A Book of Scoundrels

第9章

Nolessremarkablethanhisskillanddaringwerehismeansofevasion.Evenwithoutaformaldisguisehecouldeludepursuit.Ataninstant"swarning,hisloose,plasticfeatureswouldassumeanothershape;outshothislowerjaw,and,asifbymagic,thebloodflewintohisfaceuntilyoumighttakehimforamulatto.Or,ifhechose,hewouldstraphisarmtohisside,andletthepolicebebaffledbyawoodenmechanism,decentlyfinishedwithahook.ThusheroamedLondonupanddownunsuspected,andevenafterhislastfailureatBlackheath,nonewouldhavediscoveredCharlesPeaceinJohnWard,theSingle-

HandedBurglar,hadnotwoman"streacheryprompteddetection.

Indeed,hewasanepitomeofhiscraft,theCompleteBurglarmademanifest.

Notonlydidheplanhisvictorieswithpreviousingenuity,buthesacrificedtohissuccessbothtasteandsentiment.Hisdresswasalwaysofthemostsombre;hisonlywearwasthedecentblackofeverydaygodliness.Theleastspiceofdandyismmighthavedistinguishedhimfromhisfellows,andPeace"swholevanitylayinhiscraft.Nordidthepaltrysentimentoffriendshipdeterhimfromhisjustcourse.Whenthepanicarousedbythesilentburglarwasuncontrolled,aneighbourconsultedPeaceconcerningthesafetyofhishouse.Therobber,havingdulynotedthevilla"simperfections,andhavingdiscoveredthehiding-placeofjewelleryandplate,complacentlyrifleditthenextnight.

Thoughhisself-esteemsustainedashock,thoughhenceforthhisfriendthoughtmeanlyofhisjudgment,hewasrewardedwiththesolidpuddingofplunder,andtheworldwhisperedofthemysteriousmarauderwithayetcolderhorror.Intruth,thelargesimplicityandsolitudeofhisstylesetshimamongtheClassics,andthoughothershavesurpassedhimatsinglepointsofthegame,hepractisedtheartwithsuchuniversalbreadthandcourageaswerethenarevolution,andarestillunsurpassed.

Buttheburglareverfightsanunequalbattle.Onefalsestep,anddefeato"erwhelmshim.FortwoyearshadJohnWardintimidatedthemiddle-classseclusionofSouthLondon;fortwoyearshadhehiddenfromacuriousworldtheugly,furrowedvisageofCharlesPeace.Thebaldhead,thebroad-rimmedspectacles,thesquat,thickfigure——hestoodbutfivefeetfourinhisstockings,andaddsyetanothertothelistoflittle-

greatmen——shouldhaveensureddetection,butthequickchangeandthepersuasivegesturewereomnipotent,anduntiltheautumnof1878Peacewascomfortablyatlarge.AndthenanencounteratBlackheathputhimwithintheclutchofjustice.Hisrevolverfailedinitsduty,and,valiantashewas,atlasthemethismatch.Inprisonhewasalternatelyinsolentandaggrieved.Heblusteredforjustice,proclaimedhimselfthevictimofsuddentemptation,andinsistedthathisintentionhadbeeneverinnocent.

But,nonetheless,hewassentencedtoalifer,and,themaskofJohnWardbeingtornfromhim,hewassenttoSheffieldtostandhistrialasCharlesPeace.Theleapfromthetrainisalreadyrecorded;andathislastappearanceinthedockherolleduponthefloor,apetulantandbrokenman.Whenoncethelastdoomwaspronounced,heforgotbothfiddleandcrowbar;hesurrenderedhimselftothoseexercisesofpietyfromwhichhehadneverwavered.Thefoolishhavedenouncedhimforahypocrite,notknowingthattheartistmayhavealifeapartfromhisart,andthattoPeacereligionwasanessentialpursuit.Sohedied,havingreleasedfromanunjustsentencethepoorwretchwhoatWhalleyRangehadsufferedforhiscrime,andofferingupaconsolatoryprayerforallmankind.Intruth,therewasnoenemyforwhomhedidnotintercede.Heprayedforhisgaolers,forhisexecutioner,fortheOrdinary,forhiswife,forMrs.

Thompson,hisdrunkendoxy,andhewenttohisdeathwiththesurestepofonewho,havingdonehisduty,isreconciledwiththeworld.Themobtestifieditsaffectionateadmirationbydubbinghim`Charley,"andrememberedwitheffusionhislastgrimpleasantry.`Whatisthescaffold?"heaskedwithsublimeearnestness.Andtheanswercamequickandsanctimonious:`A

shortcuttoHeaven!"

III

APARALLEL

(DEACONBRODIEANDCHARLES

PEACE)

APARALLEL

(DEACONBRODIEANDCHARLES

PEACE)

NOTaparallel,butacontrast,sinceatallpointsPeaceisBrodie"santithesis.TheoneistheausterestofClassics,caringonlyfortheultimateperfectionofhiswork.TheotheristhegayestofRomantics,happiestwhenbythewayheproducesaglitteringeffect,ordazzlestheearbyavainimpertinence.

Now,itisbythieverythatPeacereachedmagnificence.A

naturalaptitudedrovehimfromthefiddletothecentre-bit.Hedidbutrob,becausegeniusfollowedtheimpulse.Hehadstudiedtheremotestdetailsofhisbusiness;hewassternlyprofessionalintheconductofhislife,and,asbecameanoldgaol-bird,therewasnoanticofthepolicemanwherewithhewasnotfamiliar.Moreover,notonlyhadhereducedhouse-breakingtoascience,but,beingostensiblynothingbetterthanapicture-

framemaker,hehadinventedanincomparablesetoftoolswherewithtoenterandevadehisneighbour"shouse.Brodie,ontheotherhand,wasathieffordistraction.Hismethodwasasslovenlyasignorancecouldmakeit.Thoughbytradeawright,andthereforeamasterofalltheartsofjoinery,hewassodeficientinseriousnessthathestoleacoulterwherewithtobatterthewallsoftheExciseOffice.WhilePeacefoughtthebattleinsolitude,Brodiewasnotonlyattendedbyagang,butlistenedtothecommandofhissubordinates,andwasneverpermittedtoperformamoreintricatedutythanthesoundingofthealarm.Andyethereistheironicalcontrast.Peace,theprofessionalthief,despisedhisbrothers,andwasneverheardtopatterawordofflash.Brodie,theamateur,courtedthesocietyofallcrosscoves,andwouldratherexpresshimselfinPedlar"sFrenchthaninhischoicestScots.WhiletheEnglishmanscrapedTateandBradyfromaone-stringedfiddle,theScotlimpedachauntfromTheBeggar"sOpera,andthoughthimselfadevilofafellow.Theonewasamanabouttownmasqueradingasathief;

theotherthemostseriousamonghousebreakers,singingpsalmsinallgoodfaith.

ButifPeacewasincomparablythebettercraftsman,Brodiewastheprettiergentleman.PeacewouldnothavepermittedBrodietodrivehispony-trapthelengthofEvelinaRoad.ButBrodie,inrevenge,wouldhavecutPeacehadhemethimintheCorn-market.

Theonewasasombresavage,theotherajovialcomrade,anditwasawittyfreakoffortunethatimpelledbothtofollowthesametrade.Andthusyouarriveatanotherpointofdifference.TheEnglishmanhadnointelligenceoflife"samenity.Heknewnaughtofcostume:clotheswerethelimitofhisambition.Dressedalwaysforwork,hewaslikethecaterpillarwhichassumesthegreenoftheleaf,whereinithides:heworeonlysuchdudsasshouldattractthesmallestnotice,andseparatehimasfarasmightbefromhisbusiness.

ButtheScotwasasfineadandyasevertook(haphazard)tothecrackingofkens.Ifhisrefinementpermittednoexcessofsplendour,hewentevergloriouslyandappropriatelyapparelled.

Hewaswell-mannered,cultured,withscarceatouchofprovincialismtomarhisgaydemeanour:whereasPeaceknewlittleenoughoutsidethepracticeofburglary,andtheproperhandlingoftherevolver.

OurCharles,forexample,couldneitherspellnorwrite;hedissembledhisloworiginwiththeutmostdifficulty,andatthebestwasplasteredover(whennotatwork)withtheparochialismofthesuburbs.Sofarthecontrastiscomplete;andevenintheirsimilaritiesthereisanevidentdifference.Eachledadoublelife;butwhileBrodiewasmosthimselfamonghisownkind,therealPeacewastobefoundnotfiddle-scrapinginEvelinaRoadbutmarkingdownpolicemenintheduskybywaysofBlackheath.Brodie"sgrandeurwasnaturaltohim;Peace"srespectability,sofarasittranscendedtheman"sorigin,wasacloakofvillainy.

Each,again,wasaninventor,andwhilethemoreinnocentBrodiedesignedagallows,themorehardenedPeacewouldhavegainednotorietybytheraisingofwrecksandthepatronageofMr.Plimsoll.Andsincebothpreservedacertaincouragetotheend,sincebothdiedonthescaffoldasbecomesaman,thecontrastisoncemorecharacteristic.Brodie"scynicismisafinefoiltothepietyofPeace;andwhileeachendwasnaturalafteritsownfashion,thereisnonewhowilldenytotheScotthefinersenseoffitness.Nordidanystepintheircareerexplainmoreclearlythedifferenceintheirtemperamentthantheirdefinitionsofthegallows.ForPeaceitis`ashortcuttoHeaven";forBrodieitis`aleapinthedark."AgaintheScothastheadvantage.Againyoureflectthat,ifPeaceisthemostaccomplishedClassicamongthehousebreakers,theDeaconisthemerriestcompanionwhoeverclimbedthegallowsbytheshouldersoftheincomparableMacheath.

THEMANINTHEGREYSUIT

THEAbbBruneau,whogavehisshavenheadinatonementforunnumberedcrimes,wasafinishedexponentofduplicity.IntheeyeofdayandofEntrammesheshoneamiracleofwell-doing;bynightheprowledinthesecretplacesofLaval.Theworldwatchedhim,habitedinthedecentblackofhiscalling;nosoonerwashebeyondsightofhisparishthanhisvalisewasopened,andhearrayedhimself——underthehedge,nodoubt——inasuitofjauntygrey.Thepleasuresforwhichhesacrificedthelivesofothersandhisownweresqualidenough,buttheywerethebestaprovincialbrainmightimagine;andhesinnedthesinsofahedgepriestwithacourageandeffronterywhichhisbrethrenmaywellenvy.Indeed,theManintheGreySuitwillbesentdowntheageswithagrimmerscandal,ifwithastalermystery,thantheManintheIronMask.

Hewasbornofparentswhowerecertainlypoor,andpossiblyhonest,atAss-le-Berenger.HecountedadozenChouansamonghisancestry,andbrigandageswaminhisblood.Evenhischildhoodwascrimsonwithcrimes,whichthequickmemoryofthecountrysidelongagolostintheprideofhavingbredapriest.Hestainedhisfirstcureofsoulswiththepoor,sadsinofarson,whichthebishop,fearfulofscandalandlothtocheckapromisingcareer,condonedwithasuitableadvancement.

AtEntrammes,hisnextbenefice,heenteredintohisfullinheritanceofvillainy,andhereitwas——despitehisownprotest——thathedevisedthegreysuitwhichbroughthimruinandimmortality.Tothewild,hilariousdissipationofLaval,thenearesttown,hefellanimmediateandunresistingprey.Thinkoftheglitteringlamps,thesparklingtaverns,thebright-eyedwomen,themanifoldfascinations,whicharethecharacteranddelightofthisforgottencity!Why,iftheAbbBruneaudoledoutcomfortandabsolutionatEntrammes——whyshouldhenotenjoyatLavalthewilderjoysoftheflesh?Lackofmoneywastheonlyhindrance,sinceourpriestwasnotofthosewhocouldpursuebonnesfortunes;everhesighedfor`boozeandtheblowens,"but`boozeandtheblowens"hecouldonlypurchasewiththesovereignshishonestcallingdeniedhim.Therewasnoresourcebutthieveryandembezzlement,sinswhichledsometimestofalsehoodorincendiarism,andatapinchtothegraverenterpriseofmurder.ButBruneauwasnotonetoboggleattrifles.Womenhewouldencounter——youngorold,darkorfair,uglyorbeautiful,itwasallonetohim——andthefoolswhowithheldhimrichesmustbepunishedfortheirniggardhand.

Forawhileathefthereandthere,acunningextortionofmoneyuponthepromiseofgoodworks,sufficedforhisnecessities,butstillhehungeredforacoup,andpatientlyhedevisedandwatchedhisopportunity.

Meanwhilehiscunningprotectedhim,andevenifthegazeofsuspicionfelluponhimhecontrivedhisorgieswithsoneatadiscretionthattheChurch,whichisnotwonttoexposehermalefactors,preservedatimidandaninnocentsilence.TheAbbdisappearedwithacommendableconstancy,andwiththatjustsenseofsecrecywhichshouldcompelevenanarchiepiscopaladmiration.Hewasnotofthosewhowoulddraghiscloththroughthemire.NotuntilthedarknesshelovedsoferventlycoveredtheearthwouldheescapefromthedullrespectabilityofEntrammes,nordidheeverthusescapeunaccompaniedbyhisfamousvalise.Thegreysuitwasaneffectualdisguisetohiscalling,andsojealouswasheoftheChurch"shonourthathenever——unlessinhiscups——disclosedhistonsure.Oneofhisinnumerablelovesconfessedinthewitness-boxthatBruneaualwaysretainedhishatintheglareoftheCaf,protestingthataheadacherenderedhimfatallysusceptibletodraught;andsuchwashisthoughtfulpunctiliothateveninthecomparativesolitudeofaguiltybed-chamberhecoveredhisshornlockswithanightcap.

AndwhilehisconductatLavalwasunimpeachable,healwaysprovedanicesusceptibilityinhisreturn.Acabcarriedhimwithinadiscreetdistanceofhishome,whence,havingexchangedthegreyforthemoresoberblack,hewouldtramponfoot,andthuscreepintranquilandunobserved.Butsimpleasitistoenjoy,enjoymentmuststillbepurchased,andtheAbbwasneverguiltyofameanness.Thelessguiltyschemewasspeedilystaled,andthenitwasthattheAbbbethoughthimofmurder.

HisfirstvictimwasthewidowBourdais,whopursuedthehonestcallingofafloristatLaval.Alreadythecuratewasonthosetermsofintimacywhichunitetherobberwiththerobbed;forsomemonthsearlierhehadimposedaforcedloanofsixtyfrancsuponhisvictim.Butonthe15thofJuly1893,heleftEntrammes,resolveduponaseriousmeasure.Theblackvalisewasinhishand,ashesetforthuponthearid,windyroad.BeforehereachedLavalhehadmadetheaccustomedtransformation,anditwasnopriest,butalayman,doucelydressedingrey,thatawaitedMme.Bourdais"returnfromtheflower-market.Heenteredtheshopwiththecoolnessofafriend,andretreatedtothedooroftheparlourwhentwogirlscametomakeapurchase.Nosoonerhadthewidowjoinedhimthanhecutherthroat,and,withtheferocityofthebeastwholovesbloodaswellasplunder,inflictedsomefortywoundsuponherwitheredframe.Hisescapewassimpleanddignified;hecalledthecabman,whoknewhimwell,andwhoknew,moreover,whatwasrequiredofhim;andthepriestwassnuglyinbed,thoughperhapsexhaustedwithbloodandpleasure,whenthenewsofthemurderfollowedhimtohisvillage.

Nextdaythecrimewascommongossip,andtheAbb"sfriendstookcounselwithhim.Onetherewasastonishedthattheculpritremainedundiscovered.`Butwhyshouldyoumarvel?"saidBruneau.`Icouldkillyouandyourwifeatyourownchimney-

cornerwithoutasoulknowing.HadItakentoevilcoursesinsteadoftogoodIshouldhavebeenaterribleassassin."

ThereisatouchofthepridewhichDeQuinceyattributestoWilliamsinthisboastfulness,andthroughouttheparallelisirresistible.Williams,however,wasthebetterdandy;heputonadress-coatandpatent-leatherpumpsbecausethedignityofhisworkdemandedafittingcostume.AndBruneauworethegreysuitnotwithoutahopeofdisguise.YetyouliketothinkthattheAbblookedcomplacentlyuponhisvalise,andhadforethoughtforthecutofhisprofessionalcoat;andifhebenotinthefirstflightofartistry,rememberhisprovincialupbringing,andfurnishtheproperexcuse.

Meanwhilethescandalofthemurderedwidowpassedintoforgetfulness,andtheAbbwasstillimpoverished.Alreadyhehadrobbedhisvicar,andthesuspicionoftheAbbFricotledontothefinalandthedetectedcrime.NowFricothadnotedthelossofmoneyandofbonds,andthoughherefrainedfromexposurehehadconfessedtoaknowledgeofthecriminal.

M.Bruneauwasnaturallysensitivetosuspicion,andhedeterminedupontheimmediateremovalofthisdangertohispeace.OnJanuary2,1894,M.Fricotreturnedtosupperafteradministeringtheextremeunctiontoaparishioner.Whilethemealwaspreparing,hewentintohisgardeninsabotsandbareheaded,andneveragainwasseenalive.Thesuppercooled,thevicarwasstillabsent;themurderer,hungrywithhistoil,atenotonlyhisown,buthisvictim"sshareofthefood,grimlyhintingthatFricotwouldnotcomeback.Suicidewasdreamedof,murderhinted;upanddownthevillagewasthesearchmade,andnonewasmorezealousthanthedistressedcurate.

Atlastapeasantdiscoveredsomeblocksofwoodinthewell,andbeforelongblood-stainsrevealedthemselvesonthemasonry.

Speedilywasthebodyrecovered,disfiguredandbatteredbeyondrecognition,andthevoiceofthevillagewentupindenunciationoftheAbbBruneau.Immunityhadmadetheculpritcallous,andinafewhourssuspicionbecamecertainty.Ableedingnosewasthelameexplanationgivenforthestainswhichwereonhisclothes,onthetable,onthekeysofhisharmonium.Aquaintandcharacteristicfollywasitthatdrovethemurdererstraighttothesolaceofhisreligion.Youpicturehim,hotandred-

handedfrommurder,soothinghisbatteredconsciencewithsomedevilishRequiemfortheunshrivedsoulhehadjustpartedfromitsbrokenbody,andleavingupontheharmoniumtheineradicabletracesofhisguilt.Thushelived,poisedbetweenmurderandtheChurch,spendinguponthevulgardissipationofaBretonvillagethebloodandmoneyofhisfoolishvictims.Butforhim`lestavernesetlesfilles"ofLavalmeantaveritableparadise,andhissojourninthecountryisproofenoughofalimitedcunning.Hadhebeenmorerichlyendowed,Parishadbeenthetheatreofhiscrimes.Asitis,hegoesdowntoposterityastheManintheGreySuit,andthebestfriendthecabmenofLavaleverknew.Them,indeed,heleftinconsolable.

MONSIEURL"ABB

ThechildhoodoftheAbbRosselotisassecretashisorigin,andnomanmayknowwhetherBelfortorBavariasmileduponhisinnocence.Alikemysteryenshroudshisearlymanhood,andthemaliceofhisfoes,whoarelegion,denounceshimforaJesuitofInnsbruck.Butsincehehaslivedwithintheeyeoftheworldhisvillainieshavebeenrevealedasclearlyashisattainments,andhistoryprovideshimnootherrivalinthecorruptionofyouththantheinfamousThwackum.

Itisnoteveryscholar"sambitiontoteachtheelements,andRosselotadoptedhismodestcallingasacloakofcrime.Nosoonerwasheinstalledinamansionthanhebecamethemansion"smaster,andhenceforthheruledhisemployer"sdomainwiththetyrannicalseverityofaGrandInquisitor.Hissoulwrappedinthetriplebrassofarrogance,heevendaredtolayhishandsuponfoodbeforehisbetterswereserved;andpresently,emboldenedbysuccess,hewouldorderthedinners,reproachthecookwithatoolavishuseofcondiments,anddescendwithinsolentexpostulationintothekitchen.Inaweekhehadopenedthecupboardsuponadozenskeletons,andmadethemrattletheirricketybonesupanddownthedraughtystaircases,untiltheinmatesshiveredwithhorrorandtheterrifiedneighboursfledthehauntedcastleasalazar-house.Onceinpossessionofafamilysecret,hefelthimselfsecure,andhenceforthhewasfreetobrowbeathisemployerandtofloghispupiltothesatisfactionofhiswaspishnature.Moreover,hewasendowedwithalltheinsightandeffronteryofatrainedjournalist.Sosedulouswasheinhissearchafterthetruth,thatneithermannorwomancoulddenyhimconfidence.And,asvinegarflowedinhisveinsforblood,itwashismerrysporttosetwifeagainsthusbandandchildrenagainstfather.Notevenweretheservantssafefromhiswatchfulinquiry,andhousemaidsandgovernessesalikeentrustedtheirhopesandfearstohismaliciouskeeping.

Andwhenthehousehadretiredtorest,withwhatasinisterdelightdidhechuckleoverthefrailtiesandinfamies,aguiltyknowledgeofwhichhehaddraggedfrommanyanunwillingsinner!

Toousthim,wheninstalled,wasaplainimpossibility,forthiswringerofheartswasonlytooglibinthesurrenderofanother"sscandal;andasheacceptedthelastscurrilitywithChristianresignation,hisunfortunateemployercouldbutstrengthenhisvocabularyandpatientlyendurethepresenceofthissmiling,demoniacaltutor.

ButatoovillainouscuriositywasnottheAbb"scapitalsin.

Notonlydidheentertainhisleisurewithwreckingthehappinessofaunitedfamily,buthewasanenemyopenanddeclaredofFrance.Itwashisamiablepastimeatthedinner-

table,whenhehadfirsthelpedhimselftosuchdelicaciesastemptedhisdaintypalate,topronounceapompouseulogyupontheGermanEmperor.France,hewouldsaywithanexultantsmile,isapayspourri,whichexistsmerelytobethefootballofPrussia.Shehasbutonehopeofsalvation——stillthemonsterspeaks——andthatistofallintothebenignoccupationofavigorousrace.Onceuponatime——theinfamyisscarcecredible——

hewasconductinghisyoungchargespastatown-hall,overthelintelofwhosedoorglitteredthoseproudinitials`R.F."

`Whatdotheystandfor?"askedthisdemonBarlow.AndwhenthepatrioticTommyhesitatedforananswer,thepreceptorexclaimedwithineffablecontempt,`Racedefous"!Itisnowonder,then,thatthisfoeofhisfatherlandfearedtoreceivealetteropenlyaddressed;ratherhewouldslinkoutundercoverofnightandseekhiscorrespondenceattheposterestante,likeaguiltyloveroraBritishtourist.

TheChteaudePresleswasbuiltforhisreception.Itwashauntedbyasecret,whichnonedaremurmurintheremotestgarret.Therewasnomorethanawhisperofmurderintheair,buttheMarquisshudderedwhenhiswife"seyefrowneduponhim.

True,themiserableMenaldohaddisappearedfromhisseminarytenyearssince,butthreatsofdisclosurewereutteredcontinually,andrespectabilitymightonlybepurchasedbyaprofoundsilence.HerewastheAbb"smostsplendidopportunity,andheseizeditwithalltheeagernessofagreedytemperament.TheMarquise,awealthypeasant,whowasratherathomeonthewildhill-sidethaninherstatelycastle,becameaninstantpreytohisdevilishintrigue.Thegoverness,ananticoldmaidoffifty-seven,whoseconversationwasdesignedtobringablushtothecheekofthemosthardeneddragoon,wasimmediatelyontermsofsofrankanintimacythatsheflungbreadpelletsathimacrossthetable,andjoyouslyproposed,ifwemaybelievethepriestonhisoath,tosetuphousekeepingwithhim,thattheymightsaveexpense.Twohigh-spiritedboyswerealwaysathandtoencouragehistasteforflogging,andhaditnotbeenfortheMarquis,theAbb"scupwouldhavebeenfulltooverflowing.

ButtheMarquislovednotthelean,oglinginstructorofhissons,andpresentlybegantoassailhimwithalltheabuseofwhichhewasmaster.HechargedtheAbbwithunspeakablevillainy;salopandsaligaudwerethetermsinwhichhewouldhabituallyrefertohim.Heknewtherascalforaspy,andnomodestyrestrainedhimfromproclaiminghisknowledge.ButwhateverinsultswerethrownattheAbbhereceivedwithagrincomplacentasShylock"s,forwashenotconsciousthatwhenhelikedthepoundoffleshwashisown!

Withafiend"sduplicityhelaidhisplansofruinanddeath.

TheMarquise,swayedtohiswill,receivedhimsecretlyintheblueroom(whoseverycoloursuggestsaguiltyintrigue),thoughnever,upontheoathofanAbb,whenthekeywasturnedinthelock.AjourneytoSwitzerlandhadfreedhimfromthehauntingsuspicionoftheMarquis,andatlasthemightcompelthewifetodenounceherhusbandasamurderer.TheterrifiedwomandrewtheindictmentattheAbb"sdictation,andwhenherhusbandreturnedtoSt.Amandhewasinstantlythrustintoprison.Nothingremainedbuttocajolethesonsintoanexpressedhatredoftheirfather,andthelastenormitywascommittedbyamasterpieceofcunning.`Yourfather"sonechanceofescape,"arguedthisvillaininacassock,`istobeprovedaninhumanruffian.Swearthathebeatyouunmercifullyandyouwillsavehimfromtheguillotine."AllthedupeslearnedtheirlessonwithacertaintywhichreflectsinfinitecreditupontheAbb"smethodofinstruction.

ForonceinhislifetheAbbhadbeenmovedbygreedaswellasbyvillainy.Hisearlyexploitshadnoworsemotivethanthesatisfactionofaninhumanlustforcrueltyanddestruction.ButtheMarquisewasrich,andwhenonceherhusband"sheadwereoff,mightnottheAbbreaphisshareofthegatheredharvest?

Thestakeswerehigh,butthegamewasworththeplaying,andRosselotplayeditwithspiritandenergyuntothelastcard.

Hisappearanceincourtisevermemorable,andashisferreteyesglintedthroughglassatthePresident,heseemedthevillainofsomeMiddleAgeRomance.Hishead,poiseduponalean,bonyframe,wasembellishedwithanosethinandsharpasthebladeofaknife;histightlycompressedlipswereanindicationoftherascal"sdetermination.`LongasadayinLent"——thatishowaspectatordescribedhim;andifeverasinisternatureglaredthroughasinisterfigure,theAbb"scharacterwasrevealedbeforehepartedhislipsinspeech.

Unmovedhestoodandimmovable;hetreatedtheimprecationsoftheMarquiswithacolddisdain;astheburdenofproofgrewheavyonhisback,heshruggedhisshouldersinwearyindifference.Hetoldhismonstrousstorywithacynicalcontempt,whichhasscarceitsequalinthehistoryofcrime;andpriest,ashewas,heprovedthathedidnotyieldtotheMarquishimselfintheRabelaisianamplitudeofhisvocabulary.HebroughtchargesagainsttheweirdworldofPresleswithaninsoucianceandbrutalitywhichdefeatedtheirownaim.HedescribedthevicesofhismasterandthesinsoftheservantsinaslangwhichwouldsitmoregracefullyuponanidleroystererthanuponapiousAbb.And,hisstoryended,heleeredattheCourtwiththesatisfactionofonewhohaddischargedafearsomeduty.

Buthisrascalityovershotitsmark;theMarquise,obedienttohispriestlycasuistry,displayedtoofierceazealintheexecutionofhiscommands.Andhetooktoflight,hopingtoloseinthelargerworldofParisthenotorietywhichhisprowesswonhimamongthepoordespisedBerrichons.Heleftbehindforourconsolationasnatchofphilosophywhichhelpstoexplainhislastandgreatestachievement.`Thosewhohavemoneyexistonlytobefleeced."Thushespakewitharecklessrevelationofself.Yetthemysteryofhisbeingisstillunpierced.Heistraitor,schemer,spy;butisheanAbb?Perhapsnot.Atanyrate,heonceattendedthe`MessedesMorts,"andwasheardtomumblea`Credo,"which,aseverygoodCatholicremembers,hasnoplaceinthatsolemnservice.