Library of the World's Best Mystery and Detective Stories (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...Baron de Nucingen's safe; then you can tear up your letter of credit, and all traces of your crime will be obliterated. Moreover, you would have gold in torrents. You hardly believe in anything perhaps? Well, if all this comes to pass, you will believe at least in the devil." "If it were only possible " said Castanier joyfully. "The man who can do it all gives you his word that it is possible," answered the Englishman. Melmoth, Castanier, and Mme. de la Garde were standing out in the Boulevard when Melmoth raised his arm. A drizzling rain was falling, the streets were muddy, the air was close, there was thick darkness overhead; but in a moment, as the arm was outstretched, Paris was filled with sunlight; it was high noon on a bright July day. The trees were covered with leaves; a double stream of joyous holiday makers strolled beneath them. Sellers of licorice water shouted their cool drinks. Splendid carriages rolled past along the streets. A cry of terror broke from the cashier, and at that cry rain and darkness once more settled down upon the Boulevard. Mme. de la Garde had stepped into the carriage. "Do be quick, dear " she cried; "either come in or stay out. Really, you are as dull as ditch-water this evening