passed for one of the best gardeners of that region.
I was educated, and when sixteen years old, began to study law.
Four years later they thought me a talented youth. Unhappily for
me, my father died. He left me a landed property worth a hundred
thousand francs: I sold it out for sixty thousand and went to Paris.
I was a fool then. I had the fever of pleasure-seeking, a thirst
for all sorts of pastimes, perfect health, plenty of money. I found
Paris a narrow limit for my vices; it seemed to me that the objects
of my desires were wanting. I thought my sixty thousand francs
would last forever."

Guespin paused; a thousand memories of those times rushed into his
thoughts and he muttered:

"Those were good times."

"My sixty thousand francs," he resumed, "held out eight years.
Then I hadn't a sou, yet I longed to continue my way of living.
You understand, don't you? About this time, the police, one night,
arrested me. I was 'detained' six months. You will find the
records of the affair at the prefecture. Do you know what it will
tell you? It will tell you that on leaving prison I fell into that
shameful and abominable misery which exists in Paris. It will tell
you that I have lived among the worst and lowest outcasts of Paris
--and it is the truth."

The worthy mayor was filled with consternation.

"Good Heaven!" thought he, "what an audacious and cynical rascal!
and to think that one is liable at any time to admit such servants
into his house!"

The judge held his tongue. He knew that Guespin was in such a state
that, under the irresistible impulse of passion, he might betray his
innermost thoughts.

"But there is one thing," continued the suspected man, "that the
record will not tell you; that, disgusted with this abject life, I
was tempted to suicide. It will not tell you anything of my
desperate attempts, my repentance, my relapses. At last, I was
able in part to reform. I got work; and after being in four
situations, engaged myself here. I found myself well off. I always
spent my month's wages in advance, it's true--but what would you
have? And ask if anyone has ever had to complain of me."

It is well known that among the most intelligent criminals, those
who have had a certain degree of education, and enjoyed some good
fortune, are the most redoubtable. According to this, Guespin was
decidedly dangerous. So thought those who heard him. Meanwhile,
exhausted by his excitement, he paused and wiped his face