Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-23
TRACED IN BLOOD,
The Little Old Man Of the BatiSnolIes
BY EMILE GABORIAU.
CHAPTER /.

sieur-le- Prince, almost at the corner of the
Rue Racine. There, at thirty francs
month, attendance included, had u fur
nished room which would now be we'll
worth n hundred; it was so large that l
could easily put my arms through the
sleeves of my overcoat without opening
the window.
Leaving early in the morning to go to
my hospital, and returning very late, be-
cause the Cafe Leroy possessed irresisti-
BILE attractions for me, / scarcely knew by
sight the dodgers in the house, who were
all quiet people of independent property,
or small tradesmen. There was one, how
ever, with whom I gradually became in
innate.
NJ. Mechiuet was man of middle
height, with a commonplace countenance,
always scrupulously well shaved. The
concierge treated him with marked con-
sideration, and never failed to hastily
raise his cap whenever he passed his
room.
AS NJ. Mechinet's door opened upon a
landing directly opposite to the door of
my room, we often met, and on these &C.
casions were in the habit OF bowling to
each other. One evening he came in to
ask for some matches; one night Dor
rowed some tobacco of him; one morning
we happened to go out at the same time
Such were our first relations.
Without being either curious or suspi-
cious-poople are not ut the age was
| then-o,e likes to know something about
| the persons with whom one IS acquainted.
Therefore, 1 naturally began-not to
watch my neighbours life, but to think of
his acts and movements
He was married, and Nine. Caroline
| Mechipet, fair, plump, merry little
woman, seemed TO worship her husband.
But this husbands mode of life was not
very regular. He often left the house be-
| fore dawn, and the sun had frequently
risen when l heard him return to his
domicile. Sometimes he disappeared for
/ weeks.
How pretty little Nine Mechinet could
tolerate this was what could not under
stand.
In my perplexity, thought our con-
cierge, who was usually Hs talkative rs a
magpie, might enlighten me.
| Wrongl had scarcely uttered the name
of Mechinet when he sent me about my
business, saying he was not in the habit
of being spy upon his dodgers.
This reception so increased my curiosi-
ty, that, banishing all shame, l set about
watching my neighbour.
Then / discovered things that seemed
| abominable.
Once saw him come home dressed in
the latest fashion, his buttonhole adorned
with five or six orders. The next day but
one 1 met him on the stairs attired in
dirty blouse and with ragged cloth,
which gave him n most sinister expression,
wrapped round his head.
This isn't all. One beautiful afternoon,
as he went out, / saw his wife follow him
to the threshold, and passionately en-
bracing him, say:
u beseech you, Mechinet, be careful;
remember your little wife.H
Be CAREFUL Whye For what reason'
What did this mean? Was the wife an
accomplice?
My establishment was soon redoubled.
l was sleeping soundly one night, when
some one suddenly knocked hurriedly at
the door.
rose and opened it.
NJ. Mechinet entered, or rather rushed
into the apartment, his clothes torn and
disordered, his cravat and shirt crushed,
his head bare, his face covered with blood
"What has happenedf" 1 exclaimed in
terror.
He signed to me to be silent.
Lower" he said, somebody might
hear you. 1t may be nothing, though l
am suffering terribly. thought, as you
were medical student, you could doubt
less attend to mer'
Without saying a word, made him sit
down, hastily examined the injury, and
gave him the necessary assistance.
The wound, although it had bled freely,
was very slight. In fact, it was only a
scratch, commencing at the left ear and
stopping ut the lips.
well, I'm safe and sound this time "
said NJ. Mechinet, when the dressing was
finished. "a Thousand thanks, my dear
Monsieur Godeuil. Please say nothing
about this little accident to anybody, and
good night"
Good night! Twas very likely to sleep!
When L remember all the absurd ideas
and romantic fancies that passed through
my brain, can't help laughing
M. Mechlnet assumed fantastic propor-
; tiOns in my mind. The next morning he
quietly came in to thank me again, and
invited me to dinner.
1t may be supposed that / was all eyes
! and ears when 1 entered my neighbours
, home. But it was in vain that my atten-
{ ton was on the alert. detected nothing
r calculated to dispel the mystery that sc
. greatly perplexed me. From the time OF
I this dinner, however, our relations be
, came more intimate. NJ. Mechinet had
, evidently taken q fancy to me. A week
D rarely passed without an invitation to eat
r his soup, as he expressed it, and almost
every day he Joined me at the Cafe Leroy
and we played a game of dominoes to
] gether.
So on a certain evening in the month Of
. July-one Friday about FIVE o'clock-ht
was on the point of beating me, when 6
q man of very shabby appearance, it mus
= be confessed, entered and whispered
in his ear a few words did not under
h stand.
! NJ. Mechinet started up with troubled
. face
g I'm co." said he; run and say I'll go.
v The man set off at full speed, and m,
8 old neiahbor held out his hand to me, say
ing
Excuse me; duty flrst-we'n continue
our game tomorrow"
J, And as, burning with curiosity,
h showed great annoyance, saying how mucl
q | i regretted that 7 could not accomnan,