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THE COMRADES' TRYST
THE COMRADES' TRYST
"A bowl of claret, Father Korn." The raucous voice of big Ernestine rose above the hubbub in the smoke-begrimed tavern. "Some claret, and let it be good," repeated the drab, a big, fair damsel with puckered eyes and features worn by dissipation. Father Korn had heard the first time, but he was in no hurry to comply with the order. He was a bald, whiskered giant, and at the moment was busily engaged in swilling dirty glasses in a sink filled with tepid water. This tavern, "The Comrades' Tryst," h
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ON THE TRACK
ON THE TRACK
The daily paper, The Capital , was about to go to press. The editors had handed over the last slips of copy with the latest news. "Well, Fandor," asked the Secretary, "nothing more for me?" "No, nothing." "You won't spring a 'latest' on me?" "Not unless the President of the Republic should be assassinated." "Right enough. But don't joke. Lord, there's something else to be done just now." The "setter up" appeared in the editor's rooms: "I want sharp type for 'one,' and eight lines for 'two.'" Dis
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BEHIND THE CURTAIN
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The Cité Frochot is shut in by low stone walls, topped by grating round which creepers intertwine. The entry to its main thoroughfare, shaded by trees and lined with small private houses, is not supposed to be public, and a porter's lodge to the right of the entrance is intended to enforce its private character. It was about seven in the evening. As the fine spring day drew to a close, Fandor reached the square of the Cité. For an hour past the journalist had been wholly engaged in keeping track
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A WOMAN'S CORPSE
A WOMAN'S CORPSE
"Well, Juve, I suppose you'll agree with me that Josephine's information was a piece of pure fiction," said Fandor as they turned into the Rue Pigalle. "You are talking nonsense," replied Juve. "But," protested the other, "we arrived punctually at the place appointed, and most assuredly nothing happened there." "We were punctual, it is true, but so was Loupart. Josephine's letter gave us two items of information: That her lover would be at Doctor Chaleck's house and that he would rob the safe. E
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LOUPART'S ANGER
LOUPART'S ANGER
Loupart was taking a fruit cure. It was about ten in the morning, and along the Rues Charbonnière, Chartres and Goutte d'Or the women hawkers, driven from central Paris by the police, were making for the high ground of the populous quarters. Loupart strolled along the pavement, making grabs at the barrows, picking a handful of strawberries or cherries as he went by. If by chance the dealer complained, she was quickly silenced by a chaffing speech or a stern glance. The hooligan stopped at the "C
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THE LÂRIBOISIÈRE HOSPITAL
THE LÂRIBOISIÈRE HOSPITAL
The clerk, who had admitted Juve, withdrew, and M. de Maufil, the amiable director, gave the police officer his most gracious smile. "When I applied this morning at headquarters for an officer to be sent here, I scarcely expected to receive so celebrated a detective, upon a matter which is really very commonplace." "Your letter to M. Havard mentioned a person I have been looking for with the greatest interest for the past two days. Loupart, alias 'The Square,'" replied Juve, "that is why I came
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A REVOLVER SHOT
A REVOLVER SHOT
Doctor Patel's division presented an unusually animated appearance that afternoon. Not only were the patients allowed to receive visitors, but quite a number of strange doctors had spent the day going from bed to bed, note-books in hand, studying the patients and their temperature charts. The nurses hesitated to call these individuals doctors, and the patients, too, seemed aware of their true status. Whispers were hushed, and all eyes turned toward the far end of the ward. There, in a bed set sl
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THE SEARCH FOR THE CRIMINAL
THE SEARCH FOR THE CRIMINAL
"It's astounding!" declared M. de Maufil. "We have already examined nearly two hundred persons and found nothing." "That may be," replied Juve, "but we may discover the culprit by the two hundred and first hand held out to us." "There is one thing you forget, M. Juve." "What is that?" "If the culprit gets wind of our method of investigation, if he has any notion that you are inspecting the hands of all those who desire to leave the hospital, he won't be such a ninny as to come and submit to your
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IN THE REFRIGERATORY
IN THE REFRIGERATORY
It was light in the evening. One by one the rooms in Lâriboisière were being lit up. The one exception was the grim amphitheatre, whose occupants would never need to see again. Suddenly—and if anyone had been present, he would have experienced the most frightful impression it is possible to conceive—a corpse stirred. Having assured himself that the door between the amphitheatre and the gallery was shut, the corpse, shivering with cold, threw off the shroud which enveloped him, and set to work to
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THE BLOODY SIGNATURE
THE BLOODY SIGNATURE
M. de Maufil was exceedingly nervous. "As soon as you went back to headquarters," he declared to Juve, some moments after that officer had been shown into his private room, "I continued the search with redoubled efforts. Neither the ward-nurses, in whom I place complete confidence, nor the heads of my staff, whom I have known for ever so long, passed the doors of the hospital. In fact, I took every precaution and obeyed your instructions to the letter—yet all in vain." "You found nothing?" "Noth
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THE SHOWER OF SAND
THE SHOWER OF SAND
"I'm afraid it's not quite the thing to enter people's houses in this fashion," whispered Juve, as the two men found themselves in the hall of Doctor Chaleck's little house in the Frochot district. It was about midnight, and through the fan-light of the outer door a dim twilight enabled the detective and the journalist to get an idea of the place in which they stood. It was a fairly large hall with double doors on either hand, leading into the drawing-and dining-rooms. At the far end rose a wind
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FOLLOWING JOSEPHINE
FOLLOWING JOSEPHINE
The captives had been recognised, and had been set at liberty. They had scarcely got a few yards from the police station, when Juve took the journalist's arm. "Let's make haste!" he cried. "This foolish arrest has made us lose precious hours." "You have a plan, Juve? What is it?" "We must now turn our attention to Josephine; we must use her as a bait to catch the others. The girl won't be much longer at Lâriboisière. She will be extremely anxious to leave that place and——" "And go back to clear
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ROBBERY; AMERICAN FASHION
ROBBERY; AMERICAN FASHION
"Tickets, please." The guard took the one offered by Fandor. "Excuse me, sir, there's a mistake here," he said. "This train doesn't go to Marseilles?" "The train, yes, but not the last carriage in which you are, for it is bound for Pontarlier, and will be slipped at Lyons from this express." Fandor was nonplussed. The essential was to follow Josephine, ensconced in the compartment next to his. "Well, I'll get into another carriage when we are off; it's so easy with the corridors." "You can't do
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FLIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT
FLIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT
Scarcely had Loupart received Josephine in his arms, as she jumped from the carriage, than he strenuously urged his companions to make haste. "Now, then, boys, off we go, and quickly, too! Josephine, pick up your skirts and get a move on!" It was a dark night, without moon, favourable to the robber's plans. For a good fifteen minutes the ill-omened crew continued their retreat by forced march. From time to time Loupart questioned the "Beard": "This the way?" The other nodded assent: "Keep on, we
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THE SIMPLON EXPRESS DISASTER
THE SIMPLON EXPRESS DISASTER
While Loupart and his mates were making off across country the disaster occurred. At a curve in the track the Simplon Express coming at full speed charged the cars and crushed them, then, lifted by the shock, the engine reared backwards on its wheels and fell heavily, dragging down in its fall a baggage car and the first two carriages coupled behind it. Then rose in the night cries of terror and the frantic rush of the passengers who fled from the luxurious train. Fandor picked himself up and we
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A DRAMA AT THE BERCY WAREHOUSE
A DRAMA AT THE BERCY WAREHOUSE
Juve passed the whole day at the Cité Frochot. Despite the precautions taken to keep the failure two days back a secret, the papers had got wind of the drama: The Capital itself had spoken of it, though without naming his fellow-worker. The staff of that paper was unaware that Fandor was the other man who had so marvellously escaped from the sewer. Blood-curdling tales were told about Doctor Chaleck, Juve, Loupart, the house of the crime, the affair at the hospital; but to anyone familiar with t
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ON THE SLABS OF THE MORGUE
ON THE SLABS OF THE MORGUE
As he turned at the far side of the Pont St. Louis, Doctor Ardel, the celebrated medical jurist, caught sight of M. Fuselier, the magistrate, chatting with Inspector Juve in front of the Morgue. "I am behind-hand, gentlemen. So sorry to have made you wait." M. Fuselier and Juve crossed the tiny court and entered the semi-circular lecture-room, where daily lessons in medical jurisprudence are given to the students and the head men of the detective police force. Doctor Ardel, piloting his guests,
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FANTÔMAS' VICTIM
FANTÔMAS' VICTIM
"You understand my object, Fandor? Hitherto I have worked unaided. I wanted to unearth Fantômas and bring him to Headquarters, saying to my superiors, 'For three years you have maintained this man was dead; well, here he is! I have put the darbies on the most terrible ruffian of modern times.' Well, I must forego my little triumph. We must now work in the open. Public opinion must come to our aid." "Then you want me to write my article?" "Yes, and tell all the details; wind up by putting the que
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THE ENGLISHWOMAN OF BOULEVARD INKERMANN
THE ENGLISHWOMAN OF BOULEVARD INKERMANN
"To sum up what I have just learned." Juve was seated at his desk, and those who knew the private life of the great detective would assuredly have guessed that he was gravely preoccupied. He was trying to extract some useful information from the notary's visit, some hints essential to the investigation he had taken in hand, and that at all hazards he meant to pursue to a successful termination. The task was fraught with difficulties and even peril. But the triumph would be great if he should suc
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THE ARREST OF JOSEPHINE
THE ARREST OF JOSEPHINE
The somewhat grim faces of Mme. Guinon, Julie and the Flirt lit up suddenly. Bonzille, the tramp set free by the police the day after the "drive" in the Rue Charbonnière, had opened the bottle of vermouth, and Josephine bustled around to find glasses to put on the table. Josephine had visitors in her little lodging. There was to be a quiet lunch. On the sideboard attractive dishes were ready, a fine savour of cooking onions came from the dark corner in which Loupart's pretty mistress was doing h
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AT THE MONTMARTRE FÊTE
AT THE MONTMARTRE FÊTE
The fête of Montmartre was at its height. In the Place Blanche a joyous crowd was pressing round a booth of huge dimensions, splendidly lighted. On the stage a cheap Jack, decked out in many-coloured frippery, was delivering his patter: "Walk in, ladies and gentlemen; it's only ten cents, and you won't regret your money! The management of the theatre will present to you, without delay, the prettiest woman in the world and also the fattest, who weighs a trifle over 600 pounds and possibly more; a
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THE PUGILIST'S WHIM
THE PUGILIST'S WHIM
An old servant had brought out the early coffee to the arbour in the garden. It was about eight o'clock, and in the shady retreat the freshness of springtime reigned. Soon down the gravel walk appeared the well-built figure of Dixon, dressed in white flannels. He bent under the arch of greenery that led to the arbour, and seemed vexed to find that it was empty. Clearly the pugilist was not going to breakfast alone and, to while away the time until his companion should appear, he lighted a cigare
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"STATES EVIDENCE"
"STATES EVIDENCE"
"Juve, I've been fooled." The journalist was resting on the great couch in his friend's study, Rue Bonaparte, and wound up with this assertion the long account of the fruitless inquiry he had made at Dixon's. "I'm played out! For two days I haven't stopped a minute. After the night at the "Crocodile," which I spent for the most part, as I told you, in search of Loupart, yesterday my day went in fruitless trips; my mind is made up; to-night I shall do no more!" "A cigarette, Fandor?" "Thanks." Fr
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A MYSTERIOUS CLASP
A MYSTERIOUS CLASP
"Hullo! Hullo!" Waking with a start, Juve rushed to the telephone. It was already broad daylight, but the detective had gone to bed very late and had been sleeping profoundly. "Yes, it's I, Juve. The Sûreté? It's you, M. Havard? Yes, I am free. Oh! That's strange. No signs? I understand. Count on me. I'll go there and keep you informed." Juve dressed in haste, went down to the street and hailed a taxi. "To Sèvres, the foot of the hill at Bellevue, and look sharp about it!" Juve left his taxi-cab
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THE TRAP
THE TRAP
"Twelve o'clock! Hang it! I've just time to get there to keep my engagement with Josephine." Juve was going down Belleville hill as fast as his legs could take him by a short cut past the Sèvres school. He cast a mocking glance toward the little police station which stands smart and trim at one side of the high road. "Pity," he murmured, "that I can't escort my friends to that delightful country house." Then he hastened his pace still more. He was growing angry. "I told Fandor to be at Nogent St
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AT THE HOUSE OF BONARDIN, THE ACTOR
AT THE HOUSE OF BONARDIN, THE ACTOR
In the Place d'Anvers, Fandor was passing Rokin College. He heard some one calling him. "Monsieur Fandor! Monsieur Fandor!" It was Josephine, breathless and panting, her bright eyes glowing with joy. Fandor turned, astonished. "What is up?" Josephine paused a second, then taking Fandor's hand familiarly drew him into the square, which at this time of day was almost deserted. "Oh, it's something out of the common, I can assure you. I am going to astonish you!" "You've done that already. The mere
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THE MOTHER SUPERIOR
THE MOTHER SUPERIOR
"The Mother Superior, if you please?" The door shut automatically upon Fandor. He was in the little inner court of the small convent, face to face with a Sister, who gazed in alarm at the unexpected guest. The journalist persisted: "Can I see the Mother Superior?" "Well, sir, yes—no, I think not." The worthy nun evidently did not know what to say. Finally making up her mind she pointed to a passage, and, drawing aside to let the journalist pass, said: "Be good enough to go in there and wait a fe
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AN OLD PARALYTIC
AN OLD PARALYTIC
At the far end of the Rue de Rome Fandor halted. "After all," he thought, "maybe I am going straight into a trap. Who sent me the letter? Who is this M. Mahon? I never heard of him. Why this menacing phrase, 'Come, if you take any interest in the affairs of Lady B—— and F——.' Oh, if only I could take counsel of Juve!" But for the last fortnight, since the ill-starred affair of Nogent and the almost incredible discovery he had made that Lady Beltham was still alive, Fandor had not seen Juve. He h
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THROUGH THE WINDOW
THROUGH THE WINDOW
"What a splendid fellow! One can count on him at any time. A friendship like his is rare and precious." Fandor had just left Juve, and the detective could not help being strangely moved as he thought of the devotion shown him by the journalist. The detective was still in his wheel chair; with a skilful turn he went back to the balcony and his post of observation. Evening was coming on. After a fine day the sky had become leaden and overcast with great clouds: a storm was threatening. Juve swore.
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UNCLE AND NEPHEW
UNCLE AND NEPHEW
"So, uncle, you have decided to live at Neuilly?" "Oh, it's quite settled. Your aunt finds the place charming, and besides, it would be so pleasant to have a garden. Also, the land is sure to grow more valuable in this neighbourhood and the purchase of a house here would be a good speculation!" The stout man, as he uttered the word "speculation," beamed. The mere sight of him suggested the small tradesman grown rich by dint of long and arduous years of toil, retired from business and prone to fa
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LOVERS AND ACCOMPLICES
LOVERS AND ACCOMPLICES
"Oh! who is that?" From the shadow issued some one who calmly replied: "It is I." "Ah!—I know you now, but why this disguise?" "Madame the Superior—I present myself—Doctor Chaleck. Isn't my disguise as good as yours?" "What do you want of me? Speak quickly, I am frightened." "To begin with, I thank you for coming to the tryst at your house—at ours. For five Tuesdays I have waited in vain. But first, madame, explain your sudden conversion, the reason of your sudden entry into Orders. That is a st
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THE SILENT EXECUTIONER
THE SILENT EXECUTIONER
Juve was in his study smoking a cigarette. It was nine in the evening. The door leading to the lobby opened and Fandor walked in. "All right, this evening?" "All right. What brings you here, Fandor?" The journalist smiled and pointed to a calendar on the wall: "The fact that—it's this evening, Juve." "The date fixed by Chaleck or Fantômas for my demise. To-morrow morning I am to be found in my bed, strangled, crushed, or something of the sort. I suppose you've come to get a farewell interview fo
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A SCANDAL IN THE CLOISTER
A SCANDAL IN THE CLOISTER
Slight sounds, scarcely audible, disturbed the peace of the cloister. In the absolute silence of the night, vague noises could be distinguished. Furtive steps, whisperings, doors opened or shut cautiously. Then the blinking light of a candle shone at a casement, two or three other windows were illuminated and the hubbub grew general. Voices were heard, frightened interjections, the stir increased in the long corridor on which cells opened. Generally the curtains of these cells were discreetly dr
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FANTÔMAS' REVENGE
FANTÔMAS' REVENGE
"Phew! Here I am!" Checking his headlong course at the top of the terrace steps, Fantômas rapidly entered the house, then double-locked himself in. The ruffian at once inspected the fastenings of the windows and doors on the ground floor. The monster cocked his ear. Three calls of the horn sounded dolefully in the silence of the night. Fantômas counted them anxiously and then exclaimed: "There! That's my signal! My driver is taken." A slight shudder shook the sturdy frame of the man. He went up
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