"You were not aware, then," resumed the judge, "that I was waiting
for you?"

"Pardon me," said the detective; "I hope you will be kind enough to
hear me. You see, it is indispensable to study the ground; one must
look about, establish his batteries. I am anxious to catch the
general rumor--public opinion, as they say, so as to distrust it."

"All this," answered M. Domini, severely, "does not justify your
delay."

M. Lecoq glanced tenderly at the portrait.

"Monsieur the judge," said he, "has only to inquire at the
prefecture, and he will learn that I know my profession. The great
thing requisite, in order to make an effective search, is to remain
unknown. The police are not popular. Now, if they knew who I was,
and why I was here, I might go out, but nobody would tell me
anything; I might ask questions--they'd serve me a hundred lies;
they would distrust me, and hold their tongues."

"Quite true--quite true," murmured Plantat, coming to the support
of the detective.

M. Lecoq went on:

"So that when I was told that I was going into the country, I put
on my country face and clothes. I arrive here and everybody, on
seeing me, says to himself, 'Here's a curious bumpkin, but not a