"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.