they become so. At present it is
certainly the most frequented and the most entertaining place in Paris.
The women are even thinking of building an annex for themselves."

"And, in spite of all this, you have many suicides in the house?"

"As I said, about forty or fifty a day. Society people are rare, but
poor devils abound. The middle class has also a large contingent.

"And how... do they do?"

"They are asphyxiated... very slowly."

"In what manner?"

"A gas of our own invention. We have the patent. On the other side of
the building are the public entrances--three little doors opening
on small streets. When a man or a woman present themselves they are
interrogated. Then they are offered assistance, aid, protection. If a
client accepts, inquiries are made; and sometimes we have saved their
lives."

"Where do you get your money?"

"We have a great deal. There are a large number of shareholders. Besides
it is fashionable to contribute to the establishment. The names of the
donors are published in Figaro. Then the suicide of every rich man costs
a thousand francs. And they look as if they were lying in state. It
costs the poor nothing."

"How can you tell who is poor?"

"Oh, oh, monsieur, we can guess! And, besides, they must bring a
certificate of indigency from the commissary of police of their
district. If you knew how distressing it is to see them come in! I
visited their part of our building once only, and I will never go again.
The place itself is almost as good as this part, almost as luxurious and
comfortable; but they themselves... they themselves!!! If you could see
them arriving, the old men in rags coming to die; persons who have been
dying of misery for months, picking up their food at the edges of the
curbstone like dogs in the street; women in rags, emaciated, sick,
paralyzed, incapable of making a living, who say to us after they have
told us their story: 'You see that things cannot go on like that, as
I cannot work any longer or earn anything.' I saw one woman of
eighty-seven who had lost all her children and grandchildren, and who
for the last six weeks had been sleeping out of doors. It made me ill to
hear of it. Then we have so many different cases, without counting those
who say nothing, but simply ask: 'Where is it?' These are admitted at
once and it is all over in a minute."

With a pang at my heart I repeated:

"And... where is it?"

"Here," and he opened a door, adding:

"Go i