He  was  not  influenced  by  a  fear  of  being  obliged  to
share  the  fruits  of  success  with  his  companion,  but  by
the  necessity  of  having  an  assistant  of  whom  he  could,
in  case  of  need,  exact  obedience.  The  comrade  Lecoq
selected  was  a  man  of  about  fifty,  who,  after  a  term  in
the  cavalry  service,  had  entered  the  prefecture.
In  the  humble  office  that  he  occupied  he  had  seen
prefet  succeed  prefet,  and  had  probably  filled  a  prison
with  culprits  whom  he  had  arrested  with  his  own  hands.
He  was  no  more  shrewd  and  no  more  zealous  now
than  he  had  always  been.  When  he  received  an  order
he  executed  it  with  military  exactitude,  so  far  as  he
understood  it.
If  he  had  failed  to  understand  it,  so  much  the  worse.
He  discharged  his  duties  like  a  blind  man,  like  an  old
horse  trained  for  a  riding-school.
When  he  had  a  moment's  leisure,  and  any  money,
he  got  drunk.
He  spent  his  life  between  two  fits  of  intoxication,
without  ever  rising  above  a  condition  of  demi-lucidity.
His  comrades  had  known,  but  had  forgotten  his
name.     Everyone  now  called  him  Father  Absinthe.
MONSIEUR    LECOQ  23

Naturally  he  did  not  observe  the  enthusiasm  nor  the
tone  of  triumph  in  his  young-  companion's  voice.
