— 3 — THE BLACK MASSWhen Desgrez kept the appointment with the Chief of Police at the corner of the Impasse des Fleurs, he found La Reynie accompanied by a gentleman of his own height and apparently his own age; he wore a plain cloak and hat, a reddish brown peruke and one of those deep masks which were usually worn by all persons of quality when travelling.
Desgrez bowed to this stranger, who was not presented to him by his Chief and who said nothing; M. de La Reynie walked a few paces in front as the three turned down the Impasse des Fleurs; Desgrez was wearing an ordinary civilian dress with a vizor [mask]; so, too, was the Chief of Police, who said: “You have nothing to do but keep close to me and obey any instructions I may give you. Be on the alert, affect no surprise or horror at w
