The History of a Crime


google search for The History of a Crime

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
154 155 156 157 158

Quick Jump
1 171 343 514 685

intersected by high walls into a multitude of little oblong walks.  
As each Representative descended from the vehicle he was conducted into  
the rotunda where the registry office was situated. There his name was  
taken down, and in exchange for his name he was assigned a number.  
Whether the prisoner be a thief or a legislator, such is always the rule  
in this prison; the coup d'état reduced all to a footing of equality.  
As soon as a Representative was registered and numbered, he was ordered  
to "file off." They said to him, "Go upstairs," or "Go on;" and they  
announced him at the end of the corridor to which he was allotted by  
calling out, "Receive number So-and-So." The jailer in that particular  
corridor answered, "Send him on." The prisoner mounted alone, went  
straight on, and on his arrival found the jailer standing near an open  
door. The jailer said, "Here it is, sir." The prisoner entered, the  
jailer shut the door, and they passed on to another.  
The coup d'état acted in a very different manner towards the various  
Representatives. Those whom it desired to conciliate, the men of the  
Bight, were placed in Vincennes; those whom it detested, the men of the  
Left, were placed in Mazas. Those at Vincennes had the quarters of M.  
Montpensier, which were expressly reopened for them; an excellent dinner,  
eaten in company; wax candles, fire, and the smiles and bows of the  
governor, General Courtigis.  
This is how it treated those at Mazas.  
A police-van deposited them at the prison. They were transferred from one  
box to another. At Mazas a clerk registered them, weighed them, measured  
156  


Page
154 155 156 157 158

Quick Jump
1 171 343 514 685