Juve, then rapidly explained to the journalist the origin of this nickname, and also told him how the bandits treated him as one of their own; 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 in front of him about their plans and crimes.

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 commonplace 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 Fantômas 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 Dépôt 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 Fantômas’ 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 fashion, the history of the famous kick he had administered – a kick by which Juve had removed his friend from the immediate and certain danger of assassination, 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 sus picion!...” Juve interrupted him.