Chapter

  1 I    |          inspector. “Good, my boy,” said he, “very good! Ah! you
  2 I    |             are mistaken, General,” said he.~“How—”~“Yes, I understand.
  3 I    |            escape my notice; only I said to myself, here is a young
  4 I    |            how this trouble began,” said Gevrol.~“Alas! I know nothing
  5 I    |          her seat, thinking she had said enough. But Gevrol rudely
  6 I    |              Oh! we have not done,” said he. “I wish for other particulars.”~“
  7 I    |             toward the murderer, he said: “You, at least, will not
  8 I    |             moment. “I have already said all that I have to say,”
  9 II   |         worse. It might, indeed, be said of him, that he discharged
 10 II   |          idea, Father Absinthe,” he said, “we are not here to sleep,
 11 II   |          bore. “Convince me, then,” said he, taking a seat upon a
 12 II   |         remember them perfectly. He said: ‘It is the Prussians who
 13 II   |          well; Father Absinthe,” he said gravely, “you are wrong,
 14 II   |       allusion.”~“It is as you have said,” remarked Lecoq, approvingly. “
 15 II   |             s lips. “That is what I said to myself,” he replied, “
 16 II   |            made by the men’s feet,” said he. “There have been women
 17 III  |           inaction. “Come! my boy,” said he, “have you lost your
 18 III  |           lantern in the house,” he said. “If we could only lay our
 19 III  |       regular burglar’s implement,” said Father Absinthe, with a
 20 III  |          dropped the lantern. “Oh!” said he in a stifled voice, “
 21 III  |        statement for himself, as he said, but Lecoq was in a hurry. “
 22 III  |            us go on, let us go on!” said he. “You can verify my assertions
 23 III  |           make quite sure of that,” said Father Absinthe, in an oracular
 24 III  | verification. “You, my old friend,” said he, “are going to do me
 25 III  |            pocket-handkerchief, and said: “Now I know everything!”~“
 26 III  |            you now.”~“Go on, then,” said the good man, in a tone
 27 III  |             made their appearance,” said he.~“Yes, indeed,” responded
 28 III  |            of embarrassment that he said: “You can scarcely blame
 29 IV   |         decided.~“Father Absinthe,” said he, “we are going to follow
 30 IV   |             s powers.~“Look there,” said Lecoq; “what are those marks?”~“
 31 IV   |             making. “Upon my word,” said he, “I have racked my brains—”~
 32 IV   |          reward. “I know a method,” said he, “by which one could
 33 IV   |           detective’s attention. He said that the whole evidence
 34 IV   |             the plate.~“Now, papa,” said he, “come and hold the light
 35 V    |            very modest tone that he said to his companion: “We have
 36 V    |            picked up something, and said: “My folly is not deserving
 37 V    |           of the Poivriere,” he had said, adding sententiously: “
 38 V    |          Monsieur” Lecoq.~“Ah! ah!” said the inspector, whose hearing
 39 V    |          transform into a rival. He said no more, for the little
 40 V    |          passed a frightful night,” said the commissary, kindly; “
 41 V    |           was about to mention,” he said, “that this morning, an
 42 V    |         gesture: “Trouble lost,” he said coldly. “If this individual
 43 V    |          correctly in this affair,” said the commissary when Lecoq
 44 VI   |            request you, gentlemen,” said the commissary of police, “
 45 VI   |          That is a very good idea,” said the commissary, approvingly.~“
 46 VI   |            never was a soldier,” he said at last. “He must have disguised
 47 VI   |       prompt. “One word, sergeant,” said he, “isn’t cast off military
 48 VI   |     pantaloons. “You are right,” he said, “these are condemned garments.”~
 49 VI   |             intense terror.~“Thus,” said the old doctor, “we may
 50 VI   |         that it could not safely be said who was really responsible
 51 VI   |            It will now be best,” he said at last, “to transport these
 52 VI   |         That is scarcely possible,” said Lecoq. “The spurious soldier,
 53 VI   |           his repeated refusals, he said that life in the capital
 54 VI   |            is a serious affair,” he said gravely; “very serious.”~
 55 VI   |             general feeling when he said: “You have undoubtedly questioned
 56 VI   |         folly.~“I must confess,” he said with some embarrassment, “
 57 VI   |             really believed what he said, being one of those persons
 58 VI   |       satisfactorily explained,” he said, “without a search of twelve
 59 VII  |             obligation, indeed!” he said with a derisive laugh.~“
 60 VII  |          you, that he couldn’t have said ‘bread’ distinctly. When
 61 VII  |             the opposite of what he said. He talked of his family,
 62 VII  |            mind. “All the same,” he said, “I shouldn’t mind a crust
 63 VII  |        clerk raised his head. “Ah!” said he, “has the van arrived?”~“
 64 VII  |             francs and eight sous,” said he, “and also your knife,
 65 VII  |          guilty of, at all events,” said the young detective slowly. “
 66 VII  |             a newspaper over it, he said: “Will you place your foot
 67 VII  |        wrong not to be polite,” she said; “you are losing a good
 68 VII  |            researches on the spot,” said this functionary, “confirm
 69 VII  |            return home at once,” he said, “instantly; I can not listen
 70 VIII |         answer that I want.”~“Aha!” said the old man sneeringly, “
 71 VIII |           as I am, women—”~“Go on!” said Lecoq, who could not restrain
 72 VIII |            as life, while the other said ‘thee’ and ‘thou,’ and spoke
 73 VIII |               And which was it that said ‘thee’ and ‘thou’?”~“Why,
 74 VIII |            tree. ‘You little fool!’ said she, ‘do you want to ruin
 75 VIII |        madame, indeed I can’t!’ she said, and really she seemed quite
 76 VIII |        appeared to be so ill that I said to myself: ‘Here is a young
 77 VIII |          thanks for your kindness,” said she, “but you can keep it.
 78 VIII |            door or come upstairs, I said to myself: ‘Some mischievous
 79 VIII |            front of the Morgue,” he said, springing to the ground.
 80 VIII |           to go somewhere else,” he said, “you told me that you had
 81 VIII |      brightened up. “In that case,” said he, “I have a letter for
 82 VIII |           man shook his head. “No,” said he, “M. d’Escorval is not
 83 IX   |  light-heartedness. “In that case,” said the young detective to the
 84 IX   |            prisoner he had examined said one day: ‘That devil there
 85 IX   |       armchair. Monsieur Lecoq,” he said, slowly, “Monsieur d’Escorval
 86 IX   |             until the trial. “Now,” said he, “I understand the case
 87 IX   |      solitary confinement, she had, said she, dived down into the
 88 IX   |          How can you know that?” he said slowly. “How can you swear
 89 IX   |       herself. What she had already said sufficed to show that she
 90 X    |             governor of the Depot,” said the soldier, “sends me to
 91 X    |           until further orders,” he said.~The soldier allowed his
 92 X    |             governor of the Depot,” said he.~The magistrate broke
 93 X    |           fall.~“Compose yourself,” said the magistrate in a benevolent
 94 X    |           have committed no crime,” said he, in a rough, but no longer
 95 X    |         afraid; I lost my senses. I said to myself: ‘My boy, they’
 96 X    |        frank, and sonorous.~“That,” said he, “is quite another matter.
 97 X    |             reasonable, I hope,” he said, at last, “to attach any
 98 X    |            very prudent hereafter,” said he, “but it is terribly
 99 X    |    Prisoners do not take the oath,” said he.~“Indeed!” ejaculated
100 X    |           had been attained.~“Now,” said he, “you will give me your
101 X    |           this reply.~“I warn you,” said he, severely, “that if you
102 X    |         tell your own story, then,” said M. Segmuller in answer to
103 X    |             if to moisten them, and said: “Am I to understand that
104 X    |           and see what that is,’ he said to his wife. He stopped
105 X    |            examined me, fed me, and said: ‘He’s a strong, healthy
106 X    |             neglect. ‘May, my boy,’ said I, ‘you are not put down
107 X    |        story had rung false.~“Now,” said M. Segmuller, coldly, “what
108 X    |           is true they are pretty,” said he, “but this is because
109 X    |            blunder. “In that case,” said he, “will you give me a
110 X    |       Genevieve, or the—”~“Enough,” said the magistrate, harshly.
111 X    |              I understand English,” said he.~“Very well. You hear,
112 XI   |      European languages correctly,” said he. “It is a rare talent.”~
113 XI   |          wait. “Let me assist you,” said he. “The people at the inn
114 XI   |         Segmuller.~“Wait a moment,” said the prisoner, extending
115 XI   |            the name of this hotel,” said M. Segmuller, perceiving
116 XI   |             up, came toward me, and said: ‘You are a police agent;
117 XI   |            tall and dark. If he had said: “The women were fair,”
118 XI   |            is to find these women,” said the magistrate kindly.~“
119 XI   |         lips.~“I remarked nothing,” said the prisoner coldly.~M.
120 XI   |       brilliant scintillations, and said: “It is a very handsome
121 XI   |       discrepancy.~“Another thing,” said he. “When you threw down
122 XI   |           misunderstood. He had not said—at least, he did not intend
123 XI   |         will sink!~“Enough—enough!” said the magistrate, cutting
124 XI   |         very convenient personage,” said the magistrate coldly. “
125 XI   |           by Lecoq. “Come here,” he said, addressing the prisoner, “
126 XI   |             the drama. “I entered,” said he, “by this door, marked
127 XI   |         window, B.”~“I must admit,” said the magistrate, “that your
128 XI   |    unexpected. “It’s very strange,” said he, with ill-disguised embarrassment, “
129 XI   |  embarrassment, “that I should have said such a thing!”~“Five persons
130 XI   |           After all,” he ultimately said, “the thing’s quite possible.
131 XI   |             That’s very plausible,” said he; “but there is one circumstance
132 XII  |         magistrate. “In that case,” said he, “I suppose you are willing
133 XII  |           carefully. “I accept it,” said he at last. “Of course I
134 XII  |          entirely different light,” said he. “These people were plotting
135 XII  |           You are aware, prisoner,” said he, “that this dust comes
136 XII  |           point. “Let us continue,” said he. “Do you still persist
137 XII  |            them to the murderer, he said: “You told me a few minutes
138 XII  |             as ‘dark as moles,’ you said; a witness will tell you
139 XII  |          his agitation. “All this,” said he, in a harsh voice, “is
140 XII  |               I am not your enemy,” said the magistrate more gently. “
141 XII  |          prisoner. “Do not insist,” said he. Then, suddenly changing
142 XII  |             room, on an errand?” He said no more, but waited to see
143 XII  |            yield to your decision,” said the magistrate sadly. “The
144 XII  |       refused to do so, fearing, he said, “some hidden treachery.”~
145 XIII |           accept his opinion.~“No,” said he in a thoughtful tone, “
146 XIII |     regarding him. “I come to ask,” said he, “if I am still to retain
147 XIII |        knowing air. “In that case,” said he, “my conjectures were
148 XIII |           word, my dear friend,” he said, “the more I study this
149 XIV  |          are a shrewd fellow!” they said, “it seems that you have
150 XIV  |       wonderful discovery, and it’s said you are going to be decorated
151 XIV  |        brightened. “Wait a moment,” said she. “Was this friend of
152 XIV  |          secretary, M. Casimir, who said you were not to worry yourself,
153 XIV  |             that?”~“You hear, sir,” said the hostess, apparently
154 XIV  |             This is very annoying,” said he, “very! I am even more
155 XIV  |          suspicions.~“But, madame,” said he at last, “can’t you remember
156 XIV  |             Sunday, February 20th,” said she. “Look, sir: here on
157 XIV  |         know what I am saying,” she said, indignantly. “And now this
158 XIV  |         altogether. “Excuse me,” he said, “if I ask one more question.
159 XIV  |          this man’s disappearance,” said the commissary. “Casimir
160 XIV  |             We will start at once,” said the commissary.~The driver
161 XIV  |            St. Quentin.~“Now, sir,” said the young detective, “permit
162 XV   |      unfortunate—very unfortunate!” said Lecoq. “But it is useless
163 XV   |            escapade.”~“Come, come,” said Lecoq, “you can sermonize
164 XV   |         seen the man’s face. “Yes,” said he, “yes, it was the same
165 XV   |             would be of no use,” he said. “He had sufficient presence
166 XV   | deliberation were necessary.~“Yes,” said he thoughtfully, “he’s a
167 XV   |       murders at the Poivriere,” he said; “one who came here hoping
168 XV   |          You have nothing to fear,” said Lecoq, encouragingly, “and
169 XV   |         never treated me brutally,” said the young woman, indignantly; “
170 XV   |            her sincerity.~“Listen,” said he, with affected harshness. “
171 XV   |            he went away, my husband said to me: ‘Do you see that
172 XVI  |          brought back immediately,” said he.~When the man had started,
173 XVI  |             lose valuable time,” he said to his clerk. “I was to
174 XVI  |          preamble short. “Justice,” said he, “now requires some information
175 XVI  |             you a number of times,” said he, “He has been extremely
176 XVI  |       desired.~“Let us proceed,” he said to Polyte, who had not moved
177 XVI  |             to his clerk: “Goguet,” said he, “read the last remark
178 XVI  |         prevaricate any longer,” he said. “You certainly ordered
179 XVI  |      reentered the room. “Ah, sir,” said he, despondently, “to think
180 XVI  |         over her. You heard what he said. He threatened her with
181 XVI  |             retire, my good woman,” said he kindly, after a moment’
182 XVI  |        dismay and consternation.~“I said so before,” thought Goguet, “
183 XVI  |       called, or what they may have said, and in his uncertainty
184 XVI  |         chair, took up his hat, and said: “This matter must be cleared
185 XVI  |             am easy on that score,” said he, “I should like some
186 XVI  |             that Russian princess,” said he.~Neither the magistrate
187 XVI  |          You forget yourself, sir,” said M. Segmuller severely. “
188 XVI  |           Prefecture of Police,” he said as soon as they were out
189 XVII |             such must be the case,” said M. Segmuller, approvingly. “
190 XVII |    preparatory to departure. “Now,” said he, “I must ask you, sir,
191 XVII |              Wait a moment though,” said he, “I will just ask my
192 XVII |        glance with his wife.~“Now,” said the detective, “I should
193 XVII |           the empty air: “At last,” said he, “this affair emerges
194 XVII |         tone. “Ah, well young man,” said she, “what brings you here?”~
195 XVII |          earring. “It is true,” she said, after a moment, “that this
196 XVII |           surprise. “Such honesty!” said she. “Oh, oh! And of course
197 XVII |              if it should be as she said, if he should never find
198 XVIII|          the case. “Henceforth,” he said to M. Segmuller, “I also
199 XVIII|               Well, I pity you,” he said.~“Very possibly.”~“Do you
200 XVIII|        better comparison, General,” said he. “I owe my idea to those
201 XVIII|           do with a man!”~“Oh, ho!” said the governor of the prison,
202 XVIII|             in courage and energy,” said he.~“Misdirected as it may
203 XVIII|          means convinced of what he said. Faith is contagious, and
204 XVIII|            night. The same might be said of the next day, and of
205 XVIII|             I warned M. Segmuller,” said he, “that there would probably
206 XVIII|  prosecution. “It was an illusion,” said he, “to imagine that the
207 XVIII|            must not lose patience,” said Lecoq quietly. He took the
208 XVIII|         business.”~“You are right,” said Lecoq, approvingly. “And
209 XVIII|          Nothing could be clearer,” said the magistrate, approvingly.~“
210 XVIII|     detained him. “Above all, sir,” said he, “take care that May
211 XIX  |             close. “You are right,” said he, sarcastically. “This
212 XIX  |           the rest of the party. He said to himself that by stealing
213 XIX  |               It is not necessary,” said May, “I am, on the contrary,
214 XIX  |             Yes, a shameful farce,” said he, “and one I would never
215 XIX  |         must abandon this attempt,” said he. “All the means of detection
216 XIX  |          more about the matter.”~He said this, but the anxiety and
217 XIX  |         were released from prison,” said he, “what would you do?”~“
218 XIX  |             idea is not a bad one,” said M. Segmuller, eventually. “
219 XIX  |            s forehead. “In a word,” said he, “they think I’m your
220 XIX  |             the young detective had said nothing that was untrue;
221 XIX  |           man shook his head. “No,” said he, “I haven’t; but even
222 XIX  |         reflection.~“That will do,” said he, “go into the drawing-room
223 XX   |            a matter of importance,” said he.~The policeman attempted
224 XX   |         without danger.~“Ah, well,” said he, “there’s our man changing
225 XX   |          stammered.~“Then tell it!” said Lecoq, surprised at the
226 XX   |            steps. “The accomplice,” said he to himself, resuming
227 XX   |          the Prefecture of Police,” said the visitor, showing his
228 XX   |          speak to the landlady,” he said.~“What landlady?” replied
229 XX   |         Never mind, my old friend,” said Lecoq, consolingly; “it
230 XX   |            ll have it. What will be said of us if we two allow this
231 XXI  |         proportion with his hopes,” said Lecoq to his companion. “
232 XXI  |          and steam.~“I must go in,” said Lecoq, resolutely. “I must
233 XXI  |             think of such a thing,” said Father Absinthe. “What if
234 XXI  |             him great amusement, he said. He added that he would
235 XXI  |          one can leave this house,” said Lecoq, addressing Father
236 XXI  |     approaching.~“There they come,” said Father Absinthe.~“Ah! I
237 XXI  |           May’s retreat.~“And now,” said Lecoq, “I will run round
238 XXI  |           Ah, yes, I know, I know!” said Lecoq.~“The thief,” resumed
239 XXI  |        stopped him.~“A word first!” said he. “Might not the fugitive
240 XXI  |             Since that’s the case,” said Lecoq, slightly reassured, “
241 XXI  |    auxiliaries. “That’s enough,” he said, in a despondent voice. “
242 XXI  |             the house to-night,” he said, “and I should certainly
243 XXI  |           go into the house, then,” said Lecoq. “But first let me
244 XXI  |        humor. “I think, gentlemen,” said he, “that you may spare
245 XXII |           his hand.~“Upon my word!” said he, “I congratulate you
246 XXII |     ignorant of your good fortune,” said he. “Ah! luck has favored
247 XXII |             recognized Lecoq. “Ah!” said he, “It was you who did
248 XXII |          You are mistaken, my man,” said Lecoq. “The individual in
249 XXII |            him. “I believe you,” he said at last. “And to prove it
250 XXII |         were failing him; but Lecoq said: “It is necessary,” and
251 XXII |         great case, they invariably said: “Let us go and consult
252 XXIII|            morning, Lecoq, my boy,” said he. “Good morning, my old
253 XXIII|        found a treasure like that,” said he, “and you complain! Why,
254 XXIII|           three men.”~“Oh! oh! oh!” said old Tabaret, in three different
255 XXIII|            seem to indicate.~“Now,” said Tabaret, settling himself
256 XXIII|             did you start with? You said: ‘Always distrust appearances;
257 XXIII|              that is exactly what I said to myself.”~“And it was
258 XXIII|             But you are young, as I said before; and the very first
259 XXIII|     laughter.~“You believed it,” he said, “because it was a very
260 XXIV |      mistaken, and what he had just said seemed such an enormity,
261 XXIV |               Such being the case,” said he, “do me the favor to
262 XXIV |              M. d’Escorval no doubt said to himself: ‘I can’t investigate
263 XXIV |             lacking in discretion,” said he, “was when you tried
264 XXIV |    succession until I found one who said: ‘That diamond belongs to
265 XXIV |           intentions, I should have said to you: ‘This fellow, friend
266 XXIV |             yes, Monsieur Tabaret,” said he, “the idea did occur
267 XXV  |          assistance history gives,” said he. “But I have not finished,
268 XXV  |             house.”~“I admit that,” said Lecoq, at last; “but unfortunately,
269 XXV  |    hypocrisy, Monsieur Tabaret,” he said in an agitated voice. “I
270 XXV  |            I don’t deceive myself,” said he. “I know that the duke