re certain establishments Gevrol commanded a halt. He gave a
peculiar whistle, and almost immediately a man came out. This was
another member of the force. His report was listened to, and then the
squad passed on.

"To the left, boys!" ordered Gevrol; "we will take the Rue d'Ivry, and
then cut through the shortest way to the Rue de Chevaleret."

From this point the expedition became really disagreeable. The way led
through an unfinished, unnamed street, full of puddles and deep holes,
and obstructed with all sorts of rubbish. There were no longer any
lights or crowded wine-shops. No footsteps, no voices were heard;
solitude, gloom, and an almost perfect silence prevailed; and one might
have supposed oneself a hundred leagues from Paris, had it not been for
the deep and continuous murmur that always arises from a large city,
resembling the hollow roar of a torrent in some cavern depth.

All the men had turned up their trousers and were advancing slowly,
picking their way as carefully as an Indian when he is stealing upon his
prey. They had just passed the Rue du Chateau-des-Rentiers when suddenly
a wild shriek rent the air. At this place, and at this hour, such a cry
was so frightfully significant, that all the men paused as if by common
impulse.

"Did you hear that, General?" asked one of the detectives, in a low
voice.

"Yes, there is murder going on not far from here--but where? Silence!
let us listen."

They all stood motionless, holding their breath, and anxiously
listening. Soon a second cry, or rather a wild howl, resounded.

"Ah!" exclaimed the inspector, "it is at the Poivriere."

This peculiar appellation "Poivriere" or "pepper-box" was derived from
the term "peppered" which in French slang is applied to a man who
has left his good sense at the bottom of his glass. Hence, also, the
sobriquet of "pepper thieves" given to the rascals whose specialty it is
to plunder helpless, inoffensive drunkards.

"What!" added Gevrol to his companions, "don't you know Mother Chupin's
drinking-shop there on the right. Run."

And, setting the example, he dashed off in the direction indicated. His
men followed, and in less than a minute they reached a hovel of sinister
aspect, standing alone, in a tract of waste ground. It was indeed from
this den that the cries had proceeded. They were now repeated, and were
immediately followed by two pistol shots. The house was hermetically
closed, but through the cracks in the win