_From Monsieur Lecoq_, _Rue Jérusalem_, _Paris_, _to Inspector Bucket_,
_Scotland Yard_.
This correspondence appears to prove that mistakes may be made by the
most astute officers of police, and that even so manifest a Briton as Mr.
Pickwick might chance to find himself in the toils of international
conspiracy.
(Translated.)
May 19, 1852.
SIR AND DEAR FELLOW-BROTHER (_confrère_).—The so cordial understanding
between our countries ought to expand itself into a community of the
political police. But the just susceptibilities of the Old England
forbid at this moment the restoration to a friendly Power of political
offenders. In the name of the French police of surety I venture to
present to the famous officer Bucket a prayer that he will shut his eyes,
for once, on the letter, and open his heart to the spirit of the laws.
No one needs to teach Monsieur Bucket that a foreign miscreant can be
given up, under all reserves, to the justice! A small vial of a harmless
soporific, a closed carriage, a private cabin on board a Channel
steamer—with these and a little of the adroitness so remarked in the
celebrated Bucket, the affair is in the bag! (_dans le sac_). All these
things are in the cords (_dans les cordes_) of my esteemed English
fellow-brother; will he not employ them in the interest of a devoted
colleague and a friendly Administration? We seek a malefactor of the
worst species (_un chenapan de la pire espèce_). This funny fellow
(_drôle_) calls himself Count of Fosco, and he resides in Wood Road 5,
St. John’s Forest; worth abode of a miscreant fit for the Forest of
Bondy! He is a man bald, stout, fair, and paying well in countenance
(_il paie de mine_), conceiving himself to resemble the great Napoleon.
At the first sight you would say a philanthrope, a friend of man. On his
right arm he bears a small red mark, round, the brand of a society of the
most dangerous. Dear Sir, you will not miss him? When once he is in our
hands, faith of Lecoq, you shall tell us your news as to whether France
can be grateful. Of more words there is no need.—I remain, all to you,
with the assurance of my most distinguished consideration,