I was going along the Rue de Bussy, a fortnight ago, about midnight; you know how strict the regulations are about fire; well, I saw, not only light in the windows of a house, but a real fire, which had broken out in the second story.

I knocked at the door, and a man appeared at the window.

'You have fire in your house!' I cried.

'Silence! I beg; I am occupied in putting it out.' 'Shall I call the watch ?' I asked.

'No! in Heaven's name, call no one!' 'But can I help you ?' 'Will you?
I shall be very grateful,' and he threw me the key out of the window.
"I mounted the stairs rapidly, and entered the room where the fire was burning; it was used as a chemist's laboratory, and in making I know not what experiments, an inflammable liquid had been spilled, which had ignited the floor.