has genius--took the personality of Valgrand for
several hours, and dared to go to the theatre where the real Valgrand
was playing. However, as Fantomas was not capable of playing the part to
a finish, he conceived the idea of making those about Valgrand believe
that he had been suddenly afflicted with loss of memory, and from that
moment could not remember anything whatever: Fantomas, the false
Valgrand, could thus pass for the true Valgrand, and be taken as such by
the true Valgrand's intimates!... I humbly confess, Fandor, that I
copied Fantomas by creating Cranajour...."

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, J