Praise for Jean-François Parot
‘The period detail is marvellously evocative, Le Floch is brave and engaging …’ Economist
‘Parot succeeds brilliantly in his reconstruction of pre-revolutionary Paris, in splendid period detail.’ The Times
‘A solid and detailed evocation of pre-revolutionary France – the poverty and squalor, side by side with the wealth and splendour, are brought lovingly to life. And the plot has all the twists, turns and surprises the genre demands.’ Independent on Sunday
‘Jean-François Parot’s evocation of eighteenth-century Paris is richly imagined and full of fascinating historical snippets.’ Financial Times
‘… the superb Parisian detail and atmosphere … truly beguiles.’ The Times
‘An interesting evocation of place and period.’ The Literary Review
THE PHANTOM OF RUE ROYALE
JEAN-FRANÇOIS PAROT
Translated from the French by Howard Curtis
Ouvrage publié avec le concours du Ministère français chargé de la culture – Centre national du livre.
This work is published with support from the French Ministry of Culture/Centre national du livre.
For Monique Constant
CONTENTS
Title Page
Dedication
Epigraph
Dramatis Personae
The Phantom of Rue Royale
I PLACE LOUIS XV
II SARTINE AND SANSON
III THE DEUX CASTORS
IV TWISTS AND TURNS
V AFFAIRS OF STATE
VI FEAR
VII PENTECOST
VIII CHRISTOPHE DE BEAUMONT
IX EXORCISM
X LIGHT AND TRUTH
XI THE HEARING
XII ENDINGS
Notes
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Copyright
Background to The Phantom of Rue Royale
For those readers coming to the adventures of Nicolas Le Floch for the first time, it is useful to know that in the first book in the series, The Châtelet Apprentice, the hero, a foundling raised by Canon Le Floch in Guérande, is sent away from his native Brittany by his godfather, the Marquis de Ranreuil, who is concerned about his daughter Isabelle’s growing fondness for the young man.
On arrival in Paris he is taken in by Père Grégoire at the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites and on the recommendation of the marquis soon finds himself in the service of Monsieur de Sartine, Lieutenant General of Police in Paris. Under his tutelage, Nicolas is quick to learn and is soon familiar with the mysterious working methods of the highest ranks of the police. At the end of his year’s apprenticeship, he is entrusted with a confidential mission, one that will result in him rendering a signal service to Louis XV and the Marquise de Pompadour.
Aided by his deputy and mentor, Inspector Bourdeau, and putting his own life at risk on several occasions, he successfully unravels a complicated plot. Received at court by the King, he is rewarded with the post of commissioner of police at the Châtelet and, under the direct authority of Monsieur de Sartine, continues to be assigned to special investigations.
NICOLAS LE FLOCH : a police commissioner at the Châtelet
MONSIEUR DE SARTINE : Lieutenant General of Police in Paris
MONSIEUR TESTARD DU LYS : Criminal Lieutenant of Police in Paris
MONSIEUR DE SAINT-FLORENTIN : Minister of the King’s Household
PIERRE BOURDEAU : a police inspector
OLD MARIE : an usher at the Châtelet
TIREPOT : a police spy
RABOUINE : a police spy
AIMÉ DE NOBLECOURT : a former procurator
MARION : his cook
POITEVIN : his servant
CATHERINE GAUSS : a former canteen-keeper, Nicolas Le Floch’s maid
GUILLAUME SEMACGUS : a naval surgeon
CHARLES HENRI SANSON : the public executioner
LA PAULET : a brothel-keeper
LA SATIN : a prostitute
PÈRE GRÉGOIRE : the apothecary of the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites
MONSIEUR DE LA BORDE : First Groom of the King’s Bedchamber
CHRISTOPHE DE BEAUMONT : Archbishop of Paris
PÈRE GUY RACCARD : the diocese exorcist
LANGLUMÉ : a major in the City Guards
THE DUC DE RICHELIEU : a Marshal of France
MONSIEUR BONAMY : the city historiographer and librarian
KING LOUIS XV
MADAME DU BARRY : the King’s mistress
RESTIF DE LA BRETONNE : a writer
MADEMOISELLE GUIMARD : a dancer
CHARLES GALAINE : a furrier, aged 43 years
ÉMILIE GALAINE : his second wife, aged 30 years
JEAN GALAINE : his son from his first marriage, aged 22 years
GENEVIÈVE GALAINE : his daughter from his second marriage, aged 7 years
CHARLOTTE GALAINE : his elder sister, aged 45 years
CAMILLE GALAINE : his younger sister, aged 40 years
ÉLODIE GALAINE : his niece and ward, aged 19 years
NAGANDA : a Micmac Indian, Élodie’s servant,
LOUIS DORSACQ : an assistant in the Galaines’ shop, aged 24 years
MARIE CHAFFOUREAU : the Galaines’ cook, aged 63 years
ERMELINE GODEAU (known as MIETTE): the Galaines’ maid, aged 17 years
What should have been a day so fair
Becomes a day of mourning.
The smell of death pervades the square
Before