CHAPTER XXV
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS
Bobichel unfortunately had not said too much. The fact that Fanfaro haddropped dead so suddenly had caused great excitement in the scientificworld, and Dr. Albaret, the king's private physician, was the first topropose the autopsy. His colleagues immediately consented, and Fanfarowas at once brought to the Hotel Dieu and placed upon the marble tablein the anatomy room. The attendants busily rushed here and there, andwhile they brought in the necessary instruments--lances, needles,knives, saws and bandages,--numerous disciples of Esculapius stood aboutthe dead man and admired his beautiful proportions and strong muscles.
"He could have lived to a hundred years," said the physician, as he beatFanfaro's breast, and his colleagues agreed with him. Fanfaro lay like amarble statue upon the table; the dark locks covered the pale forehead,and a painful expression lay over the firmly closed lips. Did the poorfellow suspect that he would become a victim of science and be deliveredover to the knife?
In the meantime the hall had become crowded, and when Dr. Albaretappeared a murmur of expectation ran through the ranks of the studentsand physicians.
Dr. Albaret, a sturdy old man, bowed to all sides, and hastily takingoff his coat he took the dissecting knife in his hand and began tospeak: "Gentlemen! a death so sudden as this in a person apparently inthe best of health demands the attention of all physicians, and I hopethat we will be able to discover the cause of this surprisingphenomenon. There are different ways of beginning an autopsy such asthis. The German professors, for instance, make a cut from the chin tothe pit of the stomach, the Italians from the underlip to thebreast-bone, while the French--"
"Dr. Albaret," cried a stentorian voice at this moment--"where is Dr.Albaret?"
The physician frowned, he did not like such interruptions, but when hesaw that the man who was hurriedly pressing through the rows oflisteners wore the livery of a royal lackey, his face became clearagain.
"A message from his majesty the king," said the man breathlessly.
"A message from his majesty?" repeated the physician eagerly, as hegrasped the note the messenger gave him.
Hurriedly running over the few lines, Albaret nodded, and quicklyputting his coat on again, he said, in a tone of importance:
"Gentlemen, much to my regret I must leave you; an urgent matterrequires my immediate attendance at the Tuileries, and I shall go theredirectly."
"But the autopsy?" remarked an elderly colleague.
"It isn't worth the trouble to postpone it," replied Albaret,indifferently; "let the poor fellow, who is stone-dead, be buried. Deathundoubtedly was produced by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain,and the excitement under which the deceased was laboring proves thisvery clearly. Adieu, gentlemen, next time we shall make up for what wehave lost now."
He hurried out. In the corridor he was stopped by the superintendent ofthe hospital, who asked him to put his signature under the burialcertificate. Albaret signed it standing, got into the carriage which waswaiting at the door, and rode rapidly away, while the royal servant, whowas no other than Girdel, ran in an opposite direction, and took off hislivery in a little house where Bobichel was awaiting him.
"Bobi, just in time," he breathlessly cried, "five minutes more andFanfaro would have been done for."
Girdel's further arrangements were made with the utmost prudence. Irenede Salves had given him unlimited credit, and the well-known proverbthat a golden key opens all doors was conclusively proved in thisparticular case. The man whose duty it was to bury those who died in theHotel Dieu had, for a good round sum, consented to allow Girdel to dohis work, and so the athlete had nothing else to do than to clothehimself appropriately and hurry back to the hospital.
The superintendent had just ordered the hearse to be put in readiness,when the Marquis of Fougereuse was announced. On the upper corner of thevisiting card was a peculiar mark, and hardly had he seen it than hehurried to meet the marquis.
The nobleman leaned on Pierre Labarre's arm, and returning thesuperintendent's greeting, he tried to speak, but his voice was brokenby sobs, and so he handed the official a folded paper and lookedinquiringly at him.
Hardly had the official read the paper, than he respectfully observedthat the marquis's wish should be complied with, and that he would givethe necessary orders at once.
The note contained an order from the Minister of Justice to hand over tothe Marquis of Fougereuse the body of Fanfaro; thus it will be seen thatthe marquis's present of a million to the Society of Jesus had alreadyborne fruit, and Pierre Labarre felt his anger diminish when he saw forwhat purpose the marquis had demanded the money. He no longer thought ofthe cabinet position, he had bought the right with his million to havethe son who had never stood near to him in life buried in the Fougereusefamily vault.
"I should like--to see--the deceased," stammered the broken-down father.
The official bowed, and accompanied his guide up to the operating roomwhere Fanfaro's body still lay.
The marquis sank on his knees beside the dead man, and murmured a silentprayer; how different was the son who had fallen in a duel to thebrother whom the father had sacrificed for him.
"Marquis, shall I call the carriers?" asked Pierre, gently.
The nobleman nodded, and soon Fanfaro's body was laid upon a bier, whichwas carried to the Fougereuse mansion by four men. The marquis andPierre followed the procession with uncovered heads. When they arrivedat the Fougereuse mansion, Fanfaro was laid beside his brother, and themarquis then said:
"There is only one thing left for me--I must bury my sons and then diemyself."
"But Madame la Marquise," said Pierre, anxiously.
"The marquise will have the same wish as I have to suffer for our sins,"said the marquis, frowning; "and--"
At this moment Baptiste rushed into the room, and with a frightened lookexclaimed:
"Madame la Marquise is nowhere to be seen, and her maid fears she hasdone herself an injury--she was talking so strangely."
Pierre and the marquis exchanged a silent look, and then the noblemangently said:
"She did right. Of what further use was she in the world? Oh, I envyher!"
* * * * *
Girdel and Bobichel waited almost a full hour at the rear entrance ofthe Hotel Dieu. The athlete finally became impatient. He went inside ofthe house and asked if the body wasn't going to be put in the hearse.
"I really forgot all about it," cried the superintendent to whom Girdelhad gone for information. "The body has been taken away long ago."
"Taken away?" repeated the athlete, astonished.
"Yes; the Marquis of Fougereuse claimed him and took him along. Ibelieve he intends to bury him in his family vault."
"Almighty God! Is that true?" asked Girdel, horror-stricken.
"Yes, certainly; he brought carriers along, and that settled thematter."
"Where is the family vault of the Fougereuse?" asked Girdel.
"Oh, far from Paris; somewhere in Alsace, if I remember aright."
"God have mercy on me!" muttered Girdel to himself.
The official looked at him with amazement. What was the matter with theman?