“The cross! Oh, very likely, since it is the police that gives the cross now-a-days!” replied a wag, in a white blouse. “Why not?” “Because it is not in their power.” “They have power enough to put you where the dogs won’t bite you, you blackguard!” “Hear! hear!” “Did you hear?” said a woman with a handkerchief over her head; “did you hear? He began by saying the young man did right in cutting the rope, and still he has arrested him all the same.” “Just as though he was obliged to go!” A quarter of an hour later, a physician hurried through the crowd, crying,-- “Where is the patient?” The unfortunate shopkeeper was in one corner, studying how he could possess himself of the thousand francs without letting his wife know it, while she had followed the commissary, hoping to get the money without the knowledge of her husband. CHAPTER V. At the door of the commissary’s office, the clerk politely begged Eusebe to enter first, introducing him into a room divided into two parts by a screen of green lustring. The dilapidated walls were covered with black designs executed by offenders, who had whiled away the tedium of waiting by cultivating the fine arts. The rays of the sun, struggling to enter at a window that looked into the court, shone feebly on an old black desk, upon which a quantity of stamped papers, that seemed to have the jaundice, were lying. Two clerks, whose appearance was in keeping with the place, were scribbling away mechanically. Eusebe, who thought the adjective _shabby_ the proper word with which to qualify the _ensemble_, said to the clerk,-- “Is this, sir, what is called the formidable _appareil_ of the courts of justice?” The magistrate’s drudge smiled, and, regarding the young provincialist with a look of benevolence mingled with compassion, replied,-- “No, sir: the courts of justice are held at the Palace: this may be considered as being one of the laboratories that supply them with materials.” “I don’t understand you,” said the youth. “No matter,” replied the clerk. “It is to be hoped you will understand better by-and-by. Here comes the commissary. Be seated, and answer the questions he asks you.” “You told me that your name was Eusebe Martin,” said the commissary. “Yes, sir.” “How did you leave your father’s house?” “By taking the Pénicault coach as far as Vierzon.” The commissary and his clerk exchanged significant glances. “Write the replies,” said M. Bézieux to the clerk. “Have you a passport?” “I don’t know what it is.” “Write this reply also.” “What did you say you came to Paris for?” “I told you I came to Paris to study civilization.” “To what purpose?” “Why, to be----civilized.” “Ah! very well. Have you, besides this thousand francs, the means of existence?” “By limiting my expenses to ten francs per day, with what I have, I shall be able to live five thousand days,--about fourteen years. Here is my money----” “Very well. Do you know any one in Paris?”