CHAPTER XLVI. A GLANCE AT THE 'PREFECTURE DE POLICE'
Poor Mahon's melancholy story made a deep impression upon me, and Ireturned to Paris execrating the whole race of spies and _mouchards_,and despising, with a most hearty contempt, a Government compelledto use such agencies for its existence. It seemed to me so utterlyimpossible to escape the snares of a system so artfully interwoven,and so vain to rely on innocence as a protection, that I felt a kindof reckless hardihood as to whatever might betide me, and rode into the_cour_ of the Prefecture with a bold indifference as to my fate that Ihave often wondered at since.
The horse on which I was mounted was immediately recognised as Ientered; and the obsequious salutations that met me showed that I wasregarded as one of the trusty followers of the Minister; and in thiscapacity was I ushered into a large waiting-room, where a considerablenumber of persons were assembled, whose air and appearance, now thatnecessity for disguise was over, unmistakably pronounced them to bespies of the police. Some, indeed, were occupied in taking off theirfalse whiskers and moustaches; others were removing shades from theireyes; and one was carefully opening what had been the hump on his backin search of a paper he was anxious to discover.
I had very little difficulty in ascertaining that these were all thevery lowest order of _mouchards_, whose sphere of duty rarely ledbeyond the Faubourgs or the Batignolles, and indeed soon saw that my ownappearance amongst them led to no little surprise and astonishment.
'You are looking for Nicquard, monsieur?' said one, 'but he has not comeyet.'
'No; monsieur wants to see Boule-de-Fer,' said another.
'Here's Jose can fetch him,' cried a third.
'He 'll have to carry him, then,' growled out another, 'for I saw him inthe Morgue this morning!' 'What! dead?' exclaimed several together.
'As dead as four stabs in the heart and lungs can make a man! He musthave been meddling where he had no business, for there was a piece of alace ruffle found in his fingers.'
'Ah, _voila!_, cried another, 'that comes of mixing in high society.'
I did not wait for the discussion that followed, but stole quietly awayas the disputants were waxing warm. Instead of turning into the _cour_again, however, I passed out into a corridor, at the end of which wasa door of green cloth. Pushing open this, I found myself in a chamber,where a single clerk was writing at a table.
'You're late to-day, and he's not in a good-humour,' said he, scarcelylooking up from his paper. 'Go in!'
Resolving to see my adventure to the end, I asked no further questions,but passed on to the room beyond. A person who stood within the doorwaywithdrew as I entered, and I found myself standing face to face with theMarquis de Maurepas, or, to speak more properly, the Minister Fouche. Hewas standing at the fireplace as I came in, reading a newspaper, butno sooner had he caught sight of me than he laid it down, and, with hishands crossed behind his back, continued steadily staring at me.
'_Diable!_ exclaimed he, at last, 'how came you here?' 'Nothing morenaturally, sir, than from the wish to restore what you were so goodas to lend me, and express my sincere gratitude for a most hospitablereception.' 'But who admitted you?'
'I fancy your saddle-cloth was my introduction, sir, for it was speedilyrecognised. Gesler's cap was never held in greater honour.'
'You are a very courageous young gentleman, I must say--verycourageous, indeed,' said he, with a sardonic grin that was anything butencouraging.
'The better chance that I may find favour with Monsieur de Fouche,'replied I.
'That remains to be seen, sir,' said he, seating himself in his chair,and motioning me to a spot in front of it. 'Who are you?'
'A lieutenant of the Ninth Hussars, sir; by name Maurice Tiernay.'
'I don't care for that,' said he impatiently; 'what's youroccupation?--how do you live?--with whom do you associate?'
'I have neither means nor associates. I have been liberated from theTemple but a few days back; and what is to be my future, and where, arefacts of which I know as little as does Monsieur de Fouche of my pasthistory.'
'It would seem that every adventurer, every fellow destitute of home,family, fortune, and position, thinks that his natural refuge lies inthis Ministry, and that I must be his guardian.'
'I never thought so, sir.'
'Then why are you here? What other than personal reasons procures me thehonour of this visit?'
'As Monsieur de Fouche will not believe in my sense of gratitude,perhaps he may put some faith in my curiosity, and excuse the naturalanxiety I feel to know if Monsieur de Maurepas has really benefited bythe pleasure of my society.'
'_Hardi, monsieur, bien hardi_,' said the minister, with a peculiarexpression of irony about the mouth that made me almost shudder. He ranga little hand-bell as he spoke, and a servant made his appearance.
'You have forgotten to leave me my snuff-box, Geoffroy,' said he mildlyto the valet, who at once left the room, and speedily returned with amagnificently chased gold box, on which the initials of the First Consulwere embossed in diamonds.
'Arrange those papers, and place those books on the shelves,' saidthe Minister. And then turning to me, as if resuming a previousconversation, went on--
'As to that memoir of which we were speaking t' other night, monsieur,it would be exceedingly interesting just now; and I have no doubt thatyou will see the propriety of confiding to me what you already promisedto Monsieur de Maurepas.--That will do, Geoffroy; leave us.'
The servant retired, and we were once more alone.
'I possess no secrets, sir, worthy the notice of the Minister ofPolice,' said I boldly.
'Of that I may presume to be the better judge,' said Fouche calmly. 'Butwaiving this question, there is another of some importance. You have,partly by accident, partly by a boldness not devoid of peril, obtainedsome little insight into the habits and details of this Ministry; atleast, you have seen enough to suspect more, and misrepresent what youcannot comprehend. Now, sir, there is an almost universal custom inall secret societies of making those who intrude surreptitiously withintheir limits to take every oath and pledge of that society, and toassume every responsibility that attaches to its voluntary members----'
'Excuse my interrupting you, sir; but my intrusion was purelyinvoluntary; I was made the dupe of a police spy.'
'Having ascertained which,' resumed he coldly, 'your wisest policywould have been to have kept the whole incident for yourself alone, andneither have uttered one syllable about it, nor ventured to come here,as you have done, to display what you fancy to be your power overthe Minister of Police. You are a very young man, and the lesson maypossibly be of service to you; and never forget that to attempt acontest of address with those whose habits have taught them every wileand subtlety of their fellow-men will always be a failure. This Ministrywould be a sorry engine of government if men of your stamp could outwitit.'
I stood abashed and confused under a rebuke which at the same time Ifelt to be but half deserved.
'Do you understand Spanish?' asked he suddenly.
'No, sir, not a word.'
'I'm sorry for it; you should learn that language without loss of time.Leave your address with my secretary, and call here by Monday or Tuesdaynext.'
'If I may presume so far, sir,' said I, with a great effort to seemcollected, 'I would infer that your intention is to employ me in somecapacity or other. It is, therefore, better I should say at once, I haveneither the ability nor the desire for such occupation. I have alwaysbeen a soldier. Whatever reverses of fortune I may meet with, I wouldwish still to continue in the same career. At all events, I could neverbecome a--a--'
'Spy. Say the word out; its meaning conveys nothing offensive to myears, young man. I may grieve over the corruption that requires such asystem, but I do not confound the remedy with the disease.'
'My sentiments are different, sir,' said I resolutely, as I movedtowards the door. 'I have the honour to wish you a good-morning.'
'Stay a moment, Tiernay,' said he, looki
ng for something amongst hispapers; 'there are, probably, situations where all your scruples couldfind accommodation, and even be serviceable, too.'
'I would rather not place them in peril, Monsieur le Ministre.'
'There are people in this city of Paris who would not despise myprotection, young man--some of them to the full as well supplied withthe gifts of fortune as Monsieur Tiernay.'
'And, doubtless, more fitted to deserve it!' said I sarcastically; forevery moment now rendered me more courageous.
'And, doubtless, more fitted to deserve it,' repeated he after me, witha wave of the hand in token of adieu.
I bowed respectfully, and was retiring, when he called out in a low andgentle voice--
'Before you go, Monsieur de Tiernay, I will thank you to restore mysnuff-box.'
'Your snuff-box, sir?' cried I indignantly; 'what do I know of it?'
'In a moment of inadvertence, you may, probably, have placed it in yourpocket,' said he, smiling; 'do me the favour to search there.'
'This is unnecessary insult, sir,' said I fiercely; 'and you forget thatI am a French officer!'
'It is of more consequence that you should remember it,' said he calmly.'And now, sir, do as I have told you.'
'It is well, sir, that this scene has no witness,' said I, boiling overwith passion, 'or, by Heaven, all the dignity of your station should notsave you.'
'Your observation is most just,' said he, with the same coolness. 'It isas well that we are quite alone; and for this reason I beg to repeatmy request. If you persist in a refusal, and force me to ring thatbell----'
'You would not dare to offer me such an indignity,' said I, tremblingwith rage.
'You leave me no alternative, sir,' said he, rising, and taking thehell in his hand. 'My honour is also engaged in this question. I havepreferred a charge--'
'You have,' cried I, interrupting, 'and for whose falsehood I amresolved to hold you responsible.'
'To prove which you must show your innocence.'
'There, then--there are my pockets; here are the few things I possess.This is my pocket-book--my purse. Oh, heavens, what is this?' criedI, as I drew forth the gold box, along with the other contents of mypocket; and then staggering back, I fell, overwhelmed with shame andsickness, against the wall. For some seconds I neither saw nor heardanything; a vague sense of ineffable disgrace--of some ignominy thatmade life a misery, was over me, and I closed my eyes with the wishnever to open them more.'
'The box has a peculiar value in my eyes, sir,' said he--'it was apresent from the First Consul--otherwise I might have hesitated----'
'Oh, sir, you cannot, you dare not, suppose me guilty of a theft. Youseem bent on being my ruin; but, for mercy's sake, let your hatred ofme take some other shape than this. Involve me in what snares, whatconspiracies you will, give me what share you please in any guilt, butspare me the degradation of such a shame!'
He seemed to enjoy the torments I was suffering, and actually revel inthe contemplation of my misery; for he never spoke a word, but continuedsteadily to stare me in the face.
'Sit down here, monsieur,' said he, at length, while he pointed to achair near him; 'I wish to say a few words to you, in all seriousness,and in good faith also.'
I seated myself, and he went on.
'The events of the last two days must have made such an impression onyour mind that even the most remarkable incidents of your life could notcompete with. You fancied yourself a great discoverer, and that, bythe happy conjuncture of intelligence and accident, you had actuallyfathomed the depths of that wonderful system of police, which, morepowerful than armies or councils, is the real government of France! Iwill not stop now to convince you that you have not wandered out of thevery shallowest channels of this system. It is enough that you have beenadmitted to an audience with me, to suggest an opposite conviction, andgive to your recital, when you repeat the tale, a species of importance.Now, sir, my counsel to you is, never to repeat it; and for this reason:nobody possessed of common powers of judgment will ever believe you!not one, sir! No one would ever believe that Monsieur Fouche had made sograve a mistake, no more than he would believe that a man of good nameand birth, a French officer, could have stolen a snuff-box. You see,Monsieur de Tiernay, that I acquit you of this shameful act. Imitate mygenerosity, sir, and forget all that you have witnessed since Tuesdaylast. I have given you good advice, sir; if I find that you profit byit, we may see more of each other.'
Scarcely appreciating the force of his parable, and thinking of nothingsave the vindication of my honour, I muttered a few unmeaning words, andwithdrew, glad to escape a presence which had assumed, to my terrifiedsenses, all the diabolical subtlety of Satanic influence. Trustingthat no future accident of my life should ever bring me within suchprecincts, I hurried from the place as though it were contaminated andplague-stricken.