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
THEMANINTHEGREYSUIT
THEAbb
Bruneau,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
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.