rs and moustaches; others were removing shades from their
eyes; and one was carefully opening what had been the hump on his back
in search of a paper he was anxious to discover.

I had very little difficulty in ascertaining that these were all the
very lowest order of _mouchards_, whose sphere of duty rarely led
beyond the Faubourgs or the Batignolles, and indeed soon saw that my own
appearance amongst them led to no little surprise and astonishment.

'You are looking for Nicquard, monsieur?' said one, 'but he has not come
yet.'

'No; monsieur wants to see Boule-de-Fer,' said another.

'Here's Jose can fetch him,' cried a third.

'He 'll have to carry him, then,' growled out another, 'for I saw him in
the Morgue this morning!' 'What! dead?' exclaimed several together.

'As dead as four stabs in the heart and lungs can make a man! He must
have been meddling where he had no business, for there was a piece of a
lace ruffle found in his fingers.'

'Ah, _voila!_, cried another, 'that comes of mixing in high society.'

I did not wait for the discussion that followed, but stole quietly away
as the disputants were waxing warm. Instead of turning into the _cour_
again, however, I passed out into a corridor, at the end of which was
a door of green cloth. Pushing open this, I found myself in a chamber,
where a single clerk was writing at a table.

'You're late to-day, and he's not in a good-humour,' said he, scarcely
looking up from his paper. 'Go in!'

Resolving to see my adventure to the end, I asked no further questions,
but passed on to the room beyond. A person who stood within the doorway
withdrew as I entered, and I found myself standing face to face with the
Marquis de Maurepas, or, to speak more properly, the Minister Fouche. He
was standing at the fireplace as I came in, reading a newspaper, but
no sooner had he caught sight of me than he laid it down, and, with his
hands crossed behind his back, continued steadily staring at me.

'_Diable!_ exclaimed he, at last, 'how came you here?' 'Nothing more
naturally, sir, than from the wish to restore what you were so good
as to lend me, and express my sincere gratitude for a most hospitable
reception.' 'But who admitted you?'

'I fancy your saddle-cloth was my introduction, sir, for it was speedily
recognised. Gesler's cap was never held in greater honour.'

'You are a very courageous young gentleman, I must say--very
courageous, indeed,' said he, with a sardonic