M. Lecoq's face, which had up to that moment worn an anxious expression, beamed with joy. He felt the natural pride of a captain who has succeeded in his plans for the enemy's destruction. He tapped the old justice of the peace familiarly on the shoulder, and pronounced a single word:
"Nipped!"
Palot shook his head.
"It isn't certain," said he.
"Why?"
"You may imagine, Monsieur Lecoq, that when I got the address, having some time on my hands, I went to reconnoitre the house."
"Well?"
"The tenant's name is really Wilson, but it's not the man of the photograph, I'm certain."
M. Plantat gave a groan of disappointment, but M. Lecoq was not so easily discouraged.
"How did you find out?"