ter in the extreme.
The superintendent's words of praise fell on his ears like so many blows
from a sledge hammer.

"You must be mistaken," he eventually remarked, rising from his seat and
summoning all his energy to his assistance. "That man is not Couturier."

"Oh, I'm not mistaken; you may be quite sure of that. He fully answers
the description appended to the circular ordering his capture, and even
the little finger of his left hand is lacking, as is mentioned."

"Ah! that's a proof indeed!" groaned Father Absinthe.

"It is indeed. And I know another one more conclusive still. Couturier
is an old acquaintance of mine. I have had him in custody before; and he
recognized me last night just as I recognized him."

After this further argument was impossible; hence it was in an entirely
different tone that Lecoq remarked: "At least, my friend, you will allow
me to address a few questions to your prisoner."

"Oh! as many as you like. But first of all, let us bar the door and
place two of my men before it. This Couturier has a fondness for the
open air, and he wouldn't hesitate to dash out our brains if he only saw
a chance of escape."

After taking these precautions, the man was removed from the cage in
which he had been confined. He stepped forward with a smile on his face,
having already recovered that nonchalant manner common to old offenders
who, when in custody, seem to lose all feeling of anger against the
police. They are not unlike those gamblers who, after losing their last
halfpenny, nevertheless willingly shake hands with their adversary.

Couturier at once recognized Lecoq. "Ah!" said he, "It was you who did
that business last night. You can boast of having a solid fist! You fell
upon me very unexpectedly; and the back of my neck is still the worse
for your clutch."

"Then, if I were to ask a favor of you, you wouldn't be disposed to
grant it?"

"Oh, yes! all the same. I have no more malice in my composition than a
chicken; and I rather like your face. What do you want of me?"

"I should like to have some information about the man who accompanied
you last night."

Couturier's face darkened. "I am really unable to give you any," he
replied.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know him. I never saw him before last night."

"It's hard to believe that. A fellow doesn't enlist the first-comer for
an expedition like yours last evening. Before undertaking such a job
with a man, one finds out something about h