Conscience -- Volume 2

to listen, to stretch his nerves, to restrain

analogous to the returning to life after being in a state of asphyxiation. Physically, he was calm; morally, he felt no remorse. He was

ring the act he should maintain his coolness and f

face every attack; master of his nerves as of his will, in full possession of all his powers. On the contrary, he had been the plaything of agitation and weakn

nd had been firm, but his

what was more serious, it was alarming. Because, although everything had go

he law should reach him, h

use at the moment when the crime was committed; but

ld be difficult to defend himself. In any case, he must be ready to explain his position. And what might complicate the matter w

uld be folly to show where he lived. He hastened his steps, in order to make any one who might be following him run, and took the streets that were not well lighted, those where there was little chance of any one seeing the stains, if they were visible, on his clothing or boots. He walked in this way for ne

, running out, gave him a letter with unusual eagerness. Saniel, who wish

cierge said. "The servant who brough

ent, or Saniel would not have opened it, wh

r Doctor, to leave Par

ee months, without se

very gr

DUPH

en some months before to the mistress of this old comrade. Of what use now were these two hundred francs, which a few days sooner

reached him; only the hand that held the knife and the shirt-sleeve were splashed, but this was of no consequence. A doctor has the ri

them on his desk and counted all: five rouleaux of gold, of a thousan

ce, and, later, how should he justify its p

fortunately for him, he was hardl

nly to burn the papers

ers nor particular mark

while waiting to learn

not made a note

ffie had written "2,000 francs," he tr

n did not furnish, he caught sight of the letter he had just received, and it sug

dred francs, which would not save him from his creditors. He would risk them at roulette at Monaco. Whether he lost or won was of little consequence. He would have played that would be sufficient. He would be seen playing. Who would know whet

es, disturbed him. What should he do with them? One moment he thought of burning them, but reflection held him back. Would it

, one thought continually absorbed him: What was happening

events, instead of timidly shu

but it was stronger than his will or his reason. So

olish or not, he must go

shirt, and throwing the notes and

whelm him, without his being able to defend himself. But he thought that an immediate search was unlikely to occur, and if he could no

t him and listening. Nothing unusual struck him. Even when he turned into the Rue Sainte-Anne he found it bore its ordinary as

eady he had passed too much time before Caffie's door, and when one was of his build, above the med

- Petits-Champs to the Rue du Hasard; from there he could see Caffie's h

thinking anything about it, soon alarmed him. It seemed as if people looked at him, and two persons stopping to talk made him

ble to decide to go far away from "the house," he

to be an excellent observatory, from where he could easily survey th

ll afterward did he wonder if it were natural to take coffee at this hour. The m

regain his composure and his reason? He drank his coffee slowly; then he ask

made him admit that Caffie's death would be discovered during the even

e next day, nor even until midnight. Perha

ng materials, and paid the waiter, in case he

hat he was able to write clearly, and to select the proper w

porte-cochere of "the house," and a man ran through

iel went out, and in a strong

ted in his office. Word has been sent to