Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 94 leads to the discovery of Lionel, and thus the "honest Parisian."

Director Gigo has been having some troubles lately.

Although the "triple homicide" that occurred on Antal Street was simple in its details, it had a very bad impact, especially since it happened in an upscale apartment building in the Opera District, a middle-class neighborhood. The ubiquitous reporters kept the entire police station on edge.

Bishop Gilbert and Cardinal Montelli, who had remained in Paris, repeatedly sensationalized the tragedy in the newspapers, claiming that the French Ministry of the Interior, especially the Paris police department, had allowed the proliferation of publications like "Decadent City" and "Le Nouveau."

Accusations of "pornographic novels breed real-life tragedies," "The 'Sound Newspaper' is a breeding ground for evil," and "Police station dereliction of duty"... the accusations were increasingly outrageous, making Gigo's head ache.

Even newspapers in Germany, Italy, and Austria reported on the matter, making him truly feel the pressure.

What ruined his vacation mood was a telegram from Interior Minister Ernest Constant, urging him to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The Paris police department is not under the jurisdiction of the Paris City Hall, but rather directly under the Ministry of the Interior. Therefore, Chief Guigo had to cut short his vacation and travel from Vienna by train back to Paris to deal with the police department's image crisis.

As for "solving the case"? That will have to wait until the holiday is over and the police station has enough manpower.

But it wasn't until the first weekend after the holiday that officers from the "Vice and Morality Bureau," who were in charge of such cases, finally arrived in small groups.

Director Gigo naturally flew into a rage—even though his initial plan was to stay in Vienna for roughly the same amount of time.

"Look! Look at those newspapers outside! Look at the Archbishop's Palace and the big shots from Rome! It's all because of your negligence! My face, the face of the police station, have been disgraced internationally!"

Chief Gigo roared at Inspector Lefebvre, who was as burly as a bear and whose eyes were glazed over as if he had just woken up from a hangover.

The latter, with his hands hanging limply and his belly almost touching the edge of the desk, spoke in a muffled voice: "You know, it's the holidays... we're a bit short-staffed. We have a lot of paperwork... that case on Antawn Street..."

Gigo's face flushed with anger: "Clerical work?! Lefebvre! Is your brain still stuck in some prostitute's belly button? This isn't that stupid case on Rue Antanne! It's Le Bourgeois! It's The Decadent City! It's that 'Honest Parisian'!"
Public opinion! International public opinion! Do you understand? What we need now is action! Strong action! Show all of Paris, all of Europe, our determination to fight crime!

He took a deep breath, which ultimately transformed into a series of stern commands:
"Listen! I order you, immediately! Right now! Take your men and shut down the offices of the 'Sound and Noise' newspaper!"

"Confiscate all copies of 'Decadent City' and that damned 'supplementary booklet'!"

"Arrest Gabriel Marel! Pry his mouth open and drag out that 'honest Parisian'!"

"This is a crucial battle to salvage the reputation of our police department! If you mess this up, you'll be managing fishing boats on the lower Seine!"

That last sentence made Inspector Lefebvre's belly twitch almost imperceptibly.

Managing fishing boats? That won't do! What's the difference between the lower Seine and a cesspool? It's just a bunch of poor scavengers scavenging garbage; you can't squeeze any profit out of it.

He was extremely reluctant to shut down the "Bubble" newspaper, confiscate "Decadent City," or arrest Gabriel.

He received 5 francs for each day that Le Bourgeois was published, and his brothers each received 3 francs; as long as the private booksellers had Le Bourgeois on their stalls, it was his inexhaustible pocket change.

This is much cleaner and more hygienic than squeezing money from prostitutes and brothel owners.

As for Gabriel... he didn't believe that the mudfish was still waiting to die in Paris.

But an order is an order, and Lefebvre could only straighten his massive frame and give a somewhat awkward salute: "Yes, Your Excellency! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished! I am mortal with evil!"

Stepping out of the chief's office, Inspector Lefebvre's "resolute" expression instantly crumbled, replaced by a worried look.

He strolled slowly back to his office; it was nearly three in the afternoon, and only a few officers were scattered around. Lefevere yelled, "Wake up! Time to get to work!"

DuPont didn't even lift his eyelids: "Boss, what's the rush? What time is it? The brothels haven't even opened yet..."

Mathieu was startled awake, wiping his drool in bewilderment: "Huh? Boss? Going to a brothel... on a police call? I... I haven't had lunch yet."

The others were also lazy and didn't take it seriously at all.

Lefebvre irritably repeated the director's order, and a chorus of groans immediately filled the office.

DuPont's nail file fell to the ground: "Shutting down The Buzz? Arresting Gabe? Good heavens! He just treated us to blood duck at the Silver Tower before Easter! My God, that duck..."

Lefevere waved his hand impatiently: "Don't bring this up again! What's the use of complaining? The director is serious this time! Pack your things, get ready to leave!"

Mathieu was in a dilemma: "Leave? Now? Boss, it's almost three o'clock. It'll take more than half an hour to get to Saints Street, then there's the sealing off, arresting people, inventory... Won't we be working until dark? It's my wife's birthday today, and we agreed to go home early..."

DuPont quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! I... I have an appointment with the dentist! It's been hurting for days!"

Lefebvre felt a throbbing pain in his temples. He took a deep breath and played his trump card: "Anyone who doesn't go can forget about going on 'fieldwork' next month!"

Each time the "Vice-Related Affairs Department" went out on "field duty," ordinary police officers could earn at least 30 francs, which was an important source of income. Therefore, the threat of money temporarily outweighed their personal difficulties.

Half an hour later, a special operations team of censors, led by Sheriff Lefebvre himself, finally left the police station, albeit reluctantly.

But an hour later, Lefebvre, with his protruding belly, stopped Director Gigo in his office as he was about to leave work.

Director Gigo was surprised: "You've completed the mission?"

Lefebvre said slowly, "Confiscating 'The Decadent City' and that 'supplementary booklet' will take time. Don't worry, we'll make sure the book disappears from the market."

However, the newspaper office had been shut down, but it was basically an empty building—only a man named Pierre remained, presumably Gabriel's valet. There was also a typesetter who knew nothing.

According to 'Pierre,' Gabriel Marel disappeared 10 days ago, and he doesn't know where he is.

Director Gigo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his face remained grim: "What about 'the honest Parisian'? That Pierre knows a lot about Gabriel..."

Lefebvre pulled an envelope from his pocket and placed it on Director Gigo’s desk: “He said he was only responsible for doing odd jobs for Gabriel and knew nothing about the publishing.”

But Gabriel left this letter for him before he left, asking him to give it to you, saying that you would definitely be very interested in it.

Director Gigo picked up the envelope, checked it, and found the seal intact. He then waved for Lefebvre to leave.

Only after closing the office door did he open the envelope and take out the letter.

There was only one sentence on the paper:

Finding Lionel Sorel meant finding "an honest Parisian."

(End of this chapter)