They started off together, reached the Faubourg Montmartre and entered a small wine-shop. Having taken their seats and ordered drinks, Fandor turned to the porter. "What's up?" he asked. "It takes you a long time to recognise your friends." Fandor scrutinised his companion. "You are wonderfully made up, Juve." On hearing his name mentioned, the man gave a start. "Don't utter my name! They know me here as old Paul." "But why the disguise? Who are you after? Is it anything to do with Fantômas?" Juve shrugged his shoulders. "Let's leave Fantômas out of it," he said. "At least for the moment. No, my lad, it's a very commonplace affair to-day, and I wouldn't have bumped into you except that I have an hour to while away and wanted your company." "This disguise for a commonplace affair?" cried Fandor. "Come, Juve, don't keep me in the dark." Juve laughed at his friend's eagerness. "You'll always be the same. When it's a matter of detective work, there's no keeping you out of it. Well, here's the information you're after. Read that." He passed Fandor a greasy, ill-written letter. Fandor took it in at a glance. "This refers to Loupart, alias the Square?" "Yes." "And you call it a commonplace affair? But, look here, can you trust information given by a loose woman?" "My dear Fandor, the police largely depend upon such tips, given through revenge by women of that class." "Well, I'm going with you." "No, I won't have you mixed up in this business; it's too dangerous." "All the more reason for my being in it! What is really known about this Loupart?" "Very little, unfortunately," rejoined Juve. "And it's the mystery surrounding him which makes us uneasy. Although he has been involved in some of the worst crimes, he has always managed to escape arrest. He is supposed to be one of an organised gang. In any case, he's a resolute scoundrel who wouldn't hesitate to draw his gun in case of need." Fandor nodded. "His arrest will make bully copy." "And for the pleasure of writing a sensational story you want to put your life in peril again!" Juve smiled sympathetically as he spoke. He had known the young journalist, when, scarcely grown up, he had been involved in the weird affairs of "Fantômas." Fandor was an assumed name. Juve recalled the young Charles Rambert, victim of the mysterious Fantômas, the most redoubtable ruffian of modern times, whom Juve declared to be Gurn and still alive, although Gurn had supposedly died on the scaffold. He recalled the sensational trial and the terrible revelations that had appalled society. Gurn he had then affirmed to be the lover of the Englishwoman, Lady Beltham. Gurn it was who had killed her husband, and Gurn was no other than Fantômas. He recalled the tragical morning when Gurn, in the very shadow of the scaffold, had found means to send in his stead an innocent victim, Valgrand, the actor. "When will you begin to draw in your net?" inquired Fandor.