The Mystery Mission and Other Stories [antikvár]

sinister street chapter i the street of adventure Although it was so near the Grand Boulevard, this street had a furtive air. It seemed to Jimmy Ferguson to be peopled by phantoms. He had the impression that an unseen presence was watching him secretly— watching, and waiting for the chance to spring out in attack. Absurd, of course—^but there it was. More annoyed than amused with himself, he hurried on. The street was deserted. The contrast with the throbbing activity of the Boulevard des Capucines, which he had just left, appealed to him as being uncanny. It was as though he had passed from the ordinary world to walk among the dead. Not a taxi could be seen; he had gone forty yards without meeting a soul. The shuttered shops and houses seemed to frown. Occasionally a light gleamed ; but even this, as though suspicious or afraid of being seen, was quickly extinguished. In spite of his usual sound common sense, Jimmy had his original suspicion strengthened : he was walking through a quarter in which unseen dangers lurked. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Staunch admirer of France as he was in many ways, Jimmy was a sufficiently experienced traveller to know that an Englishman could not expect the same protection or help from the Police in Paris as he might confidently count on in London. An Englishman in Paris was forced to depend to a great extent on himself if trouble