The Mysteries of Paris, vol 2

The Mysteries of Paris V2, by
Eugene Sue

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Title: The Mysteries of Paris V2
Author: Eugene Sue

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[Illustration: THE SAUCEPAN THROWN IN DEFIANCE]

THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS

IN THREE VOLUMES
VOLUME TWO

By EUGENE SUE

[Illustration]
THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE EXECUTION.
The surprised lapidary rose and opened the door. Two men entered the
garret. One of them was tall and thin, with a face mean and pimpled,
surrounded by thick, grayish whiskers; he held in his hand a stout
loaded cane, and wore a shapeless hat and a large green greatcoat,
covered with mud, and buttoned close up to the neck; the black velvet
collar, much worn, exposed to view his long, bare, red throat, which
resembled a vulture's. This man was one Malicorne. The other was
short and thick-set, his countenance equally mean, and his hair red. He
was dressed with an attempt at finery, quite ridiculous. Bright studs
fastened the front of his shirt, whose cleanliness was more than
doubtful; a long gold chain, passed across his second-hand plaid stuff
waistcoat, was left to view by a velveteen jacket, of a yellowish-gray
color. This man's name was Bourdin.
"Oh, what a stink of misery and death is here!" said Malicorne,
stopping at the threshold.
"The fact is, it does not smell of musk. What habits!" repeated Bourdin,
turning up his nose in disgust and disdain. He then advanced toward the
artisan, who looked at him with mingled surprise and indignation.
Through the half-open door was seen Hoppy's evil, watchful, and
cunning face, who, having followed the strangers, unknown to them,
was narrowly watching and listening attentively.
"What do you want?" challenged the lapidary, roughly, disgusted with
the rudeness of the two men.
"Jerome Morel," responded Bourdin.
"I am he."
"Working jeweler?"

"The same."
"Are you quite sure?"
"Once more, I am that person; you annoy me--what do you want?
Explain, or leave the room!"
"Oh, you are coming the bounce, are you? I say, Malicorne," said this
man, turning toward his companion, "there is no catch here; it is not
like the haul at Viscount de Saint-Remy's."
"No, but when there is much, the door is shut against you, as we found
in the Rue de---. The bird had watched the net, and would not be taken;
while such vermin as these stick to their cribs like a snail to his shell."
"It is my opinion that they only require to be jugged to cram
themselves."
"Still the costs will be more than ever the creditor wolf will get here;
however, that's his look-out."
"Hold!" said Morel with indignation; "if you were not drunk, as you
surely are, I should be very angry. Instantly leave my room!"
"How very sharp you are this morning, old lopsides!" cried Malicorne,
insultingly alluding to the deformity in the lapidary's person.
"Do you hear, Malicorne?--he has the impudence to call this place a
room--a hole where I would not put my dog."
"For heaven's sake!" cried Madeleine, so alarmed, that till then she had
not spoken a word, "call for assistance; perhaps they are thieves. Take
care of the diamonds!"
In truth, seeing these two strangers, of doubtful appearance, approach
nearer and nearer to the bench on which lay the jewels, Morel, fearing
some evil intention, ran forward, and with both hands covered the
precious stones.

Hoppy, always on the watch, and listening, hearing Madeleine's words,
and seeing the movement of the