ten o'clock in the morning
inquired M. Barreau ; `` who has read it ? '' No one answered . Several had tried to buy the paper ; but in Paris anything scandalous sells like hot cakes . At ten o'clock in the morning there was not a copy of the _ Messager _ to be had on the street . Thereupon one of my nieces , a sly hussy if ever there was one , had the happy thought of looking in the pocket of one of the numerous top-coats hanging in long rows against the walls of the dressing-room . `` Here you are ! '' said the merry creature triumphantly , drawing from the first pocket she searched a copy of the _ Messager _ , crumpled at the folds as if it had been well read .