uve, 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 fashion, the history of the famous kick he had
administered--a kick wherewith 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 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 assassination 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 pass 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 t