“Ah!”

“It’s my job I’m sore about.  The landlord won’t keep a concierge that hasn’t a wife.”

“Dear Lord,” thought Durtal, “how hast thou answered my prayers!—­Come on, let’s go over to your place,” he said to Des Hermies, who, finding Rateau’s key in the door, had walked in.

“Righto! since your housecleaning isn’t done yet, descend like a god from your clouds of dust, and come on over to the house.”

On the way Durtal recounted his concierge’s conjugal misadventure.

“Oh!” said Des Hermies, “many a woman would be happy to wreathe with laurel the occiput of so combustible a sexagenarian.—­Look at that!  Isn’t it revolting?” pointing to the walls covered with posters.

It was a veritable debauch of placards.  Everywhere on lurid coloured paper in box car letters were the names of Boulanger and Jacques.

“Thank God, this will be over tomorrow.”

“There is one resource left,” said Des Hermies.  “To escape the horrors of present day life never raise your eyes.  Look down at the sidewalk always, preserving the attitude of timid modesty.  When you look only at the pavement you see the reflections of the sky signs in all sorts of fantastic shapes; alchemic symbols, talismanic characters, bizarre pantacles with suns, hammers, and anchors, and you can imagine yourself right in the midst of the Middle Ages.”

“Yes, but to keep from seeing the disenchanting crowd you would have to wear a long-vizored cap like a jockey and blinkers like a horse.”

Des Hermies sighed.  “Come in,” he said, opening the door.  They went in and sitting down in easy chairs they lighted their cigarettes.

“I haven’t got over that conversation we had with Gevingey the other night at Carhaix’s,” said Durtal.  “Strange man, that Dr. Johannes.  I can’t keep from thinking about him.  Look here, do you sincerely believe in his miraculous cures?”

“I am obliged to.  I didn’t tell you all about him, for a physician can’t lightly make these dangerous admissions.  But you may as well know that this priest heals hopeless cases.

“I got acquainted with him when he was still a member of the Parisian clergy.  It came about by one of those miracles of his which I don’t pretend to understand.

“My mother’s maid had a granddaughter who was paralyzed in her arms and legs and suffered death and destruction in her chest and howled when you touched her there.  She had been in this condition two years.  It had come on in one night, how produced nobody knows.  She was sent away from the Lyons hospitals as incurable.  She came to Paris, underwent treatment at La Salpetriere, and was discharged when nobody could find out what was the matter with her nor what medication would give her any relief.  One day she spoke to me of this abbe Johannes, who, she said, had cured persons in as bad shape as she.  I did not believe a word, but hearing that the priest refused to take any money for his services I did not dissuade her from visiting him, and out of curiosity I went along.