Part 28 (1/2)
Juve, then rapidly explained to the journalist the origin of this nickname, and also told him how the bandits treated him as one of themselves; how, as soon as they were convinced that he could not remember anything he had seen or heard for two hours together, they talked freely before him of their plans and doings!
The detective went on:
”I must add, my dear Fandor, that no very sensational revelations have come to me, so far, through my intimacy with this set of criminals. It seemed to me I was in the midst of common thieves, who smuggled and circulated false coin; but one thing did puzzle me--puzzles me still: these folk succeed in selling a considerable number of pounds sterling, false coin, of course, and that without my being able to discover, so far, where they sell them--who makes their market. They also sell lace smuggled from Belgium; that, however, interests me but little, and I was prepared to leave to the lower ranks of the service the duty of clearing Paris of this common-place brood of criminals; already, indeed, the regular police had arrested one of the smugglers, the Cooper, and two of his subordinate confederates; I was about to turn my back on this crew in order to give all my attention to a new trail which might put me on the track of Fantomas once more, when the Dollon affair blazed forth; and then suddenly, I meet again my Fandor, braver than ever, more perspicacious also, adroitly taking the affair in hand, bravely thrusting himself into the breach!
”Is there any connection between the Dollon affair and my band of smugglers?”
”You will appreciate the importance of this question and the reply to it in a minute, my Fandor, when you learn that the Depot warder, Nibet, is one of the most valuable confederates of the coiners, of Mother Toulouche, of that hooligan, the Beard....”
”Is it possible!” cried Fandor. ”Ah, Juve, all this is so strange that I believe you are really on Fantomas' track, once more!”
Juve shook his head; then he continued:
”I have still a great deal to tell you, but I must pause a moment to say, that I ought to apologise to you for a fairly brutal act I committed on your behalf--in your best interests, as you will see....”
And to Fandor, who opened his eyes in astonishment, the detective related, in humorous fas.h.i.+on, the history of the famous kick he had administered--a kick wherewith Juve had removed his friend from the immediate and certain danger of a.s.sa.s.sination, at the hand and by the knife of Nibet.
Fandor could not get over it! He grasped Juve's hands and pressed them warmly.
”My friend! My good friend!” murmured he, moved almost to tears. ”If I had had the least suspicion!...”
Juve interrupted him.
”There are many more things, Fandor, you never suspected, things you ought to know.... And what is more, you seem to me to be neglecting your work badly at this very moment, Mr. Reporter! It is already one o'clock in the afternoon; and if they are counting on you to supply them with information about this affair of the place de l'Opera....”
Fandor leapt to his feet.
”It's true!” he cried. ”I had quite forgotten it!... But it is of no importance by the side of ...”
Juve interrupted.
”_The affair is serious, Fandor, attention!..._ Do you remember? It is the formula I employed on two or three occasions, when warning you, after the a.s.sa.s.sination of Jacques Dollon, after the attack on Sonia Danidoff at Thomery's house....”
”What! It was you, Juve!” cried Fandor.
”Yes, it was ... but let us pa.s.s on! Time presses. I am going to disappear anew; but you now know where to find me, in future, and under what form, should occasion require it. Cranajour I am; Cranajour I remain--for the time being, at any rate. As to you, Fandor, be off with you at once ... and go and hatch out that article of yours!”
Our journalist rose mechanically; but Juve, thinking better of it, caught him by the arm, drew him back and pointed out the writing-table.
”Come to think of it, you know nothing about the affair, and I do: there are things which should be said, above all things, to be hinted at ...
do you wish me to give you information?... Sit yourself there, my lad: I am going to dictate your article to you!”
Our journalist, understanding the gravity of the situation, and well knowing that if Juve took this course, he had important reasons for so doing, did not say one word. He simply brought out his fountain pen, screwed it ready for action, and, with his hand resting on a pile of white paper, he waited.
Juve dictated.
”First of all, put this as your t.i.tle: