und
himself in the hands of the police. His hands were still stained with
the blood of the young woman, and the authorities assumed that he was a
dangerous character. The semblance of a trial followed; he was condemned
and transported to Cayenne. After incredible hardships and sufferings,
he escaped and returned to France. Famished and exhausted, he tramped
towards Paris, and had fallen in a faint on the road when he was
overtaken by Madame Francois, who took him the rest of the journey on
her cart. During his long absence his brother Quenu had at first been
taken in by Gradelle, a brother of his mother, to whose business of
pork-butcher he ultimately succeeded. Florent on his return from exile
was warmly received by his brother and Madame Quenu, who told him that
Gradelle, his uncle, had died, leaving a considerable sum, and that as
there was no will he was entitled to a half-share. He refused to accept
this, but agreed to live with the Quenus. This arrangement answered
well at first, but Madame Quenu got tired of seeing him always about the
house, and let him see that he must secure employment. After some time
he got an appointment as deputy inspector at the Fish Market. He was
introduced by Gavard to a small revolutionary circle which met nightly
in a cafe kept by M. Lebigre, and of which he soon became the leader.
Meantime, Mlle. Saget, who from a chance word of Pauline, the little
daughter of Quenu, had learned Florent's past history, spread the story
in the markets, and a strong feeling was awakened against him. His
sister-in-law, Lisa, alarmed lest her husband should be compromised by
the revolutionary conspiracy, thought it her duty to inform the police.
She learned, however, that Florent's history had all along been known,
Lebigre being a police spy, and that only a favourable opportunity was
being awaited to arrest the whole gang of conspirators. The blow fell
soon afterwards, and Florent was again sentenced to transportation to
Cayenne. Le Ventre de Paris.

FLORY was born at Saintes, his father being employed in the local
registry office. He came to Paris and entered the office of Mazaud, the
stockbroker. At first he did his duties well, but was soon led astray
and got into debt. Having started speculation on his own account, he
became deeply involved in the Universal bank, and on the failure of that
concern was left with a liability of a hundred thousand francs, to
meet which he had not a single sou. Subsequ