The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood

ier, or more forbidding quarter than that which lay north of the Rue de

y to the passing workmen, who, blue-bloused, with silk cap on head, each with his loa under his arm, came to take their meals at the wine-shop at the c

in single file, with blue harness and jangling bells, filled up the roadway. Costermongers trundled their barrows along with strange, unm

r the decent coach from the livery stable, to the smart spick-and-span brougham, with its well-appointed horses and servants in neat livery. They all set down at the same door

, rejoicing in the altogether inappropriate name of the H?tel Paradis, or the Paradise Hotel. Its outward appearance was calculated to repel rather than invite customers; no one would be likely to

within. He was on the inner side of a stout oaken door, in which was a small window, opening with a trap. Through this h

et with an evil reputation. It was well known to, and constantly watched by, the

ne summer's morning, with wildest terror depicted in her face, an

a stern official in a cocked hat

quick! A crime has been committ

d the police-officer

ux lives. Tell him he is wanted at the H?tel Paradis." Then, t

m afraid. A gentlema

ntleman?

s name, but he came here frequently. My husband

fficer; "take me to the plac

from ceiling to floor, gilt cornices, damask hangings, marble console tables, and chairs and sofas in marqueterie and buhl. The first room evidently served for reception; there was a sideboard in one corner, on which were the remains of a succulent repast, and dozens of emp

seymere trousers, the light waistcoat, and long-tailed green coat which were then in vogue. His clothes were all spotted and bedrabbl

a kind of livery, a strongly built, truculent-looking villain, whose duties, no dou

n the porter's wife. "Here are the po

police-officer. "This morning, when the clients had nearly a

her word. Keep all you have to say for the

d, accompanied by his clerk and t

entleman pulled from his bed at daybreak, and compelled to dress in a hurry. "A crime," he repeated

e of the wounded man to the doctor, sto

own"-this to the clerk. "Produce your wr

disturbed by the noise of a quarrel, a fight, up here in the principal drawing-room. While I was still rubbing my eyes, for I was very drowsy, and fancied I wa

lo

te a

her people here. Did they co

have escaped by that

t the police-officer, w

gives upon a low roof, which communicates with the b

ound this gentleman? Do you know him? H

visitor at the house. Very fortunate, I beli

affording a reason for the crime. "And do you suspect

hey went away; it would be impossible

ere is n

, to speak." Evidence given at the point of death has extreme value in every country, under every kind of l

out. "Revenge me; it was

l us? Do you know him?" inqu

y weaker; it sank into a whisper, an

name-

ee-I had no cha

name-no

man shoo

-tell

t. With a long, deep groan, t

n he would have told us all. These few words will scarcel

ux looke

ight-porter, quickly. "This M. Gascoigne c

ead man's words. Do you k

ud. I have seen him enter it more than once,

, Jules, hasten with another police-agent to the Rue

we fin

t to the Préfecture. I will foll

aid the police-officer