."

"And can you perform anywhere?"

"No; the police picked out thirteen good places--'pitches,' we calls
'em--where we can play. Ther's the list--thirteen on 'em all of a
row--beginning on the Boulevards at the Place de la Colonne de Juilliet,
and ending in the Champs Elysees." He unfolded a neatly written document
that plainly defined the limits of Paris within which he, in common with
his co-professors, was allowed to display his abilities.

With a small gratuity for the new light thrown upon the subject of street
performances, I parted from my enterprising countryman, wishing him every
success.

I have sometimes wondered whether--considering that we have all sorts of
licensed people about us; people who are licensed to cram us upon
steam-boats; to crowd us into omnibuses; to jolt us in ramshackle cabs;
to supply us with bad brandy and other adulterated drinks; licentiates
for practising physic; licentiates for carrying parcels; licentiates for
taking money at their own doors for the diversions of singing and
dancing; licentiates for killing game with gunpowder, which other people
have been licensed to make--whether, I say, it would not be wise to
license in England out-of-door as well as in-door amusements.

CHAPTER XXVI.

PERE PANPAN.

"Monsieur Panpan lives in the Place Valois," said my friend, newly
arrived from London on a visit to Paris, "and as I am under a promise to
his brother Victor to deliver a message on his behalf, I must keep my
word even if I go alone, and execute my mission in pantomime. Will you
be my interpreter?"

The Place Valois is a dreamy little square formed by tall houses: graced
by an elegant fountain in its centre; guarded by a red-legged sentinel;
and is chiefly remarkable in Parisian annals as the scene of the
assassination of the Duc de Berri. There is a quiet, melancholy air
about the place which accords well with its traditions; and even the
little children who make it their playground on account of the absence of
both vehicles and equestrians, pursue their sports in a subdued, tranquil
way, hanging about the fountain's edge, and dabbling in the water with
their little fingers. Monsieur Panpan's residence was not difficult to
find. We entered by a handsome porte-cochere into a paved court-yard,
and, having duly accounted for our presence to the watchful concierge who
sat sedulously peering out of a green sentry-box, commenced our ascent to
the upper regions. S