"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 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.