The Barber of Paris.
Inthe city of Paris, there is an ancient street known by the name of Rue de la Harpe. In one part of this street there formerly stood two dwelling-houses, in one of which a crime of a most horrible nature was some years since perpetrated, and the discovery of which was remarkably sudden and providential.
In one of these houses a barber had his shop; a part of the adjoining house was occupied by a pastry-cook.
One day two gentlemen entered the shop of the barber for the purpose of being shaved. These gentlemen belonged to a town some distance from Paris. They were men of wealth, and had come to the city for the purpose of transacting business. It is not uncommon for persons in France, who are well able to ride, to travel on foot. In this manner had these gentlemen come to the city. Their only attendant was a faithful dog.
Before proceeding to execute their business, they called, as I said, at the shop of the barber to get shaved. The barber being employed in shaving another person, the strangers, in the interim, incautiously entered into conversation with each other, during which they alluded to a sum of money which they had about them. The barber overheard them, but appeared to take no notice of the conversation.
At length one of the strangers was called to the chair, and the shaving operation was soon finished. This done, he turned to his companion, and observed, “We have but a short time, you know, to transact all our business; and now, while you are being shaved, I will step down the street and attend to an errand which has been entrusted to me.”
“Return soon,” said his friend.
“Before you are ready to move,” replied he; and upon this he left the shop, and hastened forward to perform the errand.
After a short absence only, he was again at the door of the barber’s shop; on opening which, he was informed that his friend was already gone.
“Gone!” said the other with some surprise. But as the dog, which belonged to his friend, was still sitting without the door, he ceased to wonder; and, as his friend would probably be back soon, he seated himself, and chatted with the barber, till he should return.
A half hour had passed, and he began to be impatient. At length, he went out, and walked up and down the street; but nothing could he see or learn of his friend. Again he returned to the shop, and again interrogated the barber. “Did my friend leave any message for me?” “No,” said the barber, “all I know is, that when he was shaved he went out.”
“It is strange,” said the man.
“Itissingular,” said the barber. “I wish I could help you, my friend. Pray command my services, as you please.”
But the stranger knew not what measures to adopt. At length, the singular movements of the dog, still there, attracted his notice. He appeared restless and watchful; and, at intervals, uttered a low and piteous howl. This startled the stranger, and the suspicion of foul play crossed his mind. He hinted his suspicion, delicately indeed, but the barber took fire and ordered him to quit the shop.
The manner of the barber rather increased than allayed his suspicion. And then the dog—his conduct was inexplicable. Nothing would induce him to quit the place. The poor animal appeared kind to the remaining stranger, but nothing would induce him to stir from the spot.
The distress of the stranger now amounted to agony. At length he ventured to make known his story to somepassers-by. They stopped and listened. Others came up and listened also. A crowd was soon collected.
By some it was proposed to send for the officers of the police. Others said, “No, let us search the house.” This latter course was at length agreed upon. Accordingly, a competent number of men entered, and as the people greatly increased without, they barred the door, and began to examine. No discovery, however, was made, and the search was relinquished.
All this time, however, the dog continued at his post. At length, when the search was through, and nothing found, the barber requested the people to leave his shop, which they did. Now, coming to the door, he began to assure the people of his innocence. At this moment the dog descried him. In an instant he sprang and caught him by the throat. Persons flew to his assistance, and, at the hazard of their lives, rescued him from the grasp of the dog, who seemed urged on with indescribable madness and fury.
What could this mean? Was the dog really mad, or had the barber secretly made way with his master? One opinion only prevailed. There had in some way been foul play, and the dog was only acting out the sagacity which the God of nature had given him. It was agreed that the dog should have his liberty and be allowed to pursue the course he pleased.
The crowd fell back, the doors were opened, and the dog let loose. He sprang to the threshold, and entering the shop, smelled his way down a pair of stairs into a dark cellar, which he filled with his howlings.
The noise of the dog was heard without. Several persons entered the shop—lights were procured, and on searching the cellar, a door was found which communicated with the cellar of the adjoining house. Information was immediately given to the people above. They forthwith surrounded the house. That cellar was also searched, and there was found the murdered remains of the unfortunate stranger. On his trial, the barber confessed his guilt.