THE consul's advice. 281 



night; if he heats you, you are araenahle to both 

 fine and imprisonment. Take my advice : put up 

 with the temporary inconvenience, such as it is ; keep 

 the fellow at bay with your charge against his friend 

 the constable, which will effectually check him from 

 going on with his against you, and avail yourself of 

 the Monday's packet." 



I said I would take time to consider his advice, 

 and then went forth to look up the young English- 

 man, whose address I had taken down. I found him, 

 and he came to my hotel, and we settled that, as he 

 knew the policeman by sight who had taken the ten 

 francs, he should go to the office and report the fact, 

 and ask to be allowed to point out the man. He did 

 so, and recognised the fellow who had taken the 

 money ; but all sorts of stumbling-blocks were thrown 

 in the way of any steps being taken against the 

 acknoioledged offender. At last / was covertly given to 

 understand hy the police themselves, that, if I did not 

 proceed against the known delinquent who had taken 

 the extorted money, and I have no doubt shared in 

 it with the cabman (for I am told that is the Havre 

 custom), the cabman would not proceed with his 

 charge against me ; so, with the advice of the British 

 Consul staring me in the face, I resolved to let the 

 affair be what in sporting phraseology would be called 



