the raising of wrecks and the patronage of Mr。 Plimsoll。 And since both preserved a certain courage to the end； since both died on the scaffold as becomes a man； the contrast is once more characteristic。 Brodie's cynicism is a fine foil to the piety of Peace； and while each end was natural after its own fashion； there is none who will deny to the Scot the finer sense of fitness。 Nor did any step in their career explain more clearly the difference in their temperament than their definitions of the gallows。 For Peace it is ‘a short cut to Heaven'； for Brodie it is ‘a leap in the dark。' Again the Scot has the advantage。 Again you reflect that； if Peace is the most accomplished Classic among the housebreakers； the Deacon is the merriest companion who ever climbed the gallows by the shoulders of the incomparable Macheath。
THE MAN IN THE GREY SUIT
THE MAN IN THE GREY SUIT
THE Abb…le…Berenger。 He counted a dozen Chouans among his ancestry； and brigandage swam in his blood。 Even his childhood was crimson with crimes； which the quick memory of the countryside long ago lost in the pride of having bred a priest。 He stained his first cure of souls with the poor； sad sin of arson； which the bishop； fearful of scandal and loth to check a promising career； condoned with a suitable advancement。 At Entrammes； his next benefice； he entered into his full inheritance of villainy； and here it wasdespite his own protestthat he devised the grey suit which brought him ruin and immortality。 To the wild； hilarious dissipation of Laval； the nearest town； he fell an immediate and unresisting prey。 Think of the glittering lamps； the sparkling taverns； the bright…eyed women； the manifold fascinations； which are the character and delight of this forgotten city！ Why； if the Abb disappeared with a commendable constancy； and with that just sense of secrecy which should compel even an archiepiscopal admiration。 He was not of those who would drag his cloth through the mire。 Not until the darkness he loved so fervently covered the earth would he escape from the dull respectability of Entrammes； nor did he ever thus escape unaccompanied by his famous valise。 The grey suit was an effectual disguise to his calling； and so jealous was he of the Church's honour that he neverunless in his cupsdisclosed his tonsure。 One of his innumerable loves confessed in the witness…box that Bruneau always retained his hat in the glare of the Caf was never guilty of a meanness。 The less guilty scheme was speedily staled； and then it was that the Abb was still impoverished。 Already he had robbed his vicar； and the suspicion of the Abb