The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-06-28 00:00:00

A CRIME IN AN OMNIBUS

1 STORY OF PARISIAN LIFE.
13Y FORTUNE DU BOISGOBEY

Translated from the French.

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE inhabitants of the Rue de la Sourdiere who
aired themselves that day upon their doorsteps were
treated to an unusual spectacle.
Two cabs, one following closely on the other,
stopped at the corner of the Rue Gomboust, which
they approached by the Rue Saint Iloch, and drew up
close to the houses. _ _ _ _ _

Four men and a fat woman descended from the
first, and immediately separated into three groups.
At the same moment two men left the second and
walked slowly towards the market Saint Honore.
The woman entered the Rue de la Sourdiere. Ten
paces or so behind her followed a little old man in a
soft hat. _ _

Further in the rear came two strong-looking
fellows whose exterior was not at all prepossessing.
The fifth passenger from the first cab took the
same road as the two who went towards the market.
This latter was dressed in black, with a white
cravat like an undertaker.
All these i ndivid uals—alth ough not se emingtokn ow
each other, formed part of the same expedition. It
would have needed, however, a close observer to
discover the fact; the small traders who saw them
pass had no idea of any pre-arrangement, and this
advent attracted no one to the windows although
even trifling occurrences created interest in that
quiet street.
The woman entered the courtyard of a large
house, and began chatting with the porter. The
little old man who followed, arrived before the
.colloquy had,finished ; and, as each enquired for the
same person, the porter gave the same answer—
"On the first floor—the left-hand door; but I do not
know whether madame still receives, for she is going
on a journey."
The two mounted the staircase together without
exchanging a word. On reaching the landing, how-
ever, they spoke.
"You quite understand what to ray ?" asked the
man, lowering his voice. "You are my house-
keeper's sister. lam deaf and have tried everything
to cure my infirmity. You have mentioned M.
Stella as a person who gives advice on all sorts of
matters, and hope she may be able to prescribe some
treatment for my benefit!'
"I understand, I understand," replied the
woman.
"And when you have announced me, you must
let me speak."
"Yes, you must, for I should never know what to
say.'
"Here is the door," said the old man, pointing- to
the plate engraved in large letters with the name of
Madame Stella. "Ring, my good woman."
As she pulled the brass handle, he perceived
another inscription opposite.
" All right," muttered he; "here is a business
agent. The partner, doubtless. I have a strong
idea I may kill two birds with one stone."
" Nobody comes," said the woman.
"Ring louder."
She.applied.aga.in, but without more success.

"The- -usual --visitors must have some way of
making themselves heard," said her companion, in a
low voice. "We must fine it out, though it doea
not seem easy. Continue to ring; we shall soon
see."

The bell produced no effect. No one moved in the
prophetess's room, but the old man (who was only
deaf within doors) thought he heard a movement in
the apartment of the agent, and went nearer to
listen.

He was about to place his ear against the door
when it opened.
"Is it possible I" cried he. "Monsieur Pi -
douche !" and he promptly thrust his head and arm
in at the doorway.
" What ! you there, Father Pigache !” exclaimed
the man who had opened the door.
"Au, I am so pleased to see you," said the
druggist, "for I have a lot of news to relate. Some
funny things have taken place at the 'Grand Bok '
since you have ceased to visit us. I did not expect
to meet you here. I have come with my servant to
consult Madame Stella."

"She is not in," roared Piedouche, making a
trumpet of his two hands.
"That is a pity, for they told me she would give
me a cure for my affliction. Then I must come
again some other time; but as I find you here, we
may as well have a chat together."
"I have not any time to spare," replied the
other.

"Oh, I won't occupy you long. You can give me
five minutes," replied the old man.
"What have you got to say 1,"
"Something which will interest you. only
fancy ! For the last two days Pere Poivreau's
establishment is full of detectives."
Piedouche still kept the door only half opened,
and showed no disposition to permit Pigache to
enter. He looked at him suspiciously, and noted the
fat orange woman, who could hear their conversa-
tion.

But at the word "detectives" he changed his
attitude.

" What is passing at the 'Grand Bok ?" asked he
as loudly as possible, so as not to have to repeat his
question.
"It seems they seek a man whck is mixed up in
an assassination and who frequents the house under
a false name," was the answer. "I can give you all
the particulars, but as this is not your house," added
the old fellow, glancing at the brass plate whereon
appeared the name of Blanchelaine, "you perhaps
cannot receive me ?"

"I am taking care of a friend's rooms for an
hour during his absence."
" Ah! then I shall not be disturbing you, and we
have time for a chat. I will tell my servant to
wait for me in the street."

This proposition decided Pi4douche, He hesitated
to let an unknown woman into the apartment, but
the deaf man caused no misgivings, and he longed
to learn what the police were about at Poivreau's
café.

"We cannot talk here," resumed Pigache. "My
infirmity compels you to shout, and we shall attract
the notice of the neighbours. Go, down again,
Virginie, and if you get tired of waiting you may
walk to the Tuilleries gardens, and sit near the great
bason. I will come to you there shortly."
He knew Virginie understood his wishes and
would not go so far away. The orange seller obeyed
at once without question and descended the stair-
case considerably quicker than she had mounted it.
"Come in, old fellow," said Piedouche, retiring a
step or two for Pigache to pass.
He closed and bolted the door behind them, and
then led the way into his office, where was a woman
whom Freneuse had he been there would have
recognised without difficulty, for she was dressed in
precisely the same way as on the evening of the
representation of "The Chevaliers du Brouillard."
She frowned on perceiving the person her com-
panion brought in, and her eyes sought his inquir-
ingly.
"Don't be uneasy," said Pi6clouche to her in a
low voice. "I want to get some news out of this
imbecile. If I find lam deceived in him he shall
not leave here alive."

As he spoke, Piedouche watched the ci-devaut
druggist narrowly, but the old man gave no sign of
having heard what passed his physiognomy
remained smiling and vacant as usual.
"All right—l feel safe," continued he. "I feared
he might only be pretending to be deaf, but he
really is. We can speak freely, just as if he were
not here."

"But who is he, and why has he come ?"
is an old fellow who frequents the 'Grand
Bok,' and he has not come to see me; his servant
brought him to consult you about his deafness."
"Then it was he who rang just now F"
," No ; his servant. And on going to the door, to
my astonishment, I found myself face to face with
him."
But why did you bring him in?"
' "Because he told me there were detective officers
at Poivreau's caV?„ and I want to know what they
are after."

“Make haste then, for I do not like leaving the
girl alone. She talks of going away this evening,
and to quiet her I have promised to fetch her sister's
bon from ophy Cornu's.”
During this short dialogue Pigache remained
standing before M. Stella, preparing to salute her.
" lad Yis the wife of the friend whose office
takingap
Present my the old man, compliments to your friend," said
bowing low.
is Good ! good !" replied PRdouche, hurriedly.
IsNow sit down and say what you have to tell me.
Poivreau's, eh ?”
'so the police have been looking after a murderer a"
"Yes, and I suspect they won't catch him, for n
one goes there now, and he is too knowing to se
foot in the Grand Bok • again p,
'But whom has he killed The papers have not
mentioned any such crime for eight or nine days."
"They say it is not a very recent affair. A girl
was killed some short time back in an omnibus."
This reply, given in the most natural and uncon.
earned rmanner, was not without eeect upon AL
Stella and her companion. They had scarcely
expected to hear the old man speak of Bianca 's
death, and Mention it as though all the world knew
she had been assassinated. They exchanged looks,
and the woman moved as though to depart.
"How do you know AP' said Piedouche to the
druggist, forgetting to raise his voice.
" You are asking the name of the assassin they
are searehing for,'. responded Pigache, making a
kind of acoustic trumpet with his hand. " Un-
fortunately, I do not know it any more than sour-
;elf. Poivreau's customers are not in very high
iPtite, and suspicion rests on them all, but particu-
V.OIY on those who have ceased to go to the cafe.
e"-.ewever, I can tell you the author of all the mis-
-I:lBeldf,is t. hat miserable scamp named I3inos, who
Play picquet with you. It appears he has
,Red an information at the Prefecture."
A,
an not surprised." growled Pi6douche, address.

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