricola,” he said with a smile, much resembling 
 a wry face, “ at present I require your services no further, and I have three 
 articles to write. ” 
 
 “ I understand, sir, sufficit citizen,” remarked this most Jacobin of door- 
 keepers, “ I shall retire to attend to household affairs. If these aristocrats 
 return, what shall I tell them ? ” 
 
 “ That I am out,” replied Valnoir quickly. “ Only let in Taupier, none 
 but Taupier — that’s the order of the day. ” 
 
 “ With pleasure, sir, with pleasure,” said Bourignard on his way out. 
 “Citizen Taupier is a pure radical, and one can but gain in his company." 
 
 The journalist lit a pipe on being left alone, stretched himself out on the 
 lounge, and reviewed the dark passages in his rambles. 
 
 “ What does the strolling player mean here ? ” he wondered as he took 
 out the paper in which R6gine accused him of murder. 
 
 In vain did he read and read over and over again this accusation, quite 
 enigmatical — he could make nothing of it 
 
 “ My accomplice,” he repeated; “none but Taupier can be so designated. 
 Yet it seem# to me that whilst I was unfortunate enough to kill that seaman, 
 
 I killed him in accordance with all the rules. His own second, -Podensac, 
 
/ 
 
 THE FED BAND. 
 
 71 
 
 was there to bear witness to that at need. . 4 Murderer ! ’ plague on t, how 
 the girl goes on ! and that soft-eyed lieutenant swallows such frantic stuff! 
 Pooh ! ” he added, putting down his pipe, 44 I am a fool to bother about it. 
 The girl is simply cracked, and I defy the hare-brained fellow to find 
 seconds to assist at the new meeting he proposed. ” 
 
 Satisfied with this soothing reflection, Valnoir rose and laid out paper and 
 ink at the other end of the table on which he had breakfasted. Preparing 
 matter for the 44 Serpenteau ” had been badly neglected during the last 
 twenty-four hours, and he felt the necessity of giving vent to his ill-humour 
 by 44 pitching into ” (we apologize for the orthodox term) his political ad- 
 versaries. But he was not in the vein that day ; before he had scrawled a 
 dozen lines, he perceived that tart expressions did not flow from his pen in 
 the wonted abundance, and that he could not find those ingenious terms 
 and doubles entendres of slander which constituted the base of his talent. 
 Rose’s wrathful visage glowed through the venomous phrases cast upon the 
 paper, and he finally left unfinished a tirade laboriously and perfidiously 
 polished in order to muse over the overnight’s banquet and its remarkable 
 guests. He was asking himself whether he ought to believe in the errand of 
 M. Pilevert and the projects of Alcindor the Fusionist when the corkscrew 
 form of Taupier wriggled in. 
 
 44 Hilloa ! here you are, eh ? ” he exclaimed, enchanted at the diversion. 
 “ I did not expect you so soon.” 
 
 44 Many thanks ! ” snarled Taupier who did not seem all milk and honey. 
 
 “Come, come! don’t get cross, but tell me if the paper ‘.went up’ 
 
 yesterday. ” 
 
 “ No, and we shall not go up, so long as the 4 Serpenteau ’ does not 
 plainly stand v out as the organ of socialistic ideas — ” 
 
 44 And fusionist, too, eh, whilst we are about it ? Have you chanced to 
 take that clown’s patter as serious ? ” 
 
 “My dea & fellow,” said the humpback, settling down to the neck in the 
 cane chair, 4 4 you have style and you can properly dress up an article, but 
 you are only a dunce in politics.” 
 
 “I have always suspected it,” answered Valnoir laughing, 44 since I 
 rejected your romance in five books : 4 The Loves of a Workingman.’ ” 
 
 “You made a blunder there,” returned the deformity curtly, 44 but 
 novels are not in question. If you want the paper to go ahead, you must 
 take a line of your own. No tv- you pepper the reactionary party pretty 
 hotly, but you have no straight line.” 
 
 “ Have you? ” queried the other ironically. , 44 1 should not think it by 
 looking at you.” 
 
 This personal allusion was not to the taste of the tortuous Taupier, who 
 resumed with noticeable acerbity : 
 
 44 If my ideas do not suit you, I shall have no difficulty in publishing 
 them elsewhere, and I have come expressly to learn if you are going to 
 
 join us ? ” 
 
 44 Who, us? the humpbacks of Paris?” interrupted Valnoir impertinently. 
 
 44 With us the founders of the Light your Pipe at the Moon Society,” 
 returned Taupier, without resenting the insult. 
 
 The editor of the “Serpenteau” could no longer restrain a roar of 
 laughter, and he leaned back, clapping his hands. 
 
 44 In the meantime, be good enough to unravel this charade,” he said, 
 holding out R^gine’s writing. 
 
 Taupier read it with much attention, but his face only expressed the 
 
72 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 astonishment of a man who had an undecipherable hieroglyphic under his 
 eyes. 1 
 
 “Well? ” he coldly inquired. 
 
 44 Well, my dear fellow, that scribble treats us plainly as murderers. 
 The 4 man’ mentioned is myself, his accomplice is you, and the murdered 
 man is the naval officer killed in the Forest of Saint-Germain.” 
 
 This elucidation had the power of making the hardened humpback 
 blanch, and inquire with ill-dissembled anxiety : 44 Whence comes this 
 paper ? ” 
 
 44 Too long a story to be told in detail. Know then that this pleasant 
 intelligence was handed in my presence to M. de Saint-Senier, lieutenant 
 in the Garde Mobile and cousin of that dead man, by a sort of fortune- 
 telling gipsy, an associate of your friends Pilevert and his companion.” 
 
 44 Does he also know ? ” hissed Taupier, w T ho could not help shuddering. 
 
 44 What do you mean by 4 does he also know ? ’ ” repeated Valnoir. 
 44 Do you mean to imply that his associates are also all in a plot to accuse 
 me of foul play ? ” 
 
 “Maybe,” responded the humpback after a pause. 
 
 “Indeed!” cried the exasperated journalist, 44 and do you, who are 
 (palled my accomplice, submit to the accusation thus tamely ? ” 
 
 44 It seems so,” said Taupier coolly, his eyes shining with malevolence. 
 
 44 Oh, very well, then ! do as you please, but I declare to you that I am 
 not going to carry my indifference so far as to let such rascals insult me, 
 and if you leave me in the lurch in this ignoble matter, I shall justify 
 myself single-handed.” 
 
 44 Who says I would do so ? ” 
 
 44 Speak then, hang it all ! ” 
 
 44 Speak yourself ! ” cried the humpback. 44 How can I give you any 
 advice when you do not let me know what happened ? ” 
 
 44 1 have told you enough ; but, anyhow, here is the matter in a nutshell : 
 last evening I met in the street that scarlet witch whom we left the other 
 day in the clearing. I had the foolish idea of following her. She leaped 
 into the river to give me the slip and I was nearly drowned in trying to fish 
 her out. ” 
 
 44 You are always committing follies,” commented the distorted one. 
 
 44 In short, we fell into Saint-Senier’s hands who, was on guard out there. 
 He wanted to force me into fighting him, and I should have had to give in 
 had not the Prussians attacked the post.” 
 
 44 You did get out of it though ? ” 
 
 44 Yes ; but that crazy girl gave the mad fellow this pretty prose effusion 
 which I brought back. She cannot speak but she can write, as you see. 
 What do you say now of the state of affairs ? ” 
 
 44 That the fire-eater and the deaf-mute are, probably, on the road to 
 Germany by now. Our reporter told us this morning that the outpost 
 was carried by the enemy. ” 
 
 44 Not a bit of it ! This Saint-Senier has just sent me his seconds.” 
 
 44 The devil ! did you receive them ? ” 
 
 44 No, I was sleeping. But they told Bourignard that they would com# 
 back. ” 
 
 44 They must not find you.” 
 
 “How now ? upon my word,” cried Valnoir, furiously, 44 any one would 
 think you credit this lunatic’s nonsensical accusation. You could not 
 answer otherwise if we had really murdered the officer.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 73 
 
 “If I were accused of stealing the towers of Notre-Dame, I should run 
 into hiding,’ replied the deformed one, sententiously. 
 
 “ Friend Taupier, you are a dreadful bore, let me tell you,” observed the 
 editor, striding up and down the room. 
 
 “ Do you think you entertain me by telling me all is discovered ? ” 
 
 Valnoir wheeled about and, grasping the speaker by the collar, he spun 
 him round to tell him to his face : 
 
 “ I know that you are a coward, but I am not of the same mould as they 
 cast Tau piers in, and 1 fear nobody, mark you ! I fear nobody, I say, be- 
 cause if I killed M. de Saint-Senier, I did it fairly.” 
 
 “ Are you quite sure of that ? ” queried the humpback, with a venomous 
 smile. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 V '■ i ■ 
 
 Valnoir fell back a step and turned deadly pale. 
 
 “ What do you mean, wretch ? ” he faltered, trembling with rage. 
 
 “ Dear me, nothing much,” was the humpback’s reply, as he shrugged 
 his shoulders. “ I only mean to say that ^he girl is quite right to accuse 
 you, and that instead of losing your temper, you had far better consider 
 with me the way to parry the thrust.” 
 
 “But you do not understand 1 have you not properly read those shame- 
 ful words ? ” 
 
 “ Properly, yes ; I know them by heart and I repeat that she says what 
 is true. You did murder the naval officer and I was your accomplice.” 
 
 Valnoir ran his hand over his forehead like one who tries to collect his 
 thoughts. He was beginning to think that the speaker had gone mad, 
 for Taupier’s serious tone did not allow belief in a hoax. To assure him- 
 self, he feigned for an instant to accept the abominable declaration. 
 
 “Oh, very well, then!” he exclaimed, laughing forcedly, “I did 
 murder M. de Saint- Seiner without my knowledge — I am ‘ Valnoir or the 
 Murderer Unawares ’—a capital title for a blood and thunder drama — yet I 
 would much like to be enlightened a little as to the details of my misdeed.” 
 
 “ That’s easy enough,” returned the twisted man with a coolness freezing 
 his auditor. “You had to fight a first-class pistol shot who had the first 
 fire. According to all likelihood you would have been a dead man. I 
 worked to equalise the chances, that’s all.” 
 
 “I — I do not follow you,” stammered Valnoir, though he began to get 
 an inkling of the truth. 
 
 “You shall though, for I have nothing to hold back from you. I tell 
 you that I was anxious to save your life ; andr that I thought out a little 
 plan to assure you against a probable fate. Had I been wavering, your 
 forecasts and nervous disquietude on the ground would have sw^ayed me. 
 A man aims badly when he has been digging the*' earth for — you know, 
 what 1 and still more when he believes in superstitious memories. You 
 spoke so mournfully of your father, shot in June, 1848, on the barricades, 
 that you would have doubtlessly finished like him if I had not taken my 
 precautions. ” 
 
 “ What did you do ? ” demanded the terrified journalist. 
 
 “ In loading the pistols, I put a leaden bullet into one, and a cork ball 
 into the other, and I contrived matters so that the naval officer chose the in 
 offensive weapon. ” 
 
74 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Scoundrel ! ” cried Valnoir, taking the speaker by the throat. 
 
 But the latter shook himself out of his clutch with a vigour not denoted 
 by his physical construction, and put the table between them. 
 
 “ Here’s a fuss over one reactionary suppressed,” he jeered, “ and I do 
 think you have a lot to complain about.” 
 
 This excess of impudence almost calmed Valnoir, who remembered the 
 y circumstances of the duel most opportunely. 
 
 “ But villain that you are ! it is you, and you alone, who murdered that 
 man ! I neither saw nor handled the pistols, and no one can accuse me of 
 the infamy which you were pleased to commit.” 
 
 “ Nobody except the show girl, as it seems to me.” 
 
 “ But she makes a mistake — I shall prove it, and leave you to bear alone 
 the burden of your crime.” 
 
 “ A good idea, but I fear that you will have some difficulty in separating 
 our two courses. You have followed the legal curriculum, and you ought 
 to know the Latin maxim : ‘ Whoso gains by a crime committeth it.* 
 Now, who gained by your adversary’s death, I ask you?” 
 
 The argument went home. Valnoir fell back upon the divan and 
 covered his face with his hands during a rather lengthy silence. The 
 humpback enjoyed his triumph, and from his proud perch on the table 
 corner, threw down glances of pity on his involuntary accomplice. 
 
 “ Wretch, you have destroyed me and will be destroyed with me,” 
 moaned Valnoir, in a voice muffled with deep feeling. 
 
 “ It may be so,” agreed Taupier, off-handedly. 
 
 “ Mark me ! you cannot have listened to what I told you. You forget 
 that your dreadful trickery is known, and that you were not even c unnin g 
 enough to commit it unseen. ” 
 
 “ Ok, hang it all ! ” cried the humpback, vexed like an artist to whom a 
 £aw in his work is pointed out, “ I could not foresee that we should be 
 spied upon by a whole troupe of mountebanks. To manipulate the pistols, 
 I skilfully got rid of the man’s cousin, and also of that big Hector Podensac, 
 but I never thought that the pile of cut wood screened those confounded 
 acrobats. ” 
 
 “ Do you mean that the girl is not alone in the knowledge?” 
 
 ‘ 4 Why, no,” answered Taupier, tranquilly : ‘ i Our secret is known to as 
 
 many as three.” 
 
 He emphasised the word 4 our,’ which implied Valnoir’s complicity. That 
 caused the latter to start, but he had not the courage to protest. 
 
 “ It seems to me that you are becoming sensible,” went on the hump- 
 back. 44 If you will only listen to me a couple of minutes, I am sure we 
 shall manage to agree.” 
 
 The other shook his head in a manner that Taupier took as a threat. 
 
 44 Oh, I don’t want you to thank me, or even approve of me,” he said, 
 with rare audacity. 44 But now the thing is done, you will dgree that 
 we are bound to look to the consequences. ” 
 
 Instead of answering, Rose’s lover watched the speaker with restless 
 attention. 
 
 “I was saying that we have three persons against us. I may say four, 
 inasmuch as that little jade has related our private business in writing to 
 the departed party’s cousin,” proceeded Taupier, with the smooth manner 
 of a man reckoning up the prospects of a commercial undertaking. 
 
 44 Then that showman and his fellow also saw — ” 
 
 “The showman, as you are pleased to stvle the honourable ambassador 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 75 
 
 of the last scion of the Charmi&res, is full in the swim,” replied the 
 distorted man, without appearing to notice Valnoir ’s wry face. “In 
 his hands rests what prosecuting counsel term a piece of convicting evid- 
 ence, for he picked up the leaden bullet which I cleverly tossed over the 
 pile of wood. ” 
 
 The unfortunate duellist groaned profoundly 
 
 “ As for Alcindor the Philosopher,” continued Taupier, “I am not sure 
 that he deigned to descend from the summits of Fusionism to attend to 
 terrestrial pettinesses, but he was behind the woodpile with his master, 
 and it is very likely that he also knows about my little bit of jugglery. ” 
 
 “We are lost,” muttered Valnoir. 
 
 “Nonsense! how so? out of the four witnesses for the prosecution, U: 
 keep to legal phraseology,” said the satanic humpback, “I have two 
 under my thumb, and I answer you for their not blabbing without my 
 leave and license. ” 
 
 “How is that?” timidly inquired the editor. 
 
 “ Dash it all ! it’s no puzzle. In placing the newspaper at the beck 
 and call of the new society so happily entitled ‘ The Lighters of Pipes at 
 the Moon,* I have secured the everlasting devotion of the strong man 
 and his clown.” 
 
 “I won’t have it,” cried Valnoir, “I refuse absolutely to defend the 
 * stupid theories of those two idiots. ” 
 
 “Then I see no means of preventing them from telling tales,” said 
 Taupier coldly. 
 
 “But it is impossible,” objected the writer, “the * Serpen tea u ’ lias 
 succeeded because it moved in opposition to the stereotyped ways of 
 wits — how would you have it sustain overwhelming absurdities ? In one 
 week there would not be left a single paying subscriber. ” 
 
 “But who talked about sustaining them with your trained pen? Do 
 you imagine by any chance that our future subscribers will read your 
 articles ? There is one sound reason for most of them to abstain — they 
 neglected to learn the alphabet.” / 
 
 “ I don’t understand,” muttered the other. 
 
 “ Why, thundering blockhead that you are, don’t you see that you are a 
 power with your talent as a pamphleteer ? The Lighters of Pipes at the 
 Moon will be your army to demolish masters, tradesmen, landlords, all the 
 authorities that check the expansion of the Fusionist idea, and before six 
 months we can enthrone our principle on the site you will have cleared.” 
 
 “You are proposing a pretty mission,” growled the humiliated journalist. 
 
 “ Paul Louis Courier did nothing else — though he had no idea of that,” 
 said the pitiless humpback; “but this is not the question. If you will let 
 me act, I guarantee the silence of Pilevert and Alcindor.” 
 
 “ Unfortunate man, even though I consented to dishonour myself by 
 buying the silence of those brutes, we should still lie at the mercy of that 
 girl and M. de Saint-Senier. ” 
 
 “ That’s another matter,” rejoined Taupier, “ but one I will also take upon 
 myself. Only you must acquaint me with all you know about the pair of 
 them.” 
 
 “ I have told you all I know,” said Valnoir sadly. 
 
 “ To begin with, there’s Saint-Senier,” went on the humpback, without 
 being checked by this lack of assistance. “I don’t call- him very dangerous, 
 for, supposing the Prussians have not made away with his heroic person, 
 he saw nothing on the ground and can only offer hearsay evidence. ” 
 
76 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Quite enough,” observed the journalist. 
 
 •“ Nothing at all,” said the humpback peremptorily ; “ as an honourable 
 gentleman he will hesitate when he has to say it on oath. There’s only the 
 girl who may do us harm,* unless I attend to her. ” 
 
 “ And what can you do against a crazed creature who cannot speak, 
 who has no home, and who cares for nobody and nothing ? ” 
 
 “ Oh, you think so, do you ? ” returned Taupier ; “ well now, I am sure 
 that through this pretended crack -brain we shall get to know all the 
 others thoroughly. Only I must have some information upon her head. I 
 have tried to pump Pilevert ; but though I wetted the sucker with a decan- 
 ter of Kirsch, he worked dry. Out with it : where did you meet her last 
 evening ? ” 
 
 “ Behind the Madeleine, at the entrance of the Rue Tronchet.” 
 
 “ By herself ? ” 
 
 “ Yes. But I fancied that she had just left a person who drove away in 
 a pab as I came up. ” 
 
 “ A man ? ” 
 
 ‘‘No, a woman. She put her head out of the window and waved her 
 good-bye.” v 
 
 “ This is glowing with interest,” chuckled the triumphant humpback. 
 “ Go on, old fellow, I believe I hold the clue.” 
 
 i 
 
 , XX VL 
 
 “Oh,” said Valnoir, “I am afraid you halloa before you are out of the 
 wood. I scarcely caught more than a glimpse of the person in the cab, and, 
 moreover, 1 do not know where she was going.” 
 
 “ It was a cab ? ” said the hunchback, appearing to reflect profoundly. 
 
 “Yes ; and I remember now it was drawn by a pair of greys. ” 
 
 “ Of course you did not see the number ? ” 
 
 “ I never thought of looking at it, I assure you, and anyhow it was some 
 j distance off when I ran against the mad girl.” 
 
 “ What a pity,” muttered Taupier between his gnashing teeth, “ only to 
 think that we would know who it was by just such another piece of paste- 
 board as this,” he added, playing with a slip which his fingers had en- 
 countered on the table. 
 
 Submerged in serious reflections, Valnoir was distractedly following the 
 humpback’s movement, when the latter suddenly cried out : 
 
 “ But where does this numbered card come from ? ” 
 
 “ Don’t know,” answered Rose’s worshipper, scanning, in surprise, the 
 object fingered by Taupier. 
 
 It was one of the tables of fares which cabmen are bound to give their 
 hirers on being engaged ; it was creased and damp, for the printed lines 
 were scarcely legible. The humpback had idly taken it up from be- 
 side the denunciatory paper thrown on the table by Valnoir after he had 
 read it. 
 
 “ Wake up,” said Taupier, quickly, “ try to remember if you had a cab 
 yesterday and whether this card fell out of your pocket when you came 
 home.” 
 
 “ I am sure of the contrary, and that Bourignard, who goes mad on the 
 question of tidiness, would have swept it up had it been about this 
 
 morning. ” 
 
“ Then you brought it here, stuck to that paper of our minx, and dropped 
 It without noticing it when you showed me the other ? ” 
 
 “ It is quite possible,” agreed Valnoir, without fully understanding yet, 
 
 “ It’s positive. Now, can you remember the girl’s actions when she put 
 the denunciation under Saint-Senier’s nose ? ” 
 
 “ Fully : she drew it out of her bosom where it was rolled up and toler- 
 ably shapeless from the soaking by water. The officer just glanced at it 
 before tossing it on the table in the guard-house, where I picked it up and 
 stuffed it in my pocket after reading it rapidly myself. ” 
 
 “ And did you not refer to it until you exhibited it just now ? ” 
 
 “Not I — I found it when I dressed exactly as I took it up.” 
 
 “ Glorious ! ” ejaculated Taupier, triumphantly. “ Now we know where 
 we are, and with this card we shall learn with whom the red witch was 
 keeping an appointment behind the church. I have a vague idea, by the 
 way, that I have guessed it already.” 
 
 “You are much cleverer than I,” granted Valnoir, dolefully. 
 
 “ Try to recall if you did not see somebody you know hanging round the 
 Madeleine ? ” 
 
 “ N-no, I remember nobody,” faltered the journalist. 
 
 “ I can revive your memory, for luckily the lady of your love is keener- 
 sighted than you, and she unbosomed herself to me yesterday evening.” 
 
 “I understand less and less,” said Valnoir, tartly, as allusions to his 
 ensnarer almost always vexed him. 
 
 “ Who could be praying so late but a truly devout person, and one pain- 
 fully afflicted ? ” 
 
 “ Mademoiselle Ren4e de Saint-Senier ! ” exclaimed Valnoir, struck with 
 a recollection blotted out by the night’s agitation. 
 
 “ Hurrah ! you are waking up at last, but you needed lots of spurring, 
 and the lovely Rose was quite right to tell me of the jealous squabble 
 between you about the noble young lady. ” 
 
 “Yes, yes, that’s true- 7 -I saw her going up the church steps.” 
 
 “ At what time ? ” 
 
 “Oh, at dusk, a long while before I met the vagrant, and I hardly 
 believe — ” 
 
 “ Pooh, pooh l pious members of the upper classes make much of 
 their devotions, and I am ready to wager that the lady in the cab 
 was Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier who had been chatting with that rope- 
 dancer. ” 
 
 “ Sooth to say,” mused Valnoir, “ R 6 gine did seem to have been waiting 
 on the bench where I first spied her ; but on the other hand, what connec- 
 tion can thqre be between a mountebank’s pupil and — ” 
 
 “ You forget her vocation for ambulance duty, and her return from 
 Saint-Germain with the illustrious lamented. Neither of us know exactly 
 what happened on that sentimental journey, for I have not been able to 
 lay hold again of that paladin Podensac, but I am sure there is a mystery, 
 and one that I shall cleave into with this. ” 
 
 He flourished the table of fares. 
 
 “ Number 5,721 ! ” read he. “ By the power of this talisman and by the 
 steps to be taken by citizen Frapillon, the business man and cashier 
 ef the * Serpen teau,’ I shall learn in three days what I want to know, 
 
 and—” 
 
 “ And we shall be no further out of the toils than before, since that gi rl 
 «aw all and has told all,” interrupted Valnoir. 
 
78 
 
 THE RED BAXD. 
 
 “You let me alone, and I warrant that ere long she will write no more 
 billets doux in the style of this one you showed me.” 
 
 The hapless editor regarded his enforced confederate with disquietude 
 as if he feared to read a fresh crime in his eyes. 
 
 “ Oh, don’t be alarmed,” said Taupier who understood him, “ I shall use 
 tender means.” 
 
 “ But,” observed Valnoir timidly, “if those persons were hidden in the 
 clearing, they will have also seen — ” 
 
 “The little work we executed at the foot of the big oak before the 
 duel ? ” 
 
 He was answered with a nod. 
 
 “I am not sure of that, but it is probable,” returned the humpback 
 'Coolly, who knew fairly well how things stood since his first talk with 
 Pilevert. 
 
 “ And are you not uneasy about that ? ” 
 
 “ So long as the Prussians have a garrison at Saint-Germain, I think we 
 .may sleep sound. The showman will not go out there to give performances 
 with his clown and sorceress. After the siege is raised, we can consider 
 about it, as the kings used to say, when there were kings in France. ” 
 
 Valnoir became more gloomy, and sank again into deep ponderings. 
 
 “To sum up,” proceeded Taupier, not wishing to give him time to re- 
 tract, “ you will let me have this cabalistic card and give me carte blanche 
 as well to set up my batteries with the help of our honest Frapillon.” 
 
 “ So be it,” agreed the editor, in' no mood to offer objections. 
 
 “As for the great association,” continued the intriguer in the tone of a 
 showman at the door of his booth, “ we shall debate the statutes to-morrow 
 evening at the famous Cafe of the Dead Rat where I have convoked our 
 illustrious friends, and I hope you will honour the humanitarian gathering 
 with your desirable presence. ” 
 
 “ Do not rely on me, I do not know whether I shall be free,” said Val- 
 noir ill-humouredly. 
 
 “ You can ask for leave to stay out late of Citizeness Charmi^re,” cried 
 the irreverent humpback, proceeding to the door. “ I shall run round to 
 the office and then to Frapillon, the most socialist of cashiers. ” 
 
 “To borrow some money on account ? ” queried the chief editor with a 
 long face. 
 
 “ In order to protect your days against the provincial squires, you un- 
 grateful man h” responded Taupier, disappearing like a Parthian after 
 sending his shaft. 
 
 Valnoir was left to his thoughts, which were far from gay. The revela- 
 tion heard out of the mouth of the villainous deformed man oppressed his 
 troubled conscience with its full weight, and he debated if he had not bettei 
 break with the scoundrel and go and tell M. de Saint-Senier the whole 
 story. It was a loyal and salutory inspiration, and the journalist would 
 not have been tardy to follow it at another time, but since Madame de 
 Charmi&re had twined her life with his, she or her souvenir always inter- 
 vened between his resolutions and his acts. 
 
 “I had better consult Rose,” would say her voluntary slave in grave 
 situations, and never had one more grave urged him to seek that dangerous 
 Egeria’s opinion. So he decided to submit the case to her, and he was 
 dressing to go out thither, when he recalled her prohibition. Her apart- 
 ments were interdicted all the day, by her note, and he was forced to put 
 -off till the morrow the terrible confidence. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 79 
 
 To kill the time until dinner, he lit a cigar and installed himself in an 
 easy-chair to brood over his recent adventures. This conversation with 
 Taupier had been long, and the sun was already gilding with its parting 
 beams the tree tops of the garden extending beneath the terrace. Through 
 the leaves of clematis and sweet peas climbing along the trellis, which the 
 ferocious radical Bourignard did not disdain to water twice a day, Valnoir 
 saw a broad lawn on which flirted the neighbouring sparrows. This 
 seldom-mown sward lay before a pavilion, constructed like a chalet 
 isolated in the midst of this garden ; once it belonged apparently to a 
 mansion, demolished like many others, to give place to more productive 
 houses. This house’s windows were never opened, and the journalist had 
 always believed it untenanted. Indifferent as Parisians are, he had never 
 inquired about the occupants, if any, and merely agreed that the rustic 
 roof nicely closed in the view. For a wonder, he noticed this evening that 
 the Venetian blinds on the first floor were raised. It occurred to him that 
 the dwellers had returned from some suburban villa, driven in by the 
 Prussians, and he cursed the siege which had perhaps brought him prying 
 or unpleasant neighbours. 
 
 Though not naturally curious and engrossed with his own thoughts at 
 the time, he could not help trying to catch a glimpse of the refugees. Nobody 
 was visible on the verandah running round the house, but the setting sun 
 poured into the middle room through the open window. At the back were 
 white hangings at the foot of which, to his immense surprise, Rose’s 
 admirer clearly beheld a kneeling woman* 
 
 xxvn. 
 
 The kneeling woman was clad in black, a mourning costume that closely 
 accorded with her attitude. She seemed praying beside a tomb. Her 
 back w ; as turned towards the observer, who could only judge by her figure 
 that she was quite young. It was most difficult to tell to whom her 
 devotions were addressed, for the ample white curtains at the back might 
 equally as reasonably cover a bier as a sick-bed. > The former hypothesis 
 could hardly be correct, for how could one admit, indeed, that this long- 
 untenanted pavilion should be re-opened to celebrate a funeral? The 
 dead are not buried without preliminary formalities, particularly in Paris, 
 and a death in the small house would have certainly occasioned goings 
 and comings which could not have escaped the neighbours’ eyes. The same 
 reasoning might apply, it is true, to an illness, and the silence always 
 reigning around the abandoned abode agreed no better with the obligatory 
 stir of a doctor’s visits. 
 
 Valnoir made these reflections swiftly, and his surprise increased the 
 more. He could not detach his gaze from the saddening sight, and not to 
 be perceived in case the object turned, he took up his position behind the 
 trellis, so as to be completely hidden. Since he had fallen into a series of 
 uncommon adventures, the usually sceptical writer felt much inclined to 
 believe in the marvellous, and particularly to attach everything he saw to his 
 own affairs. Tau pier’s words kept running in his head, and he only needed 
 to see a woman in mourning to think of Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier. 
 But where was the likelihood that his adversary’s sister, highly connected 
 in the fashionable part of the town, would come to dwell in a lone house ou 
 the heights of the Breda quarter ? 
 
80 
 
 THE RED BASTD. 
 
 Before the duel, Valnoir knew that she was spending the summer at 
 Maison-Laffite, with an aunt who wintered with her in a small house in the 
 Rue d’Anjou-Saint-HonorA It was by the same token, in relation to this 
 country stay in brilliant company, that the “ Serpen tea ” had published 
 under the heading of “News of the Upper Ten,” some lines wherein Rente's 
 brother had seen an offensive allusion. Therefore the editor scouted the 
 first supposition that had struck him, but he remained nevertheless at his 
 post. The sun went down, and the interior of the mysterious room was 
 filled with shade. The white curtains were still visible, but the black 
 figure blended with the twilight. 
 
 “ She must have a light, if only a taper,” thought the watcher, “ and 
 then I shall see the face of this sorrowing beauty.” 
 
 “ He was startled out of his reflections by the entrance of the majestic 
 Bourignard bringing him the evening papers. 
 
 “ Sir,” said the democratic doorkeeper, “the moblot has called again for 
 you, but this time I told him that you had not come back since yesterday, 
 and that I was getting in a fidget about you.” 
 
 “ Capital, old Bourignard, capital ; you are gifted with great imaginative 
 powers. And what did the provincial warrior say ? ” 
 
 He did not seem over-surprised, only he chattered with his comrade and 
 I caught him saying : ‘ In fact, it is possible he will never return, ’ and the 
 other answered : ‘ A good thing, too ! it will be one the less of them ! ” 
 
 “ Indeed ! are you sure that’s what they said ? ” cried Valnoir. 
 
 “ As sure as I am that I know by heart 4 the Declaration of the Rights 
 of Man,’” replied the doorkeeper, solemnly. 
 
 “ Bourignard, you are a model servitor, and this week I will give you 
 free passes to the Varieties Theatre.” 
 
 “ If it makes no difference, sir, I would rather have a couple of orders 
 for the music hall where Madame Bordas sings ‘ La Canaille ! * my son 
 Agricola prefers that hymn to all those frivolous and conservative 
 spectacles. ” 
 
 “You shall have your passes, virtuous Bourignard. I am going out to 
 dine and shall be home late, so do not sit up for me. ” 
 
 “ Do you require a light, sir ? ” 
 
 “ No, never mind,” said Valnoir, hastily. “ By the way, is there any- 
 body living in that pavilion over there ? ” 
 
 “ I have not heard so,” replied the grave doorkeeper ; “ the fact is poli 
 tics leave me no time at present to busy myself with what goes on around 
 us. Another thing, the entrance to that house is in the Rue de Laval and 
 I have never seen any one there. ” 
 
 “Some mistake of mine.” observed Valnoir, carelessly, not wishing to 
 admit Master Bourignard into his confidence. 
 
 As soon as he was alone again, he went back into his observatory, but 
 he was vexed to find that the wmdow nad been closed during his con- 
 versation with his doorkeeper, and not the least light twinkled through 
 the blinds. Thus fell the curtain when the piece had grown interesting, 
 but there was some consolation in che story Bourignard had brought him. 
 
 “They believe me killed or taken in the skiimish,” he thought, and I 
 am quit of them for a few days. From now until Saint-Senier is undeceived, 
 I shall have time to take my measures, for I daresay he does not regularly 
 read the newspapers.” 
 
 This encouraging thought made him think of glancing over those his door- 
 keeper had left him. As the house opposite seemed more deserted than ever 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 81 
 
 lie had no fear of being seen. So he lighted a candle and ran over the evening 
 papers. As usual they were full of strategetic fancies whichValnoir skipped to get 
 at the events of the day. The night’s affair of outposts could not pass unnoticed, 
 and the editor had grounds for anticipating that the reporters would not neglect 
 so fruitful a theme for making copy. In fact he found in the first journal he came 
 across a long account of the nocturnal brush, to which the narrator had not failed 
 fco give grandiose proportions. Of course, the enemy had been vigorously repulsed 
 and had recrossed the Seine, bearing away many dead and wounded. 
 
 “Unfortunately,” added the military reporter, “the lieutenant commanding 
 the most advanced post is missing. M. de Saint-S — , who is believed dead, was 
 a brilliant officer, who has heroically forfeited with his life the error of letting him- 
 self be surprised.” 
 
 Valnoir dispensed with the commentaries of the amateur tactician, who bitterly 
 deplored the fatal negligence of our officers.. What he had read was ample to re- 
 assure him. 
 
 “Come, come,” he muttered, “I really believe I shall get out of this villainous 
 scrape without much bother. There is nothing said about the girl, so she must 
 have disappeared with Saint-Senier. I shall leave Taupier to fight it out with the 
 two mountebanks, and then I shall devise some way of settling him, for this hump- 
 back will become too dangerous.” 
 
 The only cloudy point was the visit Bourignard mentioned; but Valnoir nat- 
 urally concluded that the two strangers were simply bearing the challenge from 
 their friend and comrade, the lieutenant. 
 
 “ 1 am sufficiently known about town for some soldier of their acquaintance to 
 have mentioned my name, and they would not have had much trouble to learn 
 where I live. Bourignard’s reply will put them off, and it’s probable they will 
 not return. 
 
 After having thus settled things to his satisfaction, Valnoir felt relieved, and 
 made up his mind to finsh dressing and go to dine at some neighboring restaurant. 
 Madame de Charmiere’s house being under seal till next day, he felt like amusing 
 himself in the noise and bustle of some public resort. He was about to leave the 
 smoking-room, when the sound of a bell again drew his attention towards the 
 garden. 
 
 “Hal they receive- visitors at the mysterious abode, eh?” 
 
 Twice the ringing was repeated, and seemed to come from an entrance in the 
 Rue de Laval, as Bourignard had said. It was far from likely, therefore, that 
 the visitor, whoever it was, would come out upon the lawn behind the residence. 
 Nevertheless, to prepare for everything, Valnoir blew out the candle and waited. 
 His perseverance was rewarded. He had not been five minutes on the look-out 
 before two human forms appeared from round the corner of the house. It was 
 too dark a night for him to distinguish the sex of the promenaders on the sward 
 not fifty paces off. They gesticulated with much vivacity, and, as he thought one 
 of them often raised his arm towards the windows of the house, he concluded there 
 was reference made to the room with the white drapery. The rather high breeze 
 
 from the south prevented the voices reaching the terrace, to the spectator’s great 
 disgust. 
 
 “I know I am a fool to linger here,” thought the journalist. "I can send round 
 to-morrow for inquiries in the Rue de Laval, and probably learn what has so 
 much interested me.” 
 
 As he was going to give it up, he perceived that the pair had changed their di- 
 1‘ection, and gradually approached the hanging garden. 
 
 “Pshaw!” he said, “let us keep up the watch while we are about it. A 
 
32 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 couple of sentences will inform me as to my neighbours, and I will be off 
 to dinner as soon as I have the key to the puzzle. ” 
 
 The couple came on slowly by reason of their frequent pauses, and still 
 only their gestures could be noted, and not a word heard. Valnoir’s heart 
 beat without his knowing why, and an unaccountable instinct rivetted 
 him to the spot. His curiosity was just about to be satisfied, for the mys- 
 terious promenaders had at last come within earshot and he was redoubling 
 his attention, when a deafening peal of laughter burst out behind him. 
 
 “What the devil are you about there?” shouted the insupportable 
 Taupier, who had stolen in upon him on tiptoe. 
 
 Before Valnoir had time to turn, the vision in the garden vanished. 
 
 xxvm. 
 
 On the third story of a house in the Rue Cadet was the office of “ M. J. B. 
 Frapiilon, business agent,” for such were the name end title engraved on a 
 brass plate on the door. The building, composed of two immense piles 
 separated by a long yard, was a downright village under a roof, for on its 
 different floors were to be found all Parisian crafts and pursuits. The 
 ground floor was occupied by a wine merchant, a musical instrument- 
 maker, and a book and newsagent. The first floor was inhabited by a 
 speculator in public dancing-rooms and a bill-discounter who styled him- 
 self a banker, though his real industry was bleeding the petty tradesmen 
 round about. On. the second floor were a dressmaker, two seamstresses 
 and a maker of false jewellery. 
 
 Jeau Baptiste Frapillon’s suite marked off the limit between the business 
 and the dwelling places. Above him there w re only lorettes of the 
 fourth degree, counter-jumpers and clerks looking for employment. De- 
 spite this queer confusion of lodgers, or rather on the very account of such 
 promiscuity, the house was wonderfully well chosen for a “shady” 
 business to be carried on. The staircases w'ere being incessantly travelled 
 by people of every condition brought thither by the most diverse motives. 
 The needy fortune-hunter jostled the careworn trader who came to raise a 
 loan on “queer paper.” The nightly dancer at the Jardin Mabille, 
 painted and feathered for war, met the economical mother of a family 
 looking for cheap bonnets. The result of this unending movement was that 
 a client could come to consult the business agent without fear of being re- 
 marked, whatever class he belonged to. 
 
 J.B. Frapiilon enjoyed unlimited consideration from the doorkeeper of 
 this vast hive by reason of the generous tips with which he always sup- 
 plemented the prompt payment of his rent. In the quarter he passed as a 
 clever man, and for an honest one to boot, from the absence of proof to the 
 contrary. He had always professed rather advanced democratic opinions, 
 yet he paraded profound respect for public order, and very exactly fulfilled 
 all his civic and social duties. 
 
 He was generally chosen as scrutineer of the votes in electoral operation* 
 and, since the latest revolution, there had been much talk of his command- 
 ing a battalion. Of his antecedents, his fellow citizens knew very little. 
 There was a vague report that he had been a notary in the country, and 
 then head clerk in an office of the Mont-de-Pi6t6, which he had resigned in 
 order to devote himself entirely to business. This hazy word, cbvering all 
 kinds of illicit or legitimate doings, was understood in its best sense by hi* 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 83 
 
 neighbours. It was repeated on the quiet that J. B. F. did not confine 
 his labours to ordinary matters of contention, but that his intelli- 
 gence, doubled with quite republican probity, had won him the confidence 
 of many political celebrities. Nobody knew him to have either wife, child, 
 chick or dog, which elevated him above gossip and distinguished him 
 among his fellows. 
 
 The fiat of this worthy was composed of an ante-room forming an office, 
 a sitting-room furnished with Utrecht velvet, a study full of labelled boxes 
 piled up on each other, and several other rooms for his household require- 
 ments. J. B. Frapillon professed the salutary axiom that private life 
 should be inviolate, and the public never penetrated beyond the three pro- 
 fessional rooms. His clients were divided into classes. Clerks seeking 
 situations stopped in the outer room where they conferred with a thin, 
 sickly, pale clerk, a mournful fruit of pettifoggery, who registered their 
 wants and distributed gratis prospectuses or advice if they would pay for 
 it. Debtors wishful to renew a protested bill, and shopkeepers at logger- 
 heads with landlords about giving up a lease, came into the yellow-room to 
 meet the manager of the agency. Important tradesmen and upper class 
 clients alone passed the study door, studded with gilt nails. These three 
 rooms communicated with one another, but the private apartments were 
 reached by a passage of their own, coming out on the landing beside the 
 official entrance. The master himself always opened this door consecrated 
 to the privileged few whom he liked to admit. When there was a concur- 
 rence of ordinary and extraordinary callers, an electric bell, sounded by 
 the clerk, notified J. B. F. in the private sanctum that he was wanted in 
 the study or the reception-room. No awkward or confusing meeting was 
 possible. 
 
 On a fine autumn morning, the important character who exercised such 
 complex crafts in the Rue Cadet, had left to his subordinate the task of 
 receiving the three sorts of ordinary callers. He had retired into the rear- 
 most of his private rooms, and was giving audience to a fair and fashion- 
 able person who was none other than Rose de Charmi6re. This tabooed 
 lair for the vulgar, was a round room with furniture that recalled the 
 vicissitudes of J. B. F’s. thorny life. The walls literally disappeared 
 under carved frames, trophies of weapons, and objects of art, waifs and 
 strays picked up in bankruptcies or brokers’ sales. There were five gasa- 
 liers hanging from the ceiling, three clocks on pedestals, and varied plate 
 on the dressers. All these tokens of the state pawn-shops ill agreed with 
 stacks of newspaper files in the corners, and enormous brass-bound registers 
 on a colossal desk. In this odd agglomeration of heterogeneous things, the 
 sole object which appeared placed by the personal taste of the agent was a 
 portrait of Hubert, member of the Revolutionary Convention, in a wooden 
 frame with a crown of oak. 
 
 The admirer of the too celebrated communist of 1793 was a man of about 
 forty — tall, stout, strongly built and adorned, notwithstanding his peaceful 
 profession, with a full red beard that would have done honour to a sapper. 
 His mouth was large and the lips thin, his nose peaked, and his brow, rather 
 low through precocious baldness, doubled the apparent dimensions. Small 
 but quick and intelligent eyes sparkled behind fine gold-rimmed spectacles. 
 In his physiognomy was a mingling of cunning and audacity, the trickery 
 of an unscrupulous speculator sustained by the boldness of a fanatical 
 sectary. In short, the general aspect was displeasing. 
 
 J. B. Frapillon was draped in a cashmere dressing-gown, but from the 
 
 6 ( 
 
84 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 morning he wore a white waistcoat, black tie, and pearl-gray trousers. It was 
 the uniform of a chief of a civil sendee department, less the coat. Sitting oppo- 
 site him, Madame de Charmiere, in her fashionable morning costume, looked like 
 a leader of society condescending to solicit an administrative favour without detri- 
 ment to her superior position. She had only just come in, and was playing with 
 the papers on the writing-table with the tip of her parasol, like a woman accus- 
 tomed to discuss business matters just as she would order a pair of boots. 
 
 “So there's something new, pretty dear,” said the spectacled man. “You 
 would not have come so early if you did not need me badly,” he added with an 
 equivocal smirk. 
 
 “You have guessed right, future dictator,” replied Rose; “it's astonishing 
 how politics sharpen up people.” 
 
 “It is my business to be sharp,” returned J. B. Frapillon, “and you know that 
 I am all yours, cashbox included.” 
 
 “It is not only money that's in question, and I have to speak with you at length 
 this morning.” 
 
 “On what subject, please?” 
 
 “On almost all.” 
 
 “Very well, I am listening.” 
 
 “To begin with, Valnoir — ” 
 
 “Aha! I have not seen our dear friend these three days, and I am afraid he 
 has taken a new departure. Are you jealous, dear fair one?” 
 
 “Don't talk nonsense, Frapillon,” said Madame de Charmiere, shrugging her 
 shoulders. “How is the newspaper getting on?” 
 
 “Wonderfully w T ell, and it appears still an excellent venture.” 
 
 “Then you do believe I made a good investment?” 
 
 “ Exceptional! it’s twenty per cent, at least, to say nothing of the right to with^ 
 draw your money if it takes a bad turn.” 
 
 “You haven’t given Valnoir any hint, have you?” 
 
 “What do you take me for? He quite believes the money is found by anAmer- 
 lean who is here hunting for a contract for rifles.” 
 
 Rose nodded in approval. 
 
 “Let me tell you, dear one, that I found you a capital speculation there,” went 
 on the agent, laughing. “With the one hand you receive as a capitalist and with 
 the other as a charming creature, for between ourselves, the share that Valnoir 
 draws returns piecemeal into your money-box.” 
 
 “Rather!” said the noble dame, cynically. 
 
 “You were born for business, and I am not up to your mark,” returned. J. B. F. 
 fixing his spectacles on more firmly by a movement peculiar to him. 
 
 “Nevertheless, I come to ask you^for advice and assistance.” 
 
 “I am at your orders, as you know.” 
 
 f Madame de Charmiere was playing with her parasol handle, in no hurry t® 
 speak. 
 
 “Is it serious?” inquired the agent, not habituated to see his client in a quan- 
 dary. 
 
 “My dear fellow, I have had a partner thrust into my game,” said Rose, in the 
 decided tone of one who has come to a resolution. 
 
 “Deuce take it! is Taupier getting to be a nuisance ? v 
 
 “He? a little, but there’s another one.” 
 
 “Who, who?” 
 
 “A brother of mine, answered the lady after a pause.** 
 
THE RED BAND. 85 
 
 “ Brother ! ” repeated Frapillon. “ I thought you had no— legitimate — 
 family. ” 
 
 “ It is all that is left me, and it’s one too many. 1 ” 
 
 “Does this — forgotten — relative drop on you expressly to obtain sup- 
 port ? ” 
 
 “ If that were all, I could put him off with two or three thousand franc 
 notes. ” 
 
 “ Oho S your brother must be rather clever. It runs in the family.” 
 
 “ Do not joke. He holds a means of ruining Valnoir, me, you, and still 
 more, the journal.” / 
 
 “ And this is — ” 
 
 “ A secret which he has chanced upon and which he is the man to use.” 
 
 J. B. F. turned pale and settled his spectacles to cover his confusion. 
 He was going to speak when the electric bell tinkled sonorously. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 ** What’s that ?” inquired Madame de Charmi&re. 
 
 “ Nothing. Only my clerk notifying me of a client.” 
 
 “ Well, go and attend to him and return.” 
 
 “ It’s needless. He will wait. Go on with your story, my beauty.” 
 
 “ I forewarn you it will take some time.” 
 
 “ I daresay, but you know my system : when I play, I want to know all 
 the cards beforehand.” 
 
 “ I have no reason to conceal mine. I was telling you there was a secret, 
 one concerning Valnoir.” 
 
 “ Do you know it ? ” 
 
 “Not yet ; I only know that it arises from that duel in which Charles 
 had the misfortune to kill M. de Saint-Senier. ” 
 
 “ Phew ! what you are telling me is most obscure, and I do not see any 
 too clearly what connection — ” 
 
 “ Nor I any better, but if I knew the whole game, I should not want to 
 consult you,” said Madame de Charmi^re, drily. 
 
 “ So, dear friend, inform me a little better if you require my help.” 
 
 “ You would have known already if you had not interrupted me so much.” 
 
 “ Quite so, time is money.” 
 
 “ To continue,” said the lady, a trifle impatiently, “ my brother, whom I 
 have not seen for years, has returned to Paris when I least 'expected him. 
 I even own that I believed he was dead, which will show you that we have 
 never kept up any correspondence.” 
 
 “ An excellent plan. Families are generally a nuisance.” 
 
 “You need not tell me that, my dear Frapillon,” sighed Madame de 
 Charmi&re, “My brother is the only relative left me and he never has 
 done anything but injure me. Would you believe that, notwithstanding all 
 the sacrifices to which I resigned myself to keep him in the right road, he 
 has come down to being a showman at fairs.” 
 
 “ Pish ! there are no trades of which a man need not be proud, if they 
 pay,” commented the business man, seeming to compassionate his client 
 very slightly on her family sorrows. 
 
 “ That’s possible ; but there are people whom we may not be proud of, 
 and jLf my brother had any sense, he would go and seek his fortune in 
 America. ” 
 
86 
 
 THE BED BAND.. 
 
 “He can’t help it— -he’s lost touch of his class,” observed J.B.F., philoso- 
 phically. 
 
 “In short,” resumed Rose, “ he has come to Paris, having a clown in 
 tow, and he presented himself to me in that disreputable company.” 
 
 “ How was it that you did not send them flying out ? ” 
 
 “ I take good care not to do that till I secure the secret. On the con* 
 trary, I kept them to dinner and tried to sound my brother, but it wag 
 throwing away good wine to intoxicate him, for all I extracted was very 
 vague. ” 
 
 “ What a pity ! a good plan,” said the agent, wagging, his head like a 
 good judge of wine and men. 
 
 “I might have succeeded, but bad luck would have it that Valnoir wa? 
 at the table that evening. My brother saw that we were well acquainted, 
 and he fought shy of me.” 
 
 “ Oho, now it is getting mixed. And what does Valnoir think of the 
 family gathering ? ” 
 
 “ I do not know too clearly, but, in any case, he did not appear the least 
 in the world embarrassed.” t 
 
 “ Good ! that’s a token that he does not believe his secret discovered,” 
 observed Frapillon, judiciously. 
 
 “ Needless to tell you that I presented my guest as a stranger, bringing 
 me news of an exiled brother.” 
 
 “ Very neat ! but about the secret. Do you not at all suspect what it is ? ” 
 
 “ Evidently something that occurred in the Forest of Saint-Germain which 
 my worthy brother through some chance beheld. I must state, my dear 
 friend, that despite all my influence over Valnoir, I do not know one part 
 of his life. He has often absented himself without apparent motive, and I 
 have ascertained that he went towards Saint-Germain.” 
 
 “There lies the mystery evidently,” said the business man, listening 
 with much attention, “ and there the search must be made ; but as long as 
 the siege lasts, we cannot seek information among the Prussians.” 
 
 “So I thought of something else,” resumed Madame de Charmi&re. 
 
 “ Let’s hear your plan, for plans are in fashion,” said J. B. Frapillon, 
 making an allusion to the famous plan of General Trochu which was to h&ve 
 crumpled up Von Moltke and the Germans, and liberated the capital, for J. 
 B. F. did not disdain to enliven dry business with a shower of witticisms 
 now and then. 
 
 “ To begin with, I supported a side-issue invented by Taupier, though I 
 do not care for him — ” 
 
 “ He is of some value,” said the spectacled man gravely. 
 
 “ Maybe so, in politics, and it is politics we are now talking about. A 
 grand popular association is toj^e founded, a campaign to be carried on by 
 the newspaper— Valnoir will explain the affair to you. The important thing 
 for the time being is that my brother and his clown, an idiot with socialist 
 ideas, are mixed up in this project, and that I am sure to have them under 
 my hand.” 
 
 “ Fine ! ” exclaimed Frapillon. “ Adroit as I know you to be, you will 
 be unlucky if you do not draw them out.” 
 
 “ So I hope, but I want you to do it.” 
 
 “ I ? how ? ” said the agent, turning distrustful. 
 
 “ I told my brother you were the skilfullest man in town to manage a deli- 
 cate matter — I gave him your address, and he will certainly come to con- 
 •nit you.” ^ 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 87 
 
 J. B. Frapillon reflected leisurely. 
 
 “ Excuse me, pretty one,” he said after a rather long silence, “ but if he 
 was wary as regarded you, he will be more so to me from the very fact that 
 I know you.” 
 
 “ Pooh ! I thought you a keener blade,” sneered Madame de Charmi6re. 
 
 “ How is it that you do not guess that by insinuating your willingness to 
 betray me, for a consideration, you would obtain a confession ? ” 
 
 “ Ha ! ha ! not badly imagined,” said the agent with a dry laugh that 
 was a token of satisfaction in him. “ Then your brother is not a conjurer ? ” 
 
 “ Only by profession, and not so good as you, for a certainty; and besides, 
 he does not know us cits. He has never lived in Paris.” 
 
 “ Good ! if I succeed, what am I to do ? ” 
 
 “ Let me know without a moment’s delay. You must send round for me, 
 as soon as you have interviewed him. ” 
 
 J. B. Frapillon had again lapsed into his broodings. 
 
 “ Well ? ” demanded she. 
 
 “ My ever-loveliest one,” said the business-agent, “ I ask nothing better 
 than to serve you, but before I start, I must know whither I go. We must 
 come to a thorough understanding.” 
 
 “ What do you mean ? ” queried Rose greatly astonished. 
 
 “ There’s nothing simpler. Who are you for ? ” 
 
 “ I do not understand.” 
 
 “ I must explain myself more clearly. If your brother wishes to realise 
 by this secret, it is expected to yield well, eh ? ” 
 
 “ Probably.” 
 
 “ Then it might be your interest to work the mine with him. On the 
 other hand, such working may be prejudicial to Valnoir, who is your friend 
 and mine.” 
 
 “ Granted.” 
 
 “ Good ! now, are you siding with him or your brother ? ” 
 
 At this cynically put question, Madame deCharmi^re could nothelp colour- 
 ing up slightly. The agent watched her above his glasses as if to read the 
 depth of her mind. The lady was determined to be careful in the fencing. 
 
 “ How can you Suppose that I would hesitate between the man I love 
 and a brother who has never caused me anything but grief?” she 
 answered hypocritically. 
 
 “Very well!” said J. B. F., nowise affected; “then I may inarch 
 squarely against M — , by the way what’s his name ? ” 
 
 “ Who ? ” inquired Rose, though fully comprehending. 
 
 “ Why, your brother.” 
 
 /‘Antoine Pile vert,” answered the high-bom damozel curtly, not liking 
 to trumpet her family name, even before her business agent. 
 
 Again the electric bell tinkled, this time for several seconds ; the signal 
 agreed upon with the clerk when it was an important visitor. 
 
 “ Will you allow me to see who that is ? ” asked Frapillon, rising. 
 
 “ Do so, my dear fellow,” said Madame de Charmi&re, “ I will wait for 
 you as I have some further instructions to give.” 
 
 Profiting by the permission, the agent nimbly vanished through a door 
 communicating with his study. Rose wondered if she had not made a 
 blunder in trusting him with the conduct of so troublesome an affair. Her - 
 faith in Frapillon ’s honesty was scanty, and his perfidious objections set 
 her thinking. 
 
 “ He is capable of doing what he proposes, without me,” she thought. 
 
88 * 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ What prevents him coming to an agreement with my brother? 1 must 
 see Antoine this evening and have another attempt to make him confess' 
 before finally arranging with this Frapillon.” 
 
 Her cogitations were interrupted by the agent who came in on tiptoe, 
 and holding his finger to his lips. 
 
 “ It’s he ! ” he said. 
 
 “Who’s he?” 
 
 “ Your brother, M. Antoine Pilevert in person.” 
 
 “ So soon ! ” ejaculated Rose, annoyed at this precipitate visit. 
 
 “Shall I send him away?” asked J. B. F., clearly noting his paller*e 
 agitation. 
 
 “ No, no,” said she, hesitatingly. “ But as I am eager to know the re- 
 sult of the interview, and I am here — ” 
 
 “ You’d like to remain ? Do better than that, lovely one — assist at the 
 meeting. ” 
 
 “You are mad. He must not see me.” 
 
 “ He’ll not see you, don’t be alarmed.” 
 
 “ How’s that ? ” 
 
 “ Come with me that I may show you how my rooms are arranged.* 
 
 ■ V-vrf'; V • 'V, ' ' ■ / > 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Thebe was much to tempt Madame de Charmi&re in the proposition. To 
 assist, without being seen, at the interview between Frapillon and her 
 brother, was to assure herself of the latter’s treachery. She so little ex- 
 pected any such invitation that she hesitated for an instant to accept 
 it for fear of falling into a trap. It was her old habit always to sup- 
 
 S ose the worst, and every act without a clear motive seemed suspicious to 
 er. 
 
 “ Eh, what ? have you got sliding panels here as in the theatres ? ” she 
 asked, mistrustfully. > 
 
 “ Oh, nay — I have merely a nook beside my study, where everything 
 going on there can be seen and heard.” 
 
 “A good thing to know,” remarked Madame de Charmi&re merrily, 
 “ and when you are talking there with me, I shall want to be sure the nook 
 is empty.” 
 
 “You know that you always come in by the private way and we always 
 have our chat in this room, where, I vow to you, you have no fear of being 
 observed. ” 
 
 “Tut, tut, who knows? but may I ask why you have this Bravo of 
 Venice spyhole ? ” r 
 
 “ My dear friend, it belongs to my business. One branch is the private 
 inquiry line, you cannot be ignorant of that, and this is an excellent means 
 of obtaining news first hand. I instal my client in the nook you shall see 
 presently, and under his very eyes and ears I ‘ press ’ the person he has an 
 interest in knowing all about. ” 
 
 “ Very ingenious ! ” remarked Rose, ironically. 
 
 “ Oh, it is not often used that way, for it is not always easy to lure the 
 game into the trap. So I must often use the side-box merely to take a 
 preliminary peep at my customers. I have examined your brother by the 
 same process. I should have recognised him at first glance, even had not 
 my man given me his card. ” 
 
THE RED BAND. 89 
 
 “ Hum ! ” said Madame de Charmi&re, hardly flattered by the resem- 
 blance ; “ what do you think of him ? ” 
 
 “ That he is both in a hurry and a bad humour. He is walking to and 
 fro, flourishing his hands and talking to himself. I believe that it is not 
 wise to keep him kicking his heels any longer.” 
 
 “ Lead me on, then,” said the adventuress, who had made up her mind. 
 
 Frapillon pushed a door and, taking his client by tne hand, guided her 
 through a long passage, thickly carpeted, so as to completely deaden the 
 sound of footsteps. 
 
 “ Here we are,” he whispered, as he raised a door-hanging before a 
 dark den. 
 
 Before them gleamed two luminous points, and Rose guessed that it was 
 daylight penetrating by artful holes in the partition. The agent led her to 
 an arm-chair in which she sat, and applied an eye to one of the peepholes. 
 Almost instantly he uttered a low exclamation of surprise. 
 
 “ Halloa ! he’s gone ! ” he muttered. “ I can’t make this out,” he con- 
 tinued, in his client’s ear ; “he must have dashed away impatiently ; but 
 he cannot have got further than my clerk, who will detain him in parley, 
 and I will bring him back. ” 
 
 “ But if you do not ? ” queried Rose, in an undertone. 
 
 “ Then I shall immediately return to release you,” answered Frapillon, 
 stealing away cautiously. 
 
 After turning, the lobby ended at the study which he had to pass 
 through to reach the yellow room and the clerk’s office beyond. He 
 entered, and at once perceived that the visitor had disappeared without 
 leaving any other trace of passage than the stump of a cigar, still smoking, 
 thrown on the carpet as though to testify to his vexation at being made to 
 dance attendance. Frapillon did not trouble to pick it up, but was rush- 
 ing on the track of the fugitive when the reception-room door flew open 
 roughly. 
 
 A clamour of voices in the highest key burst out at the same time, and 
 with stupefaction the general agent saw Pilevert reappear, escorted by 
 Taupier, not to say shoved in. 
 
 “ In you go, my hero,” cried the humpback. “Deuce take me, if I let 
 friends give me the slip like that ! ” 
 
 “ But I tell you that I am in a hurry,” grumbled the showman ; “ Alcin- 
 dor is waiting for me at the Hotel du Grand- Vainqueur.” 
 
 “ Let him wait, dash it ! Come, that I may introduce you to the pearl 
 of cashiers, the most radical of moneyed men. Hail, Frapillon ! ” 
 
 The agent seemed to relish Taupier’s compliments but slightly, and this 
 double invasion of his study vexed him considerably. On introducing 
 Madame de Charmi^re into the hiding-place, he had conceived a scheme 
 which the humpback’s arrival totally disarranged, and he began to seek 
 some means to get rid of the trio. Pilevert appeared to be as much put 
 out as himself. Met on the stairs as he was rushing forth piqued at 
 having been kept waiting, the Hercules had been almost dragged back by 
 Taupier, who dumbfounded him with his incessant chaff. In vain had the 
 clerk opposed this infraction of his master’s rules, the stubborn humpback 
 had broken through all barriers and pushed the mountebank into the 
 sanctuary. But Pilevert, if he had not been able to escape, was, at least, 
 firmly decided not to talk before third parties. Of course, he had no 
 suspicior that his sister was within hearing, but Taupier’s presence was 
 enough to seal his mouth. 
 
90 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Come, come, Rampart of Avallon, what do you want of my friend ? n 
 went on the incorrigible jester. 44 Do you chance to be looking for an en- 
 gagement for the circus of Toulouse or the Lyons Alcazar ? ” 
 
 Instead of answering, the athlete expressed his discontent in sullen 
 
 growls. 
 
 44 Stop a bit. I am off the track,” continued the humpback. 44 I forgot 
 that politics claim you as their own fond child, and that you are henceforth 
 the firmest upholder of the 4 Serpenteau.’ Say on, unfold your desires. 
 My friend, Frapillon, is a universal man. Are you after a piece of infor- 
 mation ? ” 
 
 44 None of your business,” growled Pilevert. 
 
 4 4 Getting wrathy ? Then, I know it is that you are after, and you fear 
 to make a clean breast of it before me. How wrong of a man whom I 
 love and whose secret? I am incapable of betraying. By the same token, 
 would you like me to prove as much ? I, also, am after information, and I 
 will set you an example of confidence by asking him for it in your 
 presence. ” 
 
 J. B. Frapillon attentively followed this flow of words without any in- 
 clination to laugh, for the idea of benefiting by the fortuitous meeting of the 
 two men had germinated in his brain. 
 
 44 Won’t you take a seat, sir,” he said, with a show of politeness, “and 
 oblige me with your name ? ” 
 
 The showman was about opening his mouth to reply when Taupier inter- 
 posed. 
 
 44 1 will introduce you, celebrated man of prowess. Frapillon, you see 
 before you M. Antoine Pilevert, who boasts a double claim on your friend- 
 ship. In the first place, he is attached to the 4 Serpenteau * staff, as ito 
 champion, and, moreover, he is dear to, and favoured by, our charming 
 patroness, the Dame de Charmi&res.” 
 
 44 This is more than is requisite to win the gentleman a welcome here,” 
 said the business agent. 
 
 44 Yery well ! consequently you must lavish your advice on our amiable 
 associate ; but in the meantime, and to encourage him, I claim a personal 
 hearing.” 
 
 44 Wholly at your service,” Frapillon hastened to say, seizing the occa- 
 sion to prevent the athlete speaking in Taupier’s presence. 
 
 44 Number 5,7*21,” said the humpback, showing the cabman’s card found 
 at Valnoir’s. 44 You are to find me the cab-driver who handed that table 
 of fares on Wednesday evening, near the Madeleine, to a woman in a scar- 
 let dress, and where he drove another woman in a black dress.” 
 
 Pilevert had suddenly become peculiarly attentive, his expression not 
 escaping Taupier, who immediately added : 
 
 44 But, now I think of it, our dear Pilevert is just the man to aid us. 
 It’s all about a young person whom he well knows. You remember, old 
 friend — your somnambulist, the deaf-mute, with whom you were driving 
 to Saint-Germain ? ” 
 
 44 R4gine ! ” blurted out the showman. 44 Ugh, the minx ! the jade ! ” 
 
 44 Halloa ! it strikes me you no longer wear her image in your heart ! ” 
 
 44 She has cut away,” said Pilevert, unable to contain his ire, 44 given me 
 the slip — a man who has kept her in food and togs these five years. ” 
 
 44 Don’t you know where she’s gone ? ” 
 
 44 No ! by all the trumpets of Jericho 1 but if ever I get my grip on 
 her!” 
 
THE RED BAND. 91 
 
 •• You shall find her, Pilevert, I answer for that. Where and when did 
 
 she drop you ? ” 
 
 “ After thac cursed duel, I left her at Rueil with the caravan and the 
 dead husband inside, whilst I ran up to Paris on a trip. When I got back, 
 only the van was to be found. ” 
 
 “ Very well — capital ! the thing looks better, and now listen to me with- 
 out interrupting, please. Frapillon, my friend, here’s the affair. Valnoir 
 and I have an enemy in the sister of the officer who, as you are aware, termi- 
 nated his career at Saint-Germain, as well as another in Saint-Senier, cousin 
 of the aforesaid. All these people wish us mortal ill ; they are circulating the 
 vilest slanders about us, and they have set our virtuous Pilevert’s pupil 
 against us. The cousin has just been netted by the Prussians, but the 
 sister, along with the girl in red, is hatching devilry which may injure us. 
 She must be found first of all, wherever she is hiding, and then — ” 
 
 “ What next ? ” asked the agent. 
 
 “We will do for her, of course.” 
 
 “ Very well,” returned Frapillon, without wincing. 
 
 “ Does that suit you, my Hercules ? ” 
 
 “ It does,” growled Pilevert. 
 
 “ Nothing could be better, my boys,” said the humpback. “ Union 
 makes strength, and we will conclude on the spot a Holy Alliance between 
 the friends of the ‘ Serpenteau.’ ” 
 
 “ You may rely on me,” said the business agent ; “ but I shall require a 
 little more information to succeed in my searches.” 
 
 “ You shall have it. Meanwhile, go on 4he quest with that card.” 
 
 “ That is the ABC of our profession, and we shall soon find the cabman. 
 It will take somewhat longer to find the women. ” 
 
 “ Well, what is the longest time you require to lay hands on them ?” 
 
 ‘ ‘ A fortnight at the outside, or then I give it up,” 
 
 “ A fortnight, then ! the game is as good as bagged. Long live Fra- 
 pillon, who is going to stand us two absinthes.” 
 
 “ I agree to that, too,” said the athlete. 
 
 “Citizens,” said the humpback, solemnly, “the league against the 
 enemies of the 4 Serpenteau 5 is formed. The league for ever l and we ad- 
 journ for a fortnight, as the lawyers say. ” 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 October was come and the advancing autumn dimmed the radiant sky that 
 lighted the early disasters of the fateful war of 1870. The siege of Paris en- 
 tered on its second stage, when the inhabitants comprehended that it would 
 be a long and painful ordeal, and resigned themselves to all possible sacrifices. 
 Food was not deficient yet, and the temperature was supportable ; but the 
 wise foresaw the coming up of Prussia’s two terrible auxiliaries : frosj? and 
 famine. Hence, the city no longer wore the lively and almost joyous 
 aspect of the days following the investment. The patriotic songs were 
 hushed, the shops closed early, and vehicles were seen less often. No 
 more gatherings, no more blazes of gas light, which, at the commencement 
 of the blockade, enlivened the main boulevards. Nobody lounged now* 
 but walked on briskly, and in streets remote from the city centre, traffic 
 almost wholly ceased after nightfall. 
 
 On this evening, Paris was sadder and gloomier than ever. All day long 
 
92 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 the heavy guns had thundered and a sortie of the French had been repulsed. 
 The news of the failure had swiftly spread, and on all faces was to he read 
 the sorrow of baffled hopes. The very few wayfarers strode along with 
 drooping heads, and, if by any chance a group did form in the middle of 
 the deserted pavement or on a doorstep, it was to talk in undertones as by 
 a sick bed. There was mourning in the air, and some outlying quarters 
 assumed a lugubrious aspect. The usually bustling Rue fles Martyrs was 
 silent, and by the flicker of the long spaced out gas lamps, barely a shadow 
 or two could be spied skirting the walls. 
 
 Towards the summit of the steep crescent forming here the south slopes 
 of the Butte Montmartre, a solitary woman was hastening along the left 
 hand side walk. At the corner c.f th# .Rue de Laval, she paused an instant 
 and turned to glance rapidly behind her, doubtlessly to make sure that 
 she was not followed. The result of her examination was satisfactory, for no 
 foot, passenger appeared on this side of the Rue de J^avarin. A cab drawn 
 by a couple of thin nags, painfully climbed the stony hill. These luckless 
 beasts, doomed to speedy death by the necessities of the defence, stumbled 
 and stopped every instant in spite of the driver’s whipping. The impatient 
 travellers had put their heads out of the window and cheered them on, but 
 their shouts had no better effect than the lash circling the sides of the 
 breathless animals, and the equipage made no headway. The woman entered 
 the Rue de Laval and set to running like one who is nearly at her goal, and 
 has reasons to reach it quickly. In a few seconds, she arrived before a high 
 wall in the middle of which a low doorway enclosed worm-eaten panels. 
 This out-of-the-way door would not seem to be often used, as the lock was 
 rusted and the hinges were coming off. But the road was no doubt familiar 
 to the woman, who dashed into the narrow bay and laid her hand on one of 
 the large nails which studded the upper panel, and pressed forcibly. A 
 bell instantly rang within, and tfye door opened immediately. The night- 
 rambler stepped through, but not without bestowing a last look behind 
 her. 
 
 As she disappeared, two human forms showed themselves round the 
 corner, and the coachman’s whip could be heard cracking as he still 
 goaded his horses up the hill of the Rue des Martyrs. The wall hid a 
 narrow alley of lindens with branches that grew over and formed a vault. 
 The woman shut the door, of which hinges and fastenings must have been 
 well oiled, for at a push it returned noiselessly into its stone socket. She 
 stopped a while as if to listen for steps in the street before resolutely going 
 up the dark path. Right at the end a light was shining, and, notwith- 
 standing the darkness, the nocturnal visitor briefly came to a porch at the 
 top of which was placed a lamp by way of beacon. 
 
 “You at last,” said a rough voice, “ the ladies are very uneasy, you’ve 
 been such a time — By thunder ! here I am forgetting again that she can’t 
 hear,” added the man, taking down the lamp to guide R6gine — for it was 
 she — through a glazed passage. 
 
 The girl followed him after a friendly nod, and as she walked on took off 
 a hooded cloak which had enwrapped her from head to heel. She no 
 longer wore the fantastic attire of the night of her adventure with Valnoir, 
 but was clad like a decent workwoman. Her black woollen gown and the 
 black net she had on her head displayed even more her marvellous loveli- 
 ness. Her large eyes gleamed with uncommon lustre, and the animation 
 from a hasty walk had slightly warmed her pale complexion. No doubt 
 her guide was struck by her charms, for he could not help mumbling : 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 93 
 
 “ Who’d ever think so fine a lady went about at fairs with a show, and 
 virtuous all the time, and so plucky ! If I had not thrown myself before 
 her, she would have been killed by the Prussian who brought down our 
 poor M. Roger. Come on in, mademoiselle,” he continued, opening a door, 
 “ here are the ladies.” 
 
 In the centre of a simply furnished room, two women were sitting at a 
 round table, the elder reading a letter, the other holding a book which she 
 laid down quickly on seeing the girl appear. 
 
 “ Here she is a last,” said the guide, “ and I don’t believe any ill has 
 happened to her, for she looks quite joyful.” 
 
 Regine ran to the old lady and kissed her hand. 
 
 “ Heaven be praised, dear child ; we trembled at knowing you were 
 belated in the streets of this accursed city.” 
 
 Pronounced in a sweet and sympathetic voice, Regine understood the 
 words by the movements of the lips, presumably, for she replied with a 
 look of the deepest gratitude. The speaker was beyond her sixtieth year, 
 certainly, butr she was neither bowed nor wrinkled, and if her hair had not 
 been snowy white, no one could have told her age. She must have been 
 remarkably handsome, and the aristocratic curve of her nose accentuated on 
 her features a proud expression tempered by her somewhat dim blue eyes. To 
 judge what she had been in her heyday, one needed only to look at the 
 young lady beside her, who had risen to give her hand to R6gine. She 
 was her living portrait, with all the grace and freshness of twenty summers. 
 Tall, slender, and a blonde, Mademoiselle Ren6e de Saint-Senier realised 
 the ideal of English beauty, enhanced by a fineness in the lines, and a 
 vivacity in the actions not always found in fair Albion. Her aunt, her 
 father’s sister, by title Countess de Muire, offered the most perfect type of 
 the old court dowagers, and high breeding was even more revealed in her 
 manners than her person. 
 
 “Sit down, my child,” she said, pointing out a chair. “ Land- 
 reau, have you taken care to put out the light and close the shutters ? ” 
 she inquired of the serving-man who had ushered in the girl of the 
 booths. 
 
 The gamekeeper had preserved only the red-striped blue trousers of his 
 garde mobile uniform, and now wore above them a green coat with tumed- 
 up skirts, which had seen service in the Saint-Senier woods. 
 
 “No fear of my omitting that, Madame la Comtesse,” replied the old 
 man. “During the last few days ugly faces have hovered round the 
 pavilion. ” 
 
 “That’s right, friend ; keep a good guard. Ren6e, show that dear girl 
 the letter telling us that Roger is wounded and a prisoner at Saint- 
 Germain.” 
 
 Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier handed the fortune-teller a paper of official 
 . shape. She took it briskly and her face shone as she read it and her eyes 
 filled with tears. 
 
 “ Poor thing!” said Madame de Muire, “how good and devoted she is!” 
 
 “ And well has she proved it, aunt,” said the young lady, eyeing her 
 tenderly ; “ and I hope she’ll never leave us.” 
 
 “That’s my own wish as well, dear one, but I am always in dread lest 
 she fall again into the hands of that scoundrelly showman. Do you not 
 also think her obstinacy strange as to concealing her story ? ” 
 
 “She is timid and distrustful like all sufferers,” said Ren4e, “but I am 
 arure she will tell us all in the end. ” 
 
94 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “You express yourself as though she could speak,” said the aunt smiling. 
 “It is true she writes with a facility and correctness that astonishes 
 me.” 
 
 “ Have you also remarked her marvellous intelligence, aunt? She really 
 hears with her eyes.” 
 
 “I have always believed,” continued the elder noblewoman pensively, 
 “that she was brought up by well-bred people. But let us speak a little 
 of our poor Roger. How he must suffer far from us — much more on that 
 account than from his wounds, eh, Rqn6e ? ” 
 
 The young lady blushed a little. 
 
 “Oh, yes, aunt,” she sighed; “if only we could tell him about us — 
 write him that our uncertainty is allayed.” 
 
 “Who can tell but that some wily and bold messenger may cross the 
 line. What do you think, Landreau ? ” 
 
 “Well it isn ; t so easy, my lady. If it were nought but risking one’s 
 neck, mine’s at your service ; but those ruffianly Prussians keep watch 
 and ward so close that not a mouse can slip through. I should only 
 get caught without even the consolation of seeing Master Roger, for they^ 
 would pack me off straight away to Germany, to say nothing of my being 
 wanted here.” 
 
 “ Alas ! he is right,” said the old dame. “ But look at what that child 
 has written, Ren4e.” 
 
 The mountebank’s pupil had traced a few lines on a slate which the 
 faithful Landreau had laid on the table. Ren6e took it from the writer’s 
 hands and read aloud these words which drew an exclamation of surprise 
 from her : 
 
 “ If you do not want me now, I will go to Saint-Germain and bring back 
 M. de Saint-Senier.” 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 “Poor child !” sighed Madame de Muire, “her devotion goes beyond her 
 strength. I should never forgive myself if I consented to her exposing her- 
 self to the dangers of suclra journey.” 
 
 R6gine’s attentive eye watched all the impressions reflected on the 
 speaker’s countenance ; no doubt divining that her generous offer was not 
 accepted, she took back the slate and wrote again with feverish ardour. 
 The younger lady had risen in much excitement, and watched the lines over 
 her shoulder. 
 
 “ What does she say? ” inquired the countess. 
 
 “That we need ‘fear nothing — the Prussians will not hurt me, I know 
 their language and will tell their fortunes,’ ” read Ren6e. 
 
 “ That’s so,” observed Landreau, “ a woman has more chances of running 
 the gauntlet by amusing those beery heads by sleight of hand tricks, than a 
 man braving bullets.” 
 
 “ That may be,” said Madame de Muire, “yet I cannot really allow her 
 to risk her life again for Roger.” 
 
 “Besides,” added her niece, sadly, “even if she got through the lines, 
 how could she bring back a wounded man, perchance a — a dying one — 
 and tears cut short her speech. 
 
 “ As for that, mademoiselle,” s^id the old keeper, “ I saw the lieutenant 
 fall, and I am sure that he only got a knock-down blow from a musket 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 95 
 
 butt ; by the same token, I ran the German through who gave it him. 
 Knocks on the head either kill or heal quickly, and I’ll bet M. Roger will 
 be taken out of the hospital one of these fine days to be sent to Germany.” 
 
 “ Who knows if we shall ever see him more,” sobbed Ren4e. “ Oh, 
 heaven is cruelly trying our family ! ” 
 
 The aunt was silent in apparent thought. 
 
 “No, no,” she said at length, “ if any evil befell that afflicted one, I 
 should reproach myself eternally. Besides it would pain me too much to 
 see her resume her dreadful pursuit, even to save my nephew. Give her 
 to understand that I oppose such rashness, and besides, we need her to 
 finish what she has so well commenced.” 
 
 Her niece wiped away her tears and wrote : “ It cannot be. You are 
 
 wanted here.” 
 
 Regine read it at a glance, and hung her head in sorrow. Her bosom 
 heaved with deep emotion, and her nervously shaking hands dropped the 
 slate on the table. 
 
 “ How she loves him ! ” said Madame de Muire, watching her with pro- 
 found interest. 
 
 Rente’s still moist eyes were lifted to hers. 
 
 “Not so well as you, I know, darling,” said the old dame, smiling 
 gently, “ but I am really proud that our Roger inspires such devotion.” 
 
 - “ He is so good,” murmured the young lady. 
 
 “As good as handsome,” returned the countess, “jor he is truly of our 
 race, and I find much resemblance to the portrait of your granduncle, 
 Colonel de Saint-Senier. In uniform, particularly, it is striking,” added 
 she, scanning a carte de visite. “ He is an enviable mate for you, my 
 child. ” 
 
 “ I never thought but of his heart alone,” remarked the officer’s betrothed, 
 blushing. 
 
 “ Good looks spoil nothing, my dear,” said the old dame, who had the 
 physical proclivities prevalent during the First Empire, “ but I agree with 
 you that Roger has many other merits, and as soon as this horrid war is 
 over, we will have the marriage come off on my Burgundy estate.” 
 
 “ The future is very black,” remarked Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier.” 
 
 Her aunt took her hands, and was no doubt about to try and cheer her, 
 when she suddenly called out instead : 
 
 “That poor thing is fainting. Landreau, some water, quick, and my 
 salts — on the mantelpiece, there ! ” 
 
 Indeed, Regine had turned dreadfully pale, and seemed ready to swoon. 
 Ren6e and the old servant hastened both to her ; but she rallied, with a 
 violent internal effort, the blood rushed anew to her cheeks, and she indi- 
 cated that the ailment had passed. 
 
 “ I’m hanged ! I thought she was such a tough one !” grumbled Landreau 
 under his breath. “ But, after all, it’s a way with these girls — they do go 
 off for a yes or a no. ” 
 
 “ She is worn out,” said Madame de Muire, “and she must have rest. I 
 will not have her scouring the city, and sitting up here of nights. We 
 will watch in her stead, if we must, and we’ll send Landreau out on 
 occasion.” 
 
 “ My furlough lasts three days more ; besides, I will ask for an extension,” 
 observed the keeper. 
 
 “Take her to her room, friend,” went on the countess. “Come along, 
 say dear Ren6e, let us go up into the white room.” 
 
96 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 The strolling player rose at the same time as the dowager, seeming to be 
 buried in thought. She let Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier kiss her, and 
 mechanically took Landreau ’s proffered arm. 
 
 44 Don’t you fret, my lady,” said the latter, “you can all sleep easy, for I 
 go my rounds every night as if the garden were the Saint-Senier park.” 
 
 The girl followed her guide, who conducted her with almost paternal 
 attentions to the door of the room set apart as hers. 
 
 4 4 Good night, pretty one/ 5 said he, ushering her in, 44 don’t have any 
 ugly dreams, and, above all, don’t open the shutters. Hillo ! here I am 
 again talking to no purpose ! 55 With which reproach, no new thing for 
 him to make, Landreau made off, after carefully shutting the guest in. 
 
 Engine’s room was long and narrow. Formerly, the apartment had been 
 occupied by a man, probably by one of the Saint-Senier family, so sorely 
 buffeted by fate since the siege began. Hunting trophies were still hanging 
 on the wall, and some cigar- boxes were piled up on a dresser. An old 
 figured tapestry divided this gallery converted into a sleeping chamber, and 
 concealed the couch she had occupied these few weeks. A high fireplace, 
 surmounted by an old mirror in carved wood, faced the hangings. A couple 
 of candles, lit by Landreau, feebly illumined this long apartment, at the 
 other end of which the shadows accumulated. Two windows opened at 
 once on the garden, for it was on the ground floor, but the carefully -closed 
 inner shutters intercepted all light and outside interference. Regine, lean- 
 ing on the mantel, looked at Roger’s photograph, which she had taken off 
 the parlour table, and held tightly in her right hand. Neither of the ladies 
 had noticed the quick movement by which she had snatched up 1 the picture 
 from beside her slate. 
 
 Since being left alone, her face had become transfigured, and her resigned 
 bearing gave way to one of virile resolution. Her eyes glistened with un- 
 wonted brightness, her pale face was reddened, and her supple form was 
 drawn up as though to meet a coming danger with erect head. From her 
 bosom she drew a medallion, which she kissed several times before she re- 
 sumed contemplating the lieutenant’s portrait. Her lips moved as if sh© 
 could speak, and tears soon trickled down her cheeks. After a few in- 
 stants thus spent, she threw herself on her knees and prayed for a long 
 while, leaning her chin on her clasped hands, which in turn rested on a 
 table, where the thoughtful Landreau had placed books, writing materials, 
 and other necessaries for a young woman. Rising slowly, she walked to 
 the window, which she opened with care to mask the candles, so that no 
 rays should pass without. 
 
 It was a dark night, and a drizzle came on the west wind to beat against 
 her face as she bent out to look at the garden. Not a thing stirred in that 
 deserted enclosure, in the midst of which rose the pavilion su often 
 scrutinised by Valnoir from his terrace. The stillness was the deeper as 
 the fort batteries were silent that night. The beleaguered city seemed 
 collecting itself after the battle, and the German guns, awaiting the recoil, 
 had not yet again opened fire. One glance at the lawn and the lonely 
 paths sufficed to encourage Engine. She hastened back to the table, and 
 without taking time to sit down, she wrote with a trembling hand and at 
 feverish speed these lines on a large sheet of paper : 
 
 44 Forgive me for disobeying you : I go. 1 must save him or die. If I 
 am not seen in five days, pray for me, and think sometimes of one who 
 loves you and would be happy to yield up her life for you.” 
 
 She signed it 44 R6gine ” — and then remained thoughtful a moment, as if 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 97 
 
 hesitating to add a family name. But almost at once she dashed down the 
 pen, and shaking her head, as if to repel a thought assailing her, turned 
 away towards the fire- place where the candles still burned on the marble 
 shelf beside Roger’s portrait. She extended her hand to take it up and 
 put it as a talisman on her heart against hostile bullets, when she stopped 
 petrified. In the looking-glass she beheld a man standing behind her. 
 
 XXXIII* - 
 
 Regine tried to cry out, but she was not given the time to do so. Before 
 uttering that inarticulate sound which is the voice of deaf mutes, the un- 
 happy girl was seized round the waist by two robust arms. At the same 
 time, a second man, hidden behind the tapestry, sprang out upon her and 
 clapped a handkerchief to her lips. The attack was so sudden and unfore- 
 seen, that R6gine was overpowered and gagged without being able to de- 
 fend herself. One of her assailants profited by hei^ surprise to blow out the 
 candles, and in the utter darkness suddenly filling the room, her only sense, 
 that of sight, became useless. She closed her eyes and prepared for death. 
 
 “ Away with her, and quick 1 ” whispered the wretch who had first 
 seized her. 
 
 “ Wait till I get the paper she was writing,” returned the other. 
 
 u What’s the use ? * 
 
 “ Don’t know — may be useful hereafter.” 
 
 “ Leave it alone and hurry up. That soldier animal may come prowling 
 round here and we have no time to dawdle.” 
 
 The two ruffians agreed on the necessity for promptitude, and R^gine, 
 lifted up in a strong grasp, was carried towards the casement. 
 
 Done it ? ” asked a voice in the garden. 
 
 “ Yes, citizen,” answered one of the pair. 
 
 ft Then lower away the piece of goods and let’s hook it.” 
 
 The passing out of the woman was achieved with a skill and rapidity that 
 revealed great experience in nocturnal abductions. The window was not 
 high above the ground, and the girl’s frail body did not weigh much upon 
 those stout hands. She was received in the arms of the confederate posted 
 without ; the two other's jumped down on the grass without the least noise, 
 took up the victim again, and the detestable gang went on their way. The 
 night was blacker than ever, the wind had doubled in force, and the in- 
 habitants of the pavilion must have been asleep, for no lights were to be 
 seen nor a sound to be heard. The abductors seemed to know their way 
 well, for they went round the house to the linden walk and reached the door 
 in the wall speedily. They even possessed the secret to open it, for one 
 of them had only to touch a spring to make the lock work. The Rue de 
 Laval was completely deserted. By the hazy light of a far-off gas jet, one 
 just descried a cab waiting at the corner of the hill of the Martyrs. 
 
 ** I’ll run ahead to say you are coming,” said the man who had watched 
 in the garden. 
 
 Since she had fallen into the grasp of unknown enemies, R^gine had 
 made no attempt to escape from them. One might have thought that fright 
 had killed her, for her arms swung along her body and her head hung inert 
 with dishevelled hair upon the chest of the ruffian carrying it. In a few 
 hurried strides they reached the cab. The apparent leader was waiting, 
 holding the door open. 
 
98 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ In with it ! ” he said in a harsh voice. 
 
 The order was executed with a dexterity which would have done honour 
 to Calabrian brigands, and in the twinkling of an eye the girl, hurled in on 
 the seat-cushions, found herself between two guards prepared to do their 
 utmost to prevent her flight. She did not seem to think of it, and offered 
 no resistance to the men seated, each in his corner. The one who had 
 given orders to the driver meanwhile, also stepped in and the cab rolled off 
 towards the junction of the Rue de Laval and the Rue de Breda. 
 
 “ Ha, ha, my boys ! that’s wh!at I call a proper job,” chuckled the per- 
 sonage they seemed to obey. 
 
 “ But add that we were in luck, too,” grumbled one of the under-strap- 
 pers. “ To find the kitchen door ajar, carpet on the stairs to save making 
 a row, and a bit of cloth hung up in the room to hide us, I call that a bit of 
 fat.” 
 
 “ To say nothing,” went on the other, “ of the girl being one that 
 couldn’t sing out or hear — why, half the work was done for us before 
 hand. ” 
 
 Ours is not yet over,” said the chief of the expedition, laconically. 
 
 “ By the way, M. Taupier,” said the first ruffian, “ tell us what we’re to 
 do with our piece of goods, as you call it ? ” 
 
 “ Did not J. B. Frapillon tell you ? ” 
 
 “No, by thunder ! the governor is just this sort : He says, ‘You go and 
 do so and so,’ and we get about it and never ask any particulars.” 
 
 “ Oh, he’s a smart fellow, you may be sure,” resumed the other man, 
 “ but liberal when he is properly served. He called us in a fortnight ago 
 to-morrow, and says he : ‘ My merry men, you must run the game to earth 
 this week, and take it next. There’s five hundred shiners for you if you 
 bag it before the next fortnight, but I shall stop fifty a-day for every day 
 beyond,” 
 
 “ So, as we have finished to-night, you won’t have any forfeit to pay, my 
 little lambs,” remarked the Satanic humpback, who had undertaken the 
 command of the operatives furnished by his friend, J. B. Frapillon. 
 
 “ Then we have only to put the princess in a safe place.” 
 
 “ Just so, Mouchabeuf,” pronounced Taupier, authoritatively. 
 
 “And where is this safe place, if I may ask?” queried the rascally 
 owner of this pretty name. 
 
 “ You will see in a quarter of an hour, judging by the pace our ‘ pal 9 on 
 the box is driving his nags.” 
 
 “ How complete the governor is for any game ! ” exclaimed Mouchabeuf, 
 in admiration : “ carriages, horses, jarveys, anything to hand in his house, 
 and turned out at a wink and a flick of the finger.” 
 
 “That’s all very well,” commented the other rough fellow, “but it’s 
 lucky the girl is so good. If we had had a kicker and a screamer to deaj 
 with, it might have given us a bone to pick. 99 
 
 “ Oh, hereabouts they go to roost as early as the chickens ; we haven’t 
 seen three passers-by since we left the Place Pigalle.” 
 
 On leaving the Rue de Laval, the cab had gone up to the outer boulevards 
 and was now rolling in the direction of La Villette. Midnight had sounded 
 long before, and none but belated drunkards were to be met in such deserted 
 regions. The shed barracks run up in the middle of the roadway to house 
 the country militia were not occupied that night on account of the sortie 
 that morning, the troops that marched thence camping outside the forti- 
 fications. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 9® 
 
 “ It looks as if we were going to leave our baggage at the government 
 stores,” said Mouchabeuf, grinning at his own pleasantry. 
 
 Indeed the vehicle approached the circular building marking the site of 
 the old barrier of La Villette, and on the left rose the immense buildings 
 constructed to warehouse goods brought by the canal. Engine still pre- 
 served the immobility of a statue, and might have been believed dead but 
 for her hard breathing. 
 
 “ Since she keeps quiet, we can remove the handkerchief, which must 
 deucedly hinder her breathing,” said the facetious agent, who seemed to 
 carry into the exercise of his new functions all the humanity compatible 
 with his duty toward his redoubtable master, J. B. Frapillon. 
 
 “Not worth the trouble now,” rejoined Taupier curtly; “we have 
 arrived.” 
 
 “So I guessed it ? ” queried Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “You ‘ burn 5 but you are not quite hot, my old Lascar ” replied the 
 humpback, turning to open the window and pull the driver by his coat-tail. 
 
 “ To the off side, eh ? ” asked the latter. 
 
 “ Yes ; but whip up a little and keep straight on till I drum on the 
 glass. ” 
 
 The cab left the boulevard to go down a steep incline from the circus to 
 the canal quay. 
 
 “ It looks as if we were going on board a barge now,” remarked the 
 joking agent ; “ this just suits me — I always was fond of the sea ! ” 
 
 “ You are too fanciful, citizen,” said Taupier, “ it will be your ruin some 
 day.” 
 
 Whilst speaking, the humpback looked out of the door-window and 
 attentively observed the road they were taking. The pavement had be- 
 come very uneven, and the vehicle, none too well hung on springs, roughly 
 jolted the adventurers on a none-frequented way. At intervals on the 
 right rose low houses separated by wood-yards or connected by long grey 
 walls. On the left extended the canal bank covered with empty casks 
 and utterly deserted. The massive coal barge hulks did not come up above 
 the ledge, and nothing was to be heard except the monotonous patter of 
 the water dripping through the sluices. The war had stopped navigation, 
 and the custom-house officers, usually guarding the strand, had taken 
 muskets and gone to guard the ramparts. After a few minutes’ more bone-, 
 shaking, the conveyance arrived before a ruined shed, where work had 
 long been left off. No other building appeared beyond this dilapidated 
 structure, and, whichever way one looked, Paris might be believed miles 
 away, so silent and solitary was the road. Taupier tapped smartly on the 
 pane, and the vehicle was stopped short. 
 
 “Here we are, fanciful Mouchabeuf,” said he with the chuckle he 
 favoured on grave occasions. “ Open the box, skip out on the sod, and 
 offer your arm to the damsel whom we will hand out to you. ” 
 
 “ Better get her out by the other door,” observed the methodical agent. 
 “We will have less ground to carry her over to the warehouse on the right. 
 A queer storehouse, anyhow.” 
 
 “ Do as you are bid without argument,” returned the humpback roughly; 
 “we are not going that way.” 
 
 “ Excuse me ! I thought you had found a cellar there for the girl. And 
 there’s nothing but the canal on the other side. ” 
 
 “ That’s just what I am looking for,” replied Taupier, bursting out into 
 laughter. 
 
THE BSD BA2TD. 
 
 XXXIV, 
 
 “ The canal ! What have we to do with the canal ? * repeated the stupe- 
 fied Mouehabeuf. 
 
 “Will you open, hang you I ” squeaked the humpback. **We are 
 losing our time, and I can explain it better on the waterside.” 
 
 The hireling decided to obey. He jumped out and Taupier followed, 
 saying to the other acolyte : 
 
 “ Stay, and don’t let the girl move till I come back.” 
 
 The advice was superfluous, for R4gine had not stirred. Only her eye* 
 showed life, and the ruffian guarding her was more than once struck by 
 their fire. 
 
 “Come with me,” said the humpback, abruptly, shaking Mouehabeuf • 
 arm. 
 
 “ Coming, general ; but where to ? ” 
 
 “ To reconnoitre, pretty soldier that you are ! ” • 
 
 The humpback briskly climbed over the iron chain separating the road 
 from the landing-quay and walked straight to the canal. Mouehabeuf, 
 who had been in the army, kept step with him militarily, but he 
 mumblpd : 
 
 “ This chap with the hump on his back can’t mean to— Odsbobs I that 
 would be going beyond a joke.” 
 
 Taupier stopped at the canal bank, and leaned over to study the spot. 
 It was capitally chosen. The dark, deep water was almost flush with the 
 stone ; not a boat anywhere near, not a light as far as eye could see. 
 
 “ A lock yonder — another lower down ! ” muttered the deformed one. 
 Before navigation is resumed, the Prussians must raise the siege, and that 
 is a far cry. By all that’s jolly, I have had a lucky hand here 1 This nice 
 basin is like a letter-box : anything can be dropped in, and it will keep its 
 secrets.” 
 
 The satellite furnished by J. B. Frapillon observed his captain’s move- 
 ments with visible disquietude. 
 
 “Quick!” said Taupier, suddenly, “get back to the cab, collar the 
 parcel with your mate, and fetch it here.” 
 
 Mouehabeuf held his ground, as if his feet had taken root in the granite 
 
 quay pavement. 
 
 “ Are you deaf, like that jade ? Are such infirmities catching ? ” jeered 
 the humpback. 
 
 “ I hear plain,” said the myrmidon, without budging ; “but if it isn’t 
 troubling you too much, I want to know before I fetch the girl what you 
 want her brought for.” 
 
 “ You’re too curious ! What business can it be of yours ? ” 
 
 “ I want to know ! ” 
 
 “ The girl is tired, and we are going to send her to sleep down there," 
 said Taupier, indicating the canal. 
 
 “ I thought so.” 
 
 “ So much the better. That will save you any surprise. Only look 
 
 alive. I hate lingering misery.” 
 
 “ This job s not coming off,” said Mouehabeuf, coolly. 
 
 “ Who will hinder it?’’ challenged the humpback, menacingly. 
 
 11 I’m the man.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 101 
 
 “I must be dreaming,” squeaked Taupier, furiously. “ Look here ; ar© 
 you paid or not by Frapillon to help me get rid of a nuisance of a girl ?” 
 
 “ Let’s get this thing straight. I am hired to carry her off — that’s my 
 game ; but killing her is not. Nobody ever said a word about that, apd I 
 do not mix myself up with such work.” 
 
 “ Very well ; now I understand. You find this is an extra not paid for, 
 and you want supplementary pay. All right ! I am a liberal soul, and I 
 will speak to your governor to change the five hundred franc note into a 
 thousand one. So, aw T ay you go now ! ” 
 
 “Not fora thou., nor yet ten thou.,’.’ said Mouchabeuf, shaking his head. 
 “I do not care to end my days under the guillotine cleaver on the Place 
 de la Roquette. ” 
 
 “Fool! the death penalty is going to be abolished. It is contrary to 
 morality, and I write every day in my paper to put it down.” 
 
 This assurance, offered mockingly by the odious- twisted man, had not the 
 power to convince Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “ Very likely,” he returned, coldly. “ And meanwhile l am going to stick 
 to my trade. I will help you carry the girl roundabout anywhere except into 
 the canal.” 
 
 “I shall tumble her in without your help, you triple fool,” squeaked 
 Taupier, wildly. “ Your mate will not be so tender, and I am sure of the 
 driver. • Sling your hook,’ and the quicker the better 1 we can dispense 
 with your services. ” 
 
 Whilst venting his choler, the speaker turned towards the vehicle ; but, 
 instead of departing his own way, Mouchabeuf stuck to him and reached it 
 as soon as he. The cabman had got down, and was standing by his horses. 
 He was a tall, strapping fellow who had evidently only donned the uniform 
 of the General Cab Company for the nonce, and was framed for all kinds. of 
 nocturnal expeditions. The man left in the vehicle was sharing his atten- 
 tion between the still quiescent R6gine and the meandering Taupier. 
 
 “I say, you two, are you game to lend me a hand ?” queried the latter. 
 
 “Game for any mortal thing, if I can,” said the Jehu, in a drawling tone 
 revealing his Norman origin. “ What’s on the board ? ” 
 
 “ Pinion the wench inside there, and bring her over yonder on the quay. 
 I’ll take care of the rest, and there’s fifty louis between you, for this fool 
 here turns us up.” x 
 
 “That makes fifty pistoles a-piece,” calculated the driver, clearly shaken. 
 
 “ Ready money down,” added Taupier, clinking some gold in his fob. 
 
 “ Faith, it’s about my style,” said the Norman, without actually agreeing. 
 
 Mouchabeuf witnessed the dreadful bargaining to its conclusion motion- 
 lessly ; he had folded his arms as if in meditation. 
 
 “ Why do you refuse to stand in ? ” inquired the man in the cab, in an 
 undertone. 
 
 “ Because, in the first place, I don’t want to get my head slipped off,” 
 replied the agent of the general-agent with a vehemence that testified to an 
 attachment to life. ' 
 
 “ Stuff ! if you aren’t seen, you won’t be shortened.” 
 
 “ And then again, because I look to the governor only in this job, and he 
 never breathed a word of this. He told me to dog the young one — I did 
 dog her till I ran to earth ; he told me to have her out, and out she is ; 
 all this falls into my line, but the canal — nicht l as the Prussians say when 
 they mean no go. This is saying nothing either about the want of proof 
 that it will please the governor. ” 
 
102 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 V 
 
 “ What's that ? truly. Don’t you believe he knows — ” 
 
 “ If you take my advice, you’ll keep outside the row.” 
 
 If R4gine really heard this dreadful dialogue in which her mode of death 
 was debated, she must have been strong-minded beyond her sisters, for she 
 never winced, and the man who held her arm did not feel her shudder. 
 As for the humpback, he quivered with rage, and his contorted features 
 changed with twitches in a succession of hideous faces. He felt that his 
 prey was escaping him, and in his villainously fertile brain, he hunted for 
 an argument capable of removing the out of place scruples of his followers. 
 
 “ My lads,” he said, in a fatherly tone, “ I thought you up to the mark ; 
 but after all, you are not a bad lot, and I do not object proving to you as 
 clear as day that it is too late to hang back. ” 
 
 “ It is never too late to avoid Article 302 of the Criminal Code,” 
 muttered Mouchabeuf, who knew the law. 
 
 “ I daresay ! ” sneered Taupier, “ but you who are so versed in the appli- 
 cation of capital punishment, do you know what they serve out for com- 
 plicity ? ” 
 
 “ Articles 59 and 60, of course ! ” 
 
 “ Good ! well, suppose that I take away the girl somewhere, under m> 
 roof or Frapillon’s, for instance, and settle her without you. Do you believe, 
 you great expert in the laws, that the trip to which you have contributed 
 your presence, will be to the taste of the public prosecutor who takes up 
 the case ? ” 
 
 This argument, already tried on Valnoir, produced effect again. 
 
 “ But M. Taupier,” said the staggered Mouchabeuf, “ are you set upon — 
 upon suppressing the girl ? ” 
 
 “ I have not paid for her removal merely to see the colour of her eyes.’ 
 
 “ They are beautiful enough to be worth it,” commented the agent, “ but, 
 never mind ! there’s another way out of it. Suppose she is simply locked 
 up in a strong well-barred room, of which there are plenty to be found ? ” 
 “Yes,” said the humpback, ironically, “a cage which the ladies of the 
 pavilion will find out some fine day and let out the bird. Then, amiable 
 Mouchabeuf, look out for the code ! ” 
 
 “ Oh, it’s not a singing-bird, and she can’t kick up a row.” 
 
 “ Do you believe that, ass ? ” 
 
 “ Besides, there are mad-houses, and she can be easily shoved in as 
 cranky, with her look like a sleep-walker from those rolling eyes. I have 
 worked at supplying those asylums and I have got women locked up that 
 ^ere sounder than her.” 
 
 “ No good ! a played-out dodge. Besides, one of these days, the 
 Germans will take Charenton, and let out the crack-brains,” said the 
 humpback, laughing at his own inhuman joke. “ It will only be so many 
 more editors for the opposition press.” 
 
 Mouchabeuf was scratching his pole as if dumbfounded. Taupier did not 
 leave him time to offer any more arguments. 
 
 ‘ ‘ My lambs, methinks it’s a settled thing ? ” said he to the two willing 
 myrmidons. N 
 
 The coachman nodded, approvingly, and the other made no objection. 
 
 “ Then up she goes and over 1 Have you no rope about, driver ? ” 
 
 * ‘ Surely yes — in the boot. ” 
 
 “ Good ! hand it me ; I am going to bear a hand at the work myself, 
 because you won’t buckle to, you pack of lazybones ! ” 
 
 The unfortunate R4gine’s fate was decided on, and the horrible operation 
 
J 
 
 THE RED BAND. 103 
 
 was executed in a twinkling. It was the humpback who undertook the 
 pinioning and did it without her attempting resistance. Mouchabeuf had 
 seated himself on the suspended chain, serving as barrier to the quay, 
 trembling in every limb. The two others watched at the doors. 
 
 “ Done,” said Taupier ; “ take her.” 
 
 The scoundrels obeyed. Engine was lifted out and transported to the 
 waterside. She could only clasp her bound hands and raise her eyes to the 
 skies. She was praying. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 “ Here ! ” said Taupier, bending over the canal parapet, “ this is a capital 
 place ! ” 
 
 The dismal party slowly crossed the quay, and Engine, carried between the 
 rogues whom the humpback had won over, had but a few seconds to live. 
 Mouchabeuf had let the preliminaries of the murder go on without taking 
 any part in it. The body had grazed him on its way by, and the contact 
 made him spring up. The fellow had had a hand in many disgraceful and 
 Bhameful deeds in J. B. Frapillon’s service, but he did not like crimes which 
 led men to the scaffold. He had long maintained that there are degrees in 
 wickedness, and that the race of rogues is divided into several categories 
 which should not confound their special features. Mouchabeuf drew the 
 line at cold-blooded murder. All Taupier ’s eloquence had not prevailed 
 over him, and though the atrocity was so near consummation, he was still 
 cudgeling his brain for a means of converting the dangerous act into a mere 
 misdemeanour. The view of the victim, so fair and resigned, may also have 
 touched the hardened heart. Whether terror or weakness, the sentiment 
 urging him to save Engine gave him inspiration. He had mechanically 
 followed his more savage comrades who had consented to carry the girl to 
 death, and he had time to throw himself between them and the horrid de- 
 formed man who hovered over the black and muddy water like a vulture 
 on a grave’s edge. 
 
 “ Drop it ! ” cried he, barring the road to the procession, “ I am not 
 going to have her killed. ” 
 
 Taupier started and tried to take him by the collar, but the agent was 
 the better man and easily knocked aside the abortion. 
 
 “ You shall pay me for this, you scamp ! ” gasped the humpback pant- 
 ing. “ I will have Frapillon discharge you, and if you do not die of want* 
 I myself will send you below to the worms. ” 
 
 The hesitating carriers deposited their burden on the stones. 
 
 “Excuse me, M. Taupier,” said Mouchabeuf, “but I only go against 
 you for our mutual good, and I’ll lay my head that the governor would 
 rather have the job end my way.” 
 
 The humpback gnashed his teeth without saying anything. He had 
 not the physical strength to dispute with the bully who unexpectedly 
 foiled his frightful designs, and he sought some way to secure the alliance 
 of the other pair. 
 
 “ I have an idea, look you,” resumed the scrupulous rascaL 
 
 “ Oh, curse your ideas ! ” snarled Taupier. 
 
 “This is not like my others, and, as true as I stand here, if it won’* 
 nit you — ” 
 
 “ Go on ? ” said the humpback. 
 
104 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Well, if it won’t suit, I won’t offer any further objection and you can 
 
 do what you like. ” ’ 
 
 “ Say it quick, then ! ” 
 
 “You are not putting the girl in the canal for the sheer pleasure of 
 
 killing her, eh ? ” 
 
 “ No. Get on ! ” " , 
 
 “ Only to keep her from being found by the ladies of the pavilion ? ” 
 
 “And to keep her from coming into — my way and my friends.” 
 
 “ Good ! weli, I have hit on the means of doing all this without risking 
 more than six months’ gaol.” 
 
 “Yes, the barred window — the madhouse ; you said that before, my 
 ^rand inventor. Invent something else if you want me to listen to you.” 
 
 “ I have done so.” 
 
 “ Impossible ! ” 
 
 “ Look here, suppose she is sent off into a country whence she’ll never 
 some back?” 
 
 “ None but the dead ever go away without returning.” 
 
 “ It’s as good as the Indies or China — ” 
 
 “ It’s too far off to put her on board ship at Havre or Nantes. I’d rather 
 o;ive her a sail on the canal,” said the atrocious villain. 
 
 “ Where I send her, she can go by land.” 
 
 “ Whereabout’s ? skip to the end.” 
 
 “ Prussia.” 
 
 “ Are you mad or hoaxing me, you animal ? ” screamed the enraged 
 Taupier. 
 
 “ Neither one nor the other ; this is serious.” 
 
 “ Go to blazes ! I have had enough of your flummery.” 
 
 “ Will you listen ? ” 
 
 “ No ! I would rather let the minx go, and cut away to my home. She 
 will return to the pavilion, accuse you, and you will be copped like the 
 imbecile you are, whilst I shall be clear for I am going out of Paris by the 
 balloon. ” 
 
 “ Nobody will get copped, if you will let me work it. I have only one 
 trick up my sleeve, but it’s a dead-sure thing, and I only ask you a couple 
 of minutes to show it. ” 
 
 “ Oh, dash it all ! have done,” squeaked the exasperated crookback. 
 
 “ Perhaps the governor will not like it, but so much the worse for hmy. 
 I shall tell all” 
 
 “ You are hoarding it up, for here’s a quarter of an hour gone and we 
 have heard nothing of it yet.” 
 
 “ Do you know Rueil ? ” demanded Mouchabeuf, without being dismayed 
 at Taupier’s sneers. 
 
 “Yes.” 
 
 “ Do you know what’s going on there ?” 
 
 “I know there was fighting to-day — we got beaten.” 
 
 “ I don’t know any tiling about to-day, but generally Rueil is neutral 
 ground where we can chat with the Prussians as comfortably as we aro 
 chatting now.” 
 
 “ I don’t care a straw, and if this is all you have to tell me — ” 
 
 “ Let me get through. You cannot come to a conclusion before. Since 
 I have been in business these twenty years I have saved up, and I placed 
 my savings there. I am fond of angling, and when work’s slack in Paris, 
 you understand — ” 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 105 
 
 The humpback quivered with impatience. 
 
 “This is by way of informing you that I bought the lease and stock of a 
 tavern a good bit away on the Bougival road, and since the siege I have 
 had leisure to cultivate acquaintance with the spiked helmets.” 
 
 “ What new tune are you striking up ? you are always here,” remarked 
 Taupier, becoming more heedful. 
 
 “ Not altogether,” said Mouchabeuf cunningly, “ 1 go and see my place at 
 least three times a-week on my private business, and also on the governor’s 
 commissions. ” 
 
 “Oho ! does Frapillon send you on errands to the Prussian's?” 
 
 “Oh, it’s quite innocent, bless you ! I carry a few newspapers which 
 they pay rather dear for, it’s true. They give me theirs in exchange, and 
 the governor buys them from me, at a stiff price, that’s true, too — but all 
 of us make something out of it.” 
 
 “ And where does this pretty traffic go on ? ” 
 
 “In my shop. We have the business arranged beautifully smooth. 
 Each party has his fixed hours, and they never meet. When the French 
 sharpshooters come out for a liquor at my counter, the Prussians grt the 
 warning from our videttes, and theD there's no fear of them showing their 
 noses. Only, as soon as our boys stagger off, they drop in ; nd I can tell 
 you that a quart of schnapps does not scare any man of them.” 
 
 “ That’s a good thing to know,” muttered the humpback, “and when 
 citizen Frapillon treads on my toes — But,” continued he aloud, “I do not 
 Bee how your hobnobbing with the enemy helps me ? ” 
 
 “Yet it’s clear enough ; you want to get rid of the girl and you ask 
 nothing more than never to see her again ? ” 
 
 “ That would do.” 
 
 “ Well, I undertake to hand her over to the Germans myself, who will 
 not let her go, I promise you.” 
 
 “ Nonsense ! those fellows do not wane to be bothered with women.” 
 
 “They will take any mortal thing. I lately smuggled a couple of 
 vocalists through whom they took on to Saint-Germain to start a music 
 hall with them.” 
 
 “ But this one cannot sing, you dunce ! ” 
 
 “ Don’t be afraid. I will hatch up some story with a chum of mine 
 there, one Corporal Tichdorf, of the Pomeranian Fusil eers. He is a lad 
 who will understand a nod as well as a wink when thalers are shown him, 
 and I promise you he will pack her off so far that she w ill never hamper 
 you again.” 
 
 Taupier had ceased to dance about and was listening to Mouchabeuf’e 
 later explanations with some calmness. 
 
 “ Who will guarantee your doing what you propose ?” inquired he after a 
 
 pause. 
 
 “ Come along with me if you like, you can witness the conclusion of the 
 matter, and so be quite sure that I do not deceive you. ” 
 
 “ But when and how am I to go to Rueil, particularly with such a piece 
 of goods ? ” , 
 
 “ Don’t let that distress you. The gates are shut now but they will be 
 open at seven. I have a chaise put up at Les Temes, which we have 
 plenty of time to reach at a trot in the cab Once there, we will transfer 
 the ^irl into my chaise ; the livery stable keeper knows me and will not 
 trouole about what I put into my trap. At day-break, we will leave by 
 the Neuilly gate and be at my house by noon.” 
 
106 
 
 THE RED BAND. v 
 
 “ Unless the sweet National Guards stop us on the road.” 
 
 “ I have a pass for three persons. We shall slide through as smoothly 
 as if we were traveling first class on the railway.” 
 
 “ But if the girl sets the guards or passers-by upon us?” 
 
 “ She can only wriggle her hands about. And my chaise has a hood 
 and we’ll put her in the back. Besides, I am known on the road, and 
 at a pinch I’ll say she is a daft niece of mine.” 
 
 “ But when we get out there, the Prussians will not be on the spot 
 to take her.” 
 
 “ No, for they only come at night, but I have a fine close cellar with 
 a padlock, where we will box her in, and my man Polyte, a stout chap, 
 will guard her.” 
 
 Taupier was walking up and down the quay with unsteady steps. 
 
 “ I cannot help myself, these bandits will not obey me. Oh, welb 
 lug her back into the cab; and let us be off to Les Ternes.” 
 
 The two ruffians did not want urging; the quotations from the Crimi- 
 nal Code had given them food for thought. The still lifeless Regine was 
 again seated in the conveyance which turned round to reach the boule- 
 vard. 
 
 “ I like the canal best. It was handier and surer.” 
 
 * XXXVI. 
 
 Mouchabeuf had spoken the truth. His wine-shop was certainly, dur- 
 ing the siege, the most frequented establishment in the village of Rueil. 
 Not that it looked so, for it would have been hard to find in all the en- 
 virons of Paris an uglier den. Built with odds and ends, the timber- work 
 formed of the beams and joints of demolished town houses, this unpleas- 
 ant structure took the shape of an oblong square of one story. On the 
 ground floor, almost entirely occupied by a long hall for the customers, 
 there was also a narrow box, which the ingenious owner had turned into 
 a general shop. On the upper floor there were two or three rooms, sup- 
 posed to be furnished, which might accommodate persons nowise dainty 
 for a night. Externally the building was painted yellow, and orna- 
 mented with blood-red doors and shutters. A scanty garden, where 
 lettuces and carrots sprouted up higgledy-piggledy, completed the .at- 
 tractions of this rural resort. In a corner of this kitchen garden Mou- 
 chabeul had built up with sleepers stolen after the closing of the railway, 
 an arbour for sheltering the topers who liked imbibing in the open air. 
 He even carried practical economy so far as to fatten rabbits there, 
 which escaped French and German campfire cookery by being under the 
 protection of a huge dog, chained within reach of their hutch. 
 
 The proprietor sold Hamburg havannahs of genuine cabbage leaves, 
 tallow candles that would smoke up a plague, and second hand club cards 
 which would have furnished enough grease to make soup. It was an Im- 
 
 6 
 
 V 
 
 \ 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 10 ? 
 
 mens© assortment of worthless rubbish. And yet the Yellow House 
 vended everything at its weight in gold, and the two main rooms hardly 
 held the customers. The secret of this preference was quite simple, and 
 the prosperity was based solely on the privileged position the establishment 
 occupied. 
 
 Situated at the extremity of the village, and between the outposts of the 
 two armies, the shed was quite isolated. It had two entrances, one on the 
 highway, and the other on the garden which went down to the Seine, a 
 deep cellar where surprises were not to be dreaded, and a pigeon loft 
 which commanded a far view. If it had been erected purposely for war, it 
 would not have been different, and Mouchabeuf had not been backward in 
 utilising so many advantages. The surreptitious trade he carried on was 
 not unknown to the civil and military authorities, who winked at it on 
 certain conditions. Besides the clandestine traffic which he pursued on his 
 employer’s account — we allude to the respectable J. B. Frapillon — Mou- 
 chabeuf often enough provided useful information obtained from German 
 officers in return for presents of real cigars from Cuba and authentic cham- 
 pagne of which he had a secret store. He was suspected, as the saying 
 goes, of carrying water on both shoulders, but it is a common fault w r ith 
 spies, and all that could be done was to watch him close. 
 
 During the frequent absences of the master, the establishment was 
 kept by a waiter, twenty-five or thirty years old, gifted w r ith epormoue 
 biceps and a shock head of hair which reminded one of Samson’s, the van- 
 quisher of the Philistines. This robust and unpolished gentleman might 
 have completed the likeness by using a jaw-bone against recalcitrant 
 topers, for in his leisure he followed the profession of knacker, and cut up 
 the animals killed on the battlefield or elsewhere. This calling provided 
 his private income, and Mouchabeuf generously allowed him the product 
 from vending horse-steaks and mule legs, for which he found low-life epi- 
 cures. Moreover, he ran errands to Rueil and Nanterre, served as ferry- 
 man over the river in a leaky punt moored at the end of the garden, and 
 fed the watch-dog and the rabbits. This factotum of the suburbs answered 
 to the name of Polyte. 
 
 On the morrow of the night when R4gine had been stolen away, he had 
 had plenty to do all day. The battle had brought around the wine-shop 
 numerous squads of ambulance-bearers and bands of stragglers who did not 
 miss dropping in at the bar. Shop and taproom had not lacked customers 
 for an instant, and Polyte had to multiply himself, which finally went 
 against his grain. More than once, he deplored the absence of his master, 
 gone away two days and due that morning. Evening drew nigh, and the 
 active fellow the more and more regretted not seeing Mouchabeuf arrive* 
 as he was wishful to go back to the horses on the field. To lose the wind- 
 fall of the sanguinary action of La Malmaison was not to Polyte’s taste, 
 knowing that there was no lack of competition, and delaying his survey 
 caused him to risk being cut out by the irregulars, inveterate hippopha- 
 gists, and particular about choice bits. 
 
 The melancholy task of the ambulances was terminated and the crowd of 
 customers had considerably lessened, but half-a-dozen insatiate swillers still 
 stuck in the main room, and the faithful waiter would have thought himself 
 undutiful if he neglected to keep an eye on them. He had been instructed 
 to mistrust customers supplied to the Yellow House by the outposts, and 
 those who were just then drinking at the counter were not persons to whom 
 unlimited credit should be given. Hence, Polyte confined his absences to 
 
108 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 short peeps out }f the doorway without losing sight of his dubious customers. 
 He could alternately scan the Rueil road, whereon he hoped to see Moucha- 
 foeuf’s chaise appear, and breathe the anything but sweet air from the battle- 
 field, where he itched to be collecting his meat. 
 
 “ It’s precious funny,” he growled. “ Here it is after four, and no signs 
 of the master. He must have heard the cannons and know I have my work 
 cut out, or rather to cut out. ” 
 
 “ Polyte ! let’s have another stiff ’un. Look alive, you confounded 
 poisoner,” chorussed the revellers. 
 
 “Coming,” replied the waiter, re-entering. 
 
 “ Hurrah for rolyte 1 ” shouted the crew in harmony. 
 
 “.What do you want now ? You ought to have got your fill.” 
 
 Indeed, the noisy fellows appeared sufficiently inebriated. There were 
 five of them clad in a bizarre costume composed of sky-blue trousers, a red 
 waist-band, a black vest faced with jonquil braid, and a pointed hat orna- 
 mented with a cock’s feather. All they lacked was the velvet cloak to 
 realise the type of Fra Diavolo. The fancy brigand dress did not appear at 
 all to abash them, and it was plain that they believed in the absurdity ; but 
 military discipline could not be their strong point, to judge by their famili- 
 arity towards their leader. This was a tall fellow, heavily gold-laced on 
 the sleeves, about forty years old, with short hair, pointed beard and curled 
 moustache. He did not scorn to drink with his men, and seemed to seek 
 no other superiority over them than in the number of drinks absorbed. 
 
 “ To the success of the Forlorn Hope of the Rue Maubu^e ! ” roared this 
 captain of free-drinkers, as he tossed off at a draught the fresh bumper 
 poured out by Polyte’s dirty hand. 
 
 The privates repeated the toast with a “hurrah” which would have 
 done credit to an Fmglish corporal’s guard, 
 
 “I tell you what, boys,” resumed the much belaced warrior in the 
 maudlin tone peculiar to the tipsy, “if they had only listened to me, we 
 would not have been polished off again yesterday.” 
 
 “ Those staff officers, mark you, commander, are all a lot of good-for- 
 nothings,” said one of the Forlorn Hope, placing his glass portentously 
 upon the pewter bar. - 
 
 “ The attack by the whole army, my old wardogs, by the entire force, 
 that’s all the tactics I know,” said the strategist convinoedly ; “let them 
 only give me some morning three thousand daredevils of your brand, and 
 we would sleep in Versailles the same night., Polyte ! some rum punch 
 to rinse out our muzzles with,” shouted he by way of affirmation to this 
 audacious pledge. 
 
 But Polyte was not listening. He had heard the far-off rolling of 
 wheels and had run to the door. 
 
 “ The governor 1 ” he muttered, shielding his eyes with his hand. “ He 
 must be bringing a fine stock of goods by the way the shay is loaded 
 down.” 
 
 It was indeed Mouchabeuf *s turn-out which was coming along the Rueil 
 road, at the dreary trot of a grey whose thinness had presumably saved 
 him from the culinary enterprises of the knackers. The proprietor of the 
 Yellow House, sitting in between the splashboard and the seat, himself 
 drove the piece of crow-bait, and by dint of laying on the whip, urged it 
 up to the wine shop. 
 
 “Come on, Polyte,” he cried as he jumped down; “I have company— 
 lend me a hand to help them out.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 109 
 
 “ Here I am, governor ! it’s a lucky thing you have come home this 
 evening.” 
 
 “ Have you a lot of customers ? ” ' 
 
 “Five or six soakers, that’s all.” 
 
 “Get rid of ’em quietly — we have work before us to-night,” whispered 
 Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “I say, friend,” called Taupier who had alighted, “come and get this 
 ‘baggage’ out. I want to stretch my legs a bit,” he continued, making 
 towards the house as quickly as his knockknees would permit. 
 
 “Ha 1 a woman ! and a beauty too I ” ejaculated Polyte, letting down 
 
 the step. 
 
 A muttered exclamation answered him. 
 
 “ Podensac ! I am unlucky, dash it all ! ” growled the humpback who 
 had run up against the chief of the Forlorn Hope in the doorway. 
 
 XXXYIL 
 
 “ Zounds ! Taupier 1 ” at the same time shouted the leader of the irre- 
 gulars. , , * 
 
 The humpback would have given much to have avoided this encounter 
 and blamed his weakness in allowing it to come about. 
 
 “This comes from letting idiots talk me over,” he snarled as he instinc- 
 tively recoiled as if to beat a retreat. 
 
 “What the mischief are you here for? have you joined the Geneva 
 Cross beggars ? ” inquired Podensac merrily. 
 
 “ I’ll tell you all about it presently,” said Taupier, feeling the impossi- 
 bility of escaping and already devising an excuse. 
 
 Mouchabeuf witnessed this colloquy from a distance, and with his 
 experience as a private inquiry agent, divined that the meeting was dis- 
 agreeable to him by whom he was temporarily employed. Hence he mad© 
 an attempt to prevent R6gine showing herself. He ran back to th© 
 vehicle, but he arrived too late, for the girl had leaned upon the obliging 
 Polyte’s shoulder and was lightly leaping to the ground. She did not 
 appear either frightened or even astonished. During the drive, she had 
 been freed of her bonds and the handkerchief closing her mouth, which 
 proved that her captors did not distrust her any more. 
 
 “ Good, good, I see ! ” chuckled the Forlorn Hope commander, perceiving 
 R£gine. “ It looks, citizen Taupier, as if we were getting on with the fair 
 •ex 1 ” 
 
 “ Mind your own business,” returned the humpback, roughly. 
 
 “Tush, don’t fly out, you savage lady-killer, and come and have a modest 
 quencher with us. There’s none but the right sort here, and you may bring 
 along your own particular choice.” 
 
 “ I am not thirsty,” objected Taupier, still seeking a plausible lie, and 
 finding none to cover his trip to Rueil in feminine company. 
 
 “But — my sword and revolvers I” exclaimed Podensac, “ I believe I am 
 not mistaken — the pretty girl you have in tow is — of course it is I she is 
 our acquaintance of Saint-Germain, the showman’s pupil. ” 
 
 The humpback grinned horribly, but answered never a word. A man 
 cannot think of everything and, in his first surprise, he had utterly for- 
 gotten that the freelance captain and R^gine had previously met under 
 circumstances that they might not have forgotten. The situation was 
 
110 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 becoming complicated, and the astute Taupier already queried if it would 
 not save trouble to let Podensac into part of his confidence. The Gascon's 
 morality was sufficiently known to him for him to attempt the trial with- 
 out embarrassment, for his connection with him dated from far back, and 
 he had pretty exact information ab to his civil and military life. 
 
 The dashing Podensac had been in the regular army as a sub-lieutenant, 
 and had gone through several honourable campaigns, for his sin of omission 
 was not as regarded brave deeds, but ill-luck would have it that on return- 
 ing from the Crimea, the recently promoted officer was appointed regimental 
 paymaster. It was his ruin. He was fond of absinthe and the ladies ; his 
 pay was as light as his principles, and after one year of garrison life, some 
 errors in his accounts obliged him to send in his resignation. After this 
 fully merited catastrophe, the ex-sub-lieutenant practised successively a 
 number of crafts, of which the most honest was certainly the one which 
 brought him into constant connection with Taupier. Turn by turn assist- 
 ant to a finder of substitutes for drafted rich men's sons, writer of company 
 prospectuses, and outside speculator at the Bourse, Podensac had finally 
 become a promoter’s jackal, and, by this means, he had long supplied 
 ^Financial News to the fourth page of the sheet into which the humpback 
 discharged* his prose. Latterly, his fortunes had taken a turn, and his 
 buzzing about the far from aristocratic surroundings of the Rue Maubu^e 
 had won him the command of a band recruited there. The exercise of this 
 dignity had not sheared away any of his favourite tastes, but he had 
 acquired some useful acquaintances, and it was the chance commission at 
 the outposts which secured him the honour of being M. de Saint-Senier’s 
 second. Only an instant was needed by Taupier to recall all these details, 
 and he was about to exert his influence to entangle the volunteer captain 
 when the latter walked into the snare of his own volition. 
 
 “I understand, now,” observed he slyly, “the little one has captivated 
 you because she is as pretty as a butterfly, and then again because she is 
 dumb. Nothing to fear from tittle-tattle — an excellent virtue for a politician 
 as high-aiming as you.” 
 
 The humpback judiciously thought it better not to undeceive him than 
 to embark in dangerous confidences. 
 
 “ Upon my word, there’s no hiding anything from you,” he said, with a 
 resigned nod, and reckoning that Engine would have neither the time nor 
 the possibility of denial. r 
 
 “ And that’s how we came out for a little dinner at Old Mouchabeuf’s, 
 eh ? ” went on the commander of irregulars, roaring with laughter. 
 
 “ Well, if so, there’s no law against it I ” 
 
 “ No, by thunder ! and I like it all the better as I have four good fellows 
 of my legion w ith me. We will have a jollification that won’t leave a dish 
 or a bottle untouched, and I include you,, your Dulcinea, and the landlord 
 of this 4 rum-mill.’ ” 
 
 “ Thank you, old chap, but I believe the girl is tired, and would rather 
 have a rest. . Besides, you know, she does not shine by her conversational 
 powers, and we shall have fun enough without her.” 
 
 “ Come on in anyhow, we’ll see about the rest afterwards,” said Podensac, 
 shoving back his invincibles into the wine-shop, the dialogue having drawn 
 them out on the threshold. 
 
 Nothing of it had been heard by Polyte or his master busied in ex- 
 tracting a multitude of things from the chaise, and Mouchabeuf, on seeing 
 Taupier merrily chatting with Podensac, concluded that all was going off 
 
 5 
 
■ ■. 
 
 THE RED BAND. Ill 
 
 nicely. As for R£gine, she slowly paced the road, without the least show 
 of fear or dismay, and the humpback, watching her movements out of th© 
 corner of his eye, applauded the resolution he had just taken. He went up 
 to her to offer his hand gallantly, and lead her to the house, but 
 not without saying to Mouchabeuf, as he went by, these significant 
 words : 
 
 “ Come directly you get through, and get rid of these fellows as soon as 
 you can. ” 
 
 The entrance of the ill-matched couple was hailed by Podensac’s accla- 
 mations, he having arrived at that stage of inebriety when there is a need of 
 making a noise in company. 
 
 “Look here, my boys!” he shouted, “I present to you citizen Tau- 
 pier, a first-class journalist, and his wife, a celebrated actress.” 
 
 “ What on earth is a journalist ? ” queried an illiterate desperado of the 
 Rue Maubu4e. % 
 
 “It means that the citizen writes in the sound sort of newspapers. It’s 
 he who gets up the * Serpenteau. ’ ” 
 
 “ True red, eh ? ” said the scout. 
 
 “ Ay, but he does not ride the high horse for all that. You *11 see how 
 he’ll load up in our company. What, ho ! Polyte, where’s that ruin-punch 
 we ordered ? ” 
 
 “Here you are, sir ! ” roared the waiter, at that very moment bringing 
 in a capacious salad-bowl, in which smoked a burning liquor. * 
 
 Mouchabeuf had remained without to put up the chaise %nd manage 
 other matters. The appearance of the punch was uproariously greeted by 
 the warriors, and Podensac set to filling the glasses with a tin ladle. Tau- 
 pier joined in without further pressing, and carried impudence so far as to/ 
 offer R6gine a glass. She had gone to sit upon one of the common-room 
 benches, where her almost smiling countenance nowise expressed disquiet, 
 such as the scene ought to have caused her. She gently declined the glass 
 with a wave of the hand, to imply she was not thirsty, but she evinced no 
 anger at the familiarity. Her calmness began to astound and perplex her 
 captor, who always took alarm at what he did not understand. 
 
 “ I don’t think the beauty is any too sweet upon you,” remarked Poden- 
 sac, naturally given to chaffing the deformed man. 
 
 “ Quite as much as I want,” returned the latter, tossing his head. “ More- 
 over, I warned you that she was not delightful in society.” 
 
 “ By thunder ! you are right. I was forgetting it,” said the commander, 
 “ she is mute — ” 
 
 “And deaf into the bargain ; so don’t keep on the curb chain.” 
 
 “ Of course ! I knew that on the day of the duel, when I came back 
 from Saint-Germain in her master’s van. By the way, what’s become of 
 that brawny fellow and his long idiot of a clown?” 
 
 “ I believe they have gone into something else,” answered Taupier, with 
 indifference. 
 
 “ What a shame she cannot talk. I would have asked her what they 
 did with the dead man. ” 
 
 “ I thought you went all the way with them.” 
 
 Up to Rueil, yes ; and we^were nearly netted by the Uhlans ; but on 
 ing our lines, I left them to join my men who were over *>y 
 bes, 
 
 girl had not appeared surprised to see Podensac ; but she kept* her 
 him and seemed to follow the words on Ms lips. At the moment 
 
112 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 when the leader of the Forlorn Hope expressed regret at his inability tt 
 question her, she took from a bag hanging at her waist a quantity of Ivory 
 counters and spread them out on the table. 
 
 “ By thunder, an alphabet I ” ejaculated Podensac ; “ that’s her way of 
 
 carrying on a talk. ” 
 
 “You let her alone,” said Taupier, vexedly. “ She hasn’t her head 
 screwed on the right way, and I won’t have her worried. What an asa 
 not to think of that,” he added, mentally. 
 
 Whilst he was looking for the complaisant Mouchabeuf to notify him to 
 deliver him from the irregular sharpshooters, R6gine rose, walked directly 
 up to their chief, and taking his left hand, set to scanning the lines with 
 profound attention. 
 
 “ Here’s a lark, boys ! ” shouted Podensac, cracking with laughter, M the 
 witch is going to tell me my fortune l ” 
 
 XXXVIIL 
 
 She is mad ! ” snarled Taupier. 
 
 The turn the adventure was taking was weird enough to justify his 
 amazement. After the rupture by the canal, when he had accepted Mou- 
 chabeufs proposition, he foresaw grave difficulties in its execution. Yet 
 Engine had not opposed any resistance, and when within an inch of death 
 at the waterside, she had not even uttered a sigh. Up to now, Taupier 
 had accounted for the motive of this passiveness : defence was useless — a 
 woman could not contend, against four men, and help was impossible ; at 
 such an hour and place nobody was nigh. Moreover, the girl’s antecedents 
 testified to the strength of her temper. It was not surprising, therefore, 
 that she chose her course heroically to die. But however resigned the 
 victim might be, it was little likely that, in the long drive from La Villette 
 to Rueil, she would abstain from taking advantage of any chances of safety 
 that offered. There were the gate-wafrds to pass, a frequented highway to 
 follow, Neuilly bridge to cross before the guards charged to collect the 
 passes. Engine might, if not raise her voice, raise a disturbance and become 
 noticed through her desperate gestures, and so the humpback expected. 
 
 In the transfer effected at the stables at Les Ternes, he had taken every 
 precaution. Placed in the depths of the vehicle, and closely watched, the 
 girl found it impossible to show a finger to the passers-by, and in case tha 
 soldiers examined the interior, Taupier reckoned on the search being per- 
 functory through the notoriety Mouchabeuf enjoyed in that district. In 
 order to avoid awkward explanations, he had sent back the cab to J. B. 
 Frapillon, for it was an unusual vehicle to be seen at the outposts ; also his 
 driver and the other agent, unprepossessing strangerB for the natives of Rueil. 
 But to his boundless surprise all these minute cares were superfluous. 
 When R4gine was freed of the gag which could not be left on without 
 awkward questions of the livery stable keeper, not only had she never 
 sought to soften him by gesture or tears, but she had tranquilly stood in a 
 corner whilst the chaise was got ready as if she avoided being noticed. 
 
 On the road her conduct was the same. Sitting up motionless in the 
 hooded part, she had not once tried to lift the leather to peep out, and 
 during the obligatory search oh Neuilly Bridge, she had shrunk behind 
 Taupier. And farther on when, on leaving Courbevoic, progress was in- 
 terrupted by the cross traffic arising from the recent action, and they 
 
 \ 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 113 
 
 had had t© wait till the ambulance wagons and army service vans lumbered by 
 Regine had not stirred, convenient as was the occasion for attracting the attention 
 of the soldiery. Finally, on approaching Ri^eil, Taupier fancied that his captive’s 
 face brightened up as well as her eyes, as if she delighted in having been carried 
 away. Still he did not ponder upon this highly improbable supposition, being 
 rather inclined to believe that fright had affected his victim’s brain; and though 
 he had a brief qualm on perceiving Podensac, he no longer doubted that she had 
 gone mad till he saw her look at the commander’s hand. 
 
 The girl had gently drawn the latter towards the table where her alphabetical 
 counters were laid out, and she made him seat himself beside her on the wooden 
 form. Podensac had yielded as if the incident were a capital bit of sport. His 
 men shared in his gaiety and grouped around the pretty soothsayer, with quizzings 
 in dubious taste. Taupier alone did not laugh, and his care-worn brow revealed 
 that he distrusted Regine. 
 
 “The mad have lucid intervals,” he thought, “and I do not care to have this 
 stupid Podensac in my game.” 
 
 He looked again towards the door to see if Mouchabeuf was not coming to his I 
 help, but there was no one but the waiter about, and he was dangling round the 
 counter. The Boniface was probably in the stable, and Polyte little recked what 
 went on in the room, dreaming as he was of the luscious war-horse fillets. 
 
 “Let’s hear, pretty one, what you read in my hand,” said the commander, 
 straightening himself in his uniform, for he always struck attitudes when a woman 
 was by, and besides it amused him to make the humpback jealous. 
 
 Regine did not seem to notice his posing; she was attentively tracing the lines 
 of the gay soldier’s strong hand. Whether she believed in her own art, or merely 
 skilfully played the chiromancer, her features changed expression in keeping with 
 the progress of her scrutiny. She began with a smile, raising astonished eyest© 
 Podensac’s, then her face grew gradually clouded, and she finally let the hand drop 
 all of a sudden, as if she had discovered some fatal sign. 
 
 “Well, charming sorceress! what does the book of destiny say?” inquired the 
 Gascon merrily. 
 
 She leaned her elbows on the table and shook her head mournfully. 
 
 “Come, come, let’s have it out by the alphabet!” continued the commander 
 tapping the ivory discs with his finger. 
 
 Regine looked at him fixedly, clearly inquiring if he really meant it. He under- 
 stood, for he nodded several times, saying: 
 
 “Fire away, beauty! I am steady under fire, and you can tell me anything you 
 Bke.” 
 
 She commenced rapidly picking and choosing among the letters, whilst Poden- 
 sac, who knew what he was talking about, could not help exclaiming: 
 
 “ There’s fingers like tapers, and rosy nails really almond-shaped! Lucky dog 
 that you are, Taupier, confound you!” 
 
 It was not just then Regine’s highborn hand that the humpback was regarding 
 but the words she was forming upon the board, whilst he anxiously wondered 
 what she was going to reveal. Podensac spelled it all out as the eountess formed 
 a- line. * 
 
 “You — on a day — will wear — six — gold stripes.” 
 
 “General! my stars! a general I shall be!” he roared, drawing himself 
 
1 
 
 114 THE RED BAND. 
 
 I \ f 
 
 sip and rounding out his chest ; “ come to that, it’s likely, and there’s 
 nothing in that to call for a chief -mourner’s phiz, little gipsy ! ” 
 
 She continued to form the phrases. 
 
 “The deuce 1 there’s a P. S. , it seems,” resumed the warrior. “Let’s 
 have a look at that.” 
 
 The following line appeared under her fingers : “ But your death will be 
 violent. ” 
 
 “Humph ! that is less jolly,” remarked the future general, “but, bah ! 
 let the bullet or shell splinter come in a dozen years — the rank is worth 
 running the risk. But it seems you have not finished yet,” he added, 
 watching the prophetess’s work. “ ‘ Before a year,’ — by all that’s blue 1 
 that’s precious short time ! not enough to save much out of my pay. — 
 ‘ Unless ’ — ah ! hurry up the saving clause — I shall not be sorry to laugh a 
 little longbr. We have got to ‘ Unless — ’ ” 
 
 “ This week — you save — someone’s — life.” 
 
 After arranging these last words, R6gine stopped and fastened her 
 luminous gaze upon Podensac. The scene was curious at that moment. 
 The citizens of the Rue Maubu4e, however stout Voltairians, had not 
 always disdained to have their fortunes told by their sweethearts of the 
 Markets, and they followed the phases of the horoscope with marked in- 
 terest. Though he pretended to be above such weaknesses, the irregulars’ 
 officer could not repel the superstitious sentiment felt sometimes by all 
 men accustomed to risk their lives. As for Taupier, he had not yet settled 
 what was the true intent of this witchcraft, and wondered whether Regine 
 was acting some device to escape him, or was simply an idiot. But he be- 
 gan to get uneasy. Happily for him, Mouchabeuf came in, and also read 
 the strange forecast on the table. The two rascals exchanged a glance 
 which implied : “ High time to put an end to this foolery.” 
 
 “Save someone’s life ! ” repeated Podensac. “ That suits me, provided 
 it is not a Prussian’s. ” 
 
 It stood to reason that the deaf-mute could not hear this remark, and yet 
 Taupier imagined that she shook her head. 
 
 “ Leave the girl alone,” he said, rising abruptly, “ she’s sweet on her old 
 trade, a thing I do not like, because she gets so queer in the head that she 
 falls ill.” 
 
 “ Hold on, captivating Taupier, let’s have one more question and the 
 consultation will be over. Only just tim8 to learn whose life I ought to 
 save.” 
 
 “Commander,” broke in Mouchabeuf, thinking this the meet moment to 
 intervene, “ it is time you were off. I have already been hauled over the 
 coals for having housed your men after seven o’clock, and I don’t want the 
 gendarmerie to shut up my ken.” 
 
 “ Don't let us get hot, mine host — I don’t want to sleep here — besides 
 its being a long string of a march back to our camp.” 
 
 “ Where is your position ? ” inquired the humpback, caring little about 
 the information, but endeavouring to distract Podensac ’s attention. 
 
 “At Petit-Nanterre, at the end of Argentueil Bridge. Just let me see 
 what the witch has laid out, and offs the word.” 
 
 He spelled again : * 
 
 “ ‘ Ybu 
 
THE RED BAND. 116 
 
 The words were the signal for a general scamper. The Forlorn-Hope ran 
 for their guns, and Podensac drew his sword. 
 
 “ I don’t want any of your butcher’s work here,” said Mouchabeuf, 
 decisively. “ Get away by the garden — Polyte will show you. ” 
 
 “ In fact, we are not in force,” muttered the captain following his men 
 who had nimbly gained the riverward exit. 
 
 Taupier, who had not lost his wits, bent over to see the name the girl 
 was forming, but she shuffled all the counters with a sweep of the hand, 
 rose and placed herself upright in a comer, all attention. 
 
 “ What’s to be done ? ” queried the humpback. 
 
 “Stand 9our ground. They are Pomeranians whom I know. We risk 
 nothing. ” 
 
 “ But the girl, must we show her to them ? ” 
 
 “Faith ! I’ve changed my mind,” said Mouchabeuf, gliding up to the 
 wall ; “ the lass is altogether too knowing and I fall back on desperate 
 play.” Whilst speaking he stooped down and pressed the floor-boards. 
 A trap door opened under Engine’s feet, and she fell through uttering a 
 Houd scream* 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 ** She called out ! ” said Taupier, frightened, not at Engine’s fate, but at 
 
 the sound and the eventual consequences. 
 
 “ All deaf mutes make that row, and the Prussians are too far off to hear 
 at,” observed Mouchabeuf, who guessed what troubled the humpback. 
 
 Since the master of the Yellow House had got home, he showed much 
 more coolness than the chief of the abducting party. There were many 
 reasons for this change of character. To begin with, the fiery Taupier, 
 though he freely advocated sorties in overwhelming force, was of Panurge’s 
 opinion at bottom, fearing cuffs and blows naturally. The proximity 
 of the enemy had much befogged his clearness of wits. There had been 
 a great deal of slaughter around Eueil and there was a battle- taint in the 
 air which troubled his brain. Mouchabeuf, perhaps no braver, had the 
 immense advantage of being on his own ground. Lastly, the humpback 
 had laid Jiis plan in advance, and through a singular fatality the most 
 unforeseen accidents had successively deranged all his combinations. In 
 itself the wine-shop keeper’s brutal expedient had not displeased him, but 
 he did not like improvised sequels and more than ever regretted the canal 
 had not been utilised. After going down, the trap-door had returned into 
 its place of its own impulsion, and Mouchabeuf had merely to fasten the 
 spring which worked it to make the flooring good again. Thanks to this 
 ingenious mechanism and the door leading into the garden, both Engine 
 and the sharpshooters’ squad had vanished like lightning, without leaving 
 any traces of their fleeting save the half- drained glasses and some counters 
 forgotten on the table. 
 
 “ All’s well unless that drunken captain does not lose his way,” muttered 
 the landlord. “ He is very likely to blunder and run into the midst of the 
 Germans. ” 
 
 “ All we lack are a few bullets, now,” said Taupier, far from en- 
 couraged. 
 
 “Yes, to say nothing of the rascally Pomeranians taking the attack as 
 an excuse for searching my cellar, whereupon — ” 
 
 8 
 
116 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 44 Would the girl haye been killed in falling ? ” asked the humpback, 
 lowering his voice. 
 
 A sharp whistle sounded outside before Mouchabeuf had time to answer 
 the burning question. 
 
 44 That’s Tichdorf asking if the house is clear,” he said hurriedly. 44 And 
 that lubberly Polyte doesn’t return ! ” 
 
 The wrongfully accused barman reappeared at the very moment of his 
 master’s uttering his name. 
 
 44 Gone ! ” he said breathlessly ; 44 1 saw them to the bend of the road 
 and told them to steal away quietly.” 
 
 44 Good. Now run and meet the patrol and give the sigpal that the 
 corporal can come on with his men.” 
 
 Polyte darted out with an eagerness which did not bear much evidence 
 of his patriotism. But he had no time to go far. The Germans had 
 marched up and their musket butts were already clattering on the yard flags 
 
 “Here they are,” said Mouchabeuf, “ I shall pass you off as rny' nephew, 
 Tichdorf is very suspicious and he would be mistrustful of a stranger.” 
 
 Taupier had a great mind to decline this improvised relationship, but it 
 was too late to offer objections. On the threshold of the door appeared a face 
 ornamented with long yellow moustaches, a flat nose and a greasy forage- 
 cap. This unprepossessing countenance belonged to a Pomeranian soldier 
 who glided into the wineshop with all the wariness common to that pru- 
 dent race. Another followed, precisely similar to the first, still another 
 and so on till, in less than a minute, twelve of Kaiser Wilhelm’s fusileers 
 had invaded the room. These men so closely resembled one another that 
 only an expert eye could tell them apart. The same blackleather bluchers 
 in which the trousers were stuffed, the same grey canvas haversacks, and 
 the same dense and brutal physiognomies. One could believe them all 
 oast in the same mould like the leaden soldiers for their children’s play- 
 things. The corporal alone differed from this troop of armed puppets, and 
 he was worth studying. Tall, slender and fair, consequently after the North 
 German type, he boasted a cunning face and a pointed nose which was 
 foiled by his followers’ coarse features. His uniform was much neater than 
 theirs, and his regularly combed whiskers attested to his paying attention 
 to his toilet, general] y unusual among soldiers in active operations and 
 among the Prussian bivouacs. 
 
 “Good-day, old Mouchabeuf and company,” said he, in French, without 
 the least foreign accent, 44 is there any chance of a glass or two of cognac to 
 warm one ? ” 
 
 “Certainly, M. Tichdorf,” replied the wineshop-keeper, eagerly ; “yon 
 know that my cellar is at your disposal.” 
 
 “ Ha ! a cellar you have never taken me into, you cunning old scamr 
 returned the corporal mirthfully, “but provided you haul up two quart* 
 of your ordinary firewater, and a bottle of superior quality for me to drink 
 with you, I shall not bother myself about what goes on in your sub- 
 terranean apartment.” 
 
 Taupier listened with stupor to this speech, which a true-blooded 
 Parisian need not have disavowed, and began already to feel vague disquiet. 
 The allusion to the cellar sent a cold shiver down his back, and he shifted 
 from one hot foot to the other to conceal his embarrassment. 
 
 44 I’ll just tell Polyte to select the bottles from the best bin,” replied 
 Mouchabeuf, requiring to give his potman private instructions before send- 
 ing him into the cellar. 
 
THE RED RAND. 
 
 117 
 
 Whilst he was talking with him at the doorway, the soldiers took 
 «®ats on the benches in a half-circle, and facing the entrance, in the spirit 
 of self-preservation never leaving the good soldier, their guns between 
 their legs and the table before them to serve at a pinch as a barricade. 
 Tichdorf sat astride of a separate stool like a chief in front of his troop, 
 and lighted up a huge china pipe. 
 
 “It looks as if you had had company to-day, Daddy Mouchabeuf,” 
 said he, puffing away a cloud of smoke. 
 
 “Yes, this is my nephew come here this morning with the ambulances, 
 and going to sleep here to-night.” 
 
 “You doife’t say so ! ” exclaimed the corporal incredulously,” and now I 
 could have sworn that 1 have met this gentleman at the Bourse or in the 
 Caf6 de Su&de. ” 
 
 “At the B-Bourse,” repeated Taupier, more and more disconcerted. 
 
 “Oh, true, you are no doubt surprised,” said Tichdorf, laughing away 
 heartily, “to see a man who knows the Caf6 de Su&de, leading a dozen 
 lusty lads who were paddling about the Kcenigsberg fens three months ago. 
 Barbarians, as you call them ! ” 
 
 “Oh, no,” stammered the humpback, confounded, “but I must own 
 that — ” 
 
 “ Good gracious ! it’s simple enough, my dear fellow,” continued the 
 affable corporal ; “when the war broke out, I was clerk to a money-broker 
 in the Rue de Richelieu, and I intend to go back to my old crib when all 
 this marching and trumpeting is over.” 
 
 “ As to that, I do not see why you shouldn’t,” said Taupier, to help him 
 along and be friendly. 
 
 “In the first place, I am a friend of man and do not like warfare ; it is 
 detrimental to the brotherhood of peoples and the prosperity of commerce. 
 Hence I am only fighting because I am compelled to do so, but that does 
 not stay me plying my own private trade. That’s so, isn’t it, Daddy 
 Mouchabeuf ? ” 
 
 “ Nothing surer, M. Tichdorf,” answered the landlord — “and your private 
 trade is not a bad one either, ha, ha ! ” 
 
 “ Pooh ! it swells the bag. Talking of that, do you bring me any news- 
 papers ? ” 
 
 “ Only the day before yesterday’s. I had no time to buy any last 
 night. ” 
 
 “ Then you’ll be twenty francs short. You know our agreement ; I have 
 a treat for you, the latest number of the * Times * and the * Augsburg 
 Gazette. ’ ” 
 
 “ That’s capital ! ” exclaimed the host ; “ and if you do not price them 
 too high — ” 
 
 “ They are worth a thousand-franc-note if a sou, but you shall have them 
 for half the price. ” 
 
 “ Oh ! M. Tichdorf, do be reasonable; wherever do you think I am going 
 to rake up all that money ? ” 
 
 “ That’s not my look-out. But I am a generous soul. I will pass you 
 the two sheets presently, when my men begin to see double ; the day after 
 to-morrow you will bring me a bond on the Credit Foncier, and you will 
 throw me your papers into the bargain. The funds ought to have fallen to- 
 day since our trouncing you yesterday, and I reckon I’ll make a good 
 Investment.” 
 
 “ I can't say, M. Tichdorf, but — ” 
 
118 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ But me no buts, my old mate. You know that I am blunt in business $ 
 it’s take it or leave it with me.” 
 
 Taupier, though not easily astonished, went from one surprise to another. 
 This singular speculator who gave his orders on ’Change between a battle 
 and patrol duty, inspired admiration mingled with apprehension. He 
 reasoned that a head so well constituted as to drive warfare and stock 
 speculations two abreast might become a dangerous adversary or a useful 
 auxiliary. So he set to ruminating on the means of attaching him to his 
 party. 
 
 “ How about that brandy, Daddy Mouchabeuf ; is it coming to-morrow? ” 
 
 “I can’t make out what that dunderhead, Polyte, is up to,” muttered the 
 
 host. 
 
 “My savages are thirsty,” proceeded the corporal, “and they must be 
 pacified if you do not want them shoving in their oars.” 
 
 “ I’ll call him,” said the landlord, going to the counter behind which was 
 a winding stairway to the cellar. 
 
 Tichdorf spoke briefly to his men in German whilst the Boniface, bending 
 over the rail, shouted himself hoarse to Polyte. 
 
 “ The lout is capable of sneaking away towards La Malmaisdn to look 
 after the dead horses,” groaned Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “ Halloa ! here’s some letter blocks,” cried the corporal, spying the 
 alphabetical counters Engine had left on the table. “ Have you got 
 children here ? ” 
 
 Taupier was about to make some sort of a reply, when a strange sound 
 caused him to start. It was like someone knocking under the floor. 
 
 v / : ■ \ 
 
 XL. 
 
 On feeling the repeated knockings under his feet, Taupier had briskly 
 quitted the place where he was standing. Mouchabeuf had remained at the 
 top of the stairs, open-mouthed, and pricking up his ears. The Prussians 
 had risen and were looking round them uneasily, whilst setting their guns 
 at full cock. Their corporal had not budged, however, but on his face 
 suddenly glowed a malevolent curiosity. 
 
 “ Did you hear that ? ” he inquired of the humpback, looking him 
 straight in the eyes. 
 
 “ I — I heard nothing,” faltered the latter, though unable to keep from 
 changing colour. 
 
 “ And you over there, Daddy Mouchabeuf,” shouted Tichdorf, “ have 
 you got spirit- rappers in your lair ? ” 
 
 “ ’Twas the wind, corporal,” said the host, visibly agitated. 
 
 “Wind — down in your cellar? That won’t wash with me, my old 
 vendor of liquid fire. ” 
 
 “ But I am ready to take my Bible oath, M. Tichdorf — ” 
 
 “ Look here ! ” interrupted the ex -stock -broker’s clerk, “ you know that 
 I am a good and easy sort of fellow outside of my military duties. There 
 have been Frenchmen here — there’s a troop of sharpshooters in the wind 
 that you allude to — and if by any chance you meditate playing a trick on 
 me and my men, you had better say so, because — ” 
 
 “ A trick l What do you mean by a trick ? ” 
 
 “ Because I shall have you shot off-hand, both you and this gentleman, 
 Who looks as much your nephew as I do Bismarck’s son. ” 
 
 9 
 
THE RED BAND. u§ 
 
 “ Fie, M. Tichdorf ! ” reproached Mouchabeuf, “ is this how you treat 
 an old friend ? ” 
 
 “ My dear fellow, it T s best to be on the safe side ; and I have no desire 
 to live on biscuit or to enter Paris, as a prisoner of war. That would 
 interrupt my operations on the Stock Exchange. ” 
 
 After uttering these words, which showed his profound knowledge of 
 French, he gave his men an order in their own tongue. There was no need 
 to understand German to guess that he advised them to be on the alert, 
 for the Pomeranians instantly “ carried arms.” Furthermore, by the way 
 of precaution, two of them went to stand by the entrance, two others took 
 up position at the stair-head, and Tichdorf warily approached the hump- 
 back. The latter began to curse the weakness that had brought him into 
 the Yellow House, a^d cast looks of alarm upon the soldiers, whose bear- 
 ing was anything but encouraging. The non-production of the brandy had 
 put them out of humour, and they rolled their eyes, and curled their long, 
 tawny moustaches. The more impatient ones toyed with the breeches of 
 their Dreyse guns, and each clink of a nail on the plate made Taupier double 
 up with terror. 
 
 “ Now, then, Daddy Mouchabeuf,” pursued the corporal tranquilly, “ let 
 us go properly to'work. That noise comes from your cellar, and I cannot 
 suppose that your champagne corks flying out would hit so hard as that. ” 
 
 “It's Polyte, for sure ! The clumsy clod has broken something,” said the 
 landlord, happy to have found a plausible explanation. ' 
 
 “ Another bit of gammon, my dear friend. Were it Polyte, he would 
 have come up after all this time, and your howling for him. Ergo> it is 
 time to take me into your famous vault, if only to see if your stock of 
 cognac is ample.” 
 
 At this direct challenge, the hapless landlord nearly swooned away. 
 Under ordinary circumstances, it would have been a desperate move to 
 allow intrusion into the storehouse of his solid, as w T ell as liquid, treasures ; 
 but matters were still worse this evening. The idea of introducing R6gine 
 to his friend Tichdorf frightened him even more, as he entertained other 
 projects than heretofore as regarded the girl. When he had taken her 
 under his safeguard at the canal brink, the astute wineshop-keeper be- 
 lieved he was dealing with an almost idiotic person, and he based his hope 
 of complete impunity upon her infirmity. But since he had observed 
 her proceedings with Podensac, he had gone over to Taupier’s radical 
 opinions, and only thought of killing their victim. To exhibit her to the 
 corporal, particularly after the violence she had been subjected to, was to 
 expose them to a dangerous denunciation. The ivory letters were still on 
 the table, and the deaf-mute had shewn what she could do with them. 
 Not that he believed Tichdorf the man to be squeamish about a crime, but 
 he did not want to place himself on any terms in the confidence of the ex- 
 apeculator, as regarded misdeeds which he would use to his profit. 
 
 “ He will blackmail me,” mused Mouchabeuf, “ and all my eatables and 
 money w r ill go to stop his mouth.” 
 
 “Now then, away we go,” broke forth the Prussian, “show the way to 
 my men. ” ; 
 
 The inkeeper stirred no more than a stone statue. 
 
 “ Shall we have your nephew with us in our underground stroll?” inquired 
 Tichdorf, mockingly. 
 
 It was now the humpback’s turn to tremble. Since a quarter of an hour 
 tie had cut a strange figure. His gorilla-like hands were incessantly straying 
 
120 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 oyer his corrugated forehead to brush away the perspiration oozing out of 
 every pore, and his knock-knees bent under him. He also comprehended 
 that the corporal was an undesirable partner. Yet, to speak to him was 
 even more perilous than to remain silent. 
 
 “ Well, aren’t we going to start ? ” asked the pitiless Tichdorf. 
 
 “ But I — I have not got the cellar key,” stammered Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “ Dear me ! where is it, please ? ” 
 
 “ Polyte took it to go after the brandy, and — ” 
 
 “ And, of course, Polyte has sloped ! ” 
 
 “ He went out where the fighting was. Anywhere an animal is killed 
 for a league around, that greedy beggar runs out to it.” 
 
 •‘Unless he blundered into the road to Rueil where the scouts were 
 waiting just now fqr the warning. ” 
 
 “ On my faith, that’s not true l ” exclaimed the wineshop-keeper, sincere 
 
 for once. ) 
 
 “ Daddy Mouchabeuf,” said the corporal tranquilly, “ you must have a 
 poor opinion of my intellect to believe that I swallow all the 6 whackers * 
 you tell me. I warn you that I have had enough, and that I am going 
 away with my men ; but your brandy, which we have not had, will cost 
 you dear — ” 
 
 “ As you like, M. Tichdorf,” said the host, enchanted to see the Prussians 
 beat a retreat. “ But I’ll give you my word of honour — ” 
 
 “ Only,” pursued the obstinate corporal, making him a sign to be hushed, 
 “I mean to take my measures before I depart. You will admit that when 
 I fancy a glass of old wine, a good cigar, or a newspaper to read in the 
 Yellow House, I ought not to be continually exposed to being captured. 
 Consequently, old friend, you will have to turn over your place to somebody 
 else.” 
 
 “ Turn over — what ? ” demanded the stupor-stricken Mouchabeuf. 
 
 “Your establishment, of course, and all there is in it.” 
 
 “I don’t understand you,” muttered the unfortunate landlord. 
 
 >. “ Yet it is quite plain. Suppose that you and your nephew die of a rush 
 of blood to the head this evening, and that the authorities at Rfceil record 
 your decease in the morning, what ensues, prithee ? ” 
 
 “ But we are not ill,” protested Mouchabeuf vehemently. 
 
 “ Maybe not ; but we are all mortal. The upshot will be that the afore- 
 said authorities, not sorry to gather news now and again, will set up another 
 host here with whom I shall come to some agreement, and he will not try any 
 tricks upon me. You see that I have everything to gain by the rush of 
 blood previously mentioned.” 
 
 “ You must be joking, M. Tichdorf,” gasped the innkeeper. 
 
 “Not at all. As you shall soon see,” replied the stern corporal, issuing 
 pome order in German to his soldiers, who wanted no repetition of it, to take 
 the two Frenchmen by the collar and shove them against the wall. 
 
 “ Here, I hope you are not going to shoot us l ” yelled Taupier, 
 atruggling. 
 
 “ Keally I am,” rejoined Tichdorf. 
 
 “ But it’s shameful — I protest,” howled the humpback. 
 
 “ Can’t help it ! I used to have confidence in your uncle — Aow I’ve none, 
 and hence you will grant that — ” •; 
 
 “ M. Tichdorf, I swear to you, by all that is most sacred,” stammered 
 the terrified tavern-keeper, “ that there’s not a soul in my cellar, and — ” 
 Bang, bang, bang 1 three forcible knocks shook the planks. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 121 % 
 
 “ There, what did I tell you ? ” cried the corporal. “ You see that I 
 have no time to lose. So, gentlemen, get ready to go ! ” 
 
 The two persecutors of Regine, their backs set to the wall, trembled on 
 their legs, unable even to beg for mercy. 
 
 4 4 Oewehr an — make ready 1 ” said Tichdorf to his fusileers, who executed 
 the order with perfect unanimity. 
 
 44 Mercy, mercy 1 ” screamed the humpback and tavern-keeper together, 
 
 “ we’ll open the cellar to you — ” 
 
 “Open the cellar?” repeated the fair-haired Mephistopheles with a 
 diabolical grin, “ what’s the use when there’s not a soul there ? ” 
 
 44 Never mind about that, we’ll show you,” replied Mouchabeuf, who had 
 lost his head and did not know what he said. 
 
 “ Yes, yes 1 there is there is a woman there ! ” shrieked the humpback, 
 hoping in his terror this confession would save him. 
 
 XLL 
 
 The soldiers remained in position, their guns levelled, and one command 
 the more would send the two confederates into the other world. The 
 corporal seemed to enjoy prolonging the anguish of the wretches, as he ran 
 his piercing eye over their pallid faces and the angular ones of the Pomeran- 
 ians, rendered ferocious by their unquenched thirst. 
 
 44 A woman,” he said, shaking his head, “ the cardinikrt of the irregulars, 
 of course ? ” 
 
 “No, i swear to you, M. Tichdorf,” faltered the innkeeper supplicat- 
 ingly, “ it is only a young girl, and pretty — ” 
 
 “That can’t be,” returned the corporal with an incredulous smile,. “How 
 could there be a pretty girl here, and why would you have hidden her 
 away y Daddy Mouchabeuf, this is not nice of you 1 for you know that I 
 am not averse to the softer sex.” 
 
 “ You will see,” replied the napless tavern-keeper more and more con 
 fused by the boulevard lounger's ironical airs. 
 
 “No, decidedly, I have no time,” said the latter, “and I am very silly 
 to amuse myself chaffing with you when the freeshooters may surround us 
 at any minute. ” 
 
 With this, he turned towards his soldiers. Taupier dropped on his knees, 
 and his companion in misery wrung his hands, crying : 
 
 “ Pardon ! mercy ! the cellar is open — I will show you the way, and — ” 
 
 “ Mouchabeuf, my friend, you keep on saying the same thing, and you 
 become a bore. ” 
 
 On a glance from their corporal, the Pomeranians took aim. But instead 
 of ordering them to fire, the other continued in a drawl : 
 
 “ Besides, old friend, you speak of the cellar being open, and yet you 
 asserted Polyte took away the key — ” 
 
 “ But — ” 
 
 “ No butfe for me but butts of wine ; I have no desire to run after your 
 man, or await his return ; so a truce to chatter, and let’s get on with the 
 shooting. ” # , 
 
 The tavern-keeper uttered a downright howl. 
 
 “There, there ! ” he tried to articulate, extending a trembling arm in the 
 direction of a corner of the room. 
 
 “ Well, what about there ? Has your cellar got a doorway in the wall?” 
 
122 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 t€ No, it’s a trap,” said Mouchabeuf, with much difficulty, for the words 
 stuck in his throat. 
 
 “ Bless us and save us ! ” ejaculated Tichdorf, ready to burst with laughter. 
 “A trap ! so your den is supplied with traps like a theatre, eh ? well, X wab 
 pretty right in being on my guard.” 
 
 “ Open — open quickly,” muttered the humpback, nearly fainting away. 
 
 “Come, I have a golden heart, you know,” said the facetious corporal, 
 “ and if it were only out of curiosity, I would like to know the thing from 
 top to bottom— the bottom especially. Whereabouts is this celebrated 
 trap ? ” 
 
 “ I’ll show it you, but do first send your men away.” 
 
 “ I will. I can see that their guns make you shake a trifle ; but, mind, 
 they will not be far, and if you try to spring any traps on me, your punish- 
 ment will not be long coming. ” 
 
 Whilst pronouncing this scarcely encouraging sentence, Tichdorf signalled 
 his men to “ ground arms.” The thud of the butt-ends on the floor nearly 
 made the two villains fall flat forward in terror. It produced a more un- 
 expected effect at the same time. The knocking recommenced underneath 
 the boards, as if to play the echo. The corporal gave some orders in 
 German, which the guard executed with that silent precision always dis- 
 tinguishing the Prussian automata. Four ranged themselves round their 
 superior with rifles ready, and the others stood in reserve in the centre of 
 the room to forestall any attempted escape. 
 
 “ Now, let’s see about it ; the machinery is in that corner, I suppose ? ” 
 pursued Tichdorf, pointing to the part whence the noise proceeded. 
 
 “ Yes, yes, I’m going,” sighed the innkeeper, making great efforts to 
 keep erect. 
 
 Taupier could not even raise his body on his twisted legs. 
 
 “ Oh, hang it all, steady yourselves a bit ? ” jeered the ex-speculator in 
 stocks ; “ I offer you your life for a pretty woman, a fair exchange, as we 
 used to say in the lobby, and nothing to kick at. Unless, not having ‘ the 
 stocks,’ you cannot ‘ deliver,* in which case I shall have to * settle ’ with 
 you.” 
 
 These untimely puns had the power of restoring the rogues some self- 
 possession. They felt that they had found their master, and that the safest 
 course was to passively obey. Mouchabeuf tottered a few paces, supporting 
 himself by the wall, then he stooped and pressed the spring. The trap 
 suddenly fell down, and exposed a yawning hole. Tichdorf carefully bent 
 over it, but could see nothing. 
 
 “ Well, we’ve got the trap, which is something,” he said in the same tone 
 of raillery. “ Now where is the woman ? ” 
 
 “ Down there,” muttered the wineshop-keeper. 
 
 €t Down there, eh ? if you think that I am going after that bait to be 
 caught with my men by your gin , ha, ha ! you are a bigger fool than I took 
 you for, Mouchabeuf.” 
 
 “ But — ” 
 
 ** Call up the girl, of course ! If she be living woman, she will come ; for 
 she can’t find much sport among the beetles and the mice down there.” 
 
 u She — she is deaf — ” , 
 
 “ Not bad for an excuse, but it won’t catch me. I mean to see her, and 
 directly, even though she be dumb into the bargain,” uttered the corporal, 
 little areaming how right he was. 
 
 “ How can I ? ” asked the landlord, timidly. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 123 
 
 “ A plain * deal/ ” rejoined Tichdorf, who was given to this expression 
 common on ’change. “Your nephew will go down into the pithole and 
 fetch up the article, only, as he may try to perform some trick, this is my 
 ultimatum : unless he reappears in five minutes, I shall shoot you and burn 
 the house over your heads. ” 
 
 “He’ll come back, M. Tichdorf, he’ll come back,” protested the host, 
 nudging Taupier’s elbow to engage him to obey. 
 
 Whatever might be the latter’s terror of the Dreyse guns, he showed little 
 alacrity about engulfing himself in the obscure profundity of the vault. He 
 was ignorant of the internal arrangement of the basement, and especially 
 dreaded to meet his victim. Whether she were prostrate and wounded by 
 her fall, or standidjg ready with the club with which the floor had been 
 struck, neither hypothesis offered anything agreeable to her tormentor. 
 
 “J[ d — do — don’t know the road,” stammered he, “while Moucha- 
 beuf — ” 
 
 “You can safely jump down: there’s a mattress,” the tavern-keeper 
 hastened to say, not caring any more himself to go on a voyage of dis- 
 covery in the underground regions. 
 
 “ Cfome, come, dear sir, carry out the contract,” said the corporal. “ You 
 cannot injure yourself, for your uncle assures you there’s a bed below.” 
 
 “And a ladder to come up by,” added Mouchabeuf. 
 
 The unfortunate humpback made the strangest spectacle between the 
 abyss yawning at his feet and the bayonets pricking him behind. He was, 
 nevertheless, going to take the leap and, bending over the gap, was assum- 
 ing the attitude of Curtius diving into the chasm, when the least expected 
 of apparitions made him draw back, briskly. Out of the shade filling the 
 hollow, gradually emerged Rhine’s charming head. 
 
 “ Ah ! ah 1 ” burst out the corporal, “ it was the truth, then.” 
 
 Indeed Mouchabeuf, extraordinary as it was, had not told a lie for up- 
 wards of an hour, and what he told Taupier about the mattress and ladder 
 was perfectly correct. The trap served a double purpose. In case of alarm, 
 the landlord could jump down through it without risk : he would only fall 
 on the padded ground and could send the door up again by touching a 
 counter-spring ; he then could remain there till the danger went by, or go 
 out into the garden by a side exit. If, on the other hand, it was intended 
 to get rid of an enemy or mere interloper, the trap was worked similarly, 
 but the mattress was removed beforehand, so as to render the fall very 
 dangerous. As this' latter case was the rarer, the buffer was almost always 
 there and, on this evening notably, the tavern-keeper had had neither 
 the time nor the thought to withdraw it. Preserved by this happy forget- 
 fulness, the girl was slowly mounting a stepladd’er which she had blundered 
 across and utilised. 
 
 At the end of the ill-lighted room, this figure, rising as by a secret spring, 
 wore a fantastic aspect. The Pomeranians, though not naturally im- 
 
 ? ressionable, recoiled surprised and almost appalled. Mouchabeuf and 
 ’aupier stared at each other with poorly dissembled anxiety. Tichdorf, 
 though, seemed not a jot affected. He offered his hand for R4gine to leap 
 upon the floor with the same ease as if he had asked her to waltz. 
 
 “ I see with pleasure, dear lady, that your seclusion in :hat rat-hole has 
 Slot dimmed your beauty,” he said in a tone of gentle gallantry. 
 
 “She cannot hear or speak,” the landlord hastened to say. 
 
 The girl drew the corporal towards the table. 
 
 “ The letters — I’ve forgot the letters ! ” muttered Mouchabeuf in terror. 
 
124 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 R6gine had sat down and the engraved ivory counters were already 
 
 gliding about under her fine fingers. 
 
 “ She’s writing ! '* cried Tichdorf. “ By jove, this is getting curious ! " 
 
 “ What can she be going to say ? ” thought the brace of ruffians. 
 
 “ Hallo ! it’s German ! ” said the corporal, watching the letters arranged 
 by the fortune-teller. 
 
 Mouchabeuf and his partner looked atone another disappointed. Neither 
 understood the language of Goethe and Schiller, and their deception gave 
 their chop-fallen faces the most comical of expressions. 
 
 XLIL 
 
 9 
 
 The scene which had been enacted in Podensac’s presence was renewed, 
 with this difference that the two scoundrels could understand nothing of it. 
 Tichdorf proceeded to spell out the words : 
 
 “ Wollen — sis — micknack s aint-Germain — ■ fuhren .” 
 
 “ Halloa 1 to Saint-Germain ? ’’ repeated the corporal, “ what a queer 
 idea?” He added in German : “ Ja ivohL” 
 
 “ She can’t hear you,” said Mouchabeuf. 
 
 But the nod accompanying the reply had sufficed for the girl’s compre- 
 hending that her request was accepted. What was her request ? Taupier 
 and his confederate burned to know, yet were not to know, that it was “to 
 take her to Saint-Germain,” for they durst not question the Prussian for 
 fear of appearing too inquisitive and rousing suspicion. A French word, 
 the only one in R6gine’s sentence, had vividly struck them, the humpback 
 in particular. The name of Saint-Germain thus mentioned, awoke more 
 than one memory in Valnoir’s friend. The girl’s face lighted up on seeing 
 Tichdorf disposed to do what she asked. She continued manipulating the 
 discs anew till the following words were put together : 
 
 “ Ich dank. Latest uns gehen. (Thanks. Let us start.)” 
 
 Scarcely had she finished than she rose, her attitude revealing gratitude 
 and a desire to leave at once. The corporal motioned her to be Beated 
 again, and muttered in French : “ Presently.” 
 
 “It’s clear that she begged to be taken hence,” reasoned Taupier. 
 
 An interrogation impended. Tichdorf ’s small but brilliant eyes wandered 
 over the Frenchmen’s countenances, and they could not hope he would go 
 away without explanations. Mouchabeuf had his tale ready, and the 
 humpback’s was not behind-hand. The difficulty was to agree before 
 speaking, and the pair found themselves in the dilemma of prisoners 
 brought before a magistrate without having had time to concert anything. If 
 the corporal questioned them separately and alone, they were strongly ex- 
 posed to hang themselves in their own fabrications. But the long room lent 
 itself badly to private examinations, for it was not probable that Tichdorf 
 would make a corner of it his confessional -box. His mood ought to be to 
 question them quickly and have done with an unsettled situation. This 
 was indeed what happened. 
 
 “ Who is this girl ? ” he curtly demanded. 
 
 “Well, Monsieur Tichdorf, I was just going to tell you,” said Moucha- 
 beuf, hunting for words, “ it is — a — a relation of my nephew’s.” 
 
 “ What is she doing here, and why did you hide her in the cellar? ” 
 
 “ That’s nothing odd ! you can see how that was. She is very pretty, 
 and as this is an inn where all sorts of people come — that’s no reflection on 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 125 
 
 yon or your men that I’m making, Monsieur Tichdorf — but these irregular 
 skirmishers have r^ spect for nothing and nobody, and — ” 
 
 “ Good ; but this does not explain why you brought her out here. On the 
 day after a battle, a good-looking young woman does not come promenading 
 for her pleasure by the outposts.” 
 
 The tavern-keeper gave Taupier a glance by way of asking his attention. 
 
 “I am sorry I am obliged to do it,” he said, assuming the mien of one 
 forced to make a painful avowal. “I have confidence in you, and I shall 
 make a clean br.east of it.” 
 
 “ Do so quickly, I am in a hurry.” 
 
 “ Well, here you have it. This girl comes of a good stock, akin to my 
 nephew, as I have already stated, but she uent wrong.” 
 
 “You don’t say so! a deaf mute! you surprise me,” said Tichdorf, 
 ironically. 
 
 “ Oh, she is as artful as a monkey, and you have seen that she can make 
 herself understood for all that. I will go on to tell you that she has caused 
 her parents much sorrow. Old Nick himself cannot hold these young 
 vixens. Would you believe it that she ra,n away from a kind home to 
 scamper from fair to fair with a mountebank ? ” 
 
 “ This is curious, indeed,” acceded the corporal, still incredulous. 
 
 “ As true as I live ! a bully who taught her tricks and to tell fortunes. 
 You will readily understand that her family were not proud of this, and 
 when they did lay hold of her again, they sent her to me to bring her to 
 reason — ” 
 
 “ Very well. And you put her in the cellar to correct her ? ” 
 
 “Just so,” cried Mouchabeuf ; “ but I never intended to leave her long 
 there. Oh, goodness, gracious saints to save us ! no, no, poor child ! 
 every sin has its corresponding mercy. I have a room for her upstairs, and 
 in a fortnight, when my nephew and I have given her a good talking, to, 
 we shall send her home to her father, though, to speak frankly — ” 
 
 “ What?” queried Tichdorf, eyeing the speaker fixedly. 
 
 “Though I do not much hope to convert her. The mountebank whom 
 she’s 4 gone upon ’ is in Paris, and he’s the man to come dangling round 
 here. If her folks would listen to me, they would do with her as they do 
 with a badly-behaved youngster — pack him off to sea. ” 
 
 “Sea voyages are not so easily undertaken just now,” observed the 
 Prussian. 
 
 “ That’s true enough, and we shall have to keep her as long as the siege 
 lasts. By heaven 1 who ever would get us clear of her would do us a great 
 service ! ” 
 
 Whilst the rogue was pouring out his lies in a bland tone, R4gine had 
 rested her elbows on the table and was playing absently with the useful 
 counters. Beside her, her fate was in the balance without her trying to learn 
 on the lips of her disposers whether it was to be liberty or death. On the 
 contrary, Taupier listened with all his ea»s to the pretty fiction spun by 
 his accomplice. The opening had much pleased him, but the conclusion 
 spoiled all. This direct invitation of a Prussian abduction of the girl was 
 a colossal blunder in his eyes, for the humpback, being keener-witted than 
 his satellite, began to divine the truth. He would have given a great deal 
 to take the romancer apart and scold him soundly, but it was too late to 
 check him on the incline. 
 
 “ Threefold ass that I was,” he mumbled, “why did I not send them 
 both over into the canal ? ” i 4 > 
 
126 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 44 So the family would like to be rid of her ? ” inquired the corporal, like 
 one struck by an idea. 
 
 44 Be rid — well, have her at a distance,” said the landlord, wishing to 
 have his proposition precisely put. 
 
 44 Is the family wealthy ? 55 V 
 
 “Well, in easy circumstances,” replied Mouchabeuf, somewhat per- 
 plexed. 
 
 “ Very well. Then this is a bargain. Give me two rolls of a thousand 
 francs — in gold, it is understood, of course — in return for which I will hand 
 you the two newspapers and take away the girl.” 
 
 44 Two thousand francs ! I have not such a sum here, M. Tichdorf, and 
 I cannot get It till I see her parents.” 
 
 44 Nonsense, you old joker ! Parents ? is not your nephew near enough 
 kin ? I am sure that he has his pouch full of napoleons, and that he will 
 not look at a few gold pieces when he can profit by so fine a chance.” 
 
 As he spoke, he turned towards Taupier, whose reply was a frightful 
 face. The miserable humpback stood in the most deplorable of all scrapes. 
 Sure now that his associate had gone the wrong way to work, he had not 
 even the resource of contradicting him, for he could not deny his story 
 without gravely compromising himself. On the other hand, to pay for 
 sending R6gine precisely where he felt she wanted to go, was a prospect 
 that rent his very soul. He endeavoured to get out of the torment by ter- 
 giversation. 
 
 44 1 have n — no such sum about m — me/' he said, but with a gesture 
 which could not fail betraying him, for his hand involuntarily covered his 
 fob as though to defend the treasure bulging out the waistcoat in high 
 relief. For our humpback, as miserly as Valnoir was prodigal, and much 
 more distrustful, always carried his handsome savings about with him in 
 these war times. 
 
 44 Do you really think so/ 5 sneered Tichdorf ; 44 just look in your pocket 
 and I am sure you will find the trifle I ask for. 55 
 
 44 But no — I assure you,” faltered Taupier, choking with rage. 
 
 44 Would you like a couple of my men to help you inspect your fob ? ” re- 
 turned the corporal, with a fiendish grin. 
 
 At this suggestion, the humpback leaped as though he had trodden on a 
 serpent. The hair of his head stood on end at the idea of feeling the rough 
 Pomeranian hands paw about in the pockets where all his property was 
 hidden. He saw that he had better yield. 
 
 44 Indeed, I believe I can — I — I forgot that this very morning— I was 
 paid some cash, and — 55 
 
 44 1 knew right well, dear sir, that we should come to an understanding,” 
 said Tichdorf, putting out his hand to receive payment. 
 
 With desperate contortions, the wretch extracted from their concealment 
 two rolls of gold, and handed them to the terrible corporal, uttering a sigh 
 much resembling a moan. 
 
 44 Correct ! 55 chuckled the Prussian, “give and take : here are the news- 
 papers. You can draw on your uncle for the five hundred francs. Now, I 
 will remove the young person, and I answer for it that her family will not 
 hear of her for a good while. 55 
 
 Engine was ready. Tichdorf gave an order to his soldiers, who sur- 
 rounded her, and he then marched out at the head of the procession. The 
 two rascals looked at each other ruefully. 
 
 44 That costs you rather dear,” observed Mouchabeuf, when he believed 
 
 \ ' 
 
 ■ \ 
 
THE RED BAND, 127 
 
 the corporal far enough off ; “ but, at least, we have got rid of the 
 creature. ” 
 
 “ Imbecile !” screamed the infuriated humpback, “ you have done just 
 what she wished, and sent her to Saint-Germain to join the very man who 
 can destroy the whole of us. ” 
 
 / XLIII. 
 
 Snow covered the roofs, and the icy north wind whirled the yellow linden 
 leaves over the wall in the Rue de Laval. A man marched up and down 
 the pavement before the door through which Taupier’s gang had passed six 
 weeks before on the night of R6gine’s abduction. Wearing a pyramidal 
 fatigue-cap and muffled up in a greenish overcoat, the skirts of which 
 allowed the hem of a blue apron to show, this quaint character realised the 
 type, so plentiful towards the close of the siege, of the volunteer National 
 Guard. By his gold spectacles and his white cravat, a resident of that 
 ward would have immediately recognized him as Citizen Bourignard, door- 
 keeper of a house in the Rue de Navarin, and forager of a sedentary com- 
 pany. For the time being, the street was utterly deserted. 
 
 Nine o’clock had struck, and the morning queues were still detained at 
 the doors of the butchers and provision-dealers of the neighbourhood. 
 Everybody was awaiting his turn, provided with the card delivered 
 by the municipal administration to each household. Nevertheless, the 
 majestic doorkeeper was not alone. Around him hovered a boy in a sailor’s 
 dress, who appeared to have been dragged through the gutter, he was so 
 thoroughly mudded. His pale weasel -face disappeared three parts under 
 an immense glazed hat, pulled down over his eyes, so that nothing was to 
 be seen but his tongue, put out at his father, but speedily drawn in when 
 he turned. This ironical grimace was the more biamable as the naughty 
 boy addressed it to the author of his days, this amateur sailor being no 
 other than young Agricola, minor son of the virtuous Bourignard, door- 
 keeper by profession and a radical by vocation. In honour of the legendary 
 Gringalet, the gunner from the fleet who dismounted all the Prussian siege 
 guns at the first fire, his father had bought him a serge suit whereon the 
 patriotic hand of Citizeness Bourignard had profusely embroidered golden 
 anchors, those attributes of the navy. But this brilliant outfit had, in no 
 way, changed the habits of Agricola, who continued to run counter to all 
 the fair hopes of his progenitors by playing truant to go and pitch coppers 
 on all the bastions of the sector. 
 
 Bourignard freely acknowledged, in discoursing about his heir presump- 
 tive, that he had the instincts of the wild colt, and he reared him after the 
 theories of the “Emile” of Jean Jacques Rousseau, his favourite author. 
 The result was that the hopeful passed in the Mutual Schools for a dunce 
 and throughout the ward as a very wicked blackguard. Rarely did this 
 child of nature consent to go out with his father ; but on this day the 
 latter, no doubt, had important reasons for dragging his unconquerable 
 offspring at his heels. He had propped himself straight up against the 
 wall which concealed the pavilion from the view of passers-by, and was 
 wiping his glasses with feverish activity. 
 
 “ It is really peculiar,” he commented to himself, “ this enclosure presents 
 no other issue than a door without knob or lock. I do not see how I can 
 acquit myself of Citizen Taupier’s commission. ” 
 
128 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 This monologue was interrupted by the shrill voice of the urchin who 
 get up howling, to split one’s ears, the then popular song in the scarcely 
 literary region of Belleville. 
 
 “ Bismarck, if you keep on, you soon will learn 
 Of all your Prussian swarm, none will return 1 ** 
 
 “ Enough ! ” said Bourignard with a noble gesture ; “ the song is 
 patriotic but unsuitable at the present moment. ” 
 
 “ What, what ! unsuitable ! ” yelped the youngster with the drawling 
 tone of the workmen of the town. 
 
 “ Yes, my son, unsuitable inasmuch as I am invested with a confidential 
 mission and I do not wish to arouse the attention of the aristocracy who 
 inhabit yon domicile. ” 
 
 “ Of all your Prussian swarm, none will return ! ” continued the 
 irreverent Agricola in a still higher key. 
 
 “ I ought to insinuate myself by stratagem,” continued the grandiloquent 
 doorkeeper, “and I brought you along to assist me in this difficult under- 
 taking. I hope Agricola, that you will justify my expectation.” 
 
 “ Your expectation ! that will do me a lot of good ! I would rather have 
 a ten-sou piece. ” 
 
 “ So you shall, if you invent a method of getting the entrance open of this 
 feudal retreat.” 
 
 “ Whatever is a feudal retreat? ” queried the amiable child, working the 
 treadmill imaginatively off and on the kerb and upon a heap of mud in the 
 
 kennel. 
 
 * ‘It’s the habitation of the supporters of tyranny, my boy.” 
 
 “I don’t tumble to it,” replied the boy. 
 
 “ This wall which you behold, screens reactionary intrigues,” continued 
 Bourignard, imperturbably ; “to say nothing of it occupying space much 
 employed in constructing lodging-houses for landlords.” 
 
 “ And rooms for the doorkeeper, eh, dad ? ” 
 
 “ As for the garden behind, it would sustain twenty families, if edible 
 vegetables were planted in it.” 
 
 “ That’s not the game,” said Agricola, never hesitating to interrupt the 
 humanitarian theories of his respectable papa. “ The game is to make 
 those ten sous.” 
 
 “ I want to speak with an individual of the masculine gender so vile as 
 to serve the two female aristocrats lurking in this pavilion, which^reminds 
 the historically -read of the Parc aux Cerfs.” 
 
 “ Oh, the flunkey ! an old chap in a green coat — that’s an old tale I I 
 snowballed him t’other day as he came out of the grocer’s.” 
 
 ** Exactly.” 
 
 “ Well, there’s no hocus pocus wanted to get him out. Why don’t you 
 ring at the door ? ” 
 
 u You are young, my son, and you do not know the artfulness of the 
 high-born,” responded Bourignard, gravely. “ To begin with, there is no 
 bell-knob, and, moreover, if one were to hammer away, nobody would 
 open. These are conspirators, and none can be admitted without the 
 signal.” 
 
 u Is that all ?” queried the imp. “ You wait a bit— I’ll give ’em all the 
 signal they’ll want.” 
 
 Picking up a stone from the roadway, the dreadful scamp flung it over 
 the wall with so much strength and skill that it was heard rattling on the 
 pavilion roof. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 129 
 
 / « Stand beside the door, papa, you 11 soon see the effect. ” 
 
 u What wit he has, the monster ! ” chuckled Bourignard, executing the 
 movement suggested by his inventive heir. 
 
 Nobody stirred within, but Agricola was tenacious and sent three or four 
 more projectiles, so as to describe the same parabole and fall on the house. 
 A regular artilleryman could not have done better. The few wayfarers 
 were running along the street to warm themselves, and did not stop to 
 examine the scapegrace’s operations; he taking care, by the way, to place 
 himself out of sight of the two or three still open snops. After a few 
 minutes of this bombardment, Agricola felt unspeakable gratification at 
 seeing the door open softly. A grizzled bearded hea,d showed itself in 
 the narrow aperture, and protruded farther to look around without. It 
 Was the juncture Bourignard junior awaited. A final pebble cunningly 
 cast hit the imprudent looker-out in the legs, and the playful youth 
 scampered towards the Rue des Martyrs. 
 
 “ You little rascal ! you blackguard 1 ” shouted the injured man, rushing 
 away on his track. 
 
 Landreau, for it was he whom Agricola’s device had luted out of his 
 shell, had not paused to consider. It would assuredly have been better to 
 go in again, but the stone had smartly struck his knee, and the gamekeeper, 
 naturally testy, could not resist the temptation to correct the little demon 
 who ventured to assail him thus. So he sprang out into the street, pulling 
 the door to behind him, without noticing Bourignard glued to the wall, 
 and commenced the pursuit with as much warmth as he would have given 
 to a poacher hunt in the Saint-Senier woods. But Agricola had nimble 
 legs. 
 
 When Landreau emerged from the Rue de Laval, the rogue was already 
 at the corner of the Avenue Trudaine, wh^re he whisked away round the 
 corner house. The old keeper, having had time to cool a bit, deemed it 
 wise to renounce the enterprise, and stopped out of breath in the middle of 
 the Rue des Martyrs. He had darted forth bareheaded, and in his ever- 
 lasting green shooting-jacket, which ill convened with his garde mobile 
 regulation continuations. This was more than enough to attract the atten- 
 tion of the idlers. Besides, a man running is always suspicious, and Lan- 
 dreau’s unusual gait was immediately remarked by the gossips forming a 
 line before the butcher’s. 
 
 “ Look at the old man racing for his life." 
 
 “ It’s a thief ! ” 
 
 “ Stop him 1 ” 
 
 These outcries rose all at once, and an agitation of evil augury made the 
 string of people undulate like a snake. Warned of his imprudence, the 
 gamekeeper hastened to retreat towards the Rue de Laval, but it was too 
 late. Two of the national guards, charged to keep order at the shop front, 
 left the group, and cutoff his retreat. Landreau thought that ne would 
 increase the clamour of the mob if he ran, and he had potent reasons not to 
 bring soldiers towards the pavilion. So he tranquilly w r aited by the kerb for 
 the militiamen to w r addle up to him. 
 
 " Where are you running to so fast, citisen ? ” demanded a fat guards- 
 man, seemingly in bad humour. 
 
 The question was repeated by another over-eager soldier, as thin as his 
 comrade was otnerwiae, and a ring clustered round them from the passers- 
 by uniting themselves to the public posse. Landreau was puzzling his 
 brain for an answer, when a short, deformed man wriggled through the 
 
 F 
 
130 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 circle, and, by dint of elbowing, succeeded in placing himself in the front 
 row. 
 
 “What’s the matter here? ” he inquired in a harsh voice. 
 
 “ Oh, is this you, Citizen Taupier ? ” queried the obese guard. “ Faith, 
 I hardly know myself as yet. This fellow was tearing along, and he must 
 have reasons for doing so.” 
 
 “ Rather ! I should think so,” said our humpback, “ he’s a deserter 
 See his moblot trousers.” 
 
 xuv, 
 
 “ Eh ? that’s true ! ” shouted the throng and the national guards in choruft 
 
 “la deserter? never,” said Landreau, energetically. 
 
 “ Why are you wearing soldier’s clothes, then ? ” sneered Taupier. 
 
 “What’s that to you, you humpback?” returned the gamekeeper, not 
 disposed to be patient after Agricola’s emulation of David. 
 
 “ Citizens, I take you all as witnesses,” screamed the abortion. “ This 
 individual refuses to clear himself — consequently, he is in fault.” 
 
 “ By what right do you question me ? I don’t know you, and I have no 
 longing to know you.” 
 
 “ Possibly. But I speak in the name of the people, who have the right to 
 know everything,” said the newspaper man, in the emphatic tone ordinarily 
 reserved by him for harangues at the political clubs. 
 
 “ Ay, ay, he must answer,” roared the great unwashed. 
 
 “ People do not race about like that unless they have been up to 
 mischief,” pertly observed an old hag, laden with a gigantic marketing 
 basket. 
 
 “ I’ll lay he’s a pig-headed Breton,” said a citiaen, in a greasy cap and 
 side-locks flattened on his temples. 
 
 “ That’s not true — I’m a Burgundian,” exclaimed Landreau, impelled by 
 local patriotism. 
 
 “ It’s all the same,” answered a boy, who had no respect for geography. 
 
 “ Anyway, it makes no difference,” resumed the wearer of the side-locks, 
 “those country moblots are all aristocrats.” 
 
 “ Out with it, yes or no. Do you belong to the garde mobile ? ” questioned 
 ^ bystander, more sensible that the rest. 
 
 “ I am past the age,” responded the keeper, evasively. 
 
 “ Then, you have no right to wear the regulation uniform. Illegally 
 wearing a military dress is an offence,” pronounced the thin national 
 guardsman, who had come out of some law office. 
 
 “ Citizens, this man is suspicious at the least,” gravely uttered Taupier. 
 
 “ Suspicious in the first degree,” supported the living skeleton of the 
 stay-at-home legion. 
 
 “ And must be arrested,” added the hag. 
 
 “ Certainly. Put him in prison. Run him in ! ” 
 
 This clamour rose from all the ranks of the rapidly swollen gathering, 
 now filling the width of the street and stopping new-comers from both 
 ways to augment it. The latter said nothing, and only roared from the 
 spirit of imitation ; but in the centre of the ring the rest became more and 
 more hostile. 
 
 “To prison? What for?” queried Landreau, forcing himself to keep 
 ealm. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 131 
 
 “To teach you to ‘kick over the traces,* you treacherous moblot ,** 
 answered the flat-capped patriot. 
 
 44 Isn’t it enough to make a body sick to see these slugs creeping 
 about the streets while my man, a sergeant in the 61st, is slave-driven 
 every day into mounting guard on the bastion,” groaned the harridan with 
 the basket. 
 
 In mobs, as well as in deliberating assemblages, there is always a 
 moderate element, and in this congress of the Rue des Martyrs, the con- 
 servative party was represented by a grocer wearing an otterskin cap. 
 v 44 After all, the poor old chap may not belong to the army, and may have 
 had the breeches given him,” said this reservoir of good intentions. 
 44 Rather than drag him to the guard-house, better to take him home to 
 see if anyone will recognize him.” 
 
 44 No, no, he can best explain mattters to the officer on guard,” persisted 
 Taupier whom this conciliatory proposal did not at all suit. 
 
 44 But still, if he does not dwell a great way off, that would give us the 
 least trouble,” observed the stout guardsman. 44 Where do you live, 
 citizen ? ” 
 
 Landreau was opening his mouth to give the answer, when the idea of 
 leading this threatening mob up to the pavilion checked the words on his 
 lips. He turned red, stammered, and finally uttered this imprudent 
 speech : 
 
 44 That does not concern you, and I do not care to tell yon.” 
 
 44 You hear that, citizen?” shouted the triumphant humpback, 44 he 
 refuses to tell us.” ' . 
 
 4 ‘ Rather 1 he’s got good reasons for that,” said the old woman. 
 
 There was more than one opinion expressed in the swarm : the first ranks 
 declared it was a thief ; farther on it was stated that an escaped galley- 
 slave had been caught, and the last comers affirmed it was an accomplice 
 of the wholesale murderer Troppmann. 
 
 44 Away with him l ” yelped the boys at the top of their trebles. 
 
 The two national guards representing the bellicose service amid the 
 tumult could no longer hesitate under the so noisily expressed will of the 
 sovereign people. They consulted one another with a glance, and the 
 fatter of the twain pressed hard on the gamekeeper, whilst his thin 
 comrade tried persuasion. 
 
 44 Come along, citizen,” he said in an insinuating voice, 44 better to 
 march than be dragged. ’V 1 
 
 At the contact of the above mentioned guard, Landreau started back, and 
 his fists clenched. His face so plainly expressed the resolve to resist, that a 
 void was immediately left around him. The mass waved like a sea, but 
 the farthest, who knew they were out of the reach of blows, responded to 
 the outward movement with a vigorous shove, and the circle was forced in 
 tighter than ever. Alarmed, the national guards essayed to bring down 
 their bayonets to bear. This hasty movement finished the exasperation of 
 Landreau, who fell into position on his legs like an English boxer. 
 
 44 Just you try to touch me, you 4 rampart snails ! ’ ” said he in a deep 
 voice. 
 
 This epithet, far from flattering to the stay-at-home warriors, raised the 
 spectators’ indignation to scorching heat. Landreau had picked it up in 
 the bivouac of the gardes mobiles, feeble admirers of the citizen-soldiers, 
 and he was to learn to his cost what it is to fail in respect to such defenders. 
 The fat guardsman laid his hand on his collar, and the thin one dealt hlxa 
 
132 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 underhandedly a punch with his musket butt. But the old hunter waa 
 quick and strong. With two back-handed blows he freed himself of both 
 adversaries, followed them up and snatched away like lightning one of the 
 sword bayonets, with which he fell on guard. This warlike attitude pro- 
 duced a fine effect of terror, and the group opened with a promptitude 
 which proved once more the prodigious “ giving ” qualities of mobs. A 
 second earlier and a child could not have found a place, and now the 
 pointed steel had suddenly opened passage sufficient for the proverbial 
 coach -and-six. Landreau lost no time, but rushed at full speed up this 
 unlooked-for outlet. 
 
 “ Death to the assassin ! u 
 
 This shout burst forth with formidable unison, and the boldest sprang 
 away in the fugitive pursuit. He had taken heed not to run towards home, 
 and, instead of returning to the Rue de Laval, made for the Avenue Tru* 
 daine. The first moment of surprise had given him a dozen paces’ start, 
 and he hoped to shake off his pursuers if he got into one of the byways de- 
 scending from this outer boulevard. But he had reckoned without 
 Agricola. This dreadful little gnome, attracted by the riot made around 
 Landreau, had retraced his steps to see the latter like a toad-in -a- hole amid 
 the hostile gathering. He had not deemed it prudent to get mixed up in 
 it, in this point imitating his respectable father, who had peacefully re- 
 sumed his way to the Rue de Navarin, but he had ambushed himself at the 
 avenue corner to enjoy the row. When he saw the old keeper take his 
 course in that direction, he naturally thought to do him some harm, and 
 unluckily was given the opportunity. Just as the poor fellow turned the 
 comer house, he was tripped up by the boy and fell flat. He was given no 
 time to recover himself. Before he could scramble up twenty strong arms 
 held him, and he was buffeted, disarmed, and finally carried away like a mere 
 bundle. To resist was useless, and Landreau did not even attempt it. Too 
 crippled to run, Taupier came to join the group as quickly as his defective 
 frame allowed, and took command on his personal authority. 
 
 “Citizens,” he said solemnly, *“ this man is evidently a great criminal 
 and belongs to the justice of the people. ” 
 
 “Yes, yes 1 into the water with him. Bring a rope ! ” yelled all the 
 generous loafers who had arrested the man, ten to one. 
 
 The ire of mobs is ferocious. Hardly were the first cries for death 
 uttered than the thirst for blood overswept all these wretches. Landreau 
 would have been cut to pieces on the spot if they had been armed. But 
 the bayonets of the two guardsmen did not suffice to evince their rage. 
 Everyone wanted his share of the victim, so they were forced to seek an- 
 other mode. Happily the river was far off, and it was little likely the 
 prisoner could be dragged there without being delivered on the way. It 
 was the model citizen Bourignard’s pattern child who undertook to remove 
 the difficulty. 
 
 “ This way, citizens, this way,” he shouted. “I know a good place to 
 string up the aristocrat.” 
 
 In the middle of the avenue, on the site of the Old Slaughterhouse, rose 
 the Rollin College, then m course of construction. Beams, ropes, pulleys, 
 nothing was lacking on the scaffolding for an execution to be carried out. 
 
 Landreau was literally carried thither by the crowd, with the odious 
 youth skipping along at the head of the sinister train. 
 
THE RED BAND, 
 
 133 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Iir calmer times, a summary execution in broad day, and in the heart of 
 Paris, would have certainly been impossible. But political or military 
 ernes reacted on minds, and the population during the siege became 
 immeasurably nervous. The result of this unwholesome over- excitement 
 was a complete shifting of habits and radical change of temper. The 
 honest townsman who, before the war, had the word “legality” incessantly 
 on his lips, spoke of nothing but seizing people and shooting them off- 
 hand. Women above all suffered the influence of privations and the 
 anguish to which the blockade doomed them, and mothers of families 
 became transformed into furies after three or four hours’ waiting in the 
 mud at a tradesman’s door. Hence the throng which hauled the unfor- 
 tunate Landreau about was mainly composed of men usually peaceable 
 enough. The feminine element dominated, and the housewives had 
 unanimously deserted the queue so as not to miss the hideous spectacle offered 
 them through Taupier’s spitefulness. Yet it is quite probable that these 
 same creatures, had they found the gamekeeper dying of hunger on a 
 doorstep, would have deprived themselves, to comfort him, of their 
 ration so painfully waited for in the snow. But words have the power 
 of those philters which of old used to suddenly madden. It sufficed to 
 call a man a spy or traitor to consign him to the blind fury of the mob, 
 and the humpback, who understood Demos, took care not to forget the 
 recipe employed in massacres of all periods. He had long meditated on 
 suppressing Landreau, and had prepared the plot with too much care and 
 cunning not to hasten to finish with the burdensome old servingman. 
 
 “Make haste, citizens,” he screamed, brandishing his cane like a sword. 
 “ Let ug make haste ere the reactionaries come to hinder the justice of 
 the people. ” 
 
 The procession had crossed the Avenue Trudaine, and his exhortations 
 were quite superfluous, for the reaction was elsewhere occupied — in other 
 words, orderly folk were mounting guard on the walls, or working at 
 home. The public thoroughfares were given over almost exclusively, 
 therefore, tp that portion of the pbpulation preferring lounging about to 
 the exercise of civic duties, in the quest of evil to perpetrate. These 
 idlers and women were the ready-made auxiliaries for the horrid hump- 
 back, and there was no need to worry about the police. The municipal 
 watchfulness was then represented by officers whose dress and habits 
 earned them the title of “our pensive pedestrian friars.” These carefully 
 shaven and placid functionaries, clad in long coats with hoods, slowly 
 paced the pavement in knots of two or three, and showed their glum faces 
 now and again at the cross-ways, but never did the idea seize them to 
 intervene in a riot. It has since been conjectured that they were insti- 
 tuted to restore calmness to ail minds by the example of their public 
 meditations ; but it was surely not to repress disorder, for, towards the end 
 of the siege, they stoically looked on at the pillage of the markets without 
 even offering to stay a hand. A pair of these useful guardians of public 
 tranquillity, stationed at the other end of the avenue, could see the gather- 
 ing bustling about. But they, no doubt, thought it a patriotic manifestation 
 for they never budged. It must be stated that they had comfortably ensconced 
 themselves in a deep gateway, and that snow was falling thickly. 
 
134 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 Guided by Agricola, capering and clucking with delight, the crowd 
 surged into the future college building. The main entrance gave access 
 to a vast hall on the ground floor, which the architect had probably planned 
 for a refectory. Only the four walls were up so far, but some of the 
 beams were laid across for the next flooring. The place favoured the per- 
 formance of the crime ; Taupier had preached to the popular whirlwind, and 
 justice could be done at their ease. Yet the hanging facilities were not 
 as forthcoming as desirable. Ropes were lacking, and the beams were out 
 of the volunteer executioner’s reach. The victim, standing on his feet and held 
 by the lustier ruffians, formed the centre of a compact group ; whilst 
 Taupier wandered round it in search of the instruments for his design, 
 beginning to fear that the means adopted in principle were not practicable. 
 Resides, there were already some objectors. Their voices rose to ask a 
 modification of the programme in favour of the river or canal, a double 
 alternative which did not suit the execrable humpback, who knew quite 
 well that deferred passions never resume their sway. He also wished 
 strongly to have the execution go off thus in semi-privacy, far from pro- 
 fane eyes, so that he could slip away immediately after. So the delay due 
 to the absence of indispensable implements enraged him, and he cursed 
 the urchin, who had been so stupid as to lead them wrongly into a place 
 destitute of resources. He looked for him to rate him for his blunder, 
 and ask particulars of the plan of this abandoned building. But 
 Agricola had suddenly vanished. 
 
 The partisans of drowning were loudly formulating their intention*. 
 
 “ Let’s have him out of this — it’s not a good place for settling a turn- 
 coat.” 
 
 “ Let’s go to the Austerlitz Bridge.” 
 
 “ No, no, that’s too far.” 
 
 All these commingled cries rose together. 
 
 “ On to the Basin of La Villette I ” growled the hag with the basket. 
 
 This last suggestion found favour among the majority. 
 
 “Yes, yes, they are the right sort up that way ! ” 
 
 €t To the Basin ! ” 
 
 “ Come along by the outer boulevard.” 
 
 The name of the canal where he had wanted to throw R6gine in grated on 
 Taupier’s ears, his recollection of that enterprise being an unpleasant one. 
 He was seeking another project in his brain, so fertile in rascally inven- 
 tions, when an unexpected auxiliary came to help him from the plight. 
 
 “ Below there, ahoy ! ” squeaked a shrill voice overhead. 
 
 All heads were lifted and the urchin’s frail body was seen perched on a 
 window ledge twenty feet aloft. Bourignard’s worthy heir had nimbly 
 made the outside circuit of the structure, and by climbing up a ladder he 
 had reached the wooden frame corresponding with the first-floor openings. 
 There the masons had left troughs, trowels even, and ropes among which 
 Agricola had only to make a choice. He triumphantly dangled a long and 
 strong rope over the astonished beholders. 
 
 “ It’s that brat ! ” 
 
 “ Isn’t he an artful young frog ! ” 
 
 “ He’s got a string — we shall not be done out of our fun.” 
 
 Flattered by this acclamation, the youngster bowed like an actor on the 
 stage and called out : “ All ready to begin ! ” 
 
 Reals of laughter greeted this pleasant sally, and Tanpier breathed again 
 to see that his prey would no more escape him. 
 
 t 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 135 
 
 • 
 
 u Citizens, you are going to see Blondin the hero of the tight rope,* 9 
 yelped the ^horrible little fiend as he strutted along a joist. 
 
 By balancing himself with outstretched arms, he managed in his monkey 
 skill to reach the centre of the hall, where he sat down astride, pulled the 
 rope from under his waistbelt where he had carried it and let the ends slide 
 down, one each side of the beam. 
 
 “ Now, then, citizens, the performance will begin whenever you say the 
 word,” said the young monster. 
 
 The group of savages around Landreau began to stir. There was no back- 
 ing out possible now that the rope was at hand ; all that remained to be done 
 was to make a slip knot and noose, place the latter round the victim’s neck 
 and haul away on the other end, so as to raise him and send him into eternity. 
 The less inhuman of these wretches of both sexes shrank away, whilst the 
 others worked at the preparations. During all this suspense, the game- 
 keeper kept cool ; he was very pale, it is true, but he carried his head 
 erect, and had not uttered one word since his fall had put him at the mercy 
 of the stupid and ferocious gang. He had often enough looked death in 
 the face not to fear it, and the idea never came to him to try to justify 
 himself at the risk of injuring the ladies of the pavilion. Besides, it was 
 too late ; any attempt to soften these brutes would have been useless. Lan- 
 dreau lifted his soul to heaven and prepared to die. All the shameful pre- 
 liminaries were finished. Four amateur hangmen had grasped the loose 
 rope and the loop dangled a few feet off the ground. 
 
 “ Look sharp ! ” yelled the viper from the beam overhead. 
 
 The victim was pushed under the improvised gibbet, and a varlet with 
 side curls undertook to fit him with the fatal collar. Taupier watched the 
 proceeding with a dry eye, though several females, seized by a tardy qualm 
 of sensitiveness, made for the door. The two national guards had long 
 since departed ; though, as vindictive as stupid, they might willingly arrest 
 people, they did not like to see death. 
 
 ** JPull-ahoy 1 ” cried the door-keeper’s son. 
 
 XLVL 
 
 Acmicom’s call was obeyed. The villains who held the other end of the 
 rope stiffened themselves on their legs and raised their hands for a higher 
 grasp, so as to begin with a jerk. In a second more, the sufferer would be 
 suspended. Taupier, awaiting this moment with impatience, saw with* great 
 uneasiness the fear-stricken women, who had run out, return hurriedly. 
 
 “ Here come the mobiles ! save yourselves I ” screamed they, as they 
 dived into the body of the building. 
 
 “ Quick, quick ! run the rascal up or he will escape us I ” vociferated the 
 
 humpback. 
 
 But the murderers, less interested than he in removing the gamekeeper, 
 and, moreover, most cowardly by nature, thought it as well to take 
 time to reflect. The mere announcement of the presence of an armed force 
 In the neighbourhood sufficed to render them careful of their actions and 
 their skin, and even the most cruel let go the rope. Landreau remained with 
 the noose tightened on his neck, but no one was by him, and as he had his 
 hands free, nothing prevented him throwing it off. His eyes turned to the 
 door by which deliverance should come, but nobody appeared. Yet the 
 harridans had not spoken falsely. As chance willed it, at the very instant 
 
£36 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 of their showing their blanched faces out of doors, a detachment of soldiers 
 marched up the Avenue Trudaine. They were Finisterre mobiles returning 
 from the trenches to join their regimental battalion, housed in wooden 
 buildings on the Boulevard de Clichy. The snow continued falling, the 
 cold was sharp, and the poor Bretons, worn out by a night on grand guard, 
 trudged along with drooping heads, with the indifference of countrymen 
 insensible to the beauties of the capital. Landreau might have been hanged 
 within the massive college walls, without any idea coming to them of turning 
 out of their road to see what was going on in the huge edifice of which they 
 had never inquired even the name. But Providence does not stint its mea- 
 sures to save the life of a just man, and the hags who had so greatly con- 
 tributed to the gamekeeper’s arrest were the involuntary cause of his 
 safety. They had rushed into the street, gesticulating and expressing their 
 emotion with the demonstrative loquacity peculiar to their kind. 
 
 “ They’ll kill him ! ” 
 
 “ He’s strung up already.” 
 
 “ I can hear his death rattle I ” 
 
 These ominous phrases were blended with screams of terror and inter- 
 jections of the fish market. This tumultuous out-rush could not miss 
 attracting the attention of the sergeant conducting the platoon, and, at a 
 chance, he commanded a halt. It did not require more to throw disorder 
 into the feminine group. Some ran back bewildered into the hall whilst 
 the better-advised remainder scattered at a run over the street. Though 
 the Finisterre soldiers were hot city-bred, they could not be blind to the 
 fact that something serious was going on inside the unfinished building 
 Besides, the commanding officer was a youth brought up in the towns, ana 
 consequently much more sharp than the lads of the Lyonais placed 
 under his orders. He spoke a few words in Bas-Breton, and marched to 
 the college at the head of his little troop. The return of the women had 
 brought discomfiture into the hall where Landreau was awaiting death ; but 
 the appearance of the soldiery caused a downright scamper. The nimblest 
 of the roughs hastened to clamber up into the windows and jump down in- 
 side to scatter beyond the inner courts upon waste land where it was not 
 possible to follow them. Others huddled up in all the crannies and only 
 Taupier stood firm. 
 
 As for the door-keeper’s love of a son, as soon as he descried the uniforms 
 from the height of his beam, he very intelligently concluded that the time 
 was come to make his exit. Crawling along his perch like a polecat or other 
 highly scented and carnivorous animal, he quickly attained the hole by 
 which he had introduced himself. 
 
 “I’m going to shrink into my shell! Good luck, M. Taupier!” he 
 called out, before sliding through the scaffolding. 
 
 The hall presented a curious sight. The little Breton sergeant and his 
 men barred the Avenue Trudaine egress and looked on with very natural 
 stupefaction at the runaways and the appurtenances of hanging. Landreau 
 still wore the hempen necklace and appeared greatly excited. By the very 
 common effect of retrospective terror, the old keeper, who had been steady 
 at the touch of death, now shivered at the thought of t he danger he had 
 run. The humpback champed his curb, hopping from one leg to the other, 
 and hatching falsehoods, according to his invariable habit under grave cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 “ What’s all this, my good fellow ? ” demanded the sergeant, going 
 straight up to Landreau who had no answer ready. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 137 
 
 When a man has almost been hanged for talking too soon, he is less 
 eager to speak out before strangers, and the Saint-Seniers’ faithful servant 
 very clearly foresaw that he was not out of danger. He was saved from 
 death, but not from having to give his name and address under penalty of 
 being arrested. How could he deliver himself from the hands of authority 
 without this ? The problem remained unsolvable. His embarrassment 
 had not escaped Taupier, who judged he had better lead the conversation. 
 
 “Citizen,” said he, ‘coming forward to the non-commissioned officer, 
 “ this man is a deserter from one of your regiments ; he has resisted the 
 brave national guards who wanted to detain him and wounded several 
 persons with a bayonet.” 
 
 “Deserter? they don’t take such old men as soldiers,” objected the 
 Breton with a glance at Landreau’s grizzled moustache. 
 
 “ Yes, yes, he has owned to it,” cried several of the blackguards, be- 
 ginning to recover spirit. 
 
 “ It may be so after all ; but that’s no reason for hanging him,” observed 
 the sergeant. 
 
 “ The people always have the right to execute traitors,” uttered Taupier, 
 given to this menacing formula. 
 
 “ Oh, shut up, L am not talking to you,” said the Breton, irritated by the 
 humpback’s domineering behaviour. 
 
 “ I repeat to you, citizen, that all of us are bound to obey the people.” 
 
 Yalnoir’s friend fancied he would soon make the little sergeant sing small 
 by assuming his grand democratic airs, but luckily he had met a bantam 
 who was game. 
 
 “ The people ! ” he repeated scoffingly. “ Do you call these vermin who 
 are twenty to one to kilba poor old man ‘ the people ? ’ ” 
 
 “You are insulting our fellow -citizens,” howled Taupier, “and I hold 
 you responsible for w hatever transpires — ” 
 
 “ Who cares?” interrupted the non-commissioned officer without flinch- 
 ing; “ I know ihy duty. Speak up you, and tell me something of what has 
 happened.” 
 
 “ I was seized hold of as I was quietly going along the street,” said the 
 keeper. “ I defended myself — I was thrown down and dragged here. If 
 you had not come with your comrades, I should have been a dead man. ” 
 
 “You are not in the army ” 
 
 “Not now,” responded Landreau, with a hesitation betraying his 
 confusion. 
 
 “ The whole matter is a fog to me,” said the sergeant after an instant’s 
 silence, “ and I am obliged to take you to the headquarters in the Place 
 Yenddme. As for you,” he added to the lookers-on, “any of you wanting 
 to be witnesses can come along ; and this fellow, who it strikes me stirred 
 up all this racket, must come with me too.” 
 
 It was Taupier whom he referred to, and not ope of the rascals peopling 
 the hall dared to raise his voice in objection. But this sequel did not at 
 all delight the humpback, wdio did not care to a} pear with Landreau be- 
 fore a court martial. He would have to reveal his identity, and the title 
 of contributor to the “ Serpen teau ” was not of a nature to win him the 
 kindness of the staff, whom the venomous publication scarified daily. Still 
 he comprehended that there was no means to resist a dozen rural bayonets 
 supporting this injunction, for he could not expect any help from his das- 
 tardly associates. Still he tried to sneak out of the perplexity by a cunning 
 side issue. 
 
238 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 “ I do not ask anything better than to follow you,” he said, in a subdued 
 tone ; “ but there is no need to disturb the general-in-chief ; there is a 
 guard-house close by.” 
 
 The sergeant looked out on the Avenue, The weather had become dread- 
 ful, and the march to the Place Vend6me was no light burden to soldiers 
 numb with cold, and ready to drop with weariness. 
 
 “Whereabouts is this guard-house?” inquired the Breton, wishful to 
 spare his men. 
 
 “ Only a few steps off, in the Rue Neuve-Bossuet.” 
 
 “ Let us be off then, and quickly, too, for we’ll freeze here.” 
 
 Taupier did not ask more, and Landreau, resigned to the consequences of 
 his misadventure, went to place himself amidst the soldiers. Three or four 
 citizens, including the gentleman with the flat side curls, offered themselves 
 as witnesses, and ail departed. The others dispersed homewards,- whilst 
 the escort crossed the Avenue at the double-quick without the contemplative 
 policemen, still sheltered in the gateway, deigning to inquire into what 
 was going on. 
 
 “ I do not know which battalion is on sentry to-day,” mused Taupier ; 
 “ but I shall be in bad luck if I do not find in the guard -house some of the 
 4 Lighters of Pipes at the Moon,’ aud then all will go well,” 
 
 Entirely recovered from his emotion, the gamekeeper coolly calculated 
 the remaining chances of freedom, and reasoned that the officer of the 
 National Guards would hot be very rigorous as to the military service. The 
 journey was not long, and very few people were met — snow driving them 
 indoors— and the gossips were busy circulating in the shops the important 
 news of the arrest of the spy that morning. We merely note that their 
 tales transformed Landreau into an envoy of Bismarck’s sent to buy up the 
 French government. The troop arrived at the guard- house at the very 
 moment that the commanding officer was opening the door to go out to 
 lunch, and Taupier uttered a growl of gladness on recognising J. B. Fra- 
 pillon, general agent and captain. 
 
 XLVIL 
 
 The prudent humpback had the presence of mind to make no sign reveai 
 ing his relations with the business agent, and the latter was just the man 
 to divine how things stood at a glance. 
 
 “ Come in, gentlemen,” said he, with the politeness he never lost. 
 
 He had even formed theories on this head which Taupier would not admit, 
 namely, that the amenity of forms was absolutely necessary to cover actual 
 violence in deed. He went so far as systematically to disdain usage of the 
 title “citizens,” so dear to revolutionists of all periods. J. B. Frapillon 
 was a rosewater Jacobin, and he would not' have asked for anybody’s head 
 unless according to the hand-books of court etiquette. The little Breton ser- 
 geant pushed the witnesses into the guard-house, followed them, and warily 
 left his soldiers at the door. He knew by experience that the western 
 soldiers were not very much liked by some of the national guards, who 
 freely qualified them as Chouans and upholders of tyranny. The place 
 was full of guardsmen whose ferocious and quarrelsome aspect well enough 
 justified his apprehensions. Some were basking around the stove, others 
 smoking black short pipes or playing with greasy cards. The atmosphere 
 was loaded with nauseating miasma which the sharp tobacco fumes scarcely 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 139 
 
 neutralised, and the dainty nerves of J. B. Frapillon must have suffered. 
 Hence he hastened to go through this pestiferous hall to conduct the new 
 comers into the reserved room for the officer on duty, a narrow closet, 
 furnished with a deal table and a few straw-bottomed chairs. The busi- 
 ness agent took his place at the former with the ease of a man accustomed 
 to hear clients from behind a desk. He lolled back on the mouldy seat 
 as he would have done in his green morocco arm-chair in the Rue Cadet, 
 fixed his glasses on firmly, ran his hand over his flaming beard and com- 
 menced his interrogation with all the blandness of which he was sus- 
 ceptible. Contrary to what usually takes place wffien the accusers, ac- 
 cused, and the representatives of the public force find themselves simul- 
 taneously before the authority charged to settle the dispute, there 
 arose no bitter recriminations and no noisy discussion. 
 
 Both Landreau and Taupier had grounds for keeping quiet, and the 
 latter, besides, had full confidence in the sagacity of his confederate Fra- 
 pillon. Therefore the sergeant finished his succinct recital of the facts 
 without interruption. He had heard an uproar, and had found one man 
 making as if to hang another whom he accused of desertion and rebellion 
 very serious crimes under the state of the siege. He knew no more, and 
 he most clearly displayed his desire to be acquitted of all responsibility 
 in the matter! Landreau, questioned with much leniency by the urbane 
 captain, bitterly complained of the maltreatment to which he had been 
 subjected, and bluntly refused to give his address or occupation. This 
 was 'assuredly the worst of all means of defence, but the keeper would 
 have been much distressed to invent another, because he was, unfortu- 
 nately, at daggers-drawn with the military authority. After the disap- 
 pearance of his lieutenant in the night attack on Billancourt, the old 
 servant had obtained leave to go to Paris, but it was only for a week, 
 and a renewal was refused. It ensued that Landreau, an excellent sol- 
 dier, but devoted to the Saint-Senier family, was in a sore plight. Since 
 some six weeks that he had been in hiding in the pavilion and serving 
 the two ladies, his name and description figured in the list of deserters 
 sent in to the governor of Paris. He, therefore, reasoned that his arrest 
 had better be made in the street than in a visit of the soldiery to the 
 house in the Rue de Laval. He relied on the general disorder for his 
 not remaining indefinite^ in prison. 
 
 “ The worst that can befall me,” he mused, “ is to be identified by 
 one of my own regiment, and then we’ll see how to wriggle out of the 
 swamp.” 
 
 “ I deeply regret, sir,” he said to Landreau, “ that you do not consider 
 it meet to answer my questions, for I find myself, to ray great regret, 
 under the necessity of sending you to prison, to be detained there until 
 your identity is established. But I hope that in a few days you will be 
 set free.” 
 
140 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 This sentence did not so very much displease the prisoner, who princi- 
 pally dreaded being handed over to the provost-marshall. He bowed with- 
 out replying, and J. B. Frapillon continued to shower his flowers of speech 
 upon the witnesses, with a paternal smile. % 
 
 “ Gentlemen, I can only thank you for the zeal you have displayed on 
 this occasion. The people are strong, but they are just, and I am fully 
 persuaded that your intentions were pure. ” 
 
 Now, this is fine ! here’s a true ‘pal,’ ” muttered the man in the flat 
 cap, “ he’s not like that turnip-headed sergeant.” 
 
 “ Two men to conduct this gentleman to the lock-up,” called out the 
 captain, rising and thrusting his head out into the guardroom. 
 
 The citizen-guardsmen had a marked vocation then for arrests, and in- 
 stead of only the two men called for, half-a-dozen offered themselves to 
 handle Landreau as usual in such cases, and cram him into the black hole 
 for temporarily housing drunkards, vagabonds, and malefactors brought 
 hither. Though the new tenant did not belong to any of these categories, 
 he opposed no resistance to them. Yet he was hissed and hooted at in 
 going through the guardroom, and but very little more would have made 
 the occupants blame the captain’s justice as too lenient. 
 
 “You can go your way, my friend,” said Frapillon to the sergeant. 
 
 The Breton, while not sharing the general opinion as to the keeper’s 
 guilt, had still no desire to meddle any longer in a police charge, and 
 did not wait for the leave to be repeated. His soldiers were kicking their 
 heels in the street and he hastened to relieve them of this additional watch 
 in the snow. The disgusting rogues who had borne witness scattered away 
 at the same time with visible pleasure. They had too often figured in an- 
 other position to long enjoy themselves in the station-house where the police 
 had formerly received them. The amiable captain conducted them to the 
 door, and did not moreover disdain to go out and take a good look at the de- 
 parting soldiers. The humpback had intended to remain, but his associate 
 gave him a glance over his spectacles to make him understand the danger 
 of a conversation in a room with open doors. So he stole forth like the 
 others, walking behind them all and keeping within earshot of Frapillon. 
 Fully decided not to show his acquaintances!) ip with the captain before his 
 inferiors, Taupier waited for the means of speaking the few indispensable 
 words swiftly and secretly. Divining this intention, Frapillon manoeuvred 
 to give him a brief interview. Whilst the Bretons fell into rank to resume 
 the road to the barracks, he began to stamp in the snow as if to warm his 
 feet. , 
 
 “Beastly weather for going about, gentlemen,” he observed, pulling the 
 hood over his head. “ I must get my blood up — it was deuced cold in my 
 rooms.” 
 
 “ Going out, captain ? ” queried Taupier, in an uninterested tone. 
 
 “ Yes, I was going over to the restaurant when you arrived, and as I am 
 on duty till the evening, I must run out for something.” 
 
 “ I will give myself the pleasure of seeing you over there, if you will 
 allow it, citizen?” said the humpback. 
 
 “ So will we ! ” chorussed those witnesses who had not yet gone off, 
 catching a glimpse of a glass at the corner wine-shop if only to get rid of 
 them. 
 
 “With pleasure, gentlemen,” said Frapillon, extremely vexed at this 
 increase of escort. • . 
 
 They all went towards the Avenue Trudaine, Taupier despairing of 
 
THE RED BAND. 141 
 
 shaking off the importunate gang. But, some twenty paces farther, the in- 
 genious captain stopped short, saying : 
 
 “ Pray excuse me, gentlemen, but I forgot to give an order to my 
 lieutenant, and I must retain to the guard-house. I hope to have the 
 pleasure of meetiug you again. ” 
 
 With which compliment, J. B. Frapillon spun round on his heels and, as 
 he passed the humpback who was hanging a little behind, he flung this 
 whisper at him : 
 
 “ At nine, to night, at the * Dead Rat.* ” 
 
 XLYHI. 
 
 / ; ’ i 
 
 The Caf6 of the Dead Rat is well known to the artists and authors who dw < 1 1 
 in the essentially-literary region of the Place Pigalle. Its fame has even 
 spread to the centre of the city, and more than one frequenter of the briliian t 
 terraces of the Boulevard Montmartre does not disdain to go and sit at the 
 modest tables of the already -legendary establishment. In winter, the 
 varied society which favour this resort take refuge in the two ground-floor 
 rooms, each having a pet corner, as the Painters' or Journalists’ Place. On 
 the first floor is the ladies’ room, for the fair sex patronise the Dead Rat. 
 It is the chosen haunt of a whole clan of women, clustered through taste or 
 necessity on the southern slope of Montmartre, but these eccentric charmers', 
 do not come here to make conquests, but to end the day, as men do at their 
 clubs, free and easily. 
 
 Most of these veteran beauties number numerous campaigns on more 
 fashionable ground, and have retired on an income into the soli- 
 tude of the outer boulevards, like the old soldiers who live on the 
 retired list at Les Batignolles. They like to collect around a billiard-tabl e 
 to speak of their former conquests, and criticise the strategy of the militant 
 youth succeeding them in the career. Beer, cigarettes, and bezique regale 
 these simple merry-makings, and the raw recruits in silk aird satin u ho 
 wander by chance into this symposium look like griffins fresh from the 
 military academy frowned down by veteran dragons. Among the lady cus- 
 tomers, a few have literary aspirations ; there are some even who do not fear 
 to discuss social and political topics. Hence, these independent dames dwell 
 on a footing of fraternal intimacy with the budding novelists who study 
 modem society as they play dominoes, and with the statesmen of the future 
 who learn diplomacy during cannons and pocketings. 
 
 The masculine element is composed of various classes, which do not mix, 
 though they rub along together. There is the tribe of artists, the clique of 
 literary men, and the great body of democrats, without including sight- 
 seers, attracted in by the desire to see the celebrities of the minor press and 
 the charms of the lady money-taker, who looks like a Watteau shepherdess 
 gone astray in a drinking-bar. During the siege, the company was sensibly 
 modified. Several of the old customers, summoned by the Revolution to 
 public offices, did not come assiduously as of yore to this primary school of 
 high politics. Others, superior to the prejudice which dubbed the ab- 
 sentees as “ free-fly ers,” had flown away to paint or write in the coun- 
 try. The women had remained faithful to their caffi of predilection, and 
 most of them had submitted to the daily ration, in order to keep near this 
 gallant and intellectual centre. Nevertheless, there were gaps in their 
 tanks, and the game of baccarat among bosom friends which had gone 
 
142 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 on merrily upstairs, often languished from the erstwhile 14 plungers * re- 
 maining on the benches below. 
 
 Here gathered a crowd, whose costume and military bearing gave the 
 peaceful artistic lounge the mock air of a canteen. Had it not been for the 
 Dead Rat, painted long ago in the middle of the ceiling by a jocose 
 painter, one would have seemed in a garrison town, a hundred leagues 
 from the Place Pigalie. Nothing but laced caps and overcoats ; quite a 
 staff crammed the billiard-room, and there were four-handed games of 
 piquet, where the lowest in rank was a captain. Most of these warriors 
 belonged to the national guard, fyut the vicinity of the huts on the boule- 
 vard also brought some provincial soldiers. By tacit agreement, the uni- 
 formed customers occupied the first room with their hilarious revelry, 
 whilst the party of “ The Old Dead Ratters,” representing the civil ele 
 ment, debated the daily events in the back-room beyond. As for the 
 women, they flitted like butterflies around the tables laden with cups and 
 glasses, and did not scorn to sip indifferently at the bellicose punch and 
 the literary bitters. Seated upon her throne, the fair queen of this empire 
 impartially distributed her gracious smiles upon her subjects of both sexes 
 and all classes. 
 
 On the evening of the snowy day which had almost been poor Landreau’s 
 last on earth, the Dead Rat was crammed. All was joy and song in the 
 entrance saloon, where the little Breton sergeant was treating half a dozen 
 lads from Roscof and Morlaix to brandy. At the farther end, where three 
 militia-men were regaling themselves after their last watch on the ram- 
 parts with a game at billiards, Taupier and Frapillon faced one another. 
 On the marble-table between them rose an appalling pyramid of the saucers 
 npon which glasses of beer had been brought and left, when the emptied 
 glasses were removed, according to the rule in such places, to check the 
 number of drinks. The editor and the cashier of the ‘ ‘ Serpen teau ” professed 
 both a great esteem for beer, perhaps, because they regarded it as a social 
 and democratic beverage ; and, besides, to confer without attracting 
 notice, they deemed it wise to appear unquenchable imbibers. Neither 
 were regular customers, for Taupier preferred attending the High Radical 
 Temple of the Caf6 de Madrid, and J. B. Frapillon, as a financial man and 
 business agent, considered it due to his professional dignity not to patronise 
 public houses. Hence, they had all the chances of avoiding inopportune 
 meetings in this retired spot. The numerous lookers-on at the billiard- 
 table served them as screens, and the military gentlemen in the outer room 
 could not remark their confabulation. The neighbouring tables were 
 occupied, that on the left by two long-haired painters playing at 6cart£ at 
 “fifteen up, best out of three,” for a six-sou packet of tobacco, and that 
 to the right, by three women chattering over cherry brandy. So they had 
 managed to exchange many interesting confidences, and no one had 
 troubled their hour’s colloquy. On laying aside his uniform, Frapillon 
 had resumed the correct bearing and manners of what is called a man 
 settled down to life’s responsibilities, and the humpback, fitting with his 
 gibbosity to the wall, hid from the public the chief defect of his grotesque 
 form. 
 
 “ So our man is undeniably put away,” said Taupier, gratified. 
 
 “ Ay, and for a good long while, I’ll answer for it ; I have friends at the 
 prison, and I recommended him strongly to them.” 
 
 “Nevertheless,” sighed the deformed one, “I would rather they had 
 strung him up by the neck in the Rollin College — it was so simple and con- 
 
TOT RED BAND. 143 
 
 venient. If it had not been for that ass of a moblot, we should have been 
 rid of him for ever.” 
 
 “ Bah ! vagabondage and resistance to public officers, though he were not 
 a deserter, will get him six months, and in the meantime we shall have 
 finished with the Saint-Seniers and all their tribe.” 
 
 “None but the dead never come back,” commented Taupier, with & 
 sombre air. 
 
 “You are always going in for desperate remedies. A fault, my boy, a 
 great fault. Men can be made away with, without killing. With my 
 method, one does not risk the assize court.” 
 
 “ There has been none since the siege,” said the humpback, u and we 
 shall put the old thing down altogether if the Lighters of Pipes at the 
 Moon only get into power.” 
 
 “ I hope they will ; meanwhile, I believe we ought not to get into scrapes. 
 * Gentleness, nothing but gentleness ! * that’s my system.” 
 
 “A pretty system! We have been two months hammering away gently 
 at those people, and we have not half done our work.” 
 
 “ Taupier, my son, you are not fair. Sum it up. When yon came to 
 me at*’ the end of September, Valnoir and Company had everything to fear. 
 Five or six persons played with its secret, among them a drunken man 
 and three women. You hardly knew which way to go at them. But 
 now Master Pilevert is coupled to our train, enrolled in our Red Band, 
 and he would even aid us against the common enemy, if he could Only be 
 sobered. ” 
 
 “ Yes,” grumbled Taupier, “ and some dry day when he has drunk more 
 than usual he’ll sell us all.” 
 
 “He cannot drink more than usual, for he is soaking it in night and 
 day,” observed Frapillon, smiling. “Now, hark back to his pupil, as he 
 calls her, the dumb gipsy. She was dangerous, and I own that I did not see 
 very clearly how to spirit her away. Who w as it gave Mouchabeuf such 
 cunning and prudent instructions to send her to Germany, whence she 
 will never return, instead of dropping her into the Saint-Martin canal, 
 where her body w r ou!d have been fished up ? ” 
 
 “Confound it, I advise you to go boasting about that — your champion 
 idiot sent her to Saint-Germain to join the wmunded Saint-Senier, who 
 will take us in the rear along with her one of these days.” 
 
 “ He’s died in the hospital, my good friend. Mouchabeuf received the 
 tidings from his friends, the Prussians and as for the fortune-teller,* it 
 seems to me she has had ample time to get back if she had not bden for six 
 weeks’ past travelling on the road to Berlin.” 
 
 “Nothing proves that, and I am not easy.” 
 
 “ The gamekeeper w T ho bothered us,” continued Frapillon, without heed- 
 ing the other’s fears, “ is boxed up for a long while.” 
 
 “The merit is due to me,” broke in Taupier, smartly; “if I had not 
 bribed Bourignard and his wasp of a son, we should never have got hold of 
 the old badger, and, besides — ” 
 
 “ There are the two women yet,” went on the agent* 
 
 “ Ay, and so long as they are not in our power, we may a a well not have- 
 commenced.” 
 
 “ Soundly reasoned ; hut we shall soon have them.” 
 
 “ Let me alone. You cannot send them to Prussia or have' them arrested 
 by the men of your company. ” 
 
 “ No,” agreed Frapillon, coldly, “ but — ** 
 
144 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 “Well?” 
 
 ' “ I have my plan.” 
 
 xux. 
 
 “ Youb plan ? M repeated Taupier, snapping his fingers, u Upon my word, 
 you make me laugh with your sweet and gentle means, and your plans. 
 We all know what plans are good for,” added the wit, who had more than 
 once attacked the Government of National Defence. 
 
 “ Mine is infallible and you will thank me for it before the week’s out,” 
 returned J. B. Frapillon, imperturbably. 
 
 “ Let me alone, I say 1 You can never act with regard to two women 
 living retired as we have towards a strolling player and a deserter.” 
 
 “ No, but I shall try another thing, with the same result.” 
 
 “We shall see,” sneered Taupier in an unconvinced tone. “Waiter, 
 two beers ! ” squeaked he, blessed with unquenchable thirst. 
 
 The quantity of liquor he absorbed and the consequential airs he put on, 
 began to make an impression on his table companions. The manufacturers 
 of “pot-boilers” on his left gazed with admiration on a man rich enough 
 to call for drink every quarter of an hour and the women darted side 
 glances at him. One of them, a majestic beauty of forty, who was consoling 
 herself in politics for the definite loss of her former worshippers, had 
 imagined there was a fresh devotee under Taupier’s twisted and angular 
 form. Once having this idea in her romantic brain, the matron had no 
 other aim than to win the attention of the gibbose editor and to do so she 
 began speaking for the public in general. 
 
 “ Yes, my little pussies, as true as I am telling you,” uttered this socialist 
 and democratic gossip, “there’s queer things going on in this quarter.” 
 
 “ Tell us what, M’ame Irma ? ” ingenuously solicited a young adept, whom 
 the hardships of the siege had restricted to these inhospitable heights, and 
 who had been only two days since initiated into the arcana of the Dead 
 Rat. 
 
 “ There’s plotting going on, child,” said the exuberant dame in a con- 
 tralto voice. 
 
 “ You don’t say so?” exclaimed, with a dumfo^ded air, the loveable 
 girl who answered to the mythological name of Aglse, though she possessed 
 nothing in common with the fairest of the Three Graces. 
 
 “Well, what if there are plots?” queried another devourer of cherry 
 brandy, a thin creature who seemed to have met with misfortunes long 
 before the war. 
 
 “ What of it ? ” repeated M’ame Irma, indignantly, “ it strikes me that a 
 citizeness only does her duty when she shows up traitors.” 
 t “ I am not a citizeness, I am a Picardian,” said Aglas, who enjoyed but 
 vague notions respecting her civic rights. 
 
 “ And I never play the detective,” said the dried-up idol, completing the 
 trio. 
 
 “ Ph^mie, you always speak of what you know nothing about,” said the 
 fat lady ; “ if you had allowed me to finish, you would have learnt that I 
 never play the detective on anybody, but, nevertheless, I have my eyes.” 
 
 “ What did you see, M’ame Irma ? ” interrupted the neophyte. 
 
 “ You know that I have a fifth-floor front in the Rue de Laval,” con- 
 tinued the elphantine Irma. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 145 
 
 •• Everybody knows that, as well as your owing three quarters*, as the 
 porteress told me,*’ muttered Ph6mie, who had the one reputation, if no other, 
 of having the sharpest tongue in the Dead Rat. 
 
 “Are you going to stick up for the landlords now?” shrilly asked the 
 obese presiding genius of this little congress. 
 
 “ Don’t get angry, M’ame Irma,” interposed the guileless Aglse, gulping 
 down a cherry, as she preferred preserved fruit to wrangles. 
 
 “ Not much, especially as there are none left now,” responded Ph6mie. 
 “ I haven’t paid my own for a year, and I am none the more grieved for 
 that. ” 
 
 “I was remarking,” went on Irma with superb dignity, “that my 
 windows command the street, so that I can see all that goes on over 
 the way.” 
 
 “ Why, there’s a wall opposite,” jeered the sceptical Ph6mie. 
 
 “Yes ; but behind that wall there is a garden which runs back to the 
 Rue de Navarin, and in its midst is a pavilion inhabited by persons who — 
 what do you think, eh, my girl ? ” 
 
 At first the humpback had paid no heed to this feminine verbiage, but 
 for a moment he had been lending an attentive ear, without appearing to 
 do so. Prapillon had knocked his knee under the table, and given him 
 a wink as much as to say, “ Chance is serving us wonderfully well again — 
 let us profit by it.” Hence their chat, which had run on in an undertone, 
 ceased altogether, as with mutual accord they followed their stout neigh- 
 bour’s discourse. To cover their eavesdropping, Frapilion took up a paper, 
 and Taupier lighted a pipe. This was the best means to excite the loqua- 
 city of Irma, who continued without dropping her lofty airs. 
 
 “Two women — an old and a young one — who come from heaven knows 
 where, and never go out and never have callers — and a greybeard to wait 
 on them, and do the marketing — what do you think of that, my pets ? ” 
 
 “ Well ? ” said the thin dame, “ there’s no law against having a man- 
 servant and hugging your fire.” 
 
 “ And you’ll bear in mind that it is not pleasant out of doors,” judiciously 
 observed Aglse ; “ if I had plenty of fuel to keep me cosy, you would no£ 
 often see me in the street.” 
 
 “ That’s all very fine,” resumed Irma, “ but at all events you are known 
 in the quarter — ** 
 
 “ Too widely,** commented Ph6mie in a stage whisper. 
 
 “ Whilst these princesses of the pavilion are known to nobody by name, 
 no more than by their business, or by the time they arrived there. The 
 place belongs to an aristocrat, some country nobleman who never shows his 
 nose in it himself, and pays his rates and taxes through his banker ; the tax- 
 gatherer’s clerk told me so the other day in the Jean-Goujon beer-shop.” 
 
 “For sure all this is not natural,” said Aglae, making dreadful efforts 
 to understand. 
 
 “ Wait a bit, I have not done. Every evening, my children, at the 
 same hour, about eight, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, I see — ” 
 
 “What ?” queried the two damsels in unison, for their senior took time over 
 the moving narrative like a cunning actress. 
 
 “ A light which flares out on the top of the tiles and is put out before 
 midnight, and a green light, too 1 ” 
 
 “Green?” repeated the youthful Aglse, bewildered. 
 
 “A signal, of course,” said Ph6mie, who seemed deeply versed in 
 signalling tricks. 
 
146 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ Ha, ha ! now do you believe that I would be right in going around to 
 the police to denounce these jokers?” 
 
 “They would not be punished for nothing,” admitted the stem 
 .Phemie^ 
 
 “Tell me, M’ame Irma, is not the younger party in mourning?” 
 
 “ Both are, and full mourning, too.” 
 
 “And good looking, eh?” 
 
 “ Pooh ! a faded blonde, with a complexion like paper and the figure 
 of a broomstick.” 
 
 “ IPs the same.” 
 
 “ Come, come, you cannot know her when I tell you they never come 
 out of the house.” 
 
 “ She did this evening, and I am sure it was she, for I was just passing 
 your house when I spied her closing that little door in the wall facing 
 you.” 
 
 “No such thing! where would she be going?” 
 
 “ I am going to tell you all about it. Just imagine that I turned 
 Tound to have a good look at her when she came up to me, and in a 
 sweet voice — oh, how tremendously sweet!” 
 
 “Get on with your story.” 
 
 “ She said to me : ‘ Madame will you kindly point out a shop where I 
 may buy bread? ’ I was out getting my things in for dinner myself, so I 
 told her to come along with me, and together we went along the Rue de 
 Laval. On the way , I tried to strike up a chat; but she only answered 
 yes and no, and it seemed to me as if she felt like weeping most. Truth 
 to tell, that shut me up, and I did not keep on talking. Well, we got 
 to the baker’s, at the comer of the Rue Condorcet; he was just closing 
 his shop. We went in and she asked for a loaf, but in such a queer 
 way that anybody could plainly see that she had never been used to go 
 marketing.” 
 
 “A greenhorn,” sneered Irma. 
 
 “ ‘ Yoijtr card, madame ! ’ She did not seem to know what that was.” 
 
 “Don’t ypu see, the old man did all that for them?” 
 
 “‘Do you even belong around here?’ asked the man. Whereupon 
 the tall, fair party mumbled three or four words, and turned still whiter 
 in the gills. I started to speak up for her, but I had my trouble for my 
 pains, for she had turned and was already hurrying up the Rue des 
 Martyrs.” 
 
 “ Just what I was telling you,” said the ruling spirit, enchanted at her 
 prognostic being verified. “ I should rather think they were suspicious 
 women who have that fear of being found out that they will not book 
 their names on a baker’s card.” 
 
 “ And get their victuals in by a man; I’ll wager the Prussians settle 
 the bill,” adjoined Phemie. 
 
 “Pshaw! that’s nothing,” said the ingenuous girl. “I don’t know 
 anything about the old lady; but the young one is nice, and I cannot 
 believe that she would do anyone harm.” 
 
 “Oh, hold your tongue! she’s got two faces under her hood.” 
 
147 
 
 rpT*; ' 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 Sinoe the trio’s chattering had taken this entrancing turn, the two friends 
 had not lost a syllable. Taupier smoked ardently, and blew clouds upon 
 clouds so that he had finally enveloped himself like a god on Olympus. 
 Frapillon, turning half round on his seat, kept up the newspaper as a screen 
 for nis play of features. By this strategy, the clandestine allies could make 
 signs with impunity, and even exchange a few emphatic words. 
 
 44 Hunger drives the wolves out of the woods,” muttered Taupier. 
 44 When the servant went, no more provisions came in. ” 
 
 44 Yes, my dear,” fulminated Irma’s grave voice, “I shall go and tell the 
 police to-morrow.” 
 
 44 What do you think now of my plan ? ” inquired Frapillon in a low tonef 
 as he adjusted his glasses. 
 
 His mis-shapen friend was going to reply, when a terrible uproar arose in 
 
 the outer room. 
 
 It was the clamour of angry voices serving as a bass accompaniment to the 
 sharp crash of broken glass. 
 
 44 I tell you that I want a quart of old brandy,” shouted a hoarse-throated 
 customer, 44 and I can pay for your smashed crockery, I can, by the trum- 
 pets of Jericho ! Do you think I haven’t got any mondy ? ” 
 
 “Turn him out,” cried the chorus, principally composed of the mobiles, 
 and led by the little sergeant. 
 
 It was evident that an over-excited tippler had upsbt a table on his 
 neighbours, and that a storm was brewing. Little eager to meddle in a 
 drunken battle, Frapillon and Taupier were consulting one another by a 
 glance as to whether they had not better levant, when the latter, struck by 
 something peculiar in the solo rising above the uproar, motioned his asso- 
 ciate to listen. 
 
 44 Turn who out ? ” queried the rotigh voice : 44 you had better come and 
 try it, you pack of shirks.” 
 
 44 It will be done pretty soon, if you don’t hold your tongue,” replied a 
 much calmer voice. 
 
 44 Oh, it’s you, you raw recruit, who want to have a go with the Rampart 
 of Avallon. Well, we’ll have some sport out of this.” 
 
 44 ’Tis he ! that brute Pilevert ; let us cut away unless we mean to be 
 brought into this row,” whispered Taupier. 
 
 44 Oh, no,” breathed Frapillon, 44 let us stay, on the contrary, to prevent 
 him making a fool of himself.” 
 
 The riot increased in the outer room and a regular fight seemed imminent. 
 The players at billiards left off and helped to make up the ring, leaning on 
 their cues like lancers on their lances. Desirous of not losing so interesting 
 a sight, the women crowded up behind them to complete the audience. The 
 general agent and the humpback thought it advisable to have a peep at the 
 coming conflict, and softly squeezed in among the lookers-on. The outer hall 
 looked like the scene of a prize fight. The table overturned by Pilevert had 
 strewn the floor with its ruins, and the prudent customers had got up on 
 their seats to be out of reach of the blows. In the middle of the ring, our 
 Samson, as red as a peony and quivering with wrath, was striking what he 
 sought to make a fighting gladiator’s attitude. But intoxication marred his 
 good intention, and badly interfered with the correctness of his pose. In vain 
 10 
 
148 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 did he rub his hands after the traditional manner of wrestlers and shoot up 
 his biceps by shutting his arms, he could not manage to recover the fault- 
 less position which had so often won him universal applause from en- 
 lightened amateur boxers at country fairs. It was clear that this mass of 
 brawn was not steady, and that the colossus of village roads was faulty at 
 the base, and the Dead Rat’s connoisseurs indulged in some quips which 
 raised Pilevert’s ire to its highest pitch. 
 
 “ Come on, you worthless moblot, till I crumple you all up ! ” he roared, 
 stamping on the ground with his right foot, like a fencing-master making 
 the appeal. 
 
 The little Breton sergeant, who had volunteered as champion of the 
 revellers disturbed and insulted by the Hercules, did not appear in any 
 wise intimidated by his rhodomontades. Without heeding the feminine 
 protests either, the sergeant shoved aside the simpletons who called for 
 the quite chimerical intervention of the police, and advanced with the 
 greatest calmness up to the furious bully. 
 
 “ Now, then, do you mean you won’t leave us alone ? ” he demanded, in 
 his most serene voice. 
 
 A growl was the strong man’s only rejoinder, as he stepped forward tc 
 grasp his feeble enemy. His leg of mutton fists embraced the empty air, 
 for the little David had suddenly stooped, and with his lowered head, like 
 a ram or a negro, he butted the unfortunate Pilevert in the mid vest 
 button, so that he tottered back for a second, and finally pitched back- 
 wards amongst the billiard players. 
 
 “ That’s how we fight ‘ rough-and-tumble ’ at Saint-Thegonec Fair,” re- 
 marked the victor, regaining his place at the end table. 
 
 Applause was not lacking, and once more it was seen that 'vigorous deeds 
 always overcome popular prejudices, for the spectators, ill-disposed towards 
 the Bretons, nevertheless took their side. 
 
 “ Bravo, moblot ! ” shouted the national guards of the higher ranks. 
 
 “ Put that drunken beast out ! ” 
 
 “ Take him to the lock-up ! ” 
 
 A little more and the vanquished Goliath would have been seized neck and 
 heels and #ung unceremoniously into the gutter. But he found protectors 
 whom hr &ad not expected. Whilst he was floundering about the by- 
 stander# legs and trying to get upon his feet without success, J. B. Fra- 
 pillon, who never lost his wits, had already devised the means to save him. 
 Me would have handed him over to the gentleman in black with the best 
 of hearts, but he was well aware of the danger of letting the gentleman in 
 national guards’ uniform handle him. Despite all his defects, the man of 
 muscle was one of the indispensable pawns of the game played by the Rue 
 Cadet strategist, and it was important to have him always handy. Taupier, 
 less profound in his calculations, would have willingly given up the 
 mountebank, and plucked at his partner’s sleeve to draw him into the 
 street. But the latter repulsed him by a nudge of the elbow, and chari- 
 tably stooped down to help the conquered man to rise. When he succeeded 
 in extricating him from the maze of chairs and footstools amongst which he 
 had rolled, he forestalled his exclamations of surprise by whispering these 
 significant words : 
 
 “ Not a word about us unless you want to lose your pay.” Aloud he 
 added : “ The poor fellow is not well and needs attention.” 
 
 “He’s dead drunk and needs salts,” observed one of the artists who bad 
 left their sixtieth game to contemplate the scuffle. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 149 
 
 “ There’s no law on that head, and a citizen may enjoy himself in time 
 of siege,” remarked Taupier, to sing in concord with his associate. “And 
 a little upsets a fasting stomach. ” 
 
 “ Quite so, in fact.” 
 
 “ It’s a shame that the Breton was allowed to knock him about.” 
 
 “ Let’s avenge him.” , 
 
 These exclamations came from the billiard players. A fresh battle was 
 not agreeable to the astute J. B. Frapillon, who hastened to quell the 
 
 storm. 
 
 “Gentlemen,” observed he, with his habitual politeness, “ I think that 
 would be a mistake, for the rurals outnumber us, and besides it would be 
 disagreeable to the fair mistress of the establishment. ” 
 
 This latter argument produced a decided effect on the gallant militia- 
 men, who deployed in good order back to the billiard table, whilst Pile vert’s 
 preserver added : 
 
 “ I will see this poor fellow home.” 
 
 Since the Hercules had succeeded in recovering his perpendicular posi- 
 tion, he was divided between the wrath still seething in his bruised breast, 
 and the amazement caused by the appearance of the two friends. 
 
 The surreptitious warning addressed him by J. B. Frapillon, had pene- 
 trated his thick skull, still muddled with drink, and he had not dared to 
 open his mouth for fear of emitting some nonsense. He professed for the 
 business-agent an admiration mingled with fear, and also respected the 
 humpback’s mysterious power, which had obtained him an excellent place 
 in the “ Serpenteau’s ” nest. Hence he repressed, as best he could, his 
 overwhelming rage at the Rampart of Avallon, professor to the gymnasium 
 of Saint-Gaudens, being “ downed ” by a weakling whom he had expected 
 to crush at the first blow. 
 
 “ Pull yourself together, my good fellow,” said J. B. Frapillon paternally, 
 “ and come with us. My friend and I will see you home.” 
 
 The athlete replied with dull groans, which might pass for a consent, 
 und the business-agent, who wished to profit by the “shindy,” as sailors 
 say, hastened to pay the waiter the united scores, including the cost of 
 the glass broken by the strong man. This formality accomplished, he 
 pushed the humpback towards the door, offered his arm to Pilevert, and 
 drew him into the street. This scarcely triumphant exit was certainly 
 accompanied by some hooting from the outer hall, mostly occupied by the 
 Breton mobiles ; but nobody thought of actully harassing the retreat. The 
 three acolytes had barely reached the middle of the Rue Frochot before 
 Frapillon let go the mountebank’s arm, and addressed this emphatic 
 speech to him : 
 
 “I told you before, Monsieur Pilevert, that I did not mind your drinking 
 at home, but that I forbade you going out drunk into public places where 
 your fooleries might seriously injure the association to which you have the 
 honour to belong.” 
 
 “ No — not m — m — my fault, and I’ll tell you all about how it was,” 
 stammered the strong man, feeling the intoxication more in the open air. 
 
 “ This time again I will overlook it, but I warn you that at the next 
 cutting of such capers, you will haVe to deal with me — with me alone, do 
 you hear ? ” 
 
 “ Yes, yes, I hear right enough,” mumbled Pilevert, quaking at the 
 bare idea of falling into the grasp of the dreaded general-agent. 
 
 “ Weil, where do you live ? ” asked the latter bluntly. 
 

 150 
 
 THE RED BAND 
 
 u Not far from here — in Montmartre,” said the drunkard, his tongue 
 getting thicker and thicker. 
 
 “ I know where he hangs out,” observed Taupier. 
 
 “Then help me to get him along ; if we let go of him, he will be picked 
 Up and that would get us into a worse tangle. ” 
 
 " You may as well let him be run over in the gutter here,” said the 
 humpback, always preferring radical measures. 
 
 Nevertheless he assisted his friend fairly, and the pair each holding the 
 athlete by an arm, stumbled on for the Place Pigalle. At the very moment 
 they were coming out of the Rue Frochot, a woman walking fast shot 
 before them and stepped into the luminous ray before the 4< Dead Rat’s ” 
 lighted front. By the subdued glare, projected through the steamy panes, 
 the form and features of this night rambler struck the keen eyes .of J. B, 
 Frapillon, who stopped short. 
 
 “ Did you recognise her ? ” he quickly asked Taupier* 
 
 LI 
 
 Taupier was too deeply engaged in sustaining Pilevert’s staggering steps 
 to pay much heed to passers-by. The enormous mass, since Frapillon let 
 go one side, weighed entirely on the frail crippled being, and threatened, 
 at any moment, to go down and flatten him under it in the kennel. 
 
 “ Recognise whom ? ” snarled Taupier, in very bad humour. “ You had 
 better help me instead of stopping to quiz the first night-walker we meet . n 
 
 “ Hush, you idiot ! ” returned the business-agent in an undertone. 
 “ Chance is serving us better than you deserve. The woman who just* 
 passed is the young lady from the pavilion.” 
 
 “ It can’t be ! ” exclaimed the humpback, starting so as almost to throw 
 the inebriate down. 
 
 “ I am sure of it,” laconically replied J. B. Frapillon. “Stand still and 
 see what she is up to.” 
 
 After having passed the lighted corner by the “ Dead Rat,” the woman had 
 sprang out upon the Place I^igalle, then utterly deserted. The snow con- 
 tinued to fall, and the pavement disappeared under a thick white carpet. 
 The fountain occupying the centre of the wide square was hung with icicles, 
 and the frozen water in the basin still bore the traces of the slides made by 
 the little rascals during the day. With its leafless trees and the silent 
 booths on the outer boulevard, this part of Paris represented very fairly one 
 of those winter-scenes so dear to some painters of the Restoration period. 
 To venture alone in such weather in this solitary district, a young lady 
 required very grave motives, and Frapillon had made no mistake. To 
 begiiji with, he had chosen an excellent spot to see without being seen and, 
 pressed against the front of the cafe, the subtle cashier of the “Serpenteau ” 
 attentively followed Ren<$e de Saint-Senier’s movements. At that mo- 
 ment he felt the sensations of a spider watching the flutter of a poor fly 
 around the web in which it was doomed to be ensnared. Not that he had 
 espoused, without misgivings, the cause of his friends Yalnoir, Taupier, 
 and the rest of them, against the dwellers in the pavilion. The perplexity 
 of his fair client, Rose de Charmfere, did not itself overmuch affect him, 
 but, by dint of plumbing the secrets of others, he had, finally, interested 
 himself personally in the plot of which he held all the wires. Outside of 
 his actions on account of the Red Band, the bachelor of the Rue Cadet pur- 
 
 ( 
 
THE RED BAND. 151 
 
 soed the execution of a private plan. Hence, for the time being, he thought 
 mainly of shaking himself free of two burdensome accomplices. 
 
 “ Where can Bhe be going, and how can I manage to follow her without 
 having this pair of sots at my heels ? ” pondered he. 
 
 The former problem seemed difficult to solve, for, after having started to 
 cross the Place, the young lady was now wandering along the southern 
 side of this open space. Her pace was uneven ; she stopped at every 
 door and looked up ; then resumed her ramble as though she could not 
 find what she sought. This strange behaviour baffled all the agent’s sur- 
 mises. At first he remembered M’ame Irma’s revelations in the “Dead 
 Rat,” and for an instant his notion was that Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier 
 was still in search of a baker’s. But at so late an hour, the supposition be- 
 came so unreasonable that he did not dwell long upon it. Yet it was evi- 
 dent that the nocturnal promenader had been brought out on some serious 
 errand. She showed unequivocal tokens of agitation, and had there been 
 anybody about in this solitude, she must have been taken for a lunatic. 
 After much hesitation and many turns, she ended by going up to the door- 
 way of a large house at the comer of the Rue Pigalle, where a whole 
 colony of artists are harboured. J. B. Frapillon thought at first she was 
 going to ring up the door-keeper, but he saw her bend down to read all the 
 names engraved on brass plates beside the bell-knob, rise with a de- 
 spairing shake of the head and flee away. It was a ray of enlighten- 
 ment for him. 
 
 “I have it ! ” he muttered, thrilling with delight, “ and now I shall be 
 out of luck if I do not attain my ends.” Grasping the humpback’s arm, he 
 /said curtly : 
 
 “ Take care of this drunkard, since you know his dwelling ; I must 
 follow our princess. ” 
 
 This injunction, for several reasons, was not to Taupier’s liking. To 
 begin with, he had not unlimited confidence in his associate and wanted to 
 have him under his eyes on decisive occasions. Then again the care and 
 escorting of Pilevert constituted a task by far exceeding the powers of 
 Valnoir’s afflicted aide-de-camp. Overcome by the chill which concentrated 
 the alcoholic fumes, the strong man was nearing the final stage of intoxication, 
 which fells the robust and may kill the weak. Taupier had succeeded in 
 propping him up against a wall somehow or other, and held him pretty 
 nearly erect with his long arms as “ shores. ” The showman stared with 
 owlish eyes and grumbled disconnected words, through the midst of which 
 issued insults upon his conqueror. 
 
 “ Where is that — that * Aztec 1 of a sergeant ? ” sighed he betwixt a 
 couple of hiccoughs. “ Where is he that I may flatten him ? ” 
 
 The humpback did not care to respond, but every now and then the 
 other steadied himself a little on his weakened legs and made efforts to 
 break away, howling : 
 
 “ I want to go back to the * soaking-shop * to settle him. Help me 
 along, my little camel -man, and open the door for me.” 
 
 “ Confound it all ! ” said Taupier, losing patience, “ how do you expect 
 me to guard this sponge ? ” 
 
 TMs appeal to J. B. Frapillon produced no other effect than to goad him 
 into oeing off the sooner. 
 
 “ Do as you please — I have no time to tarry,” answered he, darting 
 
 away. 
 
 “ Neither have I, and you shall not go after the * donna ’ alone,” shouted 
 
152 
 
 THK RED BAND. 
 
 the humpback, pushing Pilevert away ; but it was a bad idea to attempt it 
 with insufficient muscular force. 
 
 The athlete comprehended that it was his wish to get rid of him, so he 
 clutched Taupier’s collar with unconquerable energy. This vigour, doubled 
 by the stubbornness peculiar to men bru tided by alcohol, quickly reduced 
 the resistance of the feeble deformed antagonist to nought. 
 
 “ Let go of me, you elephant ! ” gasped the unfortunate man, half-choked 
 by the grip. 
 
 Nothing came of his appeal except that the grip was even more tightened^ 
 Meanwhile J. B. Frapillon pursued the even tenor of his chase without 
 heeding the objurgations, and the distress of his acolyte. Furious at this 
 disloyal casting of him off, the captive risked a desperate stroke. He thrust 
 his' short legs between the huge columns sustaining the mountebank’s 
 herculean body and tripped him up pursuant to the classic method 
 of Parisian urchins. Agricola himself would have accorded his approba- 
 tion to the trick which succeeded marvellously well. Sapped at the base, 
 the colossus slipped abruptly on the frost covered flags and came down with 
 the shock of an uprooted oak. Unfortunately, the pigmy who felled 
 this oak had not foreseen all the consequences. In falling Pilevert did 
 not release him and hence drew him down too. 
 
 “Help, help ! ** screamed Taupier, choking under the crushing weight. 
 
 But the brawny fellow, in sprawling over the snow, had lost the little 
 sense left him, and simply weighed down the hapless abortion like a paper- 
 weight on a fly. 
 
 At the same time the pitiless Frapillon gained a start and disappeared 
 behind the fountain without having deigned to turn round. He was en- 
 chanted at the ridiculous accident which delivered him from the gnome, 
 and he would have roared with laughter but for his having more serious 
 matters before him just then. The first was not to lose sight of the woman 
 who rapidly traversed the Place. She went straight up to the houses 
 that had their backs to the Butts-Montmartre, amid a silence so pro- 
 found that her hunter heard the crust of the snow crunched under her 
 hurried steps. Taupier’s outcries had no power to attract her attention, 
 and it was clear that she was pursuing an aim interesting enough to absorb 
 all her faculties. Moreover the victim soon ceased yelling, either because 
 he had given up his last breath beneath the Hercules or deemed it prudent 
 to slip away. Therefore Frapillon had an open field, and he lost not a 
 minute in putting into execution the project just springing up in his 
 mind. 
 
 ** How shall I get to speak with her? the whole question lies there,” he 
 reasoned as he manoeuvred to keep his distance. 
 
 The young lady had turned to the left and made for the mass of houses 
 by a short cut over the roadway. Once on the pavement she went up 
 the right hand side, again scrutinizing the doors and signs. 
 
 “ If I go directly up to her, she is likely to take alarm and run away,” 
 thought Frapillon. 
 
 He imagined a more artful move. In a few strides he gained the other 
 aide near the Rue des Martyrs, glided along the empty booths and kept 
 to the left, taking care to go slowly. This ingenious detour would bring 
 him face to face with his quarry, without startling her by a sudden appear- 
 ance. Indeed, at the top of the little Rue Houdon, which runs up to 
 Montmartre, the lucky Frapillon saw the lovely Ren6e de Saint-Senier 
 Homing towards him. He was cudgelling his brains for a plausible 
 
THE RED BAND. 153 
 
 means of addressing her, when she cut his quandary short by accosting 
 him herself in these words : 
 
 “A doctor, sir ! pray point me out some doctor’s house 1” 
 
 “I guessed aright,” thought Frapillon. 
 
 LEL 
 
 Renee de Saint-Senier stood before the agent, pale and frightened, re- 
 peating tremulously : 
 
 “ A doctor ! for pity’s sake, sir, show me to a doctor’s. ” 
 
 On seeing her go from door to door, he had by intuition a shrewd idea 
 of the motive urging her to run about at midnight, and he was prepared to 
 profit by the unlooked-for encounter. His first thought was to take her to a 
 medical friend, a person thoroughly devoted to the cause defended by the 
 “Serpenteau,” and residing in the neighbourhood, but on second thoughts he 
 threw up this project. He professed the principle that a man ought always 
 to do his own work and to avoid increasing the number of his confidants. 
 Furthermore, he had private reasons for acting alone that evening, and his 
 siege preparations were all made when he confronted the object of his 
 enterprise. 
 
 “ Looking for medical assistance, eh, madame ? ” he queried in his softest 
 voice ; “ has some accident befallen you ? ” 
 
 “ Nothing to me, sir, but to a — a person in danger of death, so I entreat 
 you to point out to me — ” 
 
 “ I can do better than that, madame, I can accompany you to the ailing 
 person 1 ” 
 
 “ What ! are you — ” 
 
 “ A physician, yes, madame, and entirely at your service.” 
 
 Ren6e gazed heavenward, as if in gratitude for the help sent to her. 
 
 “ Oh, thanks, thanks, sir,” she said effusively. 
 
 “ I am only doing my duty,” said Frapillon, modestly, “ and I am happy 
 that chance placed me across your path.” 
 
 “ Come, I entreat, for the danger is pressing,” went on the lady, turning 
 towards the Place. 
 
 “ Accept my arm, madame,” said the pretended physician, who meant 
 not to lose his patient’s friend on the road. 
 
 Ren6e answered with a shake of the head at first, and boldly darted 
 away on the slippery pavement ; but Frapillon would not admit he was 
 beaten. 
 
 “ Believe me, madame, that you will get along faster with my help,” he 
 said, bending his arm with all the politeness of which he was capable. 
 
 This time she yielded. A thaw had set in, and the partly melting snow 
 rendered walking very difficult over a sloping ground. 
 
 “ I hold her at last,” rejoiced the agent, as he felt the young lady’s arm 
 on his. 
 
 Thus, unwittingly supported by her most dangerous persecutor, she 
 hastened to gain the entrance of the Rue Frochot, whilst her escort fretted 
 because he would have to pass close to where he had left Taupier and 
 Pilevert rolling over one another. He tried to allure Rente’s attention by 
 a chat, and as he did not like useless conversation, he took care to direct 
 his questions on points he wished to have enlightened. 
 
 “Don’t you think, madame,” he gently suggested, “that, whilst I am 
 
154 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 giving our patient the most pressing attentions, you had better send for 
 your regular attendant ? ” 
 
 “ We have none — we know no one,” answered R6nee in some trouble. 
 
 Just what the business-agent wanted to ascertain, for he did not care to 
 expose himself to meeting a genuine physician. 
 
 “ Oh, then, I undertake the case, willingly,” he proceeded with a satisfied 
 air, “ for professional etiquette, madame, as well as my own scruples, would 
 make me shrink from interfering with a colleague’s patients. ” 
 
 Ren6e started, as though this speech had awakened a painful idea in her. 
 
 “Sir,” said she in a shaken voice, “you have nothing to fear in that 
 respect, but I am bound to inform you that we are not rich, and that — ” 
 
 “Aha ! ” thought Frapillon, “ this is good to know.” 
 
 “ We may not be able, at once — ” 
 
 “ Madame,” interrupted the business-agent, “ I must tell you — ” 
 
 “ But, hereafter,” the young lady hastened to add, “whatever may be 
 your estimate of the value of your attentions, sir, we shall be happy 
 to acknowledge them.” 
 
 “ You did not allow me to finish,” pursued her perfidious escort, with 
 a smile. “ I wished to set you at ease on that very point, for I practise 
 medicine only out of humanity. I am well enough off to require nothing of 
 my patients, and I can even do them a kindness,” he continued, with 
 rather too emphatic a tone. 
 
 “ Thank you, doctor, we require nothing but your science,” said the young 
 lady, whose pride was aroused. 
 
 “ Pray, believe me, madame, that I had no intention of offending 
 you,” he eagerly replied. 
 
 He perceived he had overshot the mark, and, to repair his fault, he 
 redoubled his cares, gently sustaining Ren6e every time her little feet 
 slipped, and, at the same time, edging her over upon the side -walk opposite 
 the “Dead Rat.” At bottom, the cashier of the ‘ ‘ Serpenteau ” could scarce 
 contain his delight, since he commenced to see clearly into the situation 
 of the ladies of the pavilion. His subtle spirit, served by his perfect know- 
 ledge of city life, pictured to him the Saint-Seniers surprised by the siege, 
 shut up in town with resources almost expended, and reduced to the last 
 extremity by the absence of their imprisoned kinsman and the disappear- 
 ance of the faithful Landreau. Poverty achieved the placing at his dis- 
 posal of the women already suspected of treason through the seclusion sur- 
 rounding them, and the worthy Frapillon reckoned without fail to make 
 the most of their misfortune. 
 
 “ Have we still far to go ? ” he inquired, with most tender interest. 
 “ Such dreadful walking fatigues you, and I fear — ” 
 
 “ At the end of that street, on the left, we shall be there,” said the young 
 lady, whose agitation augmented as they approached the pavilion. 
 
 They were almost at the cafe, and, ere doubling this perilous cape, the 
 agent was the less at ease as he heard muffled Bounds, and saw a dark mass 
 on the snow. 
 
 “ Those are drunken men — let us get by quickly,” he whispered to his 
 companion, who needed no spur to hasten her pace. 
 
 The prudent Frapillon’s fears were well-founded, for in turning into 
 the Rue Frochot, he saw a tumultuous crowd only twenty paces off. 
 
 “ That bully Pile vert has taunted all the people in the restaurant Into 
 rushing out,” he thought. “ I only hope Taupier does not spy us.” 
 
 He kept close to the other houses opposite, endeavouring to pass the mob 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 155 
 
 nnperceived. His conjectures as to the conduct of the pair, were only too 
 well founded. While he went off on Rente’s track, the humpback, buried 
 beneath the oppressive carnal mass, made efforts to get clear which 
 were finally crowned by partial success. He had toilsomely risen upon 
 his knees, but every time that he tried to rise fully, to make off, down came 
 the herculean paw upon his frame and bore it to the pavement. The un- 
 fortunate wretch found himself in about the same sad situation as a cock- 
 chafer caught by a limb, and this unequal struggle might have continued 
 indefinitely had not two or three customers coming out of the “ Dead Rat ” 
 stumbled over the human mass upon the flags. These boon companions had 
 charitably set to work disentangling the skein ; but Pilevert aroused by the 
 touch, had begun kicking out terribly right and left, and the humpback, 
 catching one rough kick, uttered yells of pain. This was ample to bring 
 the billiard and domino players from their games, and all the inquisitive 
 crew swarmed out of the peaceful caf6 to see what was going on in the 
 street. After a little confusion, the newcomers managed to understand it, 
 and the Hercules, who had been held in but unpleasant memory from hia 
 scuffle inside, was soundly trounced. At the very moment when Frapillon, 
 with Ren6e on his arm, approached this noisy gathering, some were 
 hauling the unlucky mountebank towards the Plage Br^da station-house. 
 The agent was doing his best to slip by along the house fronts, but the 
 cohort completely barred the way, stopped every moment by Pilevert’s ' 
 frenzied resis ance. Blows and cuffs were hailing upon the centre of 
 the knot, and Frapillon was vexed to distinguish Taupier’s harsh voice 
 protesting against his being mixed up with his adversary’s case. 
 
 “ Wasn’t I quite right to cut those creatures ? ” thought the man of law 
 and order, skirting the doorways, “ and how wise I shall be to work out my 
 plans by myself in future ! ” 
 
 At any other time Ren4e would have certainly turned back from such a 
 quarrelsome crowd, but her feelings overcame the timidity of a young 
 lady. 
 
 “ Do let us hurry on, sir, I implore you,” she said, pressing her cavalier’s 
 arm. 
 
 He reflected that the best course was to get out of the trouble as soon as 
 possible, and so lie resolutely set to clearing the mob. The enterprise was 
 facilitated by the broadening of the road-way, there being a circus at the 
 other end of the Rue Frochot, and the couple were able to turn to the left to 
 reach the pavilion entrance. Only, chance would have it that a cluster of 
 ladies turned back for the caf6, chattering on the events of the evening. 
 The business agent believed he recognised his three neighbours of the inner 
 saloon, but he was too eager to get on to much attend to this meeting, and 
 rapidly continued on the way to the Rue de Laval. Uunfortunately, M’ame 
 Irma and her pupil Aglse had excellent eyes, and both recognised the young 
 lady. 
 
 “ This is rich ! ” ejaculated the matron, “ that ‘ swell ’ again ! ” 
 
 “ And the gentleman we saw just now giving her his arm,” cried the 
 young representative of Picardy. 
 
 “Perhaps he’s taking her to the baker’s,” added Ph<$mie, jeeringly. 
 
 “That will be worth seeing,” proceeded the judicious Irma, and the 
 trio sprang away on the track with a common impulse. 
 
 Frapillon did not look round. He let himself be guided by his charge, 
 feigning to be unaware whither she led him, and not failing to express 
 astonishment when she stopped at the little door sunk in the wall. 
 
156 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “Be pleased to follow me, sir,” said Ren6e, after having touched the 
 spring which caused the door to turn on its hinges. 
 
 Dissimulating his glee, Frapillon walked in, and the door closed noise- 
 lessly. 
 
 LIIL 
 
 J. B. Frapillon’s heart beat quickly as he crossed the threshold of the low 
 door which gave access to the pavilion, whose occupants he had been 
 watching for some two months past. His feelings were those of a general 
 whom an unexpected hazard has suddenly introduced within the walls of 
 a long beleaguered stronghold. At the outset of the undertaking, the 
 cashier of the “ Serpen teau ” had only seen a stroke of business, one of the 
 reprehensible cases which constituted the base of his calling and were styled 
 dubious by him with an euphemism rather far-fetched. A little later, per- 
 sonal feeling had stepped in, and he had enjoyed the success of his com- 
 binations like a true artiste, their superiority over Taupier’s coarse proceed- 
 ings being manifest. Finally, by dint of going deeply into the affair and en- 
 lightening himself as to the possessors of the secret which worried his friends, 
 the plotter of the Rue Cadet had come to regard the scheme from a 
 new point of view. Naturally and by principle a circumspect man, J. B. 
 Frapillon never started on a campaign without assuring himself before- 
 hand of an advantageous retreat. 
 
 He had clearly foreseen the event of luck turning against the democratic 
 league directed by Valnoir, upheld by Taupier and inspired by the lovely 
 Rose de Charmi&re. It seemed wise to have friends in both camps, and, 
 whilst lending himself to the operations of the band as regarded the Saint- 
 Senier family, he only waited for the occasion to shape his course in his 
 own way. This occasion was furnished him by the most fortuitous meeting, 
 and he promised himself thus to obtain a footing near the ladies of the 
 pavilion, without being embroiled with their persecutors. He was a little 
 burdened by the part of physician which he had thought fit to assume, but 
 nature had endowed him with such effrontery that he was quite capable of 
 extricating h imself . To commence encasing, his real personality in the assumed 
 one, he felt compelled to address a professional query to the young lady : 
 
 “ How long since did this ailment begin?” he inquired, gravely, whilst 
 following Ren6e up the linden walk. 
 
 “Just now — a sudden attack. I was alone, and ran out for help.” 
 
 “ Then, let us hasten. A remedy can never arrive too soon in such acci- 
 dents,” rejoined the false practitioner in a sententious voice 
 
 He had no need to recommend haste to Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, for 
 she flew as speedily as the yielding snow would allow and the delay, 
 caused by the crowd in the Rue Frochot had wrung tokens of impatience 
 from her. The avenue and the porch steps were swiftly passed over, and, 
 still guided by the young lady, Frapillon penetrated into the mysterious 
 abode, not without emotion. Rente’s precipitation in going forth was testi- 
 fied to by the doors remaining open, and by the lamp-light at the end of the 
 passage the room where R^gine had been welcomed on the night of her ab- 
 duction was plainly visible. Pallid and motionle-s, her eyes closed in her 
 drooping head, Madame de Muire iay extended in an arm-chair. She wore so 
 closely the aspect of the dead that the false doctor was at first deceived. Ho 
 was already rejoicing at a sequel which delivered him from the obligation to 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 157 
 
 exercise his usurped profession, and which served his projects so well, 
 when the young lady threw herself down by her aunt’s knees, and took her 
 hands with feverish ardour ; at the burning touch the sufferer started and 
 heaved a long sigh. 
 
 “Heaven be praised, she comes to,” murmured Ren6e. 
 
 J. B. Frapillon saw that only too well, but he knew how to change his 
 mode upon this reversal of his hopes, and, putting a good face on the matter, 
 he boldly felt his first patient’s pulse. 
 
 “ Very low — some intermittence,” he mumbled, imitating as best he could 
 the manner of the faculty. 
 
 The sound of a strange voice finished the awakening of Madame de Muire 
 from her long swoon. She opened her eyes and stared in stupefaction at 
 the singular doctor who held her wrist. It was not because the business 
 agent had not the mien of the position, for his spectacles, white neck-cloth, 
 and serious and discreet face, would not have been unseemly on any physi- 
 cian. But great crises sometimes give nervous temperaments the gift of 
 second sight, and the patient had, no doubt, read the true nature of 
 Frapillon through the benignant mask of his honest and regular features, 
 for she drew back her hand with a deeply marked movement of repulsion. 
 
 “ Do you find yourself better, dear madame ? ” inquired the cashier, with 
 the coaxing accent he knew so well to affect in cases where insinuation was 
 his trump card. 
 
 “It’s a -doctor, my dear aunt,” “Ren6e hastened, to say, “who has been 
 good enough to come out of his way to give us help.” 
 
 The intelligent girl had divined the impression felt by her second mother 
 at sight of the pretended well-doer, and she sought to reassure her. But 
 feelings are contagious, and she could not prevent a suspicion on her own 
 part, even whilst presenting the impostor under the title he had bestowed 
 upon himself. 
 
 “ Thank you, my dear,” Madame de Muire articulated painfully, “ I feel 
 better, and I hope it will amount to nothing.” 
 
 “ Do not fatigue yourself, madame,” said Frapillon, seating himself with 
 the easiness of a medical celebrity favouring a poor patient with a call; 
 “ the least exertion will be injurious to you, and your niece can inform me 
 perfectly, without any need for you to speak.” 
 
 “Sir,” began Ren4e, with an alacrity which had a double motive; “I 
 was here beside my aunt when I saw her suddenly turn pale and sink down 
 in that chair. I sprang up, ran to her, her hands were icy cold, her eyes fixed 
 — I called her without obtaining an answer, then I lost my self-control and — ” 
 
 “ Ran out in search of a physician whom chance — may I venture to say 
 Providence — presented to you in my person,” modestly interrupted the 
 business-agent. 
 
 “I thank you once again, sir ; but I entreat you to end my disquietude 
 and tell me — ” 
 
 “ What I think of the lady’s condition ? ” returned J. B. Frapillon ; “I 
 find it is as encouraging as possible. We have a simple syncope to deal 
 with, and I have every reason to hope that, with care and rest, we shall not 
 even have to have recourse to bleeding.” 
 
 The cashier of the “ Serpenteau ” had excellent grounds for thus speak- 
 ing, for however thoroughly he possessed the art of bleeding pocket-books, 
 he was absolutely ignorant of the management of the lancet, and he would 
 not have bad the impudence to carry out his part to the operation, even 
 had he had the necessary instrument. 
 
158 
 
 THB RED BAND. 
 
 M Nevertheless,” he went on with marvellous coolness, “ before I write 
 out a prescription, 1 ought to know under what circumstances this nervous 
 attack arose. ” 
 
 Rente raised her head and eyed him with restless attention. 
 
 44 There was nothing, sir — I saw nothing which could cause — ” 
 
 “ No sharp emotion, no violent sorrow — ” 
 
 “ No,” answered she, with some hesitation. “Nothing immediate, at 
 all events,” she added, lowering her voice. 
 
 “ I put this question to you, mademoiselle,” proceeded the suave J. B. 
 Frapillon, “ because as the mental state usually plays the greatest part in 
 such crises, may be the cause will have to be looked for elsewhere, and I am 
 obliged to ask you to excuse me again if I inquire — ” 
 
 “ What, what, sir ? ” interrogated Rente, seeing the speaker stop. 
 
 “ Inquire in what hygienic condition was our dear patient ? Has she 
 undergone — how shall I express myself ? — well, physical privations ? ” 
 
 Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier turned as red as a cherry, and her agita- 
 tion increased when she noticed that the subject of the inquiry was suddenly 
 overcome with a spasm. 
 
 “ Mademoiselle,” continued J. B. Frapillon, seeing she remained silent, 
 “ I entreat you to believe that I have not the slightest intention of offend- 
 ing you, nor even of intruding upon matters which do not concern the 
 physician of the body ; but here, the case requires imperatively that I should 
 be informed, and — ” » 
 
 “ My aunt has taken nothing to eat since yesterday/' replied Rente, 
 with the bluntness in which painful avowals are made. 
 
 “ That suffices to explain her state of weakness, and now I know what 
 treatment we must follow.” 
 
 After this promise of medical relief, the impostor paused. He felt 
 himself more and mbre master of the situation, and wished to make the 
 most of his advantages for his better profit. The young lady cast down 
 her eyes, and Madame de Muire had closed hers anew, as though wishful 
 to remain a stranger to all that went on. The silence became embarrassing. 
 It was broken by J. B. Frapillon, who deemed the moment come for a 
 decisive stroke. 
 
 LIT. 
 
 “ Pray listen to me, my dear child,” said he, without heeding the start 
 given by the proud descendant of the Saint-Seniers at this paternal expres- 
 sion. “ I spoke just now of the competency of the healer for the body ; 
 mine goes, 1 hope, a little farther, and I have enough experience and devo- 
 tion to heal suffering souls. Confide in me, and do not fear to tell me the 
 truth. Do you believe that I did not see how things were ? ” he added, 
 with an effusiveness which would have done credit to a leading comedian. 
 “Alas! we live in times when all misfortunes are possible, and, before 
 curing my patients, I have to assist them and protect them against the 
 hardships of this dreadful siege.” 
 
 This tirade was so artfully delivered that U triumphed over Rente’s 
 distrust. 
 
 “ I thank you, sir,” she said, tendering her hand to him, *• I believe yon, 
 and I will tell you all.” . 
 
 Despite all his self-command, J. B. Frapillon had great trouble to dissemble 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 159 
 
 his joy on hearing Ren6e offer her secret. Still, he found the strength to 
 assume on the instant the grave air of an honourable man about to receive 
 a delicate confidence. 
 
 “ Speak, mademoiselle,” he said, in a lofty tone, “ and be sure that you 
 are entrusting your troubles to a friend.” 
 
 In her uplifted orbs he fancied he could read a gleam of doubt. 
 
 “ That is, if I am not a friend yet, I trust soon to become so,” he has- 
 tened to add, on perceiving he had gone ahead too quickly. 
 
 “Sir,” said Renta, rapidly making up her mind, “I am bound, before 
 everything, to tell you the names of the, patients to whom you so generously 
 offer your skill and your advice — ” 
 
 “Pardon me,” interrupted the cashier, who meant not to appear eager, 
 “ but I wish above all to assure myself that our patient has no need of the 
 •kill which you much overrate.” 
 
 This phrase was accompanied by a modest smile, which completely gained 
 over Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier. She thanked him with a look, for his 
 touching solicitude, and turned questioningly towards her still motionless 
 
 aunt. 
 
 “Do not mind me, my child,” said the latter, in a faint voice, “my 
 strength is gradually coming back.” Her eyes added, clearly, “You may 
 speak to the gentleman. ” ' 
 
 The agent thriUed with pride on perceiving this fresh result of his diplo- 
 macy. His honied speech had caught both the poor women, and his 
 machinations henceforward had a free scope. 
 
 “ The healer of souls listens to you, mademoiselle,” he said, with perfect 
 grace. 
 
 “ My aunt, who perchance will owe her life to you, is the Countess de 
 Muire,” began Renta, “ the sister of my father, who was the Baron de 
 Saint-Senier — ” 
 
 “An orphan? ” queried Frapillon, with the most tender interest. 
 
 “ I can remember little of my father, and my mother lost her life in 
 bringing me into the world,” said she, in a voice fraught with feeling. 
 
 “ Poor child ! ” sighed the cashier. 
 
 •* From infancy my aunt has replaced the parents it was my misfor- 
 tune to lose,” resumed Renta. “ She brought me up like her own daughter, 
 and I have never left her.” 
 
 “ Noble hearts ! ” muttered the odious trickster, raising his eyes to 
 
 heaven. 
 
 “ Our family is entirely composed, or was composed of my brother, and 
 a cousin, who also bore our name.” » 
 
 “ Ah ! they too ? ” 
 
 “ The story of our mourning for them is what I am going to tell you,” 
 continued Mademoiselle de Samt-Senier in a firmer tone. 
 
 The hypocrite touched the goal, and he had nothing more to do than 
 listen to learn all that he was interested in knowing, and yet he liked to 
 zefine cunning and meet difficulties. His foresight as a secret agent told 
 him that under social usages one confidence of this degree calls for another, 
 and that sooner or later he would have to proclaim his own name and 
 address. He had a lie already at hand, and he was sharp enough not to 
 hold it hack till asked for. 
 
 “One moment, mademoiselle,” he said, afraid of trying “my dear 
 child ” again ; “ I feel too proud of your confidence not to tell you at once 
 to whom it is addressed. My story is short and simple,” he added, smiling. 
 
160 
 
 THE RED BAN©. 
 
 “I am Pierre Molinchard, residing at number 175 Boulevard Pigalle. I 
 have been practising medicine over ten years in this very poor locality, and 
 I have no other claim on your esteem than having striven to do a little 
 good.” 
 
 This declaration of civil status was uttered with a genialty which would 
 have deceived an old judge, and the sham doctor risked nothing in bestowing 
 on himself the name of a friend of his, a dubious practitioner whom 
 Taupier called his right-hand man. Madame de Muire made an approving 
 nod which signified 
 
 “This is undoubtedly a well-bred man.” 
 
 Ren6e bowed slightly ere resuming her narrative : 
 
 “ In the summer-time we lived on our family estate in Burgundy, and in 
 the winter at a mansion owned by my aunt in the Rue d’Anjou, here in Paris. 
 My brother served in the navy, and rarely came to France. Would to 
 heaven that duty had not called him home this year ! ” 
 
 Her voice broke, and Frapillon believed it advisable to interject : “ Ah, 
 I guess I — he has fallen a victim of this dreadful war ! ” 
 
 “ You mistake, sir,” continued the young lady, bitterly. “ I had not the 
 consolation of learning that my brother died for his country ; no, he was 
 killed in a duel.” 
 
 The business man, though knowing all about the subject, threw up his 
 hands in painful astonishment. 
 
 “ In a duel, or rather — ” 
 
 Ren6e did not finish, the terrible word which Frapillon expected would 
 not come to the lips struggling to utter them. 
 
 “ That was a few days before the commencement of the siege,” said the 
 dead Saint-Senier’s sister. “ We were going to quit Maison-Laffite, where 
 we had been spending two months, the last of a calm and happy life, when 
 this grief befell us.” 
 
 “ Dreadful ! ” ejaculated the mock physician, passing his hand over his 
 quite dry eyes. 
 
 * ‘ The very day when my brother was slain the Prussians arrived in the 
 environs of Paris, and we had only time to come here for refuge. ” 
 
 “ Alone ! without means ! without friends ! ” 
 
 “We had a relative,” continued the young lady, with some hesitation, 
 “ my cousin who was at the same time my betrothed — ” 
 
 Her hearer dropped his eyes discreetly, and redoubled his attention. 
 
 “ At the close of winter my aunt had disposed of her mansion in the Rue 
 d’Anjou ; our grief would have been out of place in a house in the lively 
 quarters of this Paris whence all our class had fled, and we wished above all 
 to lead a retired life. It was decided that we should come to dwell in this 
 pavilion, long the property of our family and which was full of memories 
 befitting our mourning.” 
 
 The business-agent could not repress a start of curiosity ; he expected to 
 learn something new, as the recital was entering on strange grounds. 
 
 “ My father died here,” she pursued in a hollow voice, “amid fatal cir- 
 cumstances which have been incessantly renewed in our family during half- 
 a-century.” 
 
 J. B. Frapillion held his breath in order not to lose a syllable. Ren6e 
 had become very pale, and checked herself as though strength failed her to 
 continue. 
 
 “ But this cannot interest you, sir,” she said at length, “and I must not 
 trespass on yuur patience.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 m 
 
 He began a protest. 
 
 “ My cousin was an officer in our provincial garde-mobile,” continued 
 Ren6e, in a tone that cut all questions short ; “ he camped with his battalion 
 at the gates of Paris, and his frequent visits were our sole consolation. One 
 night, the outpost which he commanded was attacked, and he fell grievously 
 wounded into the enemy’s hands — ” 
 
 “ But he lives — you will see him again, of course!” exclaimed Frapillon, 
 who knew how to put a quiver in his voice. 
 
 “ He is dead,” murmured the girl, forcing down her tears, “he died in 
 hospital at Saint-Germain, cared for by hostile hands, without one devoted 
 to him being there to close his eyes.” 
 
 “ How do you know this ? ” 
 
 This question escaped Taupier’s prudent associate. 
 
 “The news came from the Prussian headquarters ; our name is known 
 in Germany, and those who slew him did us this kindness.” 
 
 “Oh, this is dreadful!” moaned Frapillon, affected, though he would 
 have paid handsomely for this precious intelligence. 
 
 “That is not all,” went on Ren4e, bitterly, “and even then pity was not 
 for us. We had two devoted persons here ; a young girl, who had received 
 my brother’s last breath, and an old servant of our house. ” 
 
 “Well?” 
 
 “ One night, the girl disappeared from this very hpuse, into which some 
 strange ruffians broke, and I have the certainty that she has perished their 
 victim. This morning the faithful friend who still watched over us, went 
 out, and has never returned — ” 
 
 “But you are relating a horrible romance, my dear young lady,” cried 
 the business-agent. 
 
 “It is the mournful truth,” returned Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, in a 
 dying voice. 
 
 A deep silence ensued. Madame de Muire clasped her hands, and large 
 tears flowed dowii her sunken cheeks. Frapillon was savouring his joy — ■ 
 the joy of a tiger who has seized upon his prey and is sharpening his claws 
 to rend it. ” 
 
 “ Poor ladies ! ” he said, slowly. 
 
 “Poor, indeed !” repeated Ren£e, with feverish energy. “But I pro- 
 mised to tell you all, and I shall keep my word.” 
 
 Her voice had become sharp and dry, and her eyes sparkled. 
 
 “ At the time when the siege confined us here, we w'ere going down to 
 Saint-Senier — my aunt had no time to receive her rents from her steward — 
 tw r o single women would not keep large sums of ready-money by them — 
 three months have exhausted our feeble resources, and now — ” 
 
 “Ah, mademoiselle,” interrupted the pretended doctor, “I thank 
 heaven for having placed me in your path. Come, come, young lady, a 
 man may do what a young woman, and an ailing one, cannot even try. It 
 is hardly possible that there’s not one of your relatives at present in town, 
 of whom I may ask — ” 
 
 “ Our poor Landreau tired himself out seeking for somebody who knows 
 us— "-he found no one. ” 
 
 “ But your family had a banker here, an account — ” 
 
 “ My cousin had no fortune, my brother was only here three days 
 when — ” 
 
 “ But no papers of Value, no shares, ^ stocks, bonds ? ” queried the 
 business-agent, wishful to be quite sure of holding his victims. 
 
 Gr 
 
162 
 
 THE RED BATSTD. 
 
 “ Landreau wen* out to change our last bank-note. I handed it him my- 
 self — and he has disappeared.” 
 
 “That’s as well to know,” thought Frapillon, and, raising his head, the 
 infernal rogue sighed in feeling accents. 
 
 “ My dear child, you will not surely now refuse to allow me the happi 
 ness of saving you ? ” 
 
 LV. 
 
 “ Save us ! ” repeated Ren6e, shaking her head doubtingly. 
 
 “ Have you confidence in me ? ” inquired Frapillon, who meant to profit 
 at once by the advantage he had gained. 
 
 • * Why should I not, after all the interest you have shown in us ? ” 
 retorted the young lady rather evasively. 
 
 “Then be good enough to listen. In the first place, it must be fully 
 understood that the want of money should not worry you for another 
 moment. I have the honour to inform you that I am comfortably situated 
 and — ” 
 
 “Pardon me, sir,” said Ren6e whose pride revived at this direct over- 
 ture. “ I thank you for your kind intention, but I beg you not to persist. 
 Whatever our straits,’ we cannot accept charity.” 
 
 “ Who spoke of any such thing, mademoiselle ? ” exclaimed the business 
 man, with a kind of grave bluntness. “ A bearer of a name and fortune 
 like yours can find as much money as she wants.” 
 
 “We have proof at present to the contrary, and so long as there is no 
 communication open with the country — ” 
 
 “ Such obstacles are only trifles, and your Landreau could not have been 
 really sharp. That you may know nobody here, I allow, but your chateau 
 and lands in Burgundy are known.” 
 
 “ How so, sir? ” asked the astonished young lady. 
 
 “ Anyone can see that you do not understand business matters,” returned 
 Frapillon with a smile. “ Learn then, my child, that there is no banker who 
 would not think himself happy to lend you whatever amount you needed till 
 the end of the siege, and even more, on the simple attestation of your 
 
 identity.” 
 
 “ I never thought of that,” remarked Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, 
 after an instant’s reflection, “and besides, who can recommend us to a 
 banker, since our friends are ? ” 
 
 “ But I, mademoiselle, Dr. Molinchard, I possess enough notoriety, 
 tfoank heaven, for my bearing witness to bo deemed sufficient. ” 
 
 Ken4e turned towards Madame de Muire as though to consult her. 
 
 u And I am altogether sure that your aunt sees nothing bemeaning in 
 this,” concluded the wily J. B. Frapillon. 
 
 The ailing woman, who had gradually recovered strength, followed the 
 dialogue with marked attention, but so far had contented herself by 
 approving her niece’s refusal with a look. At this direct interpellation, 
 •he started as if the necessity of her speaking was painful to her. And, 
 indeed, the feeling agitating her at this time placed her in the greatest 
 perturbation. Brought up in a family whose wealth was hereditary during 
 ages and wherein the traditions of the ancient court were perpetuated 
 Betwithstanding revolutions, the countess’s habit was to completely hand 
 Sfer the care of her fortune to & steward. She signed leases when 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 163 
 
 indispensable, and for the rest relied on this man who received the income, 
 laid ott the capital, and managed the property. The peasants on the 
 Saint-Senier estate knew her solely by her benevolence, for she only 
 entered their dwellings to succour the afflicted and never intervened in 
 their affairs but to kindly remit arrears after a bad harvest. It resulted 
 from this manner of living, borrowed from another age and very seldom 
 practised by wealthy landowners in France, that Madame de Muire was as 
 much a novice as her niece so far as regarded her material interests. In 
 her eyes a notary was always a scrivener whose duty was to scribble deeds 
 for men of quality to sign without any need to read them, and bankers were 
 mere tradesmen with whom the nobility should not mingle. She would 
 have freely styled the chief magistrate of her township “ Mr. Bailie,” 
 but the idea would never have come to her of bringing a monetary dispute 
 before a tribunal. 
 
 In all things, the countess was a hundred years behind modern opinions, 
 and it is not surprising that she remained perplexed at a stranger’s offer of 
 assistance. J. B. Frapillon, despite, or because perhaps of his easy 
 manners, inspired her with but scant confidence and not the least 
 sympathy. On the other hand, the prospect of a distress that was becoming 
 poverty alarmed her much more for Ren£e than for herself, and the sham 
 doctor’s proposition opened an unexpected outlet. But whatever her 
 ignorance of business, Madame de Muire was too keen not to understand 
 that the facilities offered by this deliverer dropped from the clouds only 
 existed on condition of engaging the responsibility of this enigmatical 
 character. She also knew too well the way of the world not to be unaware 
 that as a rule none oblige others without some hidden reason, and she felt 
 all the danger in incurring a debt of gratitude at hazard. 
 
 “ Sir,” she said, after a long silence, which J. B. Frapillon attributed to 
 her illness, “ I am in the highest ‘degree grateful for your obliging offer, 
 and I should not hesitate to accept it if I could believe that your simple 
 recommendation to a banker would be sufficient.” 
 
 “A written recommendation of mine, needless to state,” corrected the 
 business agent, who wished to establish his claim on the ladies’ gratitude. 
 
 “That is what I thought,” went on the old lady, gently, “and that is 
 precisely why I cannot receive such a service from a person whom I see 
 this evening for the first time. ” 
 
 “ It would still be a deed of charity,” added the proud young lady. 
 
 The agent bit his lip. His cunfling as a plotter did not go so far as to 
 foresee such delicacy, never met with among his clients of the Rue Cadet, 
 and the refusal upset all his devices. To fetter the tenants of the pavilion 
 by the strongest of all bonds, money, was the plan which the keen Frapillon 
 had settled in his shady financier’s brain. 
 
 “But there’s no kindness about it even, since you pay for the use of it,” 
 he protested, with unfeigned stupefaction. 
 
 The argument had no effect upon tjhe countess, who knew nothing about 
 banking, but who saw very clearly into matters of behaviour. 
 
 “ Oh, don’t be alarmed, I would not take you to Rothschild,” the mock 
 doctor resumed, almost roughly. “ I have a friend in the business, who 
 lives only a short distance from here. I need only speak a word to him 
 and you will receive your money in a couple of hours.” 
 
 Needless to say that the friend in question was no other than J. B. Frapil- 
 lon himself, who intended to draw out of his own cash -box the funds destined 
 to enchain his dupes His desire to control them through their gratitude 
 11 
 
164 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 
 had grown, and since he had found himself in company with the charming 
 heiress of the Saint-Seniers, all sorts of extravagant notions had been through 
 his head. Stories were remembered of the Great Revolution when the rabble 
 saved noble girls and wedded them afterwards. Hence be saw his prey 
 escaping him by an unforeseen refusal with a disappointment akin to anger. 
 
 “Well, I will just step out,” he said, half rising from his seat. “ I will 
 return with a thousand francs to meet your most pressing needs, and wo 
 can arrange matters afterwards by a note which you alone will sign.” 
 
 This time he reckoned he had hit the mark. 
 
 “ That would be tantamount to accepting the money from you direct, 
 sir, and you ought to understand it is impossible,” said Ren6e with a 
 cold dignity cutting all persistence short. 
 
 J. B. Frapillon wished to the devil all these scruples of the rustic dames 
 so foolish as to prefer poverty to anybody a money, and he began to despair 
 of bringing them round. 
 
 “ But, my dear young lady, what will become of you?” he asked with 
 the contrite air of one pitying an inevitable misfortune, “what will become 
 of Madame la Comtesse, habituated as you are to comfort and luxury ? ” 
 
 “ I shall work,” said the younger noblewoman calmly. 
 
 “You work ! poor child ! you do not know that even in ordinary time® 
 no woman can earn a livelihood in Paris, and that, since the siege, it is a 
 hundred times more difficult ? ” 
 
 “ There is help — food is distributed — I am not ashamed of my poverty — 
 I will go myself and claim — ” 
 
 “You will obtain nothing, having neither relatives nor legal abode in 
 this quarter. As a case in point, I wager you have not even your card to 
 enable you to buy bread.’ 
 
 J. B. Frapillon bet on a sure thing and struck home. 
 
 “Thai/ is true,” said R,en£e, sadly drooping her head. 
 
 “ At last,” thought the [Perfidious agent who had an idea. 
 
 Madame de Mu ire had become very pale, and it looked as if she would 
 go off into a swoon again. 
 
 “ Listen to me, mademoiselle,” said the business man with a seriousness 
 tempered with benevolence, “ I understand your refusal and I honour it, 
 but you cannot mean to carry it to cruelty, which it would be to leave 
 your aunt exposed to privations in her present state. I declare to you 
 plainly that my duty as a physician, obliges me to order her removal to a 
 hospital.” 0 
 
 His hearer could not conceal the nervous shock given her. 
 
 “ Fear nothing,” proceeded Frapillon; “1 have another matter to pro- 
 pose to you and I rely upon your good sense and good heart not to reiuss 
 it.” 
 
 Reu£e looked at him with uneasy attention. 
 
 “ Besides my ordinary business,” went on the pretended Esculapius, “I 
 keep* a private hospital where I receive patients as boarders and lodgers. 
 Oh, do not alarm yourself ! this is not gratuitous — charges are made, and 
 rather high ones, too, in order to confine my boarders to the upper classes. 
 You will not have either my money or my name or my recommendation 
 to a friend — be it so ! but I do not see what prevents you entering an 
 establishment where you will have the bill presented on the day of your 
 departure. Hang it all ! you may certainly accept from me the credit 
 you' would receive from an inn at Dieppe or Vichy, if you went to the 
 seaside or a watering -place.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 165 
 
 This time, Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier’s face showed a vivid emotion 
 which Madame de Muire seemed to share. The tempter was awaiting 
 a reply. He had only partly lied, for the private hospital he offered wai 
 one under the management of his alter ego Dr. Molinchard, whose name k^ 
 had taken and whose functions he intended to usurp. 
 
 “ What is that noise ? ” asked Ren6e all of a sudden. 
 
 LVL 
 
 14 ). /* ' l* ' J r ' • * ' ' ' 
 
 Frapillon listened. Repeated blows shook the little door in the wall o? 
 the Rue de Laval, and in the night silence, the hammering had a formidable 
 intensity. One might have believed that the wall was being breached. 
 
 “ Were you expecting anybody ? ” inquired the business-agent, mud? 
 vexed by the unforeseen diversion. 
 
 “ No one,” muttered Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, who seemed greatly 
 frightened. \ 
 
 “ Then it is somebody who has mistaken the number or the practical jok*? 
 of a runaway blackguard.” 
 
 Ren6e shook her head and said sadly, “I do not think that.” 
 
 “ Lately,” added Madame de Muire, “our house has become the object 
 of malevolent curiosity to the neighbours.” 
 
 “ Why so ? ” inquired Frapillon, with a simple air, for he wanted to b* 
 fully informed. 
 
 “ Our seclusion has given grounds for the most absurd suppositions.” 
 
 “ Not a day passed,” proceeded Ren£e, “but our poor Landreau had to 
 answer questions respecting us ; I even fear that his disappearance is COB’ 
 nected with some tumult of this kind.” 
 
 “The noise increases,” observed the sham physician. 
 
 True enough, the bangs, as regular at first as volley firing, became con- 
 founded into a continuous thundering. It was evident that several persons 
 were pounding at once with various instruments, and it appeared impossible 
 that the postern would not give way under the combined efforts of the mob. 
 Frapillon did not well know what course to take. This outbreak which 
 he would have incited the night before, disarranged all his plans now that 
 he had succeeded in penetrating the place. He was not far from believing 
 it the attack of a mob, and the prospect of the general public meddling 
 with his private speculations did not please him. After due consideration, 
 he judged it better to go and meet the storming- party than await the vio- 
 lence of an enraged crowd. 
 
 “Will you allow me, ladies, to go and see what it is ? ” he asked, rising. 
 
 Without giving them time to answer, he went out and strode up the 
 lime-tree avenue. The uproar had not ceased, and he could even dis- 
 tinguish wrangling voices in the street. He had his speech cut and dried, 
 and did not hesitate to open the door. But as soon as he did so, the 
 whole hinged side gave way under a vigorous shove from without, and 
 before the obliging cashier could oppose it, it was wrenched off and a dozen 
 persons rushed through. 
 
 “ What is your will, citizens ? ” challenged J. B. Frapillon, with much 
 
 ©oolness. 
 
 The citizens whom he addressed were intermingled with many citizen esses. 
 And in the foremost ranks pressed forward the trio of amiable ladies who 
 had enlivened the “Dead Rat” so agreeably. M’ame Irma seemed to have 
 
166 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 takec the command of the troop, for she had been first to enter with the 
 bearing of a drum-major, and it was she who was spokeswoman. 
 
 “We want to go over this house,” she said, with an authoritative accent 
 which an Inquisitor-General would not have disowned. 
 
 “ And by what right do you force your way into a private dwelling ? ” 
 demanded the diplomatist of the Rue Cadet, who never feared to invoke 
 the law when it suited his interest. 
 
 “ In the name of the people,” majestically responded the matron. 
 
 “ Ay, ay,” shouted all the war party. 
 
 “ Still you must make known who or what you are searching for,” went 
 on Frapillon, albeit quite certain on this head. 
 
 “ Signals are made from this roof every night,” rejoined a young fellow, 
 who was rather over-excited from having made too long a stay at a wine- 
 shop ere joining the little army. 
 
 “There are two aristocrats of women in here who are Prussian spies,” 
 added the terrible Phtfmie. 
 
 During this colloquy, Frapillon, who had only started it to gain time, 
 studied the motley gathering 1 and sought for a fulcrum. At the outset he 
 had beheld with lively pleasure that no representative of authority directed 
 the enterprise, as he might have feared after the threats of accusation from 
 the customers of the “ Dead Rat.” Probably there had been no time for 
 M’ame Irma to have been after the police-inspector, and she had believed it 
 her duty to improyise this amateur manifestation. Whetted in appetite by 
 their arrest of the luckless Pilevert, the mob had needed no exhortations 
 to pass on to other amusements, so that the lady had no trouble in drum- 
 ming up recruits. They were not extremely numerous, for the advanced hour 
 had discouraged many of the amateur house-to-house visitors who swarmed 
 'during the siege. Three women, half-a-dozen boys, seven or eight working 
 men, and a few belated lower middle-class persons composed the w r hole storm- 
 ing party. It was among the last that Frapillon hoped to find some kindly 
 assistant, and he was scanning his nearest bystander openly, with his very 
 clear-sighted eyes, when he felt his elbow slightly nudged. On turning, 
 he perceived behind him the pasty face of one he had not remarked in the 
 hubbub of the assault. Chance had arranged this beautifully, and the 
 business man was treated as well as he could wish. The individual who had 
 touched him so delicately was no other than the doctor whose personality 
 he had adopted at random, the real Molinchard, whom he had reckoned on 
 using for his ulterior projects. 
 
 This not at all famous member of the faculty was a tall, thin man of 
 forty, adorned with long, flat locks which piteously fell on the collar of a 
 greenish gaberdine, and a wan visage which seemed to have .been squeezed 
 between two doors, so pronounced a hatchet look it had. His mien contained 
 so much of the simpleton that one immediately thought of Thomas Diafoirus, 
 and there was exhaled from him the odour of a polecat. A Dead Sea 
 Fruit of science, though regularly certificated,- Molinchard had followed 
 from youth upwards the rather sterile paths of demagogy and, as he was not 
 strong enough to cleave his way alone — hatchet-head to the contrary — her 
 had early fallen into the wake of the skilful and audacious Frapillon. The 
 rueful doctor was one of the numerous pawns whom the Rue Cadet player 
 moved on his diplomatic board. On a word or sign from his leader, Mol- 
 inchard walked like an automaton figure, and the other took good care 
 not to lose so fine an occasion to utilize his blind devotion. The reply to 
 the nudge was a lordly glance, in which the obedient leech clearly read 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 167 
 
 the order to keep quiet and passively approve. Sure now of the concur- 
 rence of his Slave, J. B. Frapillon applied himself with a light heart to the 
 defence of his wards. 
 
 “You are in error, citizeness,” he said politely to the irascible Ph&nie ; 
 “ the persons living here are sound patriots, and the one excellent reason 
 for their not sitting up at night to make signals is, that they are both 
 
 unwell.” 
 
 “Rubbish ! don’t try to ‘take us in,’ ’’cried the virulent Irma, “there’s 
 one who goes scampering about the streets at all hours of day and night.” 
 
 “ She forgot her own ailment in order to find me and bring me to her 
 almost dying aunt, for I have the honour to be a physician,” concluded 
 Frapillon, with a dignity which did not miss its effect. 
 
 The medical profession generally enjoys the privilege of imposing respect 
 upon the masses, civilized or not, and the rioters of all countries submit to, 
 its ascendancy as well as savages. 
 
 “ Well, it will wash, what the gentleman is saying,” grunted the com- 
 passionate Aghe. 
 
 “ All that’s very well, but you’ll have to prove it,” said M’ame Irma, who 
 did not accept pretty words for current cash. 
 
 “Yes, certainly,” added Ph4mie. 
 
 “ Let’s go through the crib ! ” cried a workman. 
 
 “ Citizens,” replied Frapillon, “ I have the utmost respect for the patrio- 
 tic intentions animating you ; but I should fail in all the duties of my pro- 
 fession if I were to allow a noisy visit which might (dll one of my patients.” 
 
 The majority uttered an approving murmur, whereupon the agent, en- 
 couraged by this budding sympathy, continued : 
 
 “ Therefore, I move that three among you shall accompany me to my 
 patients. For instance, this gentleman — ” he indicated his liege man 
 Molinchard — “this lady ’* — he chose the soft-hearted Aglse — “and, more- 
 over, any one who likes to volunteer. If I have told you the truth, I hope 
 you will do me the favour of going away without further noise.” 
 
 “All right ! ” shouted the assaulting party in one voice. 
 
 The two selected representatives stepped out beside the sham doctor, and 
 one of the most determined partisans of the search principle joined himself 
 voluntarily to the pair. 
 
 “ I only ask five minutes, citizens, and I enjoin silence whilst you await* 
 my return. Be calm, for the sake of humanity,” said Frapillon, so 
 well aware that big words never fail to impose on the rabble. They con- 
 formed without remonstrance to the injunction, and the little deputation 
 went on towards the pavilion. Visibly flattered by the preference, Aglae 
 took the lead of the quartette, followed by the volunteer delegate. Molin- 
 chard and Frapillon closed up the rear. 
 
 “ Repeat whatever I say and stand up for me at a pinch,” whispered the 
 latter to his myrmidon. , ’ 
 
 “ Be easy,” replied the other in the same tone, “ I guessed that there 
 were politics under the surface.” 
 
 “ On the service of the Society 1 ” breathed Frapillon, solemnly. 
 
*68 
 
 THE RED BAND* 
 
 LYII. 
 
 On reaching the house door, Frapillon halted the party. 
 
 “Do you not think, lady and gentlemen,” he said, returning M quickly 
 as possible to his courteous language, “ that our too abrupt entrance would 
 
 terrify the ladies ? ” 
 
 In regard to concessions, it is only the first step it is hard to induce mobs 
 to take, and since the deputation was disconnected from the bulk of the in- 
 vaders, it asked nothing more than to give in readily. 
 
 “ Why, of course, citizen,” said the workman ; “respect for the softer 
 sex, that’s my motto., and the first man who kicks against it will have to 
 deal with me.” 
 
 Molinchard had no wish to do so, regulating his movements by the eye of 
 his chief, who did not spare him visual telegrams. As for the sensitive 
 Agile, her ten ler heart throbbed at the bare idea of seeing again the in- 
 nocent and persecuted heroine who had asked her the way to a baker’s. 
 This pupil of M’ame Irma’s read many novels, and Mademoiselle de Saint- 
 Sen ier appeared to her in poetic garb. 
 
 “ If you will allow me,” went on Frapillon, “I would like to go in alone 
 to my patients, and prepare them before I return to introduce you.” 
 
 “ Go ahead, citizen, go on,” the delegate of the people hastened to say, 
 “ and our little mother here will keep me company.” 
 
 Aglee curtseyed with a gracious smile. 
 
 “ But, now I think of it,” said the cashier, taking the ball on the bound, 
 
 “ perhaps it would be better to break the ladies in gradually to this advent 
 of company. This gentleman may kindly follow me,” he added, denoting 
 
 Molinchard. 
 
 Without waiting for objections, which, however, he was pretty sure not 
 to receive, he proceeded to the parlour. The flat-haired doctor obeyed the 
 hint with mathematical precision, and put his long legs in motion to escort 
 his political master. The door had been left ajar at the end of the passage, 
 and the latter had Ynerely to push it gently to make his entrance, fol- 
 lowed by his timid acolyte. The saddening scene was nowise changed since 
 he had left it. Madame de Muire was still pale and motionless in her easy- . 
 chair. RemSe held one of her hands in both hers, and questioned her with 
 her gaze. During the absence of their pretended befriender, they must 
 have exchanged sorrowful confidences, for traces of recent tears yet ap- 
 peared on their cheeks. There was nothing hostile in the astonishment 
 depicted upon the ladies’ countenances on perceiving the quaint form of 
 Molinchard. Indeed, the poor doctor was not one of those who terrify 
 when they show their faces. Though capable of a multitude of misdeeds, 
 this pitiable personage wore a benignant air, which, at first sight, might 
 easily deceive anybody. He bowed awkwardly, and preserved the modest 
 attitude of a novice whom a more experienced friend was introducing into 
 society. 
 
 “ We were wrong to be affrighted, my dear ladies,” said Frapillon, off- 
 handedly “but still the young lady was not mistaken ; it was a malevolent 
 knocking at the door.” 
 
 “ What have we done to them, in heavens’ name ? ” 
 
 “ Nothing, assuredly ; but the masses never reason and mistrust every- 
 thing not simply understood.” 
 
THE, RED BAND. 
 
 169 
 
 “Pray, explain yourself, sir,” said Madame de Muire, uneasily. 
 
 “ First allow me to present to you the man by means of whom I was able 
 to quiet those mad fellows. ” 
 
 Molinchard assumed a lofty bearing, which he believed perfectly appro- 
 priate to the circumstances. . * 
 
 “ The gebtlemsvi is a friend whom the happiest chance brought along the 
 street at the moment the crowd collected, and, thanks to his intervention, 
 supplementing my owe, I have obtained a respite.” 
 
 “ What ! are those ruffians still there ? ” cried the young lady, alarmed, 
 
 Frapillon nodded assent. 
 
 “ And what do they want ? ” haughtily demanded Ren6e. 
 
 “ Merely to search this house from top to bottom.” 
 
 “Impossible !” said Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, rising in agitation. 
 
 “Calm yourself, my dear child,” soothingly leturned Frapillon^ struck 
 by the effect of this announcement of a domiciliary inspection upon his 
 “ patieut.” 
 
 “ I repeat that is impossible, sir,” said the young lady. “ Private 
 life ought to be respected. Though I am but a woman, I give you my 
 word for it that I shall oppose any such odious violation of the law.” 
 
 “ There must be a secret hidden here,” though c the agent, but all he said 
 aloud was : “ We live in times when the laws are little respected, and under 
 the pretext this rabble invokes, any house may be invaded, though thrice 
 sacred. ” 
 
 “ Praj 7 , what crime are we accused of ? ” disdainfully inquired Rende. 
 
 “ Of — of — I beg your pardon for mentioning such an absurdity — of 
 signalling to the. enemy.” 
 
 “ Signalling ! ” said the young hearer in stupefaction, for she had never 
 had the opportunity of plumbing the depth of Parisian stupidity. 
 
 “Yes, indeed,” returned Frapillon, shrugging his shoulders, “it is 
 asserted that after eight p.m. a light flashes out on the top floor of this 
 pavilion. ” 
 
 The young lady visibly turned pale, and her aunt’s emaciated counte- 
 nance reflected much emotion. These tokens did not escape the cashier’s 
 attentive eye, and he meant to keep playing on the chord which he had set 
 vibrating. 
 
 “ It is furthermore asserted that this light is of a strange colour, green 
 or blue, I don’t know which, and — ” 
 
 “ Oh, this is disgraceful,” ejaculated Ren6e, quite overwhelmed. “These 
 people must be as stupid as ferocious.” 
 
 “ Alas 1 young lady, you have only too well read their nature, and I 
 have seen great evils wrought by popular ignorance upon more frivolous 
 foundations still than this.” 
 
 After this far from encouraging sentence, Frapillon made a pause to 
 enjoy his stroke. In seeking to terrify the two poor ladies he had suc- 
 ceeded beyond his desires, for they seemed in undeniable consternation. 
 This was truly the time to deliver a grand blow to attain his aim ; but 
 before he had uttered a word, Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier stopped, facing 
 him, and declared with extraordinary resolution : 
 
 “ This house where my father died is a holy place, and none shall profane 
 it whilst I live.” 
 
 “ $ood again,” concluded the visitor, mentally ; “ sure enough there is 
 something beneath this, and I have brought the pretty dear round to th® 
 point I intended.” 
 
170 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ No ; they shall not come in ! ” reiterated the girl, pacing the room 
 unsteadily. 
 
 “ You have not let me finish, mademoiselle,*’ resumed he, softly ; “ and I 
 hasten to tell you that for this evening at any rate, I believe the danger 
 can be conjured away in return for a little concession which I will at once 
 make clear — though, still — I cannot guarantee the future. What happens 
 to-day may occur again to-morrow, and so long as you dwell in this house 
 the most simple acts of your daily life may occasion a disaster.” 
 
 “ But what are we to do ? what will become of us ? 
 
 “ Follow my advice.” { 
 
 “ Your advice ? ” 
 
 “ Why, yes, quit this place, not to-morrow, but this very night, and go 
 with your aunt to live in my private asylum, where, I promise you, nobody 
 will come after you.” 
 
 If Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier could have divined the double meaning 
 in this piece of advice, she would have been less eager to answer. But she 
 was under the influence of such an emotion that she had lost all faculty of 
 reflecting. Besides, Madame de Muire appeared struck by the advantages 
 of the proposition, for she approved her niece with a nod and a look when 
 she replied to the pretended doctor : 
 
 “ Very well, be it so. I believe you incapable, sir, of abusing the con- 
 fidences of two women who have not a protector in all the world, and we 
 will follow you on one condition.” 
 
 “ It is accepted beforehand.” 
 
 “ It is that I may come here as often as I like, and do so alone.” 
 
 “ Nothing more simple. My house is in the neighbourhood ; you will 
 take your keys away with you this evening, and pay all the visits here you 
 like. Pray, believe, dear young lady, that I have no intention of merely 
 changing your seclusion,” he added, smiling. 
 
 “ But how are we going to get clear of this mischievous mob?” queried 
 Ren6e, who, Like all impulsive characters, always started off straight when 
 once she came to a resolution. 
 
 “ Allow me to manage that,” said Frapillon. “ Dear friend,” said he, 
 addressing Molinchard, who had been playing dummy so far, “ be obliging 
 enough to introduce here the two persons waiting under the porch.” 
 
 The real doctor obeyed with the passive punctiliousness of an oriental 
 mute. 
 
 “ The delegates whom I am obliged to present to you,” proceeded 
 the business-agent, “do not belong to the upper classes, but I begj of 
 you a little indulgence, and I assure you that the reception will not 
 take long.” 
 
 He had barely finished this oratorical palliative before Molinchard re- 
 appeared, urging before him the deputy in the blouse and the sentimental 
 Aglse. Frapillon, who possessed a knowledge of the human heart and 
 particularly of average natures, had not promised too much in saying 
 the interview would not last long. The representatives of the great un- 
 washed could not have shown themselves more sensitive than they did at 
 the touching sight of the two lone women whose pallid features bore the 
 marks of profound woe. The man stopped on the threshold, twiddling his 
 fingers in his cap, and the youthful Aglse wiped her eyes without any wish 
 to go in at all. 
 
 “You see, my friends, that I have not deceived you, and that these poor 
 ladies are quite harmless,” said Frapillon. “ Let us go and assure your 
 
THE RED BAND. 171 
 
 comrades that the widow and orphan of a soldier fallen for his country are 
 not our enemies. ” 
 
 In taking the head of the quartette, which hastened to beat a retreat, he 
 found an opportunity to whisper to Molinchard. 
 
 “ Get away with the crowd, and come back with a cab in h&lf<an-hour 
 to take me up at the door.” 
 
 LYIII. 
 
 Dr. Molinchard’s private hospital in no way resembled the magnificent 
 establishments of the same character imposingly constructed upon the rising 
 ground of Passy and Auteuil. It was a long building on the slope of the 
 Buttes-Montmartre overlooking the Plaine gaint-Denis, and a series of 
 yards surrounded by whitewashed walls, under control of the democratic 
 physician. It had originally been a factory, and Molinchard had hastened 
 to take it on low terms after the failure of the manufacturer. Having 
 worn out his illusions as to fortune and glory, the practitioner had left the 
 Quartier des Ecoles a year since, where it did not appear to him that a 
 sufficient income was afforded by visits of three francs and consultations at 
 forty sous. Weary of lavishing attentions so scurvily recompensed upon 
 the youth of both sexes haunting the learned district, he made up his mind 
 one day to take a bold new departure. Shaking the dust off his shoes in 
 the smoky den where he dwelt at the top of the Rue Saint- Jacques, he bade 
 adieu, though not without regret, to the drinking resorts of the Boulevard 
 Saint-Mich41, to transport his learning and penates into more productive 
 regions. 
 
 But at the same time, he had turned his views on the practical side of 
 his art. Long, long^ had the green and red placards of his confreres who 
 advertised, murdered his sleep, and what he dreamed of was the traffic 
 in trade-medicines .* In his insomnia, maintained by the abuse of beer and 
 tobacco, he had more than once caught a glimpse of the splendid consulta- 
 tion parlour where he hoped to distribute gratuitous advice — the remedies 
 to be made up in his own dispensary at high prices. He aspired to sit in 
 a handsome mahogany easy-chair in a striped dressing-gown, and in view 
 of such grandeur he had even composed several infallible pomades. But 
 to realise these brilliant hopes, a capital was lacking, and the unfortunate 
 doctor had to abate his pretensions considerably. Upon the hint of his 
 friend Frapillon, whom he revered as a master, he had resigned himself to 
 working a less fruitful vein upon more modest funds. The oracle of the Rue 
 Cadet had declared that a private asylum was a want long felt in the poor 
 northern parts of Paris near the fortifications. The errant seeker of fortune 
 at any price took good care to raise no objections, esppcially when the 
 business-agent offered to supply the preliminary expenses. The latter, 
 who knew very well wffiat he was about in risking this outlay, had been 
 looking up a suitable site, and he installed Molinchard there on a meet 
 footing. 
 
 The new temple of health marvellously capped the series of subsidiary 
 establishments that J. B. Frapillon deemed it indispensable to annex to 
 his lair. The roadside inn kept by Mouchabeuf at Rueil, under his occult 
 patronage, was of solid utility for extra-moral operations, as poor R4gine 
 already had learnt to her cost ; but it was situated much too far for current 
 doings and, besides, there were some necessities which it did not meet. 
 
172 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 To put away a lunatic or a young woman who did not wish her parents to 
 discover her condition — these fell within the speciality of a secret agency ; 
 and yet the confidential inquiry agent had no one to undertake these delicate 
 tasks until he confided them to his lieutenant. Molinchard accepted the post 
 with enthusiasm, and acquitted himself as well as could be wished of hia 
 delicate functions, finding his profit in so doing from every point of view. 
 
 In the first place, J. B. Frapillon generously let him have half the official 
 profits, which ran up to a presentable figure, and, moreover, the doctor 
 cultivated a little notoriety in the popular quarters. The honour of being 
 a deputy for Paris appeared already in prospect, this brilliant future 
 tempted the Poor Man’s Doctor — as he self-styled himself. Since the 
 Revolution that crushed out the Empire, his importance had naturally 
 grown, and the siege had come opportunely to increase his stock of glory and 
 patients. Notwithstanding so much prosperity, the private hospital con- 
 tinued in anything but a luxurious state. The imposition of siege-time 
 rations had reduced the menu to the most economical scale, and the sleeping 
 accommodation and furniture had never sinned on the side of comfort. A 
 great dormitory for the men, and half-a-dozen bed-rooms for the weaker sex, 
 all supplied with iron bedsteads, straw -bottomed chairs, and deal tables, 
 occupied the first floor of a long barracks, pierced with narrow windows 
 carefully grated. The basement comprised the kitchen, not overburdened 
 with pots and pans, the dispensary wherein dried various herbs gathered in 
 the near-at-hand chalky wastes, and the manager’s own apartments. A 
 regimental cantini&re , honourably discharged after long Algerian service, 
 and more versed in pouring drink into herself than physic into patients, 
 attended to the lady boarders. The men were served by a factotum who 
 had been a chemist’s boy, a National Guard drummer and a cook by turns, 
 and he found all these crafts useful in this establishment. 
 
 The three court-yards resembled the exercise-grounds of prisons. 
 Sprinkled with the powdered plaster of Paris abounding around the site, 
 and deprived of any sort of verdure, those Elysian Fields did not even 
 afford the invalids a pleasant view from being shut in by ragged walls roof- 
 eaves high — an arrangement which had much contributed in determining 
 J. B. Frapillon’s choice of his locality as distasteful in itself as fully appro- 
 priate for his designs. Built beneath the deserted height formerly crowned 
 by the famous La Galette Mill, the once popular resort of Sunday pleasure- 
 seekers, it was completely sheltered from prying eyes, and, beyond that, 
 offered t^ie invaluable advantage of having as many doors as one could 
 wish for clandestine use. The ostensible entrance faced the north-west, 
 and was reached by lonely roads leading to the Porte Saiut-Ouen ; but the 
 wall, backed by the muddy hillocks above Montmartre Cemetery, was 
 pierced with two or three low posterns, of which Molinchard always carried 
 about the keys with him. However, the patients never grumbled at the 
 isolation to which the position of the buildings condemned them. The 
 majority had reasons enough to appreciate their incognito, and the ladies in 
 particular, almost to a woman, took great care not to cross the threshold of 
 their rooms, where the ex-cantini&re took them a frugal meal twice a-day. 
 As for the ruder sex, the square yard where they could play at varioui 
 games sufficed for their happiness. 
 
 But the advantages of this model asylum were not limited to this, 
 and the edifice selected by the sharp-witted agent would have been in- 
 complete, had it not included a retreat still better fitted for extraordinary 
 recjuirementa of his mysterious craft. He had foreseen the event of 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 173 
 
 having to lodge and also to keep immured, more important boarders 
 than militia skulks feigning illness to avoid war risks, and over-amorous 
 servants who formed the bulk of the doctor’s patrons. At the end of 
 the large buildings, where vulgar sufferers were boxed up, rose the tiled 
 roof of a small separate house intended of old for the manufacturer’s own 
 dwelling. A lowly structure of one storey and one little suite of rooms, 
 yet complete and fit to receive two persons. There were two sleeping- 
 rooms, a sitting-room, and a dining-room, simply yet tolerably well-fur- 
 nished, and the windows looked out on a little yard, where an attempt had 
 been made to sow grass seeds. This meagre lawn, adorned with straggling 
 rose bushes, somewhat enlivened the view, which was further regaled by 
 the dry branches of clematis scrambling up the back walk This pretence 
 of a garden had a door opening on to the waste land, and inside the 
 lodging another door communicated with the main building. 
 
 It was here, in this secret nook of a mysterious abode, as difficult to find 
 In great Paris as the dungeons of an old castle buried in a forest, that the 
 evilly disposed Frapillon had led Madame de Muire and her niece. Brought 
 hither on a dark night, in a cab Molinchard had procured after the rabble 
 had dispersed, the poor ladies had not even seen the way they came.. 
 They had so utterly lost the sense of reality from the numerous emotions 
 of that fatal evening, that they were not uneasy about the consequences of 
 this abruptly taken step. Besides, there was nothing alarming about the 
 details of their transfer. J. B. Frapillon had superintended it, and, after 
 having presented to his wards the doctor who was charged to represent 
 him in every way, he took leave, promising to call on the morrow. 
 
 After scarcely "touching a supper served by the ex-cantini&re, aunt and 
 niece had gone to rest without strength even to exchange their impressions, 
 they were so exhausted with weariness. Daylight had long come, next 
 day, before Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier awoke no little astonished to see 
 new objects around her. Memory returned promptly, and, respecting her 
 aunt’s repose, she dressed with the intention of going out early to the 
 pavilion. Their evening’s departure had been so hast} 7 , that a run round to 
 the Rue de Laval was indispensable to get a number of necessary articles for 
 their new existence, to say nothing of special reasons for her visit. Ren£e 
 was at first astonished to see nobody about, and she went out into the 
 garden in hopes of meeting some servant. Everywhere she found the most 
 utter solitude, and she gazed with uneasy surprise at the high walls sur- 
 rounding her on every side. She called many times for the woman who 
 had waited on them the night before, and whose name she had happened 
 to remember. The echo of the high walls alone answered her. 
 
 JLIX. 
 
 Renee imagined that her call had not been heard, and that, perhaps, the 
 domestic needs of the establishment kept all the staff in another part. 
 Besides, the hour was early enough to explain the complete loneliness in 
 which the new comers were left. Hence, she resigned herself without too 
 much difficulty to awaiting the doctor’s visit, or the coming of an assistant, 
 and meanwhile strblled about the limited recreation -ground granted to the 
 privileged lodgers in the extra wing. This did not take her long. The 
 walls limited the promenade to a dozen paces either way, as the space 
 affected the form of a perfect square. She was struck by the signs of neglect 
 
174 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 reigning over this patch. The sward seemed never to be watered or mown $ 
 the withered rose-bushes bordering it were split through dry-rot, and the 
 yellow leaves had formed a litter to hide the gravel paths. It was clear 
 that a gardener’s hand had never come this way, and that vegetation soon 
 wilted here. The return of spring could not restore life to these poor 
 forgotten plants, and at least the snowy mantle cast by winter over this 
 mournful play-ground served to veil the misery of nature unadorned. 
 
 Ren^e loved verdure and dowers ; she was interested in all God’s 
 creations, and, from her infancy, passed away from towns, she had learnt to 
 read in the mysterious book held up by field and forest to dwellers about 
 them. The sight of this abandoned garden shocked her ; she suffered by 
 the want of care, as she would have done to see a sick friend slowly dying 
 for lack of affectionate attention. This early disenchantment gave birth 
 to fresh ideas in her. Looking around she found the walls very high, 
 and the window-bars very thick. This building, which she was given to 
 understand was an asylum for the sick, much resembled a prison. Air, 
 sunlight, and room, so dear to convalescents, were scarce in this restricted 
 court, and the parody of culture attempted here, only added a regret the 
 more to the sad impressions its aspect excited. 
 
 Ren6e felt stifled, and fancied her shoulders felt the weight of the 
 plaster-set stones “ slab-dashed ” together according to the graceless rules 
 of suburban architecture. This succession of sheds vulgarly run up by 
 some “ jerry-builder ” to cover boilers or machinery, appeared to her an 
 ugly, gloomy thing, almost menacing. To escape this painful sensation, 
 she hurried back into the room she had quitted. At least there there was 
 some comfort to make her forget outside dreariness for a moment. 
 
 Madame de Muire still slumbered and Ren6e could examine, better than 
 on the previous evening, the little parlour and dining-room forming the 
 principal apartments of their new abode. The furniture was next to new, and 
 the wall-paper fairly fresh. At first blush, the place had the semblance of a 
 respectable home, but on a closer look, one could find very visible marks of 
 the abandonment which was the serpent’s trail distinctive of this displeas- 
 ing hermitage. A thick layer of dust covered the sideboard and armchairs, 
 the window panes had become opaque in default of adequate cleaning, and 
 the ugly bronze gilt clock masked by a fly-specked shade seemed never to 
 have gone. Two logs, possibly remaining from last winter, crossed one 
 another in the hearth ashes like the pirate’s emblem, and it chilled one to 
 see this paltry fireless chimney-place. In the dining-room the dishes of 
 their scanty evening’s meal remained on the table, and the view of these not 
 at all appetising fragments did not contribute a little to augment the 
 repugnance felt by the young lady, in spite of her resignation. That 
 luxury, of which she had never known the want or value, had formed an 
 integral part of her existence without her suspecting it, and this negligence, 
 carried to the extreme of uncleanliness, revolted her dainty nerves. 1 
 
 But more serious misgivings began to assume the upperhand. Ren6e 
 remarked that the only door communicating with the principal building 
 was fastened with an enormous lock with the key on the other side. 
 Thus it was evident that the inmates of the detached house stood in the 
 impossibility of going forth without the director’s permission. They 
 .would have to wait till it pleased his underlings to draw the solid bolt that 
 fastened the door, and Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, with good reason, 
 wondered that patients should thus be left at the whim of a nurse. . 
 Vainly she sought a bell pull or an electric knob till, irritated by her much 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 175 
 
 too prolonged loneliness, she began hammering on the door with a child’s 
 anger. It proved a no more happy appeal than the outcries wasted on the 
 empty air of the yard. She uselessly bruised her delicate knuckles and 
 soon had to give up such uuprofitable efforts. She retraced her steps, 
 making very sad reflections on the imprudence which had conducted her 
 into this strange house, and mechanically directing herself towdrds the 
 garden. At the very moment of her setting foot therein, she could not 
 restrain a start of surprise, for the “ Doctor ” was there, the man at least 
 whom she took for the director of the establishment, we mean, J. B. 
 Frapillon himself. 
 
 Calm, refreshed-looking and smirking, the mock doctor doffed his hat and 
 saluted his patient with all the gracefulness acquired in the exercise of his 
 multiple professions. How had he entered the yard, so surely untenanted 
 a while ago and so loftily walled in on all sides ? This was Mademoiselle 
 de Saint-Senier’s first thought, and in the rapid glance around accompany- 
 ing it, she remarked the trellis vibrating near a very low wicket door in 
 the wall, hitherto unperceived. This skilfully dissembled inlet was the 
 only one the garden enjoyed. Therefore the doctor came, not from the 
 Temple of Health supposedly directed by him, but from without — a fresh 
 peculiarity that struck flense particularly. 
 
 “ Allow me, mademoiselle,” he said in an obsequious tone, belied by the 
 ironical expression of his look, “ allow me to felicitate you on the good 
 colour you have ; I see that repose and the exceptional air we breathe here 
 have already had good effect.” 
 
 A scornful glance rewarded this compliment, of which the stilted form 
 badiy disguised the mocking intent. 
 
 “ I beg you, sr , in the first place, tell me w T hither you have brought me? ” 
 she said curtly. 
 
 Frapillon, finding himself unmasked at the first thrust, only the better 
 feigned astonishment. 
 
 “ Why, dear young lady, you know that as well as I myself : you are in 
 Montmartre, in my private asylum, the Villa des Buttes, where, I venture 
 to say, you will receive all the attentions that comport with your state.” 
 
 Ren6e was about to discuss this expression, of which the ambiguity in- 
 stinctively startled her, but she preferred to go straight to the mark. 
 
 “You are not answering my question, sir,” she observed with cold firm- 
 ness; “ it may be that I have imperfectly expressed myself, but I wished to 
 learn how one enters and leaves this place ? ” 
 
 “ Goodness, gracious ! that’s plain enough ! by the door, of course,” 
 Frapillon impudently rejoined. 
 
 “A truce to pleasantry, sir. Last evening, in my trouble, I accepted a 
 proposal which I should have more closely studied, but now I wish to 
 resume my freedom/’ 
 
 “And who thinks of entrenching upon it?” exclaimed the hypocrite, 
 clasping his hands. 
 
 “You cannot surely expect to persuade me that such walls and bars are 
 the usual ornaments of a private sanatorium ? ” 
 
 “ Why not, dear young lady? Some patients are very qxci table, and for 
 their own sake — ” 
 
 “ What do you mean by that ? ” demanded Mademoiselle de Saint- Senier, 
 with a nervous shiver, for she feared that she understood it only too 
 well. 
 
 “Nothing concerning you, assuredly,” replied Frapillon, unmovedly # 
 
176 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ In short, sir, you cannot deny that we are prisoners here. I have been 
 up this hour and called without anyone coming ; and on looking for a door, 
 the only one I found was carefully locked. You must own that I have 
 grounds for complaint, and for demanding an explanation of you as to these 
 strange surroundings.” 
 
 “ I am sorry, dear young lady, that our only woman-servant should keep 
 you waiting, but we have so many boarders at the present moment, 
 that— ” 
 
 “That is not the question, sir; show me how I am to leave this 
 place ! ” 
 
 “ Why should you want to go out?” queried the mock doctor after a 
 silence. 
 
 “ Do you ask me that? ” cried Ren6e, passionately ; “ have you already 
 forgotten that I consented to go with you on condition that I might go 
 every day to the Rue do Laval ? ” 
 
 “ No, certainly I haven’t, my dear young lady, but that would be very 
 imprudent to-day.” 
 
 “ How so ? ” 
 
 “ What, cannot you conceive that the mob around your door yesterday 
 has stirred up the district ? do you not suppose that the police are on the 
 alert, and are watching all round the house ? ” 
 
 She turned pale, and hung her head. 
 
 “ Upon my word, I should not be surprised if the commissary of police 
 dropped in to have a look round during the day, and I assure you that it is 
 a very lucky thing you are in safety here. But, anyhow, what is there so 
 urgent that you want to run round to the Rue de Laval ? ” 
 
 “Why,” said Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, with some embarrassment, 
 “ you can easily understand that it would be motive enough that I want 
 some linen and clothes — ” 
 
 “ Quite easily — the very thing I came to see you about. I will charge 
 myself willingly with the removal, and you need only hand me over the 
 keys.” 
 
 “ My keys ! to you ? never ! ” exclaimed Ren£e. 
 
 “ I mean to have them,” replied Frapillon, looking her steadily in the 
 face. 
 
 LX. 
 
 In assuming the imperative tone, Frapillon was merely feeling his way, for 
 he had no intention, for the present, at least, to carry matters to the point 
 of extreme violence. His course had two ends. He had begun by securing 
 the ladies of the pavilion in person, but he preferred to profit by their 
 sequestration according to circumstances. Nobody but himself and his 
 underling, Molinchard, knew what event had placed them at his mercy. It 
 was, therefore, free to him, pursuant to whichever way his interest lay, 
 to keep step with Taupier, Valnoir, and the whole brood of the “ Ser- 
 pen teau,” or to operate alone for his own benefit. In the latter case, gentle- 
 ness was indispensable to pacify the captives, whilst, on the contrary, kind 
 attentions were superfluous if the intention was to suppress them, as the 
 humpback’s frightful language worded it. According to his invariable 
 habit, Frapillon sounded the way, whilst ready to modify his tactics at 
 need. It must be acknowledged that his commencement was not happy. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 177 
 
 0 
 
 ‘‘You mean to have my keys ! ” repeated Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier, 
 laying stress on the words to give more effect to her scorn. “ I really 
 was not aware that you had any right to order me. ” 
 
 This was supported by so haughty a glance and so firm a bearing that 
 the pretended physician perceived he was on the wrong path. 
 
 “ You have misinterpreted the sense of my speech, my dear young lady,” 
 resumed he, in a quieter tone. “I am so accustomed to speak to mentally 
 afflicted patients that, without thinking, I oft-times express myself too 
 roughly. But you must not bear me any ill-will for that, and I entreat 
 you to overlook it. ” 
 
 Ren4e did not notice the apology. In fine, she attached but little weight 
 to the shape “ Dr.” Frapillon pleased to give his addresses to his boarders, 
 but two words in the present one had deeply impressed her. The pre- 
 tended director of the sanatorium so well grated and enclosed had alluded 
 to a special treatment, of which the bare announcement made the young 
 lady shudder. The dying year had been so full of accounts of arbitrary 
 arrests under plea of madness that she questioned herself whether she might 
 not have been brought unawares into a mad-house. Already, in the outset 
 of his conversation, the singular medical man had mentioned “ excitable 
 patients,” and these words with twofold significance became disquieting. 
 Wishful to learn at once the state of things, she demanded : 
 
 “What do you mean by the mentally afflicted, sir? Are such under 
 treatment here ? ” 
 
 “ Indeed, we have some ; but we receive all kinds of sufferers,” an- 
 swered Frapillon, tranquilly. 
 
 This avowal opened up dreadful vistas to Ren6e. So here she stood in a 
 mad-house, without knowing exactly where it was situated, and having no 
 means of informing her friends, even supposing she had any in the city, or 
 of interesting extraneous persons in her fate. The scales fell from her eyes, 
 and it seemed to her that an insurmountable barrier started up suddenly 
 between her and the outer world. Then she cursed the rashness which had 
 impelled her to surrender her freedom to a stranger, and fyut little more 
 and her feelings would have appeared on her features. But the very excess 
 of her danger endowed her with the power of self-restraint and, besides, an 
 instant’s reflection made her anticipate slightly less discouraging eventual- 
 ities. Two women, never before seen, would not be thus imprisoned without 
 motive, and Frapillon’s entirely escaped analysis. She knew not a soul 
 interested in committing such an infamous deed, and it was not probable 
 that, in any case, it would be carried with impunity to the extreme. She, 
 therefore, persuaded herself that she only had to deal with an ill-bred 
 fellow, who, perchance, had excellent intentions under coarse manners. 
 So she resolved to reserve her judgment a d gain time. 
 
 “The companionship of such unhappy persons as have not their reason 
 would sadden me and disquiet me in spite of myself,” she said, with much 
 more calmness, “ and I fear particularly that my aunt could not be recon- 
 ciled to it.” 
 
 “ Oh, as to that, fear nothing, my dear young lady ; you shall never see 
 or hear them. Why, you might stay here for ever so long and never 
 suspect their proximity.” 
 
 This suggestion of a possibly long sojourn which Frapillon threw in- 
 cidently into his response, gave a chill to Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier. 
 
 “ I hope,” she said, forcing a smile, “ that I shall not be put to the test* 
 and that we shall not abuse your hospitality beyond a brief time — ” 
 
178 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “Perhaps the siege is only beginning,” observed the financial managei 
 of the “ Serpenteau,” shaking his head like one who knew a great deal 
 more than he cared to utter. 
 
 “ Indeed ! do you think so ? ” interrogated Ren6e, unable to prevent 
 turning pale at the prospect of the incarceration extending so as to tire out 
 her strength. 
 
 “ Paris has provisions enough to hold out six months,” sententiously, re- 
 turned Frapillon who did not know a word about it. 
 
 “ Heaven will give us courage and patience,” resignedly said the young 
 lady. 
 
 “ And I, on my part, promise you will not be wearied here ; perhaps 
 the first look-round is a little dull, but one gets used to it, and, besides, 
 nothing soon will be against you taking your walks abroad — the Buttes are 
 lively enough,” 
 
 “ So, sir, you do not oppose my going out — ” 
 
 “ How now, my dear yonng lady? ” said Frapillon, who had decided to 
 move with suavity, “ you are not in prison, and as soon as the Rue de 
 Laval quiets down again, you can go and pay the pavilion a visit.” 
 
 “I wish it to be as soon as possible,” returned Mademoiselle de Saint- 
 Senier, somewhat reassured. 
 
 “But now I think of it,” he said, suddenly. “I must show you how 
 well fitted up your rooms are, and how to call upon your attendants, in order 
 that the shortcomirig of this morning shall not happen again.” 
 
 Entirely calmed by this apparent frankness, Renee could only nod, and 
 upon Frapillon’s gracious wave of the hand, as he bowed and pointed to 
 the house door, she preceded him in at the entrance. Scarce had she 
 crossed th$ threshold before she was struck by the change executed during 
 her short absence. A good fire blazed under the mantel-shelf where the 
 clock was merrily ticking, and the dust had been carefully swept off the 
 furniture. Beyond the little reception room thus vivified so suddenly, there 
 appeared, through the open dining-room doorway, the table covered with 
 dazzling white linen and china and glass. Rather surprised at the celerity 
 with which this laudable metamorphosis had been performed, and almost 
 ashamed of her recent suspicions, Renee turned round to thank the pre- 
 tended asylum manager for the change, due no doubt, to his intelligent 
 attentions, when she saw nobody ! Frapillon, supposed to be following 
 her at the respectful distance of a few paces, had utterly vanished. 
 
 For the nonce Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier’s amazement became stupe- 
 faction. The mock doctor could not have flitted like a phantom, and it was 
 likely that some sensible motive had made him turn back. Seized with 
 restless curiosity, she returned to the door and looked out on the garden. 
 It was empty. The incident greatly resembled a trick in a pantomime, 
 and Ren6e ran about the narrow square in all directions within the high 
 boundary walls. All was close and insurmountable. At one point only 
 might be an issue : the little low wicket at the foot of the back wall. 
 Having but slightly noticed it once before, the young lady went up to it, and 
 on stooping discovered that at a pinch this trap-door might let a man 
 through. But it was too much like a prodigy for the sham physician, a 
 tolerably stout man, to glide through this gap almost flush with the 
 ground, and Ren£e could not credit it. 
 
 Nevertheless, on scaning the earth more closely, she believed she descried 
 footprints — a man’s, too, which the hardened snow had preserved rather 
 imperfectly, but it was sufficient indication, beyond any doubt, of the path the 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 179 
 
 fugitive had followed. This mode of spiriting himself away was so novel 
 that all Rente’s misgivings flocked back to her. She felt, so to say, that 
 the ground was giving way under her, and that mysteries were closing in 
 upon her from every side. Tottering back into the rooms, she went first 
 into the dining-room with a gleam of hope about meeting the woman who had 
 waited on them overnight. But she soon perceived that the breakfast was 
 like everything else — it had come by itself alone. Bewildered, frightened 
 by such unearthly devices, Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier thought of con- 
 sulting her aunt. Madame de Muire had not yet shown any signs of 
 being up, although her usual waking hour was long since past. Ren6e 
 softly lifted aside the curtains separating the sleeping-room from the 
 parlour and uttered a shriek of terror — the bed was without a tenant, 
 
 LXI. 
 
 Ren6e rushed upon the empty bed and laid her hands on the place where 
 her aunt had reposed — it was cold. She rapidly surveyed the room, 
 Madame de Muire’s clothes were no longer there or anything else of hers. 
 One could have believed that she had never been there at all, had not the 
 bed been tumbled. Confounded by this strange disappearance, the young 
 lady fell into an arm-chair rather than sat in it, and, resting her head on 
 her hands, endeavoured to collect her seething ideas. 
 
 The evening before she had as usual seen her aunt lie down, and had not 
 gone away until after giving her the affectionate kiss which terminated 
 their night’s farewell. Madame de Muire, entirely recovered from her 
 nervous accident, had appeared calm, encouraged and full of confidence. 
 She had spoken but little of the day’s sad occurrences, but the few words 
 she had allowed to escape her expressed her gladness at having taken a 
 salutary step. Before quitting the pavilion, when Renee had hesitated 
 still about trusting herself to the strange doctor, the less suspicious 
 countess had energetically advised the departure. The drive through the 
 steep, lonely streets, the meanness and smallness of the new home, and the 
 unprepossessing countenances of Molinchard and the servant had not elicited 
 one single observation from her. 
 
 “ Come in early to me to-morrow morning, my darling,” she had said to 
 her niece on her retiring, “and do not forget you are going to the 
 pavilion.” 
 
 Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier perfectly recalled the last details of this 
 final interview, and this only the more deeply astounded her. How then 
 «ould she imagine that her relative would take the singular freak of flitting 
 away clandestinely in the small hours ? Besides, where would she go, 
 since this lodging, as well w T alled about and locked up as a gaol, offered no 
 egress ? It was more natural to suppose that she had been taken away 
 during her sleep, though this hypothesis seemed ill-founded on even a little 
 consideration. To begin with, Rente’s sleeping-chamber was only separated 
 from hers by a thin partition and, however profoundly the young lady 
 may have slumbered from her overwhelming fatigue, she could not believe in 
 such an audacious removal having been accomplished without disturbing her. 
 Moreover, one glance was sufficient to make sure that everything remained 
 in order ; neither the bed nor furniture offered the faintest trace of violence. 
 It was clear that this narrow room, where every object remained in the same 
 place as on the night before, could not have been the scene of any struggle. It 
 12 
 
/ 
 
 180 THE RED BAND. 
 
 was therefore compulsory to admit that Madame de Muire’s departure was 
 of her own free will, and yet that was a very unreasonable supposition. 
 How, and at what time, had it been effected ? Ren6e remarked that th© 
 candle placed on the bedside table could not have burned for long as it was so 
 little shortened. Her aunt had therefore gone to sleep almost immediately 
 after her leaving her, and everything betokened that she had not awakened 
 before dawn. Whatever the cause of her disappearance, could it have 
 taken place in that short space of time when the sham doctor held her in 
 conversation at the far end of the garden ? At the most, this was admis- 
 sible, and Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier felt a passing intuition moreover 
 of a studied plot to detain her without and profit by her momentary absence 
 to make away with her relative, 
 
 “Taken away ! but where, where?” muttered the young lady, remem- 
 bering how the suite was laid out. 
 
 The one door of communication with the principal building opened into 
 the dining-room, and the countess could only have passed through that way. 
 Having nothing to learn further in that vacant room, Ren£e rose and slowly 
 traversed the parlour whose rejuvenated aspect reminded her that it had 
 also been entered during her stroll. Fires do not light themselves of their 
 own volition, and fancy clocks, in particular, do not go without being 
 wound up. In sober earnest these attentions so discreetly paid did not 
 betoken on the part of the master and servants of the house any very 
 hostile disposition. At Mademoiselle Saint-Senier’s age, one readily takes 
 alarm, but yet has much ado to believe in minister designs, and clutches at 
 the least gleam of hope. So she tried to persuade herself that her aunt’s 
 absence would be quite naturally accounted for. 
 
 “The other doctor must have came in,” she reasoned, recallftig Molin- 
 chard whom she had hardly noticed, “ and have invited her out to see the 
 rest of the asylum whilst the servant was tidying up our rooms.” 
 
 Without caring to dwell too long on the great unlikelihood of this 
 encouraging conjecture, Ren6e entered the dining-room, where she had 
 observed the table to be laid. To her great surprise the servant had not 
 confined her attention to setting it out, but had placed the meal on it too. 
 A tureen with the cover off displayed a very appetising chicken patty 
 occupying the place of honour in the middle of the spread, completed by a 
 round Dutch cheese and a plate of raisins. A huge bowl of chocolate 
 smoked on a tray piled up with toast. Lastly, two cut glass decanters con- 
 tained, the one, some very clear water, and the other, an inviting red 
 wine. At that period of the siege, it was a most luxurious repast, and few 
 Parisians tasted the like, particularly in the far from opulent region of 
 Montmartre. However indifferent Mademoiselle de Saint-Senier was to 
 such bodily comforts, she could not help seeing still more kindly intentions 
 in these preparations. 
 
 ' “ My aunt is coming back,” she thought, “ and the doctor who is show- 
 
 ing her round will, doubtlessly, explain matters more clearly than the 
 director.” 
 
 Upon this consoling thought, Ren6e set to rearing a superstructure of 
 conjectures, and, whilst awaiting Madame de Muire’s return, sat herself 
 down to brood, leaning her elbow on the table and fixing her eyes on the 
 door which she expected her to open at any moment. Nobody came, and 
 in vain did she listen — no sound troubled the deep stillness of the lonely 
 rooms. Sometimes, though, she fancied she could hear steps beyond th© 
 wall which bounded her liberty, but on listening more attentively, she dis- 
 
THE RED BAND 
 
 181 
 
 covered that she was the dupe 01 illusion. Suddenly, on mechanically 
 dropping her eyes on the breakfast so artfully spread out, she perceived 
 that it was laid for only one person. One napkin on the cloth and one 
 glass beside the plate before her chair, which an unknown hand had placed 
 at the board. This solitary seat said plainly in its own language : 
 
 “ Wait for no one ; you are to eat alone. ” 
 
 Ren£e comprehended this Very speedily, and her vague unrest changed 
 to serious dread. It was next to impossible now to doubt that a plot was 
 woven against her. M adame de Muire, it was clear, decoyed hence by 
 some cunning pretext, had been led to another part of the abode of awe, 
 and shut up far from her kinswoman. The unhappy girl saw herself doomed 
 to an isolation of which she did not guess the aim, but she shuddered at the / 
 contemplation of the consequences. She sprang up erect, her eyes fixed, 
 her cheeks blanched, and ran about at haphazard, as though maddened by 
 terror, all over the rooms which were undeniably a prison. She saw no- 
 thing to confirm or lessen her apprehension, and returned by a kind of 
 instinct to the door which separated her from her second mother whom the 
 scoundrels had taken away. She called her with all her strength, as if she 
 might be heard, till discouraged by the fruitlessness of her attempt, she ran 
 out into the garden. Snow had resumed falling, and the grey- veiled sky 
 threw an uglier shade on the sombre walls that formed the poor captive’s 
 horizon. A silence of the dead deepened the horror of this enclosure, for 
 the noise of the town did not reach this deserted summit of the heights. 
 The rumble of the Prussian batteries hard by passed along the clouds like 
 dull thunder. Here she had the inclination to scream out in the hope of 
 drawing the attention of some passer-by, yet she dared not. An almost 
 superstitious fear checked the sound in her throat and paralysed her move- 
 ments. It seemed to her that the bleak building weighed upon her, as the 
 tombstone does on the wretch buried alive. She felt herself vanquished. 
 
 Slowly, with a tottering step, she returned to seat herself before the 
 parlour fire. The blood rushed to her temples, and a burning thirst 
 parched her lips. She made a last effort to go as far as the table where the 
 meal which did not tempt her much awaited her, and pour herself out a glass 
 of water, which she gulped at a draught. Almost instantly she felt a novel 
 sensation. The water was cold, almost icy, yet it sent a hot shiver through 
 her veins. She had just the strength to reel into the parlour and drop 
 upon a reclining chair. To the fever that had thrilled her succeeded a 
 general torpor. Her heavy head drooped on her shoulder and her eyes 
 closed, do what she could. At the same time, odd fancies bubbled up in 
 her brain. She thought she saw the parlour tapestry wave, and indefinite 
 shapes steal over the carpet. At whiles a sudden creak of the furniture or 
 wainscotting made her over excited nerves tingle, and then again all she 
 was conscious of was the regular, montonous tick of the clock pendulum. 
 Through all this benumbing of the mind one_ terrible idea became clear. 
 She recalled that there existed powerful narcotics and, passing her hand 
 over her glowing forehead, she tried to rise. But she only fell back heavily 
 and all sensation ceased in Renee de Saint-Senier. 
 
 s > 
 
 
The offices of the " Serpenteau ” were in an eminently popular quarter $ 
 occupying the first storey of a black old house in the Rue Montorgueil, a 
 choice of site due to the suggestions of J. B. Frapillon, who combined a 
 house-agency with his other business. He had insisted upon the desir- 
 ability of installing oneself in a central position, and, whilst thinking of 
 the interests of the newspaper, he had found means of realising a fair com- 
 mission for his privy purse. The noisy neighbourhood of the great central 
 Markets was not precisely to Valnoir’s taste, for in- spite of advanced 
 opinions, he passed his life in more stylish Parisian circles. However, the 
 editor had yielded to the observations of his bosom counsellor, and resigned 
 himself to considerable vehicular outlay, which was eventually refunded 
 out of the company’s purse. Moreover, albeit his daily presence during the 
 making up of the paper was indispensable, he did not stay there long. A 
 two hours’ sitting in the afternoon, up to the solemn moment of 
 making up the sheet, amply sufficed for Valnoir to impart a peculiar tone 
 of aggressive violence to the socialist organ he directed. With this 
 laudable object he devoted long hours to a complete revision of the articles, 
 and even the news items, carefully peppering them with insults for 
 the greater delight of his worthy readers. As for his own lucubrations, 
 which constituted the bulk of the journal, he wrote them at home, or at his 
 lady friend’s, on the Place de la Madeleine. Never did he attack society 
 with more fire, than after having pocketed high remuneration - for his 
 literature ; never did he shed so many crocodile’s tears upon the woes of the 
 down-trodden, than when leaving a jovial dinner, presided over by Madame 
 de CharmiCre. His short visits to the Rue Montorgueil offices, were there 
 fore in some sort consecrated to the official work of the radical print. 
 
 It was there he received the communications brought by amiable citizens 
 whom he certainly would not have spoken to in the street, and listened 
 to the touching complaints of delegates whom he would have taken great 
 care not to admit into hj£" dainty rooms in the Rue de Navarin. There 
 also were discussed the financial operations necessitated by the great 
 transactions of a widely circulated daily. Our friend Valnoir, whom this 
 feature of the enterprise particularly interested, did not disdain entering, 
 when he felt like it, into all the minutiae of the sales, or even receiving 
 with his own hands the money daily coining in from subaltern agents. 
 However, he donned his gloves on going out. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 183 
 
 About three o’clock in the afternoon, following the mournful morning 
 when Ren6e de Saint-Senier was sent to sleep so strangely, the staff of the 
 “ Serpen teau ” w r ere gathered together at head-quarters. Feverish activity 
 reigned around and under the carriage entrance of J. B. Frapillon’s selected 
 edifice. In the yard and up and down the staircases there were several 
 porters and printer’s boys scampering about with damp proofs in their inky 
 hands. The peaceable wayfarers who ventured into these commercial 
 regions in quest of undiscoverable potatoes, lingered with some curiosity 
 before so busy a house, but ceased to feel astonished on learning that the 
 bustle was all caused by the manufacture of the famous “Serpenteau,” the 
 organ of Red Democracy. In contrast to this plebeian gathering, a very 
 stylish miniature brougham drawn by a thorough-bred, was stationed a few 
 yards from the entrance, under charge of a driver correctly clad in black. 
 Such a relic of West End luxury was so seldom seen at that date that it 
 attracted attention, and more than one tatterdemalion, reduced to the regu- 
 lation four ounces, ravenously eyed the fat rump of the dark bay. But the 
 coachman, also well filled out, little heeded the hunger sharpened by the 
 view of his horse, but philosophically puffed away at a fine cigar from the 
 elevation of his box and cast rather scornful glances on the plebeians. It 
 was easily guessed that he felt himself upheld by a support capable of im- 
 posing respect upon the famished street strollers. In point of fact, the 
 printer’s imps, who knew all about the turnout, did not fail to explain to 
 the lookers-on that it was the pretty product of the base coppers contributed 
 by the masses to the purchase of the socialist herald. It is always flatter- 
 ing to know that one’s pence have helped to embellish the existence of a 
 friend of the people, and not a soul grumbled, although this equipage 
 really belonged not to Valnoir, the defender of the working man, but to 
 his fair friend Rose de Charmi&re. The editor contented himself with 
 taking cabs, for popularity like nobility has its laws, and, thanks to 
 this prudent and democratic conduct, he could enjoy all luxuries without 
 losing any claim op virtue and austerity. He was aristocratic only by 
 proxy. 
 
 Through the thick of the assemblage encumbering the side walk, a man 
 had glided with that inoffensive jostling which never occasions remon- 
 strance. Distinguished from the common herd, by his snowy neckcloth 
 and gold spectacles, this personage nodded familiarly to the Jehu as he 
 walked past, accepted the salutations of the various workmen grouped 
 under the doorway, and directed his steps to the stairs up to the editorial 
 rooms with the ease of an old frequenter. Frapillon, for he it was thus 
 invading the sanctuary, went up the well-worn stairs on which the carriers’ 
 boots had left a lot of sticky mud, and pushed open the door on the 
 first floor with: a firm hand. Two or three messengers, dawdling away 
 their time in the ante-room, respectfully arose on seeing him appear, and by * 
 their alacrity could be measured the influence enjoyed by the Rue Cadet 
 Mettemich in the house. Without pausing, he went through this outer 
 chamber more particularly devoted to low-class visitors, and opened 
 the spring-flap door defending the first office, with the speed of a man 
 who had no time to lose. Then he found himself in the presence of an 
 old acquaintance. Behind a table covered with black .leather, sat Antoine 
 Pilevert on a cane arm-chair. Our Hercules still bore on his bearded 
 countenance palpable traces of his previous night’s adventures. One pf his 
 eyes disappeared under “ a mouse ” produced by a truly scientific blow. 
 His cheeks, quite black-and-blue gave him a vague likeness to the 
 
184 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 Tatooed S»vage whom he had often exhibited on fair-grounds, and his hair 
 fell in dishevelled locks on his forehead. His attitude and physiognomy 
 alike expressed profound depression. 
 
 At a first glance, he looked like a dying gladiator, but it was also 
 perceptible that he was not going to die sober. A triple row of drained 
 beer glasses protected the baffled, strongest man in the world, and various 
 pipes were spread before him instead of pens, of which this burlesque 
 clerk would not have appreciated the usefulness. The traditional inkstand 
 was replaced by an enormous tobacco jar, and above his head there was a 
 trophy of arms instead of a bookcase. Buttonless foils and fighting 
 swords alternated with horse-pistols, this bellicose display hanging upon the 
 wall there to serve as sign for the fighting editor’s special functions. On 
 beholding Frapillon, the poor showman hung his head dolefully, and 
 uttered inarticulate growls in token of contrition. Although the agent 
 had no mind for fun at that juncture, he could not help bursting out into 
 laughter at sight of such discomfiture. 
 
 “ Well, my fine fellow,” he said, making great offorts not to split his 
 sides, “ how did the night finish ? ” 
 
 “ You ought to know yourself, by the thousand trumpets of Jericho ! ” 
 retorted Pile vert sulkily. 
 
 “ Oh, no, I assure you, my dear sir,” went on Frapillon, playing the 
 innocent. “ I entrusted you to our friend Taupier, and I suppose that he 
 brought you into port.” 
 
 “ Oh, dear, yes, praise your corkscrew man 1 ” cried the mountebank, 
 “ he’s a nice ‘ rangatang,’ he is ! ” 
 
 “Did you find him lacking in the respect due to a dear brother of the quill? ” 
 queried the agent, assuming an air of the most affectionate interest. 
 
 ‘ ‘ He let me fall into the gutter, and he was the cause of my spending 
 the night in the lock-up. I have had my fill of his respect for a brother of 
 the quill.” 
 
 “ Indeed ! Oh, I shall never console myself for having left you so 
 abruptly, my good M. Pile vert. Pray, inform me how you extricated 
 yourself from this perilous pass ? ” 
 
 The reply to this feeler interested Frapillon more than all the rest. It 
 was really important for him to learn how things had gone on after his 
 departure, particularly as concerned the humpback. Amid the complicated 
 snares that he was setting at the same time, this reverer of the laws dreaded 
 nothing so much as the unforeseen. 
 
 “ Ex-tri — cated ! whew !” sneered the Hercules, “ it was not he I have 
 to thank if I am still able to smoke a pipe. If M. Valnoir had not written 
 to get us out — ” 
 
 “ Oh, very nice ! we have to thank friend Yalnoir, eh ? ” 
 
 “Yes, and he had a dreadful amount of trouble to obtain our release. 
 Your humpy had so suspicious a look that the captain on guard wanted to 
 pack us off to prison. ” 
 
 “ In short, I see with pleasure you have come back safe and sound," 
 said Frapillon who had ascertained all he wanted to know. 
 
 “ Safe and sound ! a lot ! with a black eye, eh ? I feel as if I had a fire- 
 man’s helmet on, and my throat’s like wood I ” 
 
 “ It will be nothing, my dear fellow, nothing — but I must be going, for Z 
 think that the other gentlemen are waiting for me.’ 
 
 “They are all there, the whole collection,” said the man of thousand 
 sinews, “ and ’deed they have been asking after you.” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 185 
 
 : 
 
 The cashier was no longer listening, but had assumed a sedate mien 
 to cross the threshold of the reserved lair. He softly turned the brass 
 knob, abova which was to be read the mighty word : ‘‘Editorial,” and 
 stepped into the study where Valnoir was lording it over a good and 
 numerous company. The room invaded by Frapillon was ordinarily set 
 apart for Valnoir, who enjoyed the aristocratic privilege of making it inac- 
 cessible whenever the fancy took him. Common visitors never got beyond 
 the general hall, where a secretary and two or three apprentice thunderbolt- 
 flingers toiled away with long scissors at their daily task, constituting what 
 is technically termed the regular work of the journal. One had to be true 
 blue — perhaps we ought to say true red, remembering the colours of the 
 “ Serpen teau ” — to claim the honour of a private audience with Jove on 
 Olympus. Needless to say that the agent fully enjoyed the grand entry, 
 and that of the back -stairs also. Only he habitually discussed personal 
 questions privately with Valnoir, and his surprise was no trifle to see 
 that his friend was surrounded by a little bodyguard. On the right and 
 the left of his armchair sat, as principal supporters, Taupier and Madame 
 de Charmi&re. Behind them hovered that lanky being Alcindor, who could 
 not keep still, it seemed. All this had a forbidding aspect which struck 
 Frapillon at the. start, for he was little accustomed to find such company. 
 
 Requested in the morning by a note from Valnoir to come round at three 
 o’clock, warned later on by the doorwarder that the areopagus of the “ Ser- 
 penteau ” was all there, the business man expected to be greeted with quips 
 and cranks, and smothered laughter, according to the rites and customs of 
 the place. But one glance w r as enough to show him that the wind was not / 
 blowing from a joyous quarter, and without knowing what it was all about, 
 he instantly conjured up a suitable countenance. Ke began by distributing 
 the obligatory grasp of the hand to the three men, then he gallantly kissed 
 the tips of the lovely Rose's fingers, captured a vacant chair and sat upon it 
 in a free and easy fashion, astride, with his elbows on the back before him. 
 
 “ Well, old friend,” he queried of Valnoir, “ how have we got on since 
 last week ? ” 
 
 “We have gone up three thousand five hundred,” answered the editor, 
 rather frigidly. 
 
 “Bravo ! that comes from dressing up the articles tastily. Your late 
 castigation of the regular army was worth its weight in gold. Half-a-dozen 
 more such lashings and we shall double our circulation.” 
 
 “ Without counting the romance I started on the day before yesterday,” 
 interposed Taupier, “ ‘ The New Tower of Nesle, or the Messalina of 
 Modem Times. ’ ” 
 
 “ Whew ! that title is worth twenty thousand more subscribers.” 
 
 “And my variety column, wherein I develope my Fusionian Theory, will 
 send the sale up thirty thousand to boot,” gravely appended Alcindor. 
 
 “Thirty and twenty make fifty thousand,” went on Frapillon, with 
 perfect gravity, “which, added to our actual circulation, produces the 
 sum total of one hundred thousand copies.. Let the siege last three 
 months longer, and we shall all be millionaires.” 
 
 Valnoir hastened to turn the conversation on a more practical topic, for 
 he all the better realised the ironical tendency of this speech as he set the 
 right value on the humpback’s and the Merry Andrew’s effusions. 
 
 “ My dear fellow,” he said, trying to assume an easy air, “ I wrote you to 
 some and talk over some matters interesting us quite as much as the 
 4 Serpenteau ’e ’ circulation.” * 
 
186 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 “ So ? I think I can guess. You mean our little bother about the Salat- 
 
 Senier people.” 
 
 “ That and others.” 
 
 44 Very well. / Let us take affairs in order,” said Frapillon, without any 
 emotion. 44 To begin with, I suppose you want to know how we stand as 
 regards the ladies in the cottage ? ” 
 
 Valnoir nodded. 
 
 “ Why did not friend Taupier give you the latest news ? ” 
 
 “I?” squeaked the deformed man, “I know nothing as you gave me 
 the go-by last night.” 
 
 44 Then, I am not in a position to inform you any further. My know- 
 ledge ceases, like our dear associate’s, at the arrest of the servant, whom, 
 thanks to my help, he succeeded in incarcerating. That’s a nuisance we 
 shall be rid of for ever so long.” 
 
 44 Good ! How about the young lady whom you were following when you 
 shook me off? ” demanded' the humpback. 
 
 44 I lost sight of her, and it was impossible to find her again,” answered 
 Frapillon, with uncommon impudence. 
 
 Rose, Valnoir, and Taupier exchanged meaning looks which were duly 
 noticed by the sagacious business man. They evidently suspected him of 
 acting on his own account, and the humpback had doubtlessly been male- 
 volently insinuating things against him, which was an additional reason 
 for him to deny everything. 
 
 44 How clever I was to get through the affair so smartly,” he thought to 
 himself. 
 
 44 I do not see,” he remarked out aloud, u why you are worrying your- 
 selves. The hardest part of the task is done, since all the men are got rid 
 of, and it seems to me you haven’t much to fear from a couple of lone 
 women.” 
 
 44 Better have a care,” rejoined Madame de Charmtere, “ women are often 
 more to be feared than men are.” 
 
 44 I believe you are right,” said Frapillon, with an equivocal smile. 
 
 44 Anyhow, that is not what interests us most to-day,” broke in Valnoir. 
 
 44 What else, eh ? ” 
 
 44 My dear fellow, I have to speak of our association, in the name of my- 
 self and our friends. ” 
 
 4 4 Of the 4 Pipe-lighters at the Moon ? * ” 
 
 44 Just so.” 
 
 44 Very well ; and what am I to tell you regarding them?” queried the 
 business-man, with imperturbable calm. 
 
 There followed an instant’s silence, as though to mark the chief editor*! 
 hesitation. 
 
 44 This is the matter, my dear friend, ’’said Valnoir at length, emboldened 
 by a glance from his lady-love. 44 During the three months that our society 
 has existed, the adhesions have been numerous, and they have gone on 
 increasing. The result is that, however infirdtessimal may be the amount 
 of the weekly contribution paid by the old and new members, we have none 
 the less received sums — ” 
 
 44 Quite so,” interrupted Frapillon, icily. 
 
 44 Of which we only know the figure approximately,” went on Valnoir, 
 rebuffed a little by this coolness 44 You alone received them as treasurer 
 of the society, you alone ar6 answerable for them, and you have always 
 handled them. ” 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 187 
 
 “ That is perfectly exact. What inference do you draw ? ” 
 
 “ Oh, I know — we all know for that matter — -that it is the very essence 
 of our society to operate secretly, and that you do not have to show 
 receipts and petty cash memoranda like an ordinary cashier, still — ” 
 
 “ Go on,” said Frapillon, settling his spectacles down on his nose. 
 
 “Well, we believe it is possible, and it is desirable, to have our respon- 
 sibility disengaged in the matter. To keep books, to produce warrants 
 and receipts — ” 
 
 “ You mean to say you want me to show my accounts ? ” 
 
 “ I have no need to tell you that your probity is not in doubt, and that 
 our trust in you remains intact,” Yalnoir hastened to add. 
 
 “It appears so, indeed,” said the agent, without showing any of his 
 
 real feelings. 
 
 “ Besides, it is not we who desire this light on the subject.” 
 
 “Oh, indeed ! ” ejaculated Frapillon, but not with an air of belief. 
 
 “ No ; half-a-dozen letters have clamoured for it, and to furnish an ex- 
 planation, I am obliged to ask it of you.” 
 
 “ Who are these inquisitive people, pray ? ” 
 
 “ Shareholders ; and I must not withhold from you that the question will 
 be put by the chairman at the next meeting.” 
 
 “ And you warn me so that I may be ready ? How very kind on your 
 part.” 
 
 “ Only quite natural, and I hope you are not bearing me any ill will for 
 that.” 
 
 “ I ? On the contrary ! I even thank you for offering me an opportunity 
 which I have been seeking some time.” . 
 
 “ An opportunity ? come, come, my dear fellow, do explain yourself more 
 
 clearly.” 
 
 “ Never mind at present. I will follow your advice, and reserve myself 
 for the general meeting.” 
 
 Valnoir’s supporters, the lady most particularly, appeared to follow this 
 dialogue with sharp interest, and it was not difficult to divine that the little 
 attack had been arranged beforehand. Doubting that no longer, Frapillon 
 wondered whence came the beam thrown so savagely across his track. He 
 knew Yalnoir’s light and reckless views too well to attribute to him the 
 invention of demanding a reckoning up of the affairs of the society ; but 
 he hesitated to which of the pthers to assign it — Taupier or the lovely 
 Rose. Both seemed quite capable of devising the treacherous stab, and 
 he promised himself he would make the guilty one repent it. 
 
 “ May I see the style and writing of your amiable correspondents? ” he 
 inquired with a tolerably indifferent air of Yalnoir. 
 
 “Well, I — why, I — I hardly know what I have done with the letters,” 
 faltered the editor, visibly changing countenance. 
 
 “Good, gobd, I understand it perfectly,” rejoined Frapillon. “Every- 
 thing ought to be kept in the dark as regards the society of ‘ Lighters of 
 Pipes at the Moon * and you fear to compromise our worthy friends and 
 adherents. ” p 
 
 Yalnoir, whose confusion was increasing, tried to find an answer which 
 was slow to come. But a most unfo^^een incident drew him from his plight. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 II. 
 
 Through the door, to the ears of the family gathering, came a hubbub of 
 angry voices resounding in the next room, and threatening to interfere 
 strongly with their deliberations. 
 
 The key of the voices rising higher and higher, was indicative of a heated 
 wrangle. Shouting, not speaking, was going on, and it was impossible to 
 make any mistake as to the cause of it. Master Pilevert was the only 
 member of the staff capable of keeping up a colloquy in such a tone, and, 
 whatever might be Valnoir’s desire to settle the question raised in his 
 study, he could not remain indifferent to his follower’s disputes. The 
 mighty man had been hired by the foresighted Taupier to receive over- 
 excited claimants, and he had so far acquitted himself of his duties to 
 general satisfaction. His surly looks had almost always sufficed to calm 
 the fury of visitors who h id to complain of any of , the writers on the paper, 
 and when they went beyond looks, the professor of pugilism and fencing, 
 offered them a choice of weapons. 
 
 Since he had accepted these functions, he had not met a single person 
 inclined to carry matters to the fighting point, and this circumstance had 
 in no little degree contributed to increase his predisposition to roughness 
 and insolence. 
 
 The editor of the “ Serpenteau ” had even began to consider his re- 
 sponsible publisher too energetic a champion and more than once he had 
 had the idea of trying to quiet him. On the present occasion Pilevert’r 
 wrath seemed particularly untimely, and so he was about to rise, so as to 
 go and see in person what wus wrong, when Madame de Charmi&re, by a 
 glance, reminded him that prudence was the primordial virtue of a poli- 
 tician. So he turned towards Taupier to ask him to undertake the task of 
 appeasing a quarrel of which he already suspected the cause, inasmuch as 
 lately his articles had become so virulent, striking out so fiercely on all 
 sides, that he might well expect some worms to turn. However, Frapillon 
 had all kinds of motives to abridge the audience in which his partners held 
 him on the gridiron as it w T ere, and he eagerly grasped the chance of avoid- 
 ing a most annoying examination. “I’ll go and quiet our bold defender,™ 
 he said making for the door. 
 
 “ Remember that Valnoir is at home to nobody — ” which recommenda- 
 tion was addressed to him by the fair Rose and completed by the rancor- 
 ous Taupier’s rather rude injunction : “ Look sharp, and be back as quick 
 as possible — we haven’t half done with you.” 
 
 “ Oh 1 I only need the time to put a dash of cold water in Master Pile- 
 vert’s wine, and then I shall be at your disposal again, ” responded Frapillon, 
 turning the door-nob. 
 
 He knew very well that his promise to return would in nowise bind him, 
 and that his dubious friends would not come after him into the fighting 
 publisher’s office. He therefore reserved the right to act as best suited hi* 
 welfare, and he almost decided in his mind to walk quietly home after 
 allaying the tempest. He felt a need to collect his thoughts in the silence 
 of his private office before showing his books to the shareholders of the 
 “ Pipes lighted at the Moon,” and, besides, he had other matters to attend 
 to during the day. 
 
 When he had carefully closed behind him the door, which defended the 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 189 
 
 wits of the “ Serpenteau ” against the onslaughts of profane outsiders, Fra- 
 pillon found himself facing a trio whose excitement had attained a climax. 
 The professor of the noble art of self-defence was evidently preparing for 
 a bout, for he had fallen on guard, athletically posed on his stumpy legs, 
 behind his table, which did duty as a breast- work. 
 
 Two adversaries' stood before him, and they looked quite as enraged as 
 he did/ One, quite young, though wearing the uniform of a captain of in- 
 fantry, was fidgetting with the handle of his sword, while with the other 
 hand he twisted his moustaches. He was darting furious glances at 
 Pilevert. His companion, an older man, but quite as much exasperated, 
 was a civilian. He was very pale and had crushed up a newspaper be- 
 tween his convulsively twitching fingers. The scene fully apprised Frapillon 
 as to the cause of the dispute j but he assumed his most innocent air in order 
 to elicit full information before he intervened. “ What is the trouble, 
 gentlemen ? ” he inquired, more particularly addressing the civilian. 
 
 However, it was the military envoy who took it upon himself to reply. 
 “The matter is this,” he said, curtly, “ this varlet here has tried to be in- 
 solent, and I am going to flog him for it.” 
 
 “Just come on, old cabbage-sticker 1 ” growled the strong man, ducking 
 his head and working his hands and arms in the way familiar to profes- 
 sional pugilists. 
 
 “ Gentlemen, gentlemen, pray be calm and explain yourselves, pray do 
 leave off, I entreat you ! ” appealed Frapillon, generously throwing himself 
 between the infuriated adversaries. “ My dear Pilevert,” he proceeded, 
 
 This brief sentence had the immediate effect of calming the irascible 
 Antoine, who far more dreaded the gentle authority of the cashier than the 
 fisticuffs of his civilian or martial adversaries. “ I suppose you think it 
 mere fun to be called a blackguard and a bully,” grumbled the champion, 
 though he assumed a more pacific attitude. 
 
 “I cannot believe,” continued Frapillon, softly, “that the gentlemen 
 have insulted you without a motive, and I am desirous of learning — ” 
 
 “ What has happened, of course ? ” interrupted the elder visitor. “ Well, 
 I will tell you, sir, relying on your putting an end to this disgraceful affair 
 by doing justice to our claims.” 
 
 “I am quite ready, gentlemen, to do so,” replied the agent, in his most 
 courteous tone. 
 
 “ Very well. I suppose you belong to the editorial department of this 
 paper ? ” 
 
 “ I am one of its founders,” evasively answered Frapillon. 
 
 “ In that case, sir, you will not be surprised to hear tfcat the articles, 
 recently published in your ma — , ahem ! journal, have wounded all those 
 who have the honour of belonging to the French army, and it is only natural 
 that an officer should come to demand satisfaction in the name of his 
 comrades.” 
 
 “ Your sensitiveness is certainly worthy of respect, and yet — ” 
 
 “Just allow me to finish, my friend ; a captain in one of the regiments 
 you insult daily, asked me to accompany him here, and I consented, all 
 the more readily as Monsieur Valnoir, your editor, has long been known 
 to me.” 
 
 “Oh ! ” muttered Frapillon, whose attention was roused hy this in- 
 lidental remark. 
 
190 
 
 THE BED BAND. 
 
 11 Hence, it is with Monsieur Valnoir himself that we wish to deal ; and 
 when we were received by this — this fellow who had the impudence to 
 assert that he wrote the abusive articles in question — well, you will under- 
 stand, I think, we lost ; patience.” 
 
 “It would be disgraceful,” remarked the officer, “ to insult gentlemen 
 and then keep out of the way — letting a hired bravo act as one’s representa- 
 tive on the field of honour. ” 
 
 “Gentlemen,” eagerly cried the agent, “I affirm that there is merely 
 some misunderstanding here. My friend Valnoir is a man of honour and 
 would not shrink from fighting a duel — ” 
 
 “ I know that,” observed the civilian in a tone which gave Frapillon food 
 for reflection. Already an instant before, he had wondered whether this, 
 affair was simply the outcome of the spiteful attacks contained in the’ 
 “ Serpenteau ” or whether it had something to do with the Saint-Seniers. 
 This latter point interested him much more than the disputes in which the 
 paper engaged, and it was important that he should know how things 
 really stood. “Gentlemen,” he proceeded, “Monsieur Valnoir is not in 
 just now, but if you will trust me with your cards, I will undertake to 
 deliver them, and explain to Monsieur Valnoir what motive has brought 
 you here.” 
 
 The two strangers exchanged glances and the elder one curtly answered : 
 “That’s needless ! we wanted to see Monsieur Valnoir himself, and I will 
 merely ask you to inform him that we shall call on him here at this time 
 to-morrow.” 
 
 “ And I mean to find him when I come again,” added the officer in such 
 a tone as to make Frapillon understand that he would be held personally re- 
 sponsible for delivering the message. 
 
 “ Be easy, gentlemen, I shall not forget the matter,” stammered the 
 treasurer, feeling greatly put out when he saw the visitors turning their 
 backs on him without more ado. 
 
 They were well into the ante-chamber before the Hercules’ voice drew 
 Frapillon out of the deep reverie into which he had plunged. 
 
 “A pleasant journey ! and I wish we may never see them again ! ” said 
 Pilevert. 
 
 This was the moment, or never, for the Rue Cadet intriguer to decide 
 upon his course as regards the many complicated wires which he pulled at 
 one and the same time. The puzzling point was how to begin. How- 
 ever he did not waver for more than a minute. “ My dear Monsieur 
 Pilevert,” said he, “ what do you say now to a nice dinner, near the Central 
 Markets, at Baratce’s by the way ? There’s capital tipple there ! ” 
 
 “ Faith, it just would suit me,” answered the strong man heartily. 
 “ My throat’s dry as tinder ” 
 
 “Come along' then, and smartly too,” rejoined the financial man, 
 determined not to return to the inquisitorial council over which his friend 
 Valnoir was presiding. 
 
 m. 
 
 On the same cold dark December night when the Mesdames de Saint- 
 Senier removed from their home, a man and a woman were hurrying along a 
 narrow path in the Forest of Saint-Germain. The man was clad like a 
 nawker, with a pack on his back and a staff in his hand. The woma* 
 
•THE RED BAND. 191 
 
 evidently assisted him in his wandering avocations, for she carried her share 
 of the goods in a long bag hanging at her side. 
 
 And, yet, anybody who closely scanned the faces and carriage of this pair 
 of nocturnal wayfarers, might have been seized with doubts as to their real 
 station in life. Despite his burden, his blue blouse, his ample velveteen 
 trousers, and his heavy clouted shoes, the man walked otherwise than a 
 pedlar does. His was the firm, regular step of a soldier, and not the slouch- 
 ing stride of a foot- traveller who has no need to press on to reach his des 
 tination before the opening of some fair on the morrow. His slender straight 
 figure was erect like a soldier’s under the knapsack, and his shoulders, well 
 set back, had not yet been broken in to the stoop inflicted by habit on all 
 those whom avocati6n turns into beasts of burden. His face w r as still less 
 in conformity with the attire and manners of the peddling trade. Upon his 
 thin and weather-beaten features there sat an expression of mingled sharp- 
 ness and steadiness most unusual in a hawker. In fact, except for the com- 
 plete absence of any beard and moustaches, the fellow’s face was that of a 
 soldier — even that of an officer. 
 
 On her side — the woman, although she wore a meap drugget petticoat and 
 coarse shoes, had nothing of the aspect of a country girl. Her comely 
 figure was wrapped up in a striped shawl, such as factory hands fancj r , and 
 her abundant jet tresses were concealed beneath a red handkerchief tied up 
 in a knot behind, much in the style affected by negresses. However, the 
 harmonious outline of her slight figure w r as revealed by her walk, and her 
 eyes were too bright, her complexion too fair, and her profile too pure, not 
 to startle an observant beholder. 
 
 Whatever their true station and calling might have been, the couple sped 
 on without exchanging a w r ord, and queerly enough, it was the woman who 
 seemed serving as a guide to the man. She took the lead, and every now 
 and then, she stopped short to study the ground. Then she continued her 
 route either by keeping to the path, or choosing others which stretched 
 away through the wood. 
 
 At each cross-road, frequently met, the forest of Saint-Germain being 
 one of the best laid out in France, the couple halted for a few seconds, un- 
 til, after a swift glance around, the woman unhesitatingly plunged into one 
 of the numerous tracks, which formed what woodcraftsmen term a maze. 
 The man followed on in silence, after these brief deliberations. A wave of 
 the hand, a nod or a shake of the head before going onwards, that was all. 
 
 To judge by the precautions they took, and above all, by their persistent 
 silence, the pair must have had some great motive for keeping their march 
 secret. In point of fact, the forest was then so little frequented, especially 
 at night-time, that their mere presence at that hour was suspicious. The 
 Prussians, who had occupied Saint-Germain for upwards of three months, 
 were known to be keeping a good guard there, and, in fact, they had not 
 failed to take all their usual precautions. ’ From the outset of their occupa- 
 tion, the splendid trees bordering the main avenues, had fallen under piti- 
 less axes, so as to enable shelter places to be erected, and roads to be 
 barred. During the earlier days of the investment, moreover, the besiegers 
 had not confined themselves to these prudent defensive measures. Frequent 
 patrols scoured the woods in every direction, to say nothing of advanced 
 posts placed with that topographical intelligence of which so many proofs 
 had been given ever since the war began. The free and easy % defensive 
 measures taken by the Paris authorities had promptly reassured the enemy 
 however, and, towards the close of the siege, their watchfulness, though still 
 
192 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 active on the outer lines of the blockade, had somewhat relaxed in the 
 rear. 
 
 Thus, three months earlier, our two wanderers would have stood many 
 chances of falling into an ambush before walking a hundred steps through 
 the woodland, and their journey would have been so roughly checked, that 
 they would probably never have resumed it. However, in these less dan- 
 gerous times the great points for them were simply to proceed' prudently 
 and with a full knowledge of the country round about. These requisite 
 conditions they seemed to fulfil, for the woman appeared to be following a 
 well-known line of route, and the man studied the road on both sides, with 
 infinite care. He must have had a deal of experience in military scouting. 
 
 The weather also was somewhat favourable for a night expedition, for 
 the ground was covered with snow, just hard enough not to be squashy, 
 and soft enough to deaden the sound of footsteps. Moreover, the north 
 wind was rising. 
 
 The Prussian outposts, supposing there were any nearabouts, would be 
 under cover ; even their sentries were hardly likely to be standing still on 
 their beats. The sound of their feet stamping for warmth’s sake, might be 
 heard at a distance, as a warning which an experienced observer would 
 duly put to profit. 
 
 After marching a long while without any incident occurring, the pedlar 
 and his companion finally came upon a part of the forest where the sur- 
 roundings changed in aspect. Flat near the town of Saint-Germain, the 
 ground now became more and more rugged. 
 
 There were none of the rocks and gorges so frequently found at Fontaine- 
 bleau, but the paths rose steeply, and descended abruptly, at times over- 
 looking expanses of valley ; while farther on the road ran through ravines, 
 shut in by overhanging banks, and here one’s pace had to be slackened. The 
 higher branches of the old oaks arched over the track, and intercepted the 
 scanty light from the cloudy sky. Huge stumps with gnarled roots encroach- 
 ing over the narrow way assumed fantastic shapes in the prevailing dimness 
 and threatened at every instant to interfere with further progress. Far from 
 being repelled by these obstacles and difficulties, however, the feminine 
 guide seemed to advance with more assurance, if not at a faster pace. 
 Judging by her bearing, it was probable that the place was familiar to her, 
 for she oft-times paused to examine some colossal tree, or salient stone 
 with attention ; as if she wished to recover fresh starting-points to guide 
 her in her further course. 
 
 The man contented himself with following her and keeping up the pace. 
 After such halts, the woman would turn and nod a little, to denote that 
 she had found the route. The man then conformed to the tacit invitation, 
 thus addressed to him, and all without either breathing a word. Perchance, 
 the man feared that the faintest noise would arouse in the gloom not, as 
 Victor Hugo says in his ballad of the Archers, ‘ ‘ A demon still debauched 
 by Sabbath revelry,” but simply some Prussian soldier fuddled with 
 schnapps or benumbed with the cold. Whatever the true cause of their 
 silence was, never did scouts glide along more silently past hostile camp 
 fires, never did red Indians follow the warpath with great wariness. And 
 the farther they advanced, the more their prudence and attention in- 
 creased. For one moment, even, the leader suddenly suspended her march 
 and remained motionless. At this spot there began a stony ascent deeply 
 ditched in on either hand. It had a peculiar look not to be forgotten by 
 any one who had ever passed that way. 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 1^3 
 
 flo doubt, the guide recognised the slope, which a vehicle could hardly 
 have descended without upsetting, and she may have alluded to some such 
 accident, for she suddenly indulged in animated pantomime* pointing out 
 one of the cavities and bending over one side as if to imitate a falling 
 carriage. The man nodded to indicate that he understood her, but on he 
 went without unlocking his jaws. 
 
 After this halt, the woman hesitated no more, but sprang forward with 
 a speedier and firmer tread. It was plain she believed that the end of her 
 journey was approaching ana she wished to arrive. To her uncertain grop- 
 ings and uneasy moves succeeded a decision in pace and precision of motion, 
 which left no doubt on that score. After ten minutes’ walk, th pair 
 emerged into an open space, in the middle of which there rose up a finger- 
 post ; and, although the darkness did not allow the inscription to be read, 
 the woman pointed it out to her companion, who muttered distinctly : “I 
 expect this is the crossway of the Chene-Capitaine.” 
 
 Whether the woman had not heard his remark or did not care to answer 
 him, she led him on still without saying a word. A hundred steps further 
 off, skirting a broad highway, there expanded a vast clearing with a colossal 
 tree in the centre. The woman then stopped and stretched out her arm. 
 
 So here we are,” remarked the man, in a low, muffled voice. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The open space where the two wayfarers stopped was indeed the same 
 where the Commandant de Saint-Senier had fallen three months previously 
 in an unfair duel. Still this comer of the woods was not unchanged. In 
 the first place, the pile of cut wood no longer existed, the one which had 
 sheltered the witnesses of the fatal encounter. The Prussians guarding the 
 forest had warmed themselves with it and cleared every twig awav in thei: 
 clean way of doing things. * 
 
 The underbrush, too, had been greatly thinned, and large gaps had been 
 cleared by the German axes. Still the field of honour was none the less 
 recognisable on account of the lone tree marking the centre of the space. 
 It was a very aged oak, with a knotted trunk like a short column sustain- 
 ing an enormous chapiter formed of a score of intertwined boughs. The 
 wintry wind had robbed it of its dome of foliage, but the silhouette of its 
 stripped boughs stood out strongly against the dark sky. It was impossible 
 to pass by without remarking this forest giant, and it had only been re- 
 spected probably from want of means to fell it. Indeed, it would in itself 
 have furnished more combustible matter than all the wood piles round- 
 about, and yet still there it stood. 
 
 The woman who had pointed it out to her companion had certainly come 
 here previously and now returned with due motives. What she had been 
 seeking amid the night through difficult roads and the complicated wind- 
 ings of the wood was this clearing of the Chene-Capitaine, and she had dis- 
 covered the approaches with a sagacity that did her recollection honour. 
 On the other hand, the man seemed to have come to the spot for the first 
 time, and yet the exclamation he had uttered indicated that the view of 
 the deserted place aw r akened many a remembrance. This was because 
 neither of the wayfarers followed the calling which their garments seemed 
 to indicate. The packman, as may have been guessed, had w T orn epaulets, 
 and was none other than Roger de Saint-Senier. His companion, of course. 
 
 VOL. I. K. 
 
194 
 
 THE RED BAND. 
 
 \ 
 
 was Engine, and this was the first night of their escape effected amid « 
 
 thousand perils. The accomplishment of duty alone had brought them intc 
 this part of the forest, for the road did not take them a long distance 
 from the Prussians, and they would be threatened with great peril when 
 daylight dawned. The only road to a friendly part was the western one, 
 and they turned their backs to it, making towards the Seme, w T hcre the 
 Germans had installed many outposts* instead of profiting by this long 
 December night to travel across pountry to the woodland which stretches 
 into Lower Normandy. On that side, the enemy’s armies had only seized 
 hold of isolated points, and it was not hard to slip past their reconnoitring 
 parties, whereas by penetrating still further into the forest, they would 
 surely come out at Poissy or Maisons — in other words, near closely-guarded 
 bridges. 
 
 But the two fugitives seemed for the moment busy about anything else 
 than an avoidance of pursuit. Both stood motionless at the edge of the 
 clearing, influenced by a like feeling. Apparently they dreaded walking 
 on the frozen soil where guil less blood had been spilt, a superstitious dread 
 rivetted them to the spot where they had first stopped. It was the very 
 site where the showman and Alcindor had stationed themselves on th« 
 look-out on the morning of the duel. This was easily recognisable by the 
 marks left by the heap of wood on the ground. A few paces on the left 
 was the underwood whence R&gine had rushed forth after the fall of the 
 commandant struck in the chest by Valnoir’s bullet. These topographical 
 particulars now seemed to engross her attention, for ®he looked around her 
 attentively as if calling up the scene. Roger did not stir, but his attitude 
 betrayed his sincere emotion. After an instant’s musing scrutiny, the 
 young woman appeared to have found what she sought, for she touched he* 
 companion’s elbow and beckoned him to follow her. She proceeded toward* 
 the venerable oak, taking care tq slant to the right and stopping at five o* 
 six steps from the trunk. There she looked around her again, trying to find 
 some landmark previously fixed in her mind before crossing the expanse. 
 Then by stamping and pointing to a place on the ground, she explained 
 something which her companion immediately understood. 
 
 He took off his pack, set it down against the tree and began opening it. 
 The girl did the same with her bag and went down on her knees to examine 
 the ground more closely. At first sight, though it was less dark here than 
 in the underwood, it was very difficult to notice any difference in the 
 level ground. The snow had uniformly covered the sward crisped by the 
 frost, and it spread afar like a white carpet. Nevertheless, on looking 
 down with minute attention, and moreover by feeling with one’s hands, 
 there was a slight ridge in a regular line as if some soil had not been 
 accurately replaced after having been dug out. 
 
 There was no reason to doubt but what this was the place where Valnoir 
 and his accomplice Taupier had been digging during the night hours prior to 
 the duel. Here therefore would be unearthed the secret buried at the foot 
 of the tree, and it was clear that the two fugitives had come on no other 
 errand. Thus was explained their dangerous journey through the forest 
 and Engine’s endeavours to find the crossways. 
 
 Out of his pack Roger now drew a small garden hoe, of a size and 
 lightness that admitted of easy carriage, though it was not easy to use it 
 rapidly. Nevertheless, Roger knelt down beside R6gine, and ardently be- 
 gan to work. The first digs sent the snow-crust flying, and by laying the 
 sward which it had covered bare, the accuracy of Engine’s forecast waa 
 
fm RED BAN©, 
 
 confirmed ; the soil had been cut up by a spade, and replaced by the hands 
 of man. This certainly increased Roger’s courage, and he continued bo dig, 
 vigorously. He was robust, though slightly built, and his muscular arms 
 plied the little pick so steadily that the work went on apace, despite the 
 toughness of the earth, hardened by the frost. Still, although the amateur 
 delver had plenty of good will and power, he had no practice. Navvy’s work 
 is not very difficult, and requires no heavy dose of intelligence, but still it 
 needs an apprenticeship for one to accomplish it properly. Thus, not being 
 prepared for the exercise, Roger worked harder than any field labourer, 
 but did less work. His hands, unaccustomed to such toil, were soon 
 blistered, and the work grew more difficult as the depth of the hole in- 
 creased. R4gine helped so far as she could. She scraped out the clods with 
 her delicate hands, grasped the sharp flints at the risk of hurting herself, 
 and then threw them aside with surprising deftness. But, despite their 
 united efforts, after fully half-an-hour, they had not driven their shaft down 
 a foot, and Roger appeared very wearied. The girl, who did not lose sight 
 of him, then motioned him to rest awhile, and the pair sat down beside the 
 shallow pit. Roger stared into space with the look of a careworn man. 
 At times the rustle of the wind stirring the dry leaves, or the snap of a 
 bough, made him start, and he turned quickly to see if anything moved on 
 the edge of the under-brush. But as soon as he realised that the alarm was 
 unfounded, he resumed his pensive immobility. 
 
 After ten minutes’ repose he again set to work, and this time with 
 feverish ardour. The soil flew up under the blows of his miniature mat- 
 tock, so that the hole was visibly enlarged. He had almost reached the 
 depth at which the deposit, whatever it w r as, ought to be embedded, and 
 yet his implement had not encountered any obstacle. R^gine had ceased 
 to aid him manually, as if she feared coming into contact with whatever 
 was buried there. At last, however, a cry involuntarily escaped Roger. 
 His tool had struck against something hard, and a dull, dead sound had 
 followed upon a metallic ring. Hearing this he was about to fall on more 
 fiercely when R^gine laid her hand upon his shoulder. Then he raised his 
 head and looked before him. A light shone through the trees in the thick 
 wood. 
 
 V. 
 
 At this sight the pick fell from Roger’s hands. It was difficult to 
 Imagine a more provoking mishap since it occurred just as the goal was 
 being reached. Whatever was the object concealed in the pit, there it 
 lay barely covered by a sprinkling of earth. A few digs more and it 
 would be unearthed, but it was sovereignly imprudent to proceed. In- 
 deed the light perceived and indicated by the dumb girl became more and 
 more distinct. It disappeared at instants and then reappeared, which 
 proved that it was carried by some men walking in the wood. By its 
 faint gleaming and its lack of elevation above the ground, one could also 
 conjecture without much fear of error that it was a lantern hanging from 
 someone’s hand. 
 
 Roger made these remarks at once and concluded without any hesitation 
 that he was in the presence of a night round. The forest-keepers having 
 long since retired, this could only be a Prussian force and the encounter 
 singularly complicated the situation. 
 
 13 
 
m 
 
 tHE RED BAN&. 
 
 It was terrible to have to leave the place without carrying out the under- 
 taking for which the escaped lieutenant had risked liberty and indeed hia 
 life. However, on the other hand, to linger on the brink of the unfinished 
 excavation would mean exposing himself to recapture and delivering the 
 secret up to the enemy. Although terribly perplexed, Roger realised the 
 imperious necessity of coming to an immediate decision. The leaves were 
 heard rustling ;ind the fallen branches cracking under the heavy methodical 
 tread of the patrol, which was undoubtedly manoeuvring so as to emerge 
 from the thicket into the open space. If Roger’s decision was to retire he 
 must do so before the detachment came in sight. 
 
 The officer turned and questioned the sharer of his perils by a glance ; 
 and he at once saw that she had already made up her mind. With her 
 feet she was pushing back the freshly thrown up soil — a proceeding full of 
 eloquent meaning. 
 
 “ By Jove, she’s right,” thought the lieutenant ; “the hole must be filled 
 up to prevent the Prussians seeing anything if they come near, and we can 
 hide in the brushwood until they have passed on.” 
 
 This was truly Regine’s plan, for after a moment she sprang up and 
 seized hold of her bag while Roger hoisted his pack on his back. Resum- 
 ing her functions as a pilot, the girl then went round the oak and proceeded 
 jn a stooping posture to a plantation of nut trees rising up at the edge of 
 the clearing in the opposite direction to that by which the Germans were 
 approaching. The officer followed her, bending his head and grasping his 
 little mattock which at a pinch might perhaps serve him as a weapon of 
 defence. The faint sound of a conversation in an undertone fell at intervals 
 upon his ears and when he turned, at the moment he reached the friendly 
 shelter of the saplings, he distinctly discerned a troop leaving the wood on 
 the other end of the clearing in which uprose the Chene-Capitaine. 
 
 R4gine’s chosen refuge was precisely the one that had served her as an 
 observatory ®n the day of the duel, and it was very appropriate for such a 
 purpose. v 
 
 At the foot of the wild walnuts, which chance had scattered about this 
 part of the forest, there was a luxuriant and inextricable mass of brambles 
 which hooked on to the lower branches of the trees and drooped down- 
 wards, then again arching over, and only leaving one gap in all the network. 
 A deer path led up to the spot — a thorny way which R4gine daringly trod 
 the first. Once sheltered in this arbour, the pair might believe themselves 
 in safety, and enjoy that most valuable advantage under the circumstances, 
 of seeing without being seen. Roger made a seat of the pack and bag for 
 his companion who must have been in need of repose, and then began looking 
 around with all his eyes. He was not very uneasy, for he opined that the 
 Prussians would cut through the clearing to reach the road, and that he 
 would only lose time, by having to wait till they were gone. 
 
 Meanwhile the round advanced out of cover. As well as could be judged 
 in the darkness, and at that distance, the party was composed of half a 
 dozen men in two ranks. 
 
 The lantern bearer, probably a corporal, marched alone at the head of 
 the band, the gleams of his light falling every now «md then on helmet 
 spikes and gun barrels. According to the usual method, the men moved 
 slowly and halted at every ten paces or so to reconnoitre the ground. 
 
 Roger could distinctly see the corporal hang his lantern behind his back, 
 so that its rays might not daze him, lift his head like a pointer, and look 
 Around him. The lieutenant knew enough about the enemioa Prance, 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 197 
 
 not to be surprised at their caution, still the lantern astonished him, 
 “They would not carry a light to go through the woods, and they must 
 have a post somewhere near at hand,” he thought. 
 
 This supposition was disquieting as it did not let him hope for the speedy 
 departure of the Prussians. Events were about to justify his apprehen- 
 sions. After a final halt half-way from the thicket, the vigilant non-com- 
 missioned officer gave an order in a harsh voice to his men, who at once 
 marched towards the large tree. The two fugitives were now in a state of 
 great emotion. 
 
 The German soldiers had become proverbial for their skill in discovering 
 precious objects imprudently confided to Mother Earth. They knew much 
 better how to find buried treasures, than water wizards know how to find 
 springs, and anybody might conclude that they scented out wine buried 
 under the soil, even as pigs rout out truffles in P^rigord. How could one 
 hope that the excavation near the tree Would escape their greedy eyes ? 
 
 If they dug up the soil at that spot, the secret barely covered over would 
 be revealed to them. Neither Roger nor the tight rope-dancer knew’ what 
 the concealed object was, for although the latter had seen Taupier and 
 Valnoir digging a hole on the morning of the duel, she had no notion as to 
 what they had concealed in it. 
 
 But she must have had powerful motives to seek to penetrate the mystery 
 since she brought Roger de Saint-Senier hither when scarce escaped from 
 the restraint of a two months’ captivity. In the meantime the Prussians 
 had gathered around the tree, at so short a distance that the fugitives 
 missed none of their movements. At the corporal’s commands, the guns 
 were stacked up and the men set to wanning themselves by stamping and 
 flapping their hands across their breasts with evident gratification. Their 
 leader had put down his own gun and lantern and set to lighting a large 
 china pipe. Was this merely a halt or did they mean to bivouac there? 
 Roger, uneasy on the point, was soon relieved of uncertainty. One of the 
 Germans collected the dry leaves and twigs near the old oak, another 
 one struck a match and the rest of the squad dispersed to cut some wood 
 in the thicket whilst the corporal posted a sentinel over the piled guns. 
 Not the least doubt could be cherished any longer. The detachment were 
 settling down here for the rest of the night. 
 
 The spot seemed chosen/ without any malice aforethought, and simply 
 because the big oak supplied a shelter against the wind and a back -log for 
 a fire. The excavation incompletely made and so imperfectly filled up, 
 on Roger’s hurried departure, did not appear at first to have attracted the 
 foe’s attention. But would this happy indifference last? That was far from 
 likely, and Roger did not rely upon it. In this strained condition of affairs, 
 the only reasonable course the officer and the girl could take was to remain 
 close in their covert, until the enemy decided to go away. The worst then 
 that could happen to them would be to pass the night there, for the rounds 
 generally picked up such detached posts at daybreak. Besides, it was 
 highly risky to try flight. The thicket had but one tolerably practicable 
 outlet, that opening on the clearing, and nobody could dream of making off 
 that way. To escape by the other side crawling through the briars was an 
 almost impossible undertaking, above all with a woman and baggage. Be- 
 sides, the Germans had sharp ears and the least sound would infallibly set 
 them on the runaways’ trail. Lastly, if by good luck the concealed object 
 escaped the soldiers’ attention, there was still the chance of finishing the 
 work they had interrupted, after their departure. Accordingly, Roger had 
 
198 
 
 THE RED BA3TC). 
 
 every reason to keep quiet, albeit he did not await the coming day with 
 out lively anxiety. His escape must be known at Saint-Germain, and it 
 was very important for him to profit by the night in gaining a start. 
 
 He was soon drawn from his brown study by the alarming proximity of 
 a Prussian, who was chopping off some branches. He not only heard him, 
 but he smelt the sharp odour of Hamburg tobacco driven through the copse 
 by the wind. Here was a fresh danger, for R6gine was choking with a sup- 
 pressed cough, and, moreover, the soldier might take the fancy to come up 
 to their thicket. Luckily, however, he had completed his faggot, for he 
 went away, singing. Roger observed him direct his steps towards the 
 central oak where his comrades had already piled up the materials for a 
 very fair fire. They blew upon the leaves kindling at the root of the tree, 
 and the corporal’s own attention was absorbed by the interesting proceeding, 
 when all of a sudden a very bright light burst forth not twenty paces from 
 the hiding-place in the wood. 
 
 “ Fire 1 ” muttered Roger in alarm. 
 
 VL 
 
 It was indeed a fire that had broken out in the undergrowth only a short 
 distance from the harbour of refuge. In lighting his pipe, the soldier must 
 have dropped a spark on the litter of dry leaves, and that had sufficed to 
 set it alight, and also cause the dry twigs to catch. Owing to the frost, 
 which had lasted ever since the beginning of November, all damp had been 
 driven out of the wood, which burnt as in midsummer. The flame ran up 
 the stems, and the north wind drove the smoke into the nearest copse. In 
 the already critical position of Roger and his companion, this additional 
 affliction was most dreadful. They, looked wistfully at one another, and 
 had they been able to exchange i loughts, they would really have asked 
 each other if they had not better iiee. But Engine’s infirmity doomed her 
 to silence. 
 
 The danger was not yet a pressing one, though it presented itself double- 
 faced. In the first place, the fire might spread nearer and nearer, and 
 its brightness attract the Prussians* attention. Even now they were laugh- 
 ing noisily and crying out with coarse glee among themselves. To see the 
 French woods on fire was a choice diversion, and it was little likely that they 
 would disturb themselves to put out the conflagration started by their care- 
 lessness. Still it was to be feared that they might decide to come closer to 
 contemplate so agreeable a sight, in which case the hidden pair would run 
 the risk of being discovered. Ifc was true that there was a possible compen- 
 sation in the Germans’ heed being necessarily diverted from the pit at the 
 foot of the oak. Unfortunately the fire had quickly assumed considerable 
 dimensions. The grass and brambles, and then the underwood had become 
 an insufficient prey, and the saplings crackled as they began to burn. 
 It became clear that the fire would not burn itself out for want of food, 
 and as the clump of brush around the two travellers was so near the 
 flaming stuff, it would inevitably be absorbed in course of time. On the 
 other hand the open space was too broad for the central tree to be reached, 
 so that the soldiers had nothing to fear. 
 
 Roger quickly perceived that the shelter would not long be tenable. 
 The heat of the enormouB brazier was already being felt, and the smoke 
 grew unbearable. He motioned Engine to holi herself ready for an 
 
THE RED BAND. 
 
 199 
 
 emergency, and set the example by hanging his pack on his shoulders. 
 She rose without any token of fear, took up her bag and calmly awaited 
 fche moment that would decide her fate. The gleam of the conflagration 
 was cast afar and fully illumined the group of soldiers. They had ceased to 
 busy themselves with their camping preparations, no doubt thinking that 
 their fire cut a mean figure beside the other colossal outbreak. They were 
 tranquilly leaning with their backs against the oak, delighting in the work 
 of destruction which did not affect them, and pointing out one to another 
 the progress of the fiery element. One episode of the disaster particularly 
 caught their attention. In the midst of the burning clump stood an isolated 
 birch tree, whose smooth white trunk burnt like a candle. They watched 
 with curiosity the effects of the flame licking the spluttering bark and gain- 
 ing the upper boughs which were successively transformed inxb dazzling 
 girandols. It resembled a set- piece of fireworks, and roars of mirth uprose 
 as each branch broke away and sent up a jet of sparks. 
 
 It is but fair to add, however, that the corporal did not seem to be so very 
 gay over the unexpected show. Smoking his pipe, he walked around the 
 stacked muskets and stopped from time to time to examine the rather cir- 
 cumscribed boundary of the open space. Perhaps as the leader of the party, 
 he was worried by the responsibility befalling him for having let a forest, 
 of which strategy might have need hereafter, burn with such indifference. 
 Still he appeared undecided whether he ought to remain on the spot or 
 retire in good order in search of reinforcements. 
 
 Roger was observing the progress of the fire from his own side with as 
 much care and interest as the Prussians, but with quite other thoughts. 
 The blazing birch tree would not be slow to fall, and the sheltering thicket 
 was not far enough off to be out of the radius. Here was a fresh, grave 
 danger for the refugees. If the tree fell in their direction, they would 
 almost infallibly be crushed by the weighty incandescent mass. Were 
 they by a miracle even to escape this peril, the contact of the blazing trunk 
 could not fail to spread fire amidst the brushwood. It was a slower death 
 in prospect, but a hundred times more dreadful one. And what added to 
 the horror of the dilemma was that nothing could be done to avert it unless 
 by risking a flight under the enemy’s bullets. The hiding-place was so narsow 
 that they could not creep away far enough to avoid being annihilated 
 by the birch tree which the fire was now devouring at its base. 
 Already it leaned over, and the minutes could almost be reckoned that 
 remained before the catastrophe. It was not for himself that Roger felt 
 any fear. In coming with his battalion to defend Paris, he had already 
 offered the sacrifice of his life and, since the commencement of the siege, 
 he had gone through tests hard enough to teach him to despise death 
 On the very day when he had made up his mind to escape from the Saint- 
 Germain hospital past the hostile sentinels, he knew perfectly well to 
 what he was exposing himself — the risk of being retaken and shot. But 
 he could not face the idea of seeing perish beside him the girl who had so 
 generously devoted herself in order to deliver him. If, by giving up him- 
 Jself , he could have saved the dumb girl, Roger would not have hesitated. 
 But events had so closely interwoven their fates that they were doomed to 
 die together if heaven would not save them both. 
 
 The heroic girl herself showed no sign of alarm. She viewed her com- 
 panion calmly, and there was so muoh firmness in her bearing, that the 
 officer almost reproached himself for trembling for her. At the same time 
 he struck his brow in desperation as if to force oat some idea that might pre- 
 
200 
 
 TtfE RED BAND. 
 
 serve them from the horrible fate now impending. At the very moment 
 when he wa* perhaps going to attempt an almost impossible rush, he heard 
 a whistle blown three times and in irregular fashion, and also a dull sound, 
 of the nature of which a soldier could make no mistake. It was the tramp 
 of a company on the march. Roger understood on the instant w hat was 
 happening. The gleams of the conflagration had become visible afar and 
 had been perceived by the Prussian main-posts in the forest, and a numer- 
 ous detachment was now hastening towards the scene. The whistling was 
 from the prudent corporal, who considered, after ripe reflection, that he 
 ought to reveal his presence in the clearing. The last hope of the fugi- 
 tives died away. The relief company coming up, guided by this appeal, 
 would most undoubtedly join the others already encamped near the great 
 oak, and, once united, all the men would cut down the brush-wood to cir- 
 cumscribe the fire. The hiding-place would therefore be surrounded, un- 
 less, indeed, the soldiers believed it worth while to enter it to lay it low. t 
 In either hypothesis, the unfortunate refugees were lost. Roger grasped 
 the girl’s arm, and pointed towards the clearing, as much as to say : 
 
 ® 4 Will you brave the shots by fleeing that way ? ” 
 
 Her nod let him understand that she was ready. There was not a second ( 
 to lose, and Roger took her hand to spring out with her. A sharp crack- 
 ling suddenly arising behind them made him turn round. The under- 
 growth had caught fire there. A flaming brand sailing on the wind, had 
 suddenly fallen on the dry grass, now aflame, but chance had directed it 
 to where the bushes were few and far between. Roger smothered his cry 
 of joy and restrained his companion. Heaven had sent him the idea he 
 sought. The conflagration itself assumed the task of opening up a fresh road j 
 by sweeping thence the imprisoning brambles, and furnishing a means of 
 escaping from the Prussians. But it would require time for its task, and the 
 tree three-parts consumed might tumble over at any moment. The lives < 
 of two human beings depended on the resistance of a frail tree which had 
 been burning for half-an-hour. Whilst Roger watched the progress of the 
 destruction with unspeakable anxiety, the tramp tramp of the soldiers 
 warned him that the Prussian reinforcements would soon appear. If they 
 came out of the wood by the road passing behind the copse, the retreat 
 would be cut off. At this supreme moment all efforts became useless. A 11 
 they could do was to offer up prayers for the protective bushes to be de- 
 voured before the birch tree tell, and for the new force to appear on 
 the side of the clearing. Thus twenty seconds passed away. Then one 
 heard a frightful cracking, precursor of the downfall, and the birch -tree 
 slowly began to bow. 
 
 vn. 
 
 At this very Instant, the head of the Prussian column abruptly appeared at 
 the edge of the clearing. It consisted of a hundred men led by an officer, 
 and they signalled their arrival with a formidable hurrah. It was already a 
 great piece of luck for the hapless refugees that they were not to be sur- 
 rounded by the foe, but their escape was not yet practicable. At present 
 the tree that threatened to crush them only kept upright by a miracle, while 
 as for the various bushes past which they expected to nee, these burned 
 away slowly, and the space was not cleared enough to furnish a safe pas- 
 sage. Meanwhile the minutes seemed horn's. The tire strangely illuminated 
 
THE RED BAWSX 
 
 201 
 
 the Beene, and bo vividly that things could be distinguished better than in 
 daylight. Roger saw the officer of the detachment, giving orders and 
 waving his hands, and the helmeted soldiers break up into groups with hat- 
 chets in hand. They only awaited the word to fly about in all directions, 
 and commence the felling, which would localize the conflagration. For the 
 first few instants the bustle of preparation occupied their attention, but 
 they could not long miss perceiving the fugitives, who now clearly stood 
 out against the luminous background of the flaring bushes. 
 
 “Are you ready?” asked Roger in an undertone, forgetting in hi* 
 trouble that the girl could not hear. 
 
 Rut his gesture supplemented his speech and she so fully understood him 
 that she made an onward step. 
 
 “ Vorwarts ! ” shouted the Prussian officer, and his soldiers leaped out. 
 
 This was the moment which Roger seized upon. Placing the girl behind 
 him so that he’ should shield her with his body, he dashed with lowered 
 head through the fire. The space to coGgr was not wide but the peril 
 was great. Over burning embers lay the road and blazing branches, bar- 
 ring it, to be pushed aside. To a man looking on, the feat would have 
 appeared impracticable, but excess of danger super-excites courage at the 
 same time as it augments strength, and, in extreme cases, boldness be- 
 comes prudence. Naturally adroit and vigorous, Roger accomplished with 
 singular good fortune the double task of traversing the fiery furnace and 
 preserving his companion. He managed to gain the nearest path with no 
 other accident than a scorching of the left hand, and when he turned round 
 he saw R6gine safe and sound beside him. At the same instant, as he 
 stepped out of the radius of the fire, down fell the birch with a frightful 
 crash, covering with flaming embers the spot they had just quitted. The 
 overthrow of the forest giant was hailed by cheers, the Germans having 
 doubtlessly awaited this event to enter upon action. Roth the danger of 
 the fire and that of capture had been eluded at the same time. But Roger 
 qlearly comprehended that he had not yet finished with the latter if he 
 lingered hereabouts, and that he must get away rapidly at any price. 
 Even to waste a moment in breathing, was to run the risk of losing all the 
 fruit of his happy audacity, foreman was not less to be feared than fire. 
 So he grasped R^gine’s han<r and dragged her into the undergrowth as yet 
 t>n the other side of the path. 
 
 They had not gone a dozen steps before three soldiers suddenly showed 
 themselves on their right. The girl perceived them the first ; she leaped 
 m one side and set to running in the opposite direction with all her 
 strength. Roger executed the same movement with much agility and 
 presence of mind, but it was too late. Sharp as had been the act, the 
 Prussians were so close and the woods were so well lighted up by the 
 , flames that the fugitives were perceived. 
 v “ Halt, halt ! ” shouted the Germans. 
 
 The officer and his companion took care not to obey and the injunction 
 s^nly gave them wings. Then commenced a mad chase in which the soldiers 
 had all the advantage. To begin with, they were three and might separate 
 to block up the road. Again they only carried axes whilst the fugitives 
 were bowed beneath their rather weighty loads. Finally the pursuers 
 arrived fresh and rested from camp and the French couple had been walk- 
 ing many hours. It was hard to suppose that the girl’s little feet encased 
 in wooden shoes would outrun the Teutons so well shod. Nevertheless 
 neither she nor Saint-Senier lost courage. They understood one anot’ ci at 
 
202 
 
 THE BED BAlfD. 
 
 a glance and ran along side by side, turning now and again to we If the 
 pack were recruited by fresh hounds. The whole question lay in that. If 
 the rest of the band joined in the hunt, ail was over with the fugitives ; 
 but in the contrary case, a faint chance of safety remained. In a few 
 minutes, the lieutenant acquired the certainty that the bulk of the 
 com pany were busy in extinguishing the fire and not in pursuing them. 
 As for the trio whom an unfortunate mischance had thrown across their 
 path, they did not have their firearms with them and consequently oouid 
 not stay them with their shots. 
 
 This was encouraging, and Roger, who doubted nothing when it w as a 
 question of bravery, already thought that his pick would be of use if they 
 came to a hand-to-hand struggle. His tool was but a paltry weapon to parry 
 three hatchets, but it had some value if well handled. The first thing 
 was to gain enough start to prevent the noise of a scuffle attracting a 
 reinforcement from the enemy, and to find a spot propitious for renewing at 
 a pinch the celebrated policy (fy^he young Horatius who made the three 
 Curatii bite the dust by tackling them one by one. For the time being, the 
 occasion of employing this historical stratagem did not seem near, for the 
 Prussians ran in a body as on a military manoeuvre. But, although they 
 constantly accelerated their strides and shouted, to cheer themselves on, they 
 did not reduce the fugitives’ advance. However the underwood through 
 which the race went on became less thick, which was a disadvantage. 
 Nimbler and more supple than the hunters, the fugitives could utilise all tne 
 natural stumbling blocks to bother them, but on open ground it would be- 
 come more difficult to elude them. Several times already one or another 
 of the chasers had tripped on a stump or stone, the delays always giving 
 the fugitives a few steps’ gain. Regine did not appear fagged, and her. de- 
 fender, who kept an eye upon her, almost envied her spirit, for he himself 
 felt he would not be able to rattle much longer on at this pace. Suddenly 
 they came upon some young birch trees marking an abrupt finish to the 
 woodland. Beyond extended a much wider tract than that of the Chene- 
 Capitaine and farther on still quite a wide road opened into the forest. In 
 the centre of this plain, betwixt plantation and brush, extended a whitish 
 patch which stood out against the dark heather. 
 
 After a second’s hesitation, the girl darted straight in this direction, 
 touching her companion’s arm to warn him to be on the watch. At this 
 juncture, the Germans were not more than twenty paces behind, and their 
 hoarse cheering could be very plainly heard. On reaching the lighter-hued 
 ground, Roger understood his friend’s design. The whitish patch was 
 simply a crust of ice upon a pool, a double lakelet divided by a narrow 
 neck of firm land. Without slackening her gait, Regine motioned to her 
 companion to keep up this causeway, still invisible to their followers. 
 The causeway was crossed in a trice, and less than a minute after, the 
 Frenchman felt unspeakable satisfaction at hearing a significant crack be- 
 hind him followed by a volley of resounding oaths. The three Prussians 
 had come upon the frozen expanse together, and their heavy boots had y 
 crushed through the fragile crust before they could restrain their impetus. 
 The fugitives, turning round, saw them caught in the congealed mud, y 
 even to the waist, in spite of their lubberly efforts to get out. One 
 of them, luckier or less clumsy than his comrades, did half climb upon 
 the isthmus, and meant to continue the pursuit, b>it his fellows hung on 
 his skirts with cries of distress. It was manifest that they would not let 
 him 'ea ve theip in the slough, and that; their rescue would take some time. 
 
THE BED BAND. 
 
 205 
 
 Although the night wag a pleasant one, Lieutenant Roger did not linger to 
 enjry it, but redoubled his speed to clear the rest of the open with his 
 companion. When they reacned the edge of the forest, their enemies were 
 still stuck in the marsh into which the girl’s cunning had led them. The 
 road the lucky ones now took ran through flourishing vegetation, and by 
 Its breadth it might be conjectured that it conducted to a town, or at least 
 a Urge village. This was an excellent reason to keep out of it, and so 
 R^gine, who seemed to know the country thoroughly, turned unhesitat- 
 ingly into a by-path. After a few minutes’ rapid walk, they came up to a 
 targe rock behind which the guide pointed out to her companion the rustic 
 roof of a log-hut. Roger was quite exhausted, and he pushed the door of 
 this providential refuge open all the more readily ae they heard no more of 
 the Prussians. 
 
 “ What the deuce do you want ? ” roared a mao, at the very time when 
 fugitives dashed across the threshold. 
 
 The continuation of this interesting story will be found in No. 39 of the Flash- 
 light Detective Series, entitled “Scarlet Mystery,” and may be had at the same 
 place and price at which this book was obtained. 
 
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Lives °f F amous Men 
 
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 curate estimates of materials with cost, and all Tables and Rules 
 necessary in Plastering, Plumbing, Painting, Roofing, Masonry, 
 Cornice, Windows, Doors and Porch Materials, with 50 Plans and 
 Specifications on buildings from $476 up are given. 176 pages, 
 12mo. 
 
 Paper, 25 Cents; Cloth, 50 Cents. 
 
 For sale by all book and newsdealers, or will be sent to any 
 address in the United States, Canada or Mexico, postage paid, on 
 receipt of price, in currency, money order or stamps. 
 
 M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 
 
 407-429 Dearborn St 
 CHICAGO 
 
r»E — rncxirnfiit 1 
 
 
 iriirm iru wiii 
 
 Famous Books 
 
 FOR BOYS 
 
 These are new and superior editions of these famous authors’ 
 books for boys. They are printed from new plates on an excellent 
 quality of paper while many are profusely illustrated. Each book 
 is sewedj thus making a flexible back, so that it opens easily, 
 making its reading a pleasure and a comfort. The covers are 
 printed in two colors from appropriate designs on a heavy coated 
 enameled paper in assorted colors. 
 
 From the Modern Authors’ Library 
 
 By G. A. Meaty 
 
 260 Boy Knight, A 
 
 271 Comet of Horse 
 2S0 Facing Death 
 285 Final Reckoning 
 295 In Freedom’s Cause 
 290 In Times of Peril 
 297 In The Reign of Terror 
 
 299 J ack Archer 
 
 817 One Of The 28th 
 
 818 Orange and Grr 
 319 Out On The Pampas 
 337 True To The Old Flag 
 340 Under Drake’s Flag 
 348 With Lee In Virginia 
 
 By J. Fenlmore Cooper 
 
 170 Last Of The Mohicans t The 
 
 178 Pathfinder, The 
 
 179 Pioneers, The 
 
 180 Prairie, The 
 187 Spy, The 
 254 Deerslayer 
 
 By Victor Hugo 
 
 33 By Order Of The King 
 
 272 Cosette 
 283 Fantine 
 
 106 Hans Of Iceland 
 37 History Of a Crime 
 
 300 JeanValjean 
 
 By Victor Hugo— Cont’dl 
 
 308 Marius 
 
 38 Ninety-Three 
 
 39 Notre Dame de Paris 
 331 St. Denis 
 
 40 Toilers Of The Sea 
 
 By Emik Gaboriau 
 
 284 File No. 113— 
 
 287 Gilded Clique 
 
 108 Lecoq, The Detective 
 
 109 Lerouge Case, The 
 312 Mystery Of Orcival 
 
 By Jules Verne 
 
 245 Michael Sttogoff 
 219 Mysterious Island 
 189 Tour Of The World In 80 
 Days 
 
 121 Twenty Thousand Leagues 
 tinder The Sea 
 
 By H» Rider Haggard 
 
 153 Allan Quartermain 
 223 Allan’s Wife 
 160 Cleopatra 
 100 Jess 
 
 167 King Solomon’s Mines 
 112 Miawa’s Revenge 
 244 Mr. Meeson’s Will 
 186 She 
 
 PRICE, POSTPAID 25c EACH OR ANY FIVE FOR $1.00 
 
 All books sent postpaid to any address in the United States. 
 Canada or Mexico upon receipt of price in currency, stamps, postal 
 or express money order. 
 
 IS. L DONOHUE & 03 
 
 ■f 
 
 407-429 DEARBORN St 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
FORTUNE TELLING. MAGIC. TABLEAUX. 
 PANTOMIMES. PLAYS. SPEAKERS. ETC. 
 
 Dearborn Speaker ^ A 3« T9 
 
 Embracing original and select readings, recitations, declamations 
 and dialogues, with introductory observations of eminent elocution- 
 ists and dramatists on the study and practice of elocution. Printed 
 from new plates, substantially bound, with title stamped in gold, 
 
 Price.. .... ..««•••• 75c. 
 
 Twentieth Century 
 
 Wonder 
 
 Book By WM. C. HUNTER 
 
 A store-house of wonderful things for the 
 entertainment, instruction, information and 
 amusement of the home circle. A book for 
 everybody; embracing riddles, conundrums 
 and autograph album mottoes, lessons in 
 parlor magic, interesting parlor games, 
 clairvoyant, the language of flowers, chem- 
 ical experiments, tatleau, pantomimes 
 and .true interpretation of dreams, prog- 
 nostications by cards explaining all cards 
 and how to define them, charms, charades, 
 how to delineate character, signs, omens, 
 fortune tolling, etc., etc. The most won- 
 derful book ever compiled. 
 
 Bound in Cloth 50c. 
 
 Bound in Paper. 25c. 
 
 Tommy’s First 
 
 Speaker 160 Faces. i2mo, Cloth 
 
 Containing selections for boys and girls 
 that are simple, serious, quaint and pleas- 
 ant and so stiort that they 'an be easily 
 memorized. Over 300 selections, bound in 
 art vellum cloth, titles stamped on the front 
 
 cover Price.... 50c. 
 
 Tommy’s Second 
 Speaker 160 pages, kmo. cloth 
 
 Comprising selections for boys and girls 
 of a more advanced age than those for 
 whom Tommy’s First Speaker was written. 
 Over 200 selections, bound in art vellum cloth, title stamped on 
 cove*' *t* ink from ornamental design. p RICE ggg 
 
 ML A. DONOHUE d CO., CHICAC&