"Excuse me! Father Absinthe will bring me my meals, execute any errand I
may have, and relieve me at times if necessary."
The jealous General laughed; but his laugh, loud as it was, was yet a
trifle constrained. "Well, I pity you," he said.
"Very possibly."
"Do you know what you will look like, with your eye glued to that hole?"
"Like what? Tell me, we needn't stand on ceremony."
"Ah, well! You will look just like one of those silly naturalists who
put all sorts of little insects under a magnifying glass, and spend
their lives in watching them."
Lecoq had finished his work; and rose from his kneeling position. "You
couldn't have found a better comparison, General," said he. "I owe my
idea to those very naturalists you speak about so slightingly. By dint
of studying those little creatures--as you say--under a microscope,
these patient, gifted men discover the habits and instincts of the
insect world. Very well, then. What they can do with an insect, I will
do with a man!"
"Oh, ho!" said the governor of the prison, considerably astonished.
"Yes; that's my plan," continued Lecoq. "I want to learn this prisoner's
secret; and I will do so. That I've sworn; and success must be mine,
for, however strong his courage may be, he will have his moments of
weakness, and then I shall be present at them. I shall be present if
ever his will fails him, if, believing himself alone, he lets his mask
fall, or forgets his part for an instant, if an indiscreet word escapes
him in his sleep, if his despair elicits a groan, a gesture, or a
look--I shall be there to take note of it.
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