and the secluded places of rendezvous where they met, drank
vile liquors, and, under the maddening influence of absinthe and
alcohol, plotted their crimes and atrocities of every description. This
man, another Quasimodo in point of hideous aspect, had been dismissed
from the detective service because of his inability to keep sober, but
he had not forgotten the resources of his profession, and money lavishly
bestowed upon him made him Captain de Morcerf's most obedient and
faithful slave. Cash in hand rendered him indefatigable and the prospect
of obtaining more kept him discreet. He had taught his employer the art
of effectually disguising himself, of passing for a veritable zigue,
and, as he was well-known to the desperadoes he had formerly shadowed
and was welcomed by them as a sterling good fellow, he was enabled to
take the Captain with impunity among scoundrels who would not have
hesitated to cut his throat had they known who he was.

As Albert did not know what name Danglars had assumed and was unwilling
to give the ex-detective his true cognomen, the latter had nothing to
guide him in this respect. Neither was the Captain cognizant of the
changes that time and his mode of life had wrought in the former
banker's personal appearance, so he could only describe him as he had
looked in the years gone by. This afforded Mange, such was the name of
the dismissed policeman, no indication whatever by which he could
profit. He, nevertheless, was not disconcerted by the paucity of
information. He knew that young Morcerf was searching for a man who had
been one of the party engaged in the attempt to rob the Monte-Cristo
mansion on the Rue du Helder, and that knowledge was sufficient for him.
He very soon discovered that Waldmann, Siebecker, Bouche-de-Miel and two
Italians had formed that party, and Bouche-de-Miel being the only
Frenchman in the coterie he had no difficulty whatever in fixing upon
him as the individual wanted. He imparted his discovery and conclusion
to his employer, together with the intelligence that the men were in the
habit of congregating in the little caboulot of the Cite d' Antin.
Albert rewarded Mange liberally for his zeal and promised him a very
much larger sum should Bouche-de-Miel turn out to be his man. It was
immediately arranged that Mange should conduct the Captain to the
caboulot that very night and, if possible, bring him face to face with
the Frenchman supposed to be Danglars.

In accordan