When the authorities were undecided what course to pursue in some great
case, they invariably said: "Let us go and consult Tirauclair." For this
was the name by which he was most generally known: a sobriquet derived
from a phrase which was always on his lips. He was constantly saying:
"_Il faut que cela se tire au clair_: That must be brought to
light." Hence, the not altogether inappropriate appellation of "Pere
Tirauclair," or "Father Bring-to-Light."
Perhaps this sobriquet assisted him in keeping his occupation secret
from his friends among the general public. At all events they never
suspected them. His disturbed life when he was working up a case, the
strange visitors he received, his frequent and prolonged absences from
home, were all imputed to a very unreasonable inclination to gallantry.
His concierge was deceived as well as his friends, and laughing at his
supposed infatuation, disrespectfully called him an old libertine. It
was only the officials of the detective force who knew that Tirauclair
and Tabaret were one and the same person.
Lecoq was trying to gain hope and courage by reflecting on the career of
this eccentric man, when the buxom housekeeper reentered the library
and announced that the physician had left. At the same time she opened a
door and exclaimed: "This is the room; you gentlemen can enter now."
XXIII
On a large canopied bed, sweating and panting beneath the weight
of numerous blankets, lay the two-faced oracle--Tirauclair, of the
Prefecture--Tabaret, of the Rue Saint Lazare.
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