into the most violent imprecations and invectives; but, without feeling any offence at his gross and vulgar appellations, I contented myself with approaching him and saving coolly, "that it was very surprising how a man like him, who knew Vidocq, and could boast of the precious faculty of 'smelling out an informer as far off as a crow scents powder,' should have allowed himself to be done in that manner." This was a knock-down blow to Constantin; he could make no reply, but with an air of sullen confusion, turned away from me, and was silent.