bad fellow.' Then I slip about, listen, talk, make the rest talk!
I ask this question and that, and am answered frankly; I inform
myself, gather hints, no one troubles himself about me. These
Orcival folks are positively charming; why, I've already made several
friends, and am invited to dine this very evening."

M. Domini did not like the police, and scarcely concealed it. He
rather submitted to their co-operation than accepted it, solely
because he could not do without them. While listening to M. Lecoq,
he could not but approve of what he said; yet he looked at him with
an eye by no means friendly.

"Since you know so much about the matter," observed he, dryly, "we
will proceed to examine the scene of the crime."

"I am quite at Monsieur the judge's orders," returned the detective,
laconically. As everyone was getting up, he took the opportunity
to offer M. Plantat his lozenge-box.

"Monsieur perhaps uses them?"

Plantat, unwilling to decline, appropriated a lozenge, and the
detective's face became again serene. Public sympathy was necessary
to him, as it is to all great comedians.



VI

M. Lecoq was the first to reach the staircase, and the spots of