Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 115: what you’re looking at

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| im to instil a trifle of comfort into their souls and bodies at the same time. “Altogether this is one of the most extra- ordinary adventures I ever met with,” ob- served the Gendarme, when he had returned from the performance of his duty, and was seated in the private parlor aforesaid. “Tt is very remarkable,” assented Mr. Snodgrass “But there is one coincidence with which you are not yet aquainted,” continued the endarme “Have your friends ever spoken to you in their letters of one Dumont ?” '“Yes—often,” exclaimed Mr. Snodgrass, a light breaking in upon him. “That's my name,” added the Gendarme ; “Alfred Dumont, at, your service. Why—I know Mr. Pickwick and his companions well: or else do you think I should be sitting so quietly over this fire and that brandy with you now? If I were not con- vitead that you were a gentleman who had been most vilely duped, I should have arrested you as a conspirator in the fraud which was practised upon the landlord at Amiens, and which was discovered a few hours after your departure from that city ; for the real Count Smoloski, for whom the money was destined, arrived there and was arrested by the police, The whole affair was then explained,” “And wherefore was the Count arrest- ed?” demanded Mr. Snodgrass, when he had expressed his delight at meeting with M. Dumont. “ Merely to be re-conducted to Calais and sent back to England,” was the answer. “ He is a Polish refugee, and therefore can- not be allowed to remain in France, so long as his mind is perpetually bent upon revo- lutions and conspiracies. . But, to return to what I was saying just now,—is not the whole adventure a combination of the most singular coincidences?” = » © Very,” rejoined Mr. Snodgrass: “but I *-am sorry for Mr. Lawson’s loss.” > ’ ; that gentleman. “The account of the whole affair will get into the London as well as the Paris papers, and will be the best ad- vertisement [ could have for my hotel.” © “Indeed! Well—I should never have thought of that,” exclaimed Mr. Snodgrass, “Oh! yes,” returned Mr, Lawson, helping «On "oma thoughts [’m glad of it,” said - himself to some more brandy and water. “Why, when. I first came into this place, the custom was so slack, and the business so dull, that I actually thought of setting Snodgrass. 7 ge t | PICKWICK ABROAD. A. 103 , fire to one of the wings of the hotel to cre- ate notoriety.” “That would have been very expensive, would it not?” said Mr. Snodgrass, a little astonished at what he heard. “It would, rather,’ answered Mr. Law- son ; “so what do you think I did?” “T really can’t guess,” observed Mr. Snod- grass. “Set yourself on fire, perhaps; or may be, your head waiter ?” “Oh! no—not quite so green as that,” returued Mr. Lawson. “But I-hired an English gentleman, who was reported to have lost a large sum of money at Fresca- ti’s, to attempt suicide in the principal suite of apartments. A subscription was raised for him, and all his acquaintances went to condole with him. For a whole fortnight he ate three breakfasts and five dinners every day.” “How was that ?” demanded Mr. Snod- grass, in increased astonishment. “Why, every time any illustrious person, such as the Bishop, or an attache to the Kmbassy, called upon him,” explained Mr. Lawson, “up went the best breakfast or dinner that could be provided, according to the time of the day; and as his visitors were sure to question him about the charg- es, he always replied ‘that they were so moderate it was a wonder how Lawson could do it for the money, I attribute nearly all my business to that happy idea of the attempt at suicide.” “Most extraordinary!” exclaimed Mr, “ But is this sort of thing usu- al in France amongst the hotel keepers ¢” “ And in England as well,” returned Mr. Lawson, “ I should hope.” i A desultory conversation in this style wiled away the time till eight o’clock or so, and then the Gendarme proffered his as- sistance in showing Mr. Snodgrass the way to the lodgings occupied by that gentle- man’s friends in the Rue Royale. To this Mr. Snodgrass assented with many thanks, and having directed Mr. Lawson to forward his baggage and account to Mr. Pickwick’s lodgings in the course of the morning, he accompanied M. Dumont to the place of his destination. Dumont purposely led Mr. Snodgrass through the back entrance to Lawson's hotel, and conducted him up the Rue de Rivoli, with the view of enabling him to form a favorable impression of Paris at the first glance) The young Englishman was astonished at the splendor of the street, and stood for a considerable time to admire - EO LOO SS (C(O) An