The Exploits of Juve
By Marcel Allain
She went rapidly down the Rue Charbonnière and along the boulevard toward the Barbès Metropolitan Station. On reaching the level of the Boulevard Magenta, she slackened and walked along the right-hand pavement toward the centre of Paris.
“My little Jojo!”
After leaving the tavern, the girl assumed a quiet and modest air. Now, she came face to face with a stout gentleman with a jovial face and one gleaming eye, the other permanently closed. He wore a beard that was turning grey, and his derby hat and light cane placed him as belonging to the middle class.
“How late you are, my adored Jojo,” he murmured tenderly. “That accursed workshop has been keeping you again after hours?”
The mistress of Loupart checked a smile.
“That’s it!” she replied, “the workshop, M. Martialle.”
The man addressed made a warning gesture.
“Don’t mention my name here; I’m almost home.” He pulled out his watch. “Too bad; I’ll have to go in, or my wife will kick up a row. Let’s see, this is Tuesday; well, Saturday, I’m off to Burgundy on my usual half-monthly trip. Meet me at the Lyons station, platform No. 2, Marseilles Express. We won’t be back till Monday. A delightful weekend of love-making with my darling, who at last consents… What’s that!”
The stout man broke off his impassioned harangue. A beggar, emerging from the darkness, importuned him:
“Pity me, kind sir.”
“Give him something,” urged Josephine.
Read or download Book
Marcel Allain
Marcel Allain (15 September 1885 – 25 August 1969) was a French writer mostly remembered today for his co-creation with Pierre Souvestre of the fictional arch-villain and master criminal Fantômas.
Career
The son of a bourgeois family, Allain studied law before becoming a journalist. He then became the assistant of Souvestre, who was already a well-known figure in literary circles. In 1909, the two men published their first novel, Le Rour. Investigating Magistrate Germain Fuselier, later to become a recurring character in the Fantômas series, appears in the novel.
Then, in February 1911, Allain and Souvestre embarked upon the Fantômas book series at the request of publisher Arthème Fayard, who wanted to create a new monthly pulp magazine. The success was immediate and lasting.
After Souvestre’s death in February 1914, Allain continued the Fantômas saga alone, then launched several other series, such as Tigris, Fatala, Miss Téria, and Férocias, but none garnered the same popularity as Fantômas. In total, Allain wrote more than 400 novels in his prolific career.
On 27 September 1926, Allain married Souvestre’s girlfriend, Henriette Kistler. She died in 1956.
Marcel Allain
